NOTICE: The Museum Shop will be closed on July 2 for inventory and will re-open July 3.
The Museum will be closed on Thursday, July 4 for the holiday and will re-open regular hours on Friday, July 5.
12:00 pm EXO: Are We Alone
1:00 pm One World, One Sky
2:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
3:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
10 AM – 12 PM
Join Dr. Dana Ehret, Curator of Natural History, as he leads fossil collecting trips to Big Brook Preserve Space for each date is limited. Tickets are $15 per person. For additional information and to buy tickets use this link.
12:00 pm EXO: Are We Alone
1:00 pm One World, One Sky
2:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
3:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
11:30 am Magic Treehouse: Space Mission
1:30 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
2:30 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
12 – 2 PM
Written in the Rocks
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
In the American Civil War, flags guided troops into battle and served as patriotic emblems of honor and pride. Join flag historian Dr. David Martin of the New Jersey Civil War Heritage Association and NJSM Curator of Cultural History Nicholas Ciotola for a gallery walk about the history of five new flags to be unveiled in the State Museum’s exhibition, The Civil War Flag Collection of New Jersey. The one-hour tour will be followed by a reception hosted by Hunterdon 300th in the museum’s Riverview Court.
12:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
1:00 pm Magic Treehouse: Space Mission
2:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
3:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
11:30 am Magic Treehouse: Space Mission
1:30 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
2:30 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
12 – 2 PM
A Much Moved People, Trade in Colonial New Jersey
1 – 3 PM
Make a birch bark box and decorate with Anishinaabe inspired symbols. Get inspiration for your project when you visit the exhibition Bark! Indigenous Cultural Expressions.
10 AM and 11 AM
Powwow Day. This book explores the Native tradition of a powwow through the experience of a young girl and its importance to culture and community. Be sure to visit A Much Moved People to see regalia on display.
10 AM and 11 AM
New Jersey’s Original People
12:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
1:00 pm Magic Treehouse: Space Mission
2:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
3:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
11:30 am Magic Treehouse: Space Mission
1:30 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
2:30 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
12 – 2 PM
Pretty Big Things, Textiles in New Jersey
1 – 3 PM
3D DNA Strand. Learn about the building blocks of life and make one to take home. Visit the exhibition Written in the Rocks to learn more about life on Earth.
10 AM and 11 AM
Up in the Garden, Down in the Dirt. This book takes you above and below ground to learn all about a garden ecosystem. Be sure to visit the Museum’s Pollinator Garden located outside the Planetarium entrance.
12 – 2 PM
Written in the Rocks
10 AM – 12 PM
Join Dr. Dana Ehret, Curator of Natural History, as he leads fossil collecting trips to Big Brook Preserve Space for each date is limited. Tickets are $15 per person. For additional information and to buy tickets use this link.
12:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
1:00 pm Magic Treehouse: Space Mission
2:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
3:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
11:30 am Magic Treehouse: Space Mission
1:30 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
2:30 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
12 – 2 PM
American Perspectives, Colors
1 – 3 PM
Ocean Sensory Tubes. Learn about New Jersey sea life and make a calming ocean-themed sensory tube. Visit Written in the Rocks to discovery primordial seas and ancient sea monsters!
10 AM and 11 AM
Who’s in the Forest? It’s spring and all the forest creatures are coming out of hibernation. This interactive story introduces forest animals in a fun and playful way. Visit Written in the Rocks to learn more about New Jersey forest animals.
12 – 2 PM
Pretty Big Things
11:00 am Dinosaurios de la antártida
12:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
1:00 pm Magic Treehouse: Space Mission
2:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
3:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
11:30 am Magic Treehouse: Space Mission
1:30 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
2:30 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
12 – 2 PM
Planetarium Lobby, Astronomy in the Palm of Your Hand
1 – 3 PM
Make a bark cloth Tapa. You can choose to make note cards or turn it into home décor while you explore Pacific Island tapa symbols. Get inspiration for your project when you visit Bark! Indigenous Cultural Expressions.
11:30 am Magic Treehouse: Space Mission
1:30 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
2:30 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
10 AM and 11 AM
This week is art-making! We will read a story about art and then make some. Be sure to visit American Perspectives to get inspired.
12 – 2 PM
American Perspectives
12:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
1:00 pm One World, One Sky
2:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
3:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
11:30 am One World, One Sky
1:30 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
2:30 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
12 – 2 PM
Written in the Rocks, Ice Age Animals
1 – 3 PM
Making Mammoths. Learn the difference between a Mastodon and a Mammoth and make a furry friend to take home. See real mammoth fossils in Written in the Rocks.
10 AM and 11 AM
This week we will explore ice age animals and read a story about prehistoric life on earth. Visit Written in the Rocks to learn more about New Jersey during the last Ice age.
12 – 2 PM
Written in the Rocks
12:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
1:00 pm One World, One Sky
2:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
3:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
11:30 am One World, One Sky
1:30 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
2:30 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
12 – 2 PM
American Perspectives, Portraits1 – 3 PM
Amate Bark Art. This indigenous art from Mexico is colorful and fun to create. Visit Bark! Indigenous Cultural Expressions to see more bark cloth from South America
10 AM and 11 AM
This week is art-making! We will read a story about art and then make some. Be sure to visit American Perspectives to get inspired.
12 – 2 PM
Pretty Big Things
10 AM – 12 PM
Join Dr. Dana Ehret, Curator of Natural History, as he leads fossil collecting trips to Big Brook Preserve Space for each date is limited. Tickets are $15 per person. For additional information and to buy tickets use this link.
12:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
1:00 pm One World, One Sky
2:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
3:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
11:30 am One World, One Sky
1:30 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
2:30 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
12 – 2 PM
Written in the Rocks, Teeth!
1 – 3 PM
Pointillism & Pixels. Combine art and science into a masterpiece to take home! Pointillism uses the science of optics to create colors from many small dots placed so close to each other that they blur into an image to the eye. This is how pixels on computers work today.
10 AM and 11 AM
Hello Lighthouse! This Caldecott Award winning story introduces lighthouses to young readers. Learn more about New Jersey shore history in Pretty Big Things.
12 – 2 PM
A Much Moved People
11:00 am Mundos más allá de la Tierra
12:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
1:00 pm One World, One Sky
2:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
3:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
11:30 am One World, One Sky
1:30 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
2:30 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
12 – 2 PM
A Much Moved People, Lenape Games
1 – 3 PM
Aurora Art. Recreate an aurora in the sky and learn more about the interaction of solar wind and the Earth's magnetic field. Visit the Planetarium to see our newest show, Worlds Beyond Earth. (Fee for Planetarium show)
10 AM and 11 AM
What’s in the sky? Explore space through story and craft. Don’t forget to visit the Planetarium at 11:30 (fee for Planetarium) for the show One World, One Sky, perfect for small explorers.
12 – 2 PM
American Perspectives
12:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
1:00 pm One World, One Sky
2:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
3:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
12:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
1:00 pm One World, One Sky
2:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
3:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
June 29, 4:15 PM
Speaker: Zachary Gelles, Princeton University
In 2019, the Event Horizon Telescope released the first ever image of a black hole, opening up a wealth of new opportunities to learn about the fundamental nature of gravity. In this talk, we will discuss what a black hole is, where we expect to find them, and how we can take pictures of them up close. Zach will explain how black holes actually bend light, giving them a distinct appearance that can teach us about how gravity behaves when it is particularly strong. Finally, he will discuss what astrophysicists hope to do in the future to continue learning from these mysterious objects.
Reserve your seat
Join Dr. Dana Ehret, Curator of Natural History, as he leads fossil collecting trips to Big Brook Preserve on June 29, July 20 and August 17, 2024.
Dr. Ehret and participants will collect and learn about prehistoric marine life, including fossil sharks! Learn the techniques of fossil collecting and Dr. Ehret will help you identify your discoveries. Big Brook Fossil Preserve is known by fossil collectors along the East Coast as a hotspot for fossils from the Age of Dinosaurs.
Families are welcome and encouraged to attend, but all attendees must have a ticket, including parents/guardians and children.
Space for each date is limited. Tickets are $15 per person. For additional information and to buy tickets use this link. Members receive 50% discount, email Melissa.Mantz@njsmfoundation.org to confirm membership status and get discount code.
July 5 – August 30
Drop by the Museum and enjoy a free activity all summer-long! Use this link for a complete list of programs by date, or visit the Calendar page.
Tuesdays – 12:00 to 2:00 PM
Every Tuesday a Museum volunteer with an activity cart will be set up in one of our galleries. Explore art, history and science with interactive games, touchable objects and simple arts and crafts. All ages.
Wednesdays – 1:00 to 3:00 PM
Every Wednesday visit the Imagination Studio to make and take a craft. Stop by for a fun, free family activity or a stress relief moment for yourself! All ages.
Thursdays - 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM
Every Thursday morning we have story time in the Discovery Den for our smallest visitors. Join us for a story followed by a simple craft.
Fridays – 12:00 – 2:00 PM
Every Friday interact with a Museum Docent to learn more about our galleries. Tours are informal and you can catch up anytime. Great for a lunchtime break. Each week is different so you can make sure to enjoy them all!
July 6, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
In the American Civil War, flags guided troops into battle and served as patriotic emblems of honor and pride. Join flag historian Dr. David Martin of the New Jersey Civil War Heritage Association and NJSM Curator of Cultural History Nicholas Ciotola for a gallery walk about the history of five new flags to be unveiled in the State Museum’s exhibition, The Civil War Flag Collection of New Jersey. One-hour-long tour followed by a reception hosted by Hunterdon 300th in the museum’s Riverview Court.
Local families are welcome to register for the Small Explorers program, taking place in the Discovery Den on the second Saturday of the month. This playgroup is an opportunity for you to explore the Museum with your child and connect with other families for support. Families are encouraged to sign up for a full year of sessions to build knowledge, skills and relationships. The program is 45 minutes long and begins promptly. Sessions take place in-person at 9:45, 11:00 and 12:15 PM in the Discovery Den, The program is FREE, but space is limited; advance registration is required. Contact Susan.Kozak-Buckley@sos.nj.gov to learn more and register.
Small Explorers is supported by a grant from PNC Grow Up Great.
NOTE: Registration requests must be received by 10:00 am the Friday before the event in order to allow time for staff to confirm space availability.
Visit the Events/Calendar page for monthly program details and to register.
The New Jersey State Museum is a wonderful setting for your special event with changing exhibits that can provide a unique backdrop for any occasion. The Museum is ideally located in the State Capital Complex in Trenton, and offers a one-of-a-kind venue with incredible architecture and beautiful views of the Delaware River. For rates and availability, please view our rental information or email Rentals.NJSM@sos.nj.gov.
Available Rental spaces:
This exceptional space is an ideal setting for buffet receptions, intimate sit-down dinners, business seminars and more. Available evenings and weekends only.
The 384-seat Auditorium is available for a wide variety of lectures, conferences, movie premieres, theater performances and more.