Salem County Historical Society [NJ]

Description

The Salem County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of Salem County, New Jersey. Collections include furniture, paintings, textiles, glass, china, silver, documents, tools, Wistarburg glass, and the Colonial Benjamin Holme tall case clock taken by the British to General Howe's headquarters in New York. Structures include a 1959 stone barn, a 19th–century log cabin, and a museum; and styles range across Colonial, Federal and Italianate.

The society offers lectures; exhibits; specific field trip programming, designed to meet state educational standards; period rooms; a research library; traveling trunks and accompanying lesson plans for local rental; in-classroom presentations by docents; and a summer camp. The website offers a newsletter for students and teachers.

Haddon Fire Company Museum [NJ]

Description

The Haddon Fire Company Museum houses two pumpers (dating from 1818 and 1873), helmets, uniforms, a collection of metal toy fire equipment, and the company's original banner. The site has been structured to suggest how a fire house might have looked 200 years ago. The Haddon Fire Company is the nation's second oldest volunteer fire company in continuous existence, founded in 1764.

The museum offers exhibits.

Trenton Police Museum [NJ]

Description

The Trenton Police Museum preserves and shares the history of the law enforcement officers of Trenton, New Jersey. Collections include historic photographs. The museum is currently located in the basement of the city police department.

The museum offers exhibits for individual visitors and small groups. All visitations require appointments. The website offers a digital exhibit summarizing the history of the department.

New Jersey Fireman's Home Museum [NJ]

Description

The New Jersey Fireman's Home was established in 1898 in order to care for aged and disabled firefighters in New Jersey. The home also is host to the New Jersey Fireman's Museum which displays antique firefighting equipment.

The museum is open to visitors daily and offers several exhibits of antique firefighting equipment. The website offers visitor information and a small photo gallery of the museum's collection.

Sussex County Historical Society and Museum [NJ]

Description

The Sussex County Historical Society was established in 1904, following the culmination of the county's 150th anniversary celebration. The Society brings together people interested in the prehistory, history, and native culture of Sussex County. The Society seeks out, collects, preserves, restores, and studies materials that reveal and illustrate the county's history. The Society encourages and supports policies and projects that enhance the appreciation and preservation of Sussex County's heritage. One of the society's achievements is the restoration and care of the Old Newton Burial Ground located across Main Street from the society headquarters, which are located at the Hill Memorial Building, along with the society museum and library. The Hill Memorial was listed on both the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places in 1985 as the oldest museum building in New Jersey.

The museum offers historical exhibits and special events highlighting the history of Sussex County. The museum also offers tours and programs for the general public and schoolchildren. The website offers a history of Sussex County, genealogical information, visitor information, information regarding local attractions and lodging, and a small online bookstore.

Blackwells Mills Canal House [NJ]

Description

The Blackwells Mills Canal House was built circa 1835 as a home for the men and women who operated the swinging bridges over the canal. In the 1970s, the last owner of the home died and the canal was declared a National Historic Site. Now, the house is a historic house museum, and visitors to the home can view how bridge operators lived in the 1800s as well as view artifacts and historical information about the Blackwells Mills Canal.

The site offers historical and visitor information regarding the house.

Indian King Tavern Museum [NJ]

Description

The Indian King Tavern, built circa 1750 by a wealthy Philadelphia merchant and ship owner named Matthias Aspden, is a fine example of an early American public house and tavern. The tavern was originally built as a three-and-one-half story brick building. By 1764, it had been enlarged to 24 rooms with five cellars. On its north elevation, a two-story addition was constructed. Commonly referred to as "the ark," this part of the building was used in connection with tavern operations. Thomas Redman purchased the property in 1775. Redman, a Quaker, quickly raised the ire of local patriots with his outspoken pacifism. In January 1777, he was arrested and jailed for his frequent public pacifist readings. Shortly after his release from prison in May of that same year, he sold the tavern to Hugh Creighton. Creighton continued to operate the premises as a tavern and inn, retaining Thomas Smith, the innkeeper for previous owner Thomas Redman. Before long, Smith and the tavern's new owner found themselves at the center of political events that would forever change the course of history for the colony of New Jersey and the nation.

The museum offers tours.

Drake House Museum [NJ]

Description

The Drake House Museum is located in Planfield, NJ, and is owned and operated by the Historical Society of Plainfield. On permanent display in the house are three Colonial era rooms, the kitchen, the Queen Anne dining room, and the Washington bedroom. In addition, the parlor and Harberger Library are interpreted as period Victorian rooms. Thus, visitors to the house can view the house as it was throughout the early history of New Jersey.

The site offers brief historic and visitor information, an events calendar, information about the "Traveling Trunk," a traveling exhibits that shows a virtual tour of the house as well as several house artifacts, and an online newsletter.

The museum is currently closed for renovation.