Audio Tour
Look for the corresponding exhibits located throughout the museum.
Hit play and listen!
01
Welcome
The National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey seeks to chronicle the military history of New Jersey and its National Guard, from the habitation of the Lenape Indians to the Global War on Terror.
02
Native American Period
The original inhabitants of New Jersey were the Lenape Indians. The museum displays a number of Lenape artifacts which were dug up at the current site of Six Flags Great Adventure amusement park in Jackson Township.
03
Colonial New Jersey
The first European settlers in New Jersey were the Dutch. A Dutch militiaman, the ancestor of the New Jersey National Guardsman, is on display along with a
reproduction matchlock musket.
04
French & Indian War
In 1664, the British captured New Jersey from the Dutch. New Jersey troops in British service wore blue uniforms, leading to the nickname “Jersey Blues.” The Jersey Blues fought during the French and Indian War, with many killed and captured at the Battle of Fort William Henry.
05
Crossroads of the Revolution
New Jersey is known as the “Crossroads of the Revolution” because more battles were fought here than in any other state. Famous engagements in the state included the battles of Trenton, Princeton, and Monmouth.
06
Whiskey Rebellion
In the aftermath of the Revolutionary War, New Jersey militia accompanied George Washington’s army in its suppression of the Whiskey Rebellion. They were also involved in General Arthur St. Clair’s disastrous defeat to the Northwestern Indian Confederacy at the 1791 Battle of the Wabash River.
07
War of 1812
During the War of 1812, New Jersey militia guarded the Atlantic coastline, deterring British naval raids. Additionally, Brigadier General Zebulon Pike, a New Jersey native, died in a powder explosion while leading US federal troops during the Battle of York.
08
Mexican-American War
New Jersey militia served in occupation duties in Mexico during the Mexican-American War. Two New Jerseyans, General Stephen Kearny and Commodore Robert Stockton, led the conquest of California.
09
Civil War
Between 60,000 and 80,000 New Jersey troops, including over 3,000 African-Americans, served during the Civil War. On display is an 1861 Springfield, the first mass-produced rifled musket in US history.
10
Spanish-American War
New Jersey contributed four volunteer regiments for the Spanish-American War, which deployed to Florida but did not participate in overseas combat. During this period, New Jersey troops wore German-style spiked helmets with their dress uniforms.
11
Essex Troop
In the 1880s, a riding club from Essex county volunteered to become the New Jersey National Guard’s first cavalry unit, the Essex Troop. The unit still serves to this day as the 102nd Cavalry Regiment.
12
37mm Field Gun
The 37 mm M1917 field gun was designed by the French Army in 1916 and built by Pennsylvania’s Bethlehem Steel. When the US entered World War I in 1917 it requisitioned most of the cannons. They never saw combat with the US Army, but were used for stateside training in the New Jersey National Guard.
13
World War I
New Jersey National Guardsmen were called into service during World War I under the 29th Division, the ‘Blue and Grey’
14
1st Separate Battalion
The 1st Separate Battalion was an African-American New Jersey militia unit in the 1930s. It served with distinction during the relief efforts during and after the 1934 fire on the passenger ship SS Morro Castle and was federalized for WWII as the 1st Bn., 372nd Infantry.
15
World War II
The National Guard was mobilized for World War II with New Jersey units serving across the globe. NJ cavalry led the way across Europe while the 104th Engineers prepared infrastructure across the Pacific.
16
Napoleon Cannon
The 12-pounder Napoleon Gun was used extensively by both the Union and Confederacy during the Civil War. The museum’s cannon barrel is original, and the carriage is a reproduction manufactured by volunteers for the Civil War’s 150th anniversary.
17
Intelligent Whale
The Intelligent Whale is the only surviving Union Civil War-era submarine. Newark native Oliver Halstead, America’s first major lobbyist, attempted to sell it to the US Navy, albeit only after the war had ended. The submarine held a crew of six and was hand-powered by a massive crank.
