All industrial & heritage museums to visit in New Jersey

Explore the impact of industry on society at 25 industrial heritage museums in New Jersey. These museums showcase the history of manufacturing, technology, and labor.

Are you curious about the history of industry and innovation? These are the top industrial heritage museums in New Jersey:

  1. Hoboken Historical Museum1

    Hoboken Historical Museum

     Hoboken, NJ
    The Hoboken Historical Museum, established in 1986, is situated in Hoboken, New Jersey. The museum offers a variety of rotating exhibitions and activities that provide insights into the city's history, culture, architecture, and historic landmarks. It serves as a platform for visitors to explore and understand the rich heritage of Hoboken.
  2. Laboratory Complex Visitor Center - Thomas Edison National Historical Park2

    Laboratory Complex Visitor Center - Thomas Edison National Historical Park

     West Orange, NJ
    The Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange, New Jersey, is a preserved site that includes Thomas Edison's laboratory and his residence, known as Glenmont. This park offers a unique opportunity to explore the spaces where Edison lived and worked, providing a glimpse into the life of one of the world's most renowned inventors.
  3. Historic Village at Allaire3

    Historic Village at Allaire

     Farmingdale, NJ
    Allaire Village is a historic district nestled within the Allaire State Park in Wall Township, New Jersey. Established in 1804 by James P. Allaire, the village was once a thriving ironworks community. Today, it offers visitors a unique glimpse into the past, with its preserved buildings and structures that tell the story of a bygone era.
  4. A. J. Meerwald4

    A. J. Meerwald

     Port Norris, NJ
    The A.J. Meerwald, a restored oyster schooner, is a significant part of New Jersey's maritime heritage. It is based in the Bivalve section of Commercial Township in Cumberland County, New Jersey. This historic ship offers a unique opportunity for visitors to learn about the state's rich maritime history and the importance of oyster dredging in the region's past.
  5. Long Pond Ironworks State Park5

    Long Pond Ironworks State Park

     Hewitt, NJ
    Long Pond Ironworks State Park, situated in Hewitt, West Milford, New Jersey, is a site of historical significance. The park is recognized for its old stone walls, furnaces, and other remnants of a once thriving ironworking community. These remnants serve as a testament to the industrious past of the area, providing visitors with a glimpse into the history of ironworking in the United States.
  6. The Sterling Hill Mining Museum6

    The Sterling Hill Mining Museum

     Ogdensburg, NJ
    The Sterling Hill Mining Museum, formerly known as the Sterling Hill Mine, is located in Ogdensburg, Sussex County, New Jersey, United States. This former zinc mine has a rich history and is now a museum that showcases the mining industry's past and its impact on the region.
  7. Red Mill Museum Village7

    Red Mill Museum Village

     Clinton, NJ
    The Red Mill Museum Village, previously known as the Clinton Historical Museum, is an open-air museum situated along the South Branch Raritan River at 56 Main Street in Clinton, New Jersey. This location offers a unique blend of history and nature, providing visitors with a rich cultural experience.
  8. New Jersey Museum of Transportation8

    New Jersey Museum of Transportation

     Wall Township, NJ
    The New Jersey Museum of Transportation is a unique institution that focuses on the collection, preservation, and operation of historic railroad equipment. Visitors can explore a wide range of exhibits that showcase the rich history and evolution of railroad technology. The museum offers a fascinating insight into the world of transportation, making it an interesting destination for history buffs and train enthusiasts alike.
  9. Historic Speedwell9

    Historic Speedwell

     Morristown, NJ
    Historical Speedwell, previously known as Speedwell Ironworks, is open to the public and features seven buildings on display. It is a historic site managed by the Morris County Park Commission and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1974. Visitors can explore the site and learn about its significant role in history.
  10. Ringwood Manor10

    Ringwood Manor

     Ringwood, NJ
    Ringwood Manor, situated in Passaic County, New Jersey, has a rich history dating back to the 1740s. It served as an ironworks site and was the residence of several prominent ironmasters until the late 19th century. This historical significance adds a unique charm to the manor, making it an interesting destination for those interested in industrial history.
  11. American Labor Museum - Botto House National Landmark11

    American Labor Museum - Botto House National Landmark

     Haledon, NJ
    The Pietro and Maria Botto House, located at 83 Norwood Street, Haledon in Passaic County, New Jersey, is a significant historical site. It was here that leaders of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) union addressed the 25,000 workers involved in the Paterson Silk Strike of 1913. This event was a pivotal moment in the history of labor rights in the United States.
  12. East Jersey Olde Towne Village12

    East Jersey Olde Towne Village

     Piscataway, NJ
    The East Jersey Old Town Village is an open-air museum situated in the scenic Johnson Park in Piscataway, New Jersey. This unique museum offers visitors a chance to step back in time and experience the architecture and lifestyle of the 18th and 19th centuries in Central Jersey.
  13. West End Hose Company Engine #313

    West End Hose Company Engine #3

     Somerville, NJ
    The West End Hose Company Number 3 building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 17, 2002. This recognition underlines its significance in architecture and social history. Tourists interested in historical sites will find this information relevant as it adds to the prestige and historical importance of the building.
  14. Bayonne Truck House No. 114

    Bayonne Truck House No. 1

     Bayonne, NJ
    The Bayonne Truck House No. 1, also known as the Chief John T. Brennan Fire Museum, is a historic site located in Bayonne, Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. This museum offers visitors a glimpse into the history of firefighting in the region, with its building itself being a part of that history.
  15. Blackwells Mills Canal House15

    Blackwells Mills Canal House

     Somerset, NJ
    The Blackwells Mills Canal House is a historic site located in Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey. It is situated on the Delaware and Raritan Canal, a significant waterway in the region. The house was originally built in the 1830s to accommodate the bridge tender, who was responsible for operating the swing bridge to allow boats to pass through the canal.
  16. InfoAge Science and History Museums16

    InfoAge Science and History Museums

     Wall Township, NJ
    The former Camp Evans is now home to the Information Age Learning Center (InfoAge), an organization dedicated to promoting the science and history of the site. InfoAge occupies the remaining thirty buildings on 27 acres and hosts a museum and exhibits that provide insight into the site's past. This makes it an interesting destination for those interested in history, science, and technology.
  17. Museum of Early Trades and Crafts17

    Museum of Early Trades and Crafts

     Madison, NJ
    The Museum of Early Trades & Crafts is located in Madison, Morris County, New Jersey. This non-profit educational institution is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the tools and artifacts used in New Jersey before 1860. It provides a unique opportunity to learn about the early trades and crafts that shaped the region.
  18. Butler Museum18

    Butler Museum

     Butler, NJ
    The Butler Museum is housed in a station depot built in 1888, featuring Stick-Eastlake architecture. As a local nonprofit historical entity, the museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich history of the area.
  19. Whippany Railway Museum19

    Whippany Railway Museum

     Hanover, NJ
    The Whippany Railway Museum, located in the Whippany section of Hanover Township in Morris County, New Jersey, is a unique destination that offers both a railway museum and excursion train rides. Visitors can explore the rich history of railroading in the state, as well as enjoy a scenic train ride that provides a unique perspective of the surrounding area.
  20. Twin Lights Historical Society Lighthouse20

    Twin Lights Historical Society Lighthouse

     Highlands, NJ
    The Navesink Twin Lights is a historical site located in Highlands, Monmouth County, New Jersey. This non-operational lighthouse and museum overlooks Sandy Hook Bay, the entrance to New York Harbor, and the Atlantic Ocean, offering visitors a unique perspective of these significant geographical features.
  21. Thomas Edison Center - Menlo Park Museum21

    Thomas Edison Center - Menlo Park Museum

     Metuchen, NJ
    The Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park, also referred to as the Menlo Park Museum or Edison Memorial Tower, is a memorial dedicated to the renowned inventor and businessman, Thomas Alva Edison. It is situated in the Menlo Park area of Edison, in Middlesex County, New Jersey. This location is significant as it marks the site of Edison's Menlo Park laboratory, the world's first organized research and development site.
  22. Paterson Museum22

    Paterson Museum

     Paterson, NJ
    The Paterson Museum, founded in 1925, is situated in Paterson, New Jersey, United States. The museum is owned and operated by the city of Paterson and its primary mission is to preserve and exhibit the industrial history of Paterson. It is located in the Old Great Falls Historic District, providing a rich historical context for visitors.
  23. 23

    The Weston Museum

     Newark, NJ
    The Weston Museum is situated within the premises of the Van Houten Library at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. This location is in the University Heights section of Newark, New Jersey. This strategic location makes it easily accessible for tourists and visitors who are interested in exploring the museum.
  24. 24

    Silverball Museum

     Asbury Park, NJ
    The name says it all - large pinball museum where all the historical machines are in playable condition.
  25. 25

    Phillipsburg Railroad Historians

     Phillipsburg, NJ
    Small but interesting museum displaying well-preserved collection of railroad-related items, wagons and trolleys.