Whether you’re a history buff or just looking to learn something new, there’s plenty to offer right here in South Jersey. We’ve put together a list of some of the indoor museums and historical sites available here in our area. Get ready to explore some local art and history!
79-83 Market Street, Salem, NJ
The Salem County Historical Society has been collecting objects related to the history of our community since our founding in 1884, resulting in a rich collection in both depth and variety. In total, the museum collection contains over 10,000 objects. The main building comprises two historic homes and contains several permanent and changing exhibit spaces. The Society’s courtyard houses the stone barn, a log cabin, a law office, and a bath house. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 12pm to 4pm.
330 Mickle Boulevard, Camden, NJ
Step back in time to the humble dwelling of the “Good Gray Poet,” Walt Whitman. Constructed in 1848, this modest wooden-framed structure built in Greek-revival style was the only home ever owned by Walt Wh
itman. Here is where Whitman grew to international fame as the author of Leaves of Grass, hosted visitors from around the world and completed his last comprehensive volume of poetry before his death in 1892. Today, as a New Jersey State Historic Site and a National Historic Landmark, the restored Whitman House welcomes visitors from around the world who come to experience the last worldly surroundings of America’s great “Poet of Democracy.”
128 High Street, Mt. Holly, NJ
Built in 1810, the Burlington County Prison was in continuous use from 1811 until 1965. The Prison was, at the time it closed, the oldest continuously used jail in the country. The Old Jail was opened as a museum in 1966. The group which had lobbied for the Jail’s preservation morphed into the Historic Burlington County Prison Museum Association (PMA). Today’s PMA strives to research and preserve the history of the Old Jail and to promote the site through publications, a website, an audio tour and exhibits.
25 West High Street, Glassboro, NJ
The Heritage Glass Museum collects, preserves, and curates historic southern New Jersey glass (historic and fine art), artifacts, photographs, and documents in order to inspire diverse audiences to explore the rich cultural history of New Jersey’s glass making heritage. The museum collection includes over 200 years of South Jersey glass. Utilizing its unique collection and library, the museum collaborates with artists, collectors, community leaders, researchers, and teachers to develop innovative educational programs, exhibitions, publications, and initiatives that are made available for the community.
62 Battleship Place, Camden, NJ
USS New Jersey is an Iowa-class battleship and was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named after a US state. Battleship New Jersey served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Reactivated once more in the 1980’s as part of the 600-ship Navy program, the Battleship New Jersey was modernized to carry missiles and recommissioned for service. In 1983, she participated in US operations during the Lebanese Civil War. USS New Jersey was decommissioned for the last time in 1991. The battleship is open daily from 10am to 4pm.
128 Hooton Road, Mount Laurel, NJ
Alice Paul was the architect of some of the most outstanding political achievements on behalf of women in the 20th century. Born on January 11, 1885 to Quaker parents in Mount Laurel, NJ, Alice Paul dedicated her life to the single cause of securing equal rights for all women. Founded in 1984 to preserve Alice Paul’s legacy and further her ideals, The Alice Paul Institute purchased her childhood home, Paulsdale, in 1990 and launched the organization’s headquarters. They are open to visitation by appointment.
1910 Broadway, Camden, NJ
The Camden Shipyard and Maritime Museum is a new, family-oriented, interactive, and educational facility that is housed in a turn of the century church partially made with stone used as ballast from Peary’s 1892 expedition to the Arctic. Situated in the historic district of Waterfront South in Camden, New Jersey, the aim of the Museum is to present a variety of programs and exhibitions related to local and regional maritime history and host a variety of recreational boating programs for children and their families. The Museum’s programs have a thematic orientation to the people, places, enterprises, and events associated with the maritime history of the New Jersey side of the Delaware River estuary.
201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ
The Edelman Planetarium, managed by the Department of Physics & Astronomy at Rowan University, offers live stargazing and immersive 360-degree video on their digital sky. Local residents are welcome to j
oin the Rowan community in reaching for the stars in the planetarium. Here visitors can enjoy a wide variety of shows and special events designed to educate and entertain, advance viewers’ understanding of the universe, and provide up-to-date astronomical information. Join in and learn about the history of the universe!
68 Stacy Haines Road, Lumberton, NJ
The Air Victory Museum, located in Lumberton, is an educational organization dedicated to inspiring today’s youth through the technology and achievements in aviation history. With real artifacts from aviation history, you can come get an up-close view of all of the amazing technological feats of the past while learning about their history! The museum is open to the public from Wednesdays through Sundays.
1000 Village Drive, Millville, NJ
Reopens April 2023
The Museum of American Glass, celebrating the creativity and craftsmanship of American glass, is at the core of WheatonArts. One of only 9 museums in the state of New Jersey to be accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, it offers over 18,000 square feet of exhibition space, a collection over 20,000 pieces strong, as well as a research library and archives. Now a leading resource on the art and history of glass made in America, WheatonArts provides stewardship over one of the most comprehensive collections of American glass in the world!