Whether you’ve lived in New Jersey all your life or moved here recently, there’s a place where you can find lots of history that will deepen your Garden State pride.
The New Jersey State Museum has four floors of exhibits, artwork, sculptures and real-life objects that show off everything New Jersey has to offer, starting with the prehistoric age and going right up to modern-day life.
When you walk into the museum you’ll immediately notice the newest exhibit on the ground floor, “Discovering Grant Castner: The Lost Archive of a New Jersey Photographer.” This area has a classic museum feel, with open rooms and hallways that feature beautiful black-and-white photos of NJ history. You’re sure to find your county or even your town pictured on the wall, either at a now-defunct train station stop, a Victorian house on the beach, a street view of the Capital City, at a county fair, or of farmland that is now preserved. The Castner exhibit is on view through September 15.
As you round the corner you’ll come across a Civil War flag collection, along with info on New Jersey generals and nurses who served in the war. There are war posters on the columns and old-time weapons encased in glass.
Also on this level is the Riverview Court, where you can make a group reservation for lunch.
We suggest going downstairs next to learn about natural history and the traditions of Native Americans and Europeans in Colonial New Jersey. There’s a Museum of Natural History vibe here, with lots of archaeology on display. You’ll learn that there are still indigenous tribes living throughout New Jersey.
This area has lots of info about the discovery of New Jersey and early settlements, that go as far back as glaciers and migration. There’s an interactive demo with a video about an archaeology project at Abbott Farm in Mercer County, where you can learn about how scientists dig into the past – literally.
Next, we took the elevator to the second floor (which is technically the third floor, if you count the ground floor as Level 1). There’s a “wow” factor as soon as you walk down the ramp. Aside from a gigantic statue of President Abraham Lincoln in the center of the Pretty Big Things gallery, there is a collection of old appliances (do you know what a sausage maker looks like?), furniture and Lenox pieces. There are also vintage dolls, games and Lionel trains from your grandparents’ childhood.
This area is great for an inquisitive child since there are lots of buttons to press, flaps to open and projects to do; kids can sit for a few minutes to make their own friendship quilt or create their own Seal of New Jersey.
When you leave this area, check out the binder near the exit where kids can write their personal stories to share. It’s a great way to make them feel included in their home state’s history.
Heading down to the first floor, there’s a quiet area with paintings, plus photos, 3D sculptures and fabric art.
We especially loved the Written in the Rocks: Fossil Tales of New Jersey exhibit. There are gigantic skeletons, a fossil lab, a wall filled with taxidermy animals that live in NJ, and even a display with a wooly mammoth. It’s even better if you find a fossil that was dug up near your hometown.
There’s also a play area on the second floor called The Discovery Den for kids up to age 8. Your kiddos can read, put on a puppet show, learn in the science corner, go pretend fishing and hang in the playhouse.
Plan to spend at least 60 minutes in the museum, but give yourself more time if you get tickets for a planetarium show. We bet your kids will want to spend extra time in the fossil area, too.
Weekday planetarium shows are at 2:30 pm, Tuesday through Friday; and are 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
The New Jersey State Museum is located at 205 W. State St. in Trenton. Free parking is available on weekends in lots adjacent to the museum and on the street in front of the museum. On weekdays, metered street parking is available, along with a limited number of free visitor spots in the nearby State House garage.
Hours are 9 am to 4:45 pm Tuesday to Sunday; the auditorium building next door is open Tuesday to Friday. Admission to the museum is free, but the planetarium show is an additional cost.
The New Jersey State House and an overlook of the Delaware River are nearby.
Visit our Instagram page for a video highlighting some of our favorite exhibits.
Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!
Read More:
This Living History Farm in New Jersey Has Free Events Every Saturday
Your Kids – And You – Will Love These Day Trip Ideas In and Around NJ
Disney Fans Will Learn the Science Behind Disney Movies at LSC’s Pixar Exhibit
50+ Things To Do Indoors in New Jersey
Take Your Animal Lovers to Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge