Artifact Donation
The National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and displaying artifacts with a specific historical significance to the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, and the State Militia of New Jersey.
Donations from individuals and organizations form a vital part of our collection. We are interested in obtaining New Jersey themed military artifacts and some political artifacts, to include documents, weapons, uniforms, photographs, and artwork.
As a general rule, the museum does not accept artifacts that are:
- too large for storage or display within the museum space
- infested with insects, disease organisms, or other pests
- in poor condition
- newspapers
- potentially hazardous items (e.g., live ammunition, unexploded ordnance)
- duplicates of original artifacts (we accept duplicates of rare artifacts on occasion if they meet our exhibit needs)
The museum does not accept unsolicited artifacts through the mail. If you have objects that you are interested in donating to the museum, please contact us at (732) 974-4570 or use the online form provided.
Artifacts are only accepted as unrestricted gifts and if the owner wishes to place specific conditions upon their donation (e.g., display guarantees, terms of loan, etc.), they will not be accepted.
Once a tentative agreement is reached between the owner and the museum, the owner will finalize the donation by completing the NGMMNJ Gift Agreement.
The National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey uses artifacts for a variety of purposes, including exhibits organized and displayed in the museum, for loans to other reputable institutions, and for research by students and historians. Artifacts not on exhibit or loan are placed in secure storage areas managed by the museum. These areas have controlled humidity, temperature, and light to ensure that the items are carefully preserved.
October 2, 1779
General George Washington ordered that the uniform coats of the New Jersey Continental Line regiments be dark blue, with buff colored facings.
December 13, 1862
Most New Jersey regiments in the Union Army of the Potomac fought in the disastrous Civil War battle of Fredericksburg. Some suffered heavy losses, including the 24th NJ regiment, with 136 casualties, and the 28th NJ regiment, with 193.
November 30, 1776
General Howe, then in the process of driving the remnants of General Washington’s army out of New Jersey, optimistically advised Lord George Germain, that he intended to crush the rebellion in the forthcoming year.
