New Jersey State Museum

History

In 1895, the New Jersey State Legislature formally established the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton with a mission to collect and exhibit specimens in natural history, archaeology, and industrial history. Original collections included natural history specimens amassed in the 19th century. Between 1900 and 1912, the State Museum strengthened its archaeology focus by initiating a field research program. In 1929 expanded space in the newly-constructed State House Annex permitted extensive exhibitions of the natural history and New Jersey prehistory collections. Decorative arts became a third collection field at this time when the State Museum expanded its focus beyond industrial history to include the manufacture of ceramics. Growing interest in education and culture in the late 1950s resulted in the construction of a modern cultural complex near the State House that opened in 1965 and included a four-level Museum building, an adjoining planetarium, and an adjacent auditorium.

Specialties

Science, history and art: get to know more about New Jersey and its place in the world! Explore natural and cultural history, archaeology and ethnography, and fine art through the Museum's holdings of more than two million artifacts. Take a tour, participate in hands-on activities, enjoy a lecture, see a planetarium program, interact with scientists working on real fossils, or browse the galleries. Scouting badges and teacher professional development also offered. Visit the website for programs, exhibitions and planetarium information.