Organization of the Week: New Jersey Historical Society

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Every Monday, I highlight a non-profit related to history or the arts, a historical society, preservation group or friends group whose main objective is to promote the historical and artistic history of New Jersey.

This week, I am featuring the New Jersey Historical Society. Founded in 1845, the New Jersey Historical Society is a state-wide, private, non-profit historical museum, library, and archives dedicated to collecting, preserving, and interpreting the rich and intricate political, social, cultural, and economic history of New Jersey to the broadest possible audiences. They are the oldest cultural institution in the state. Through exhibitions, publications, and programming, the Society examines who and what we are, what it means to live and work in New Jersey, what contributes to New Jersey's distinct identity, and what are the unique contributions New Jerseyans make to the region and the country.

The New Jersey Historical Society’s collections include a wide variety of diverse materials. Museum collections include costumes, furniture, paintings, prints, ceramics, glass, tools, and much more. The library collections contain manuscripts, reference books and rare books, photographs, maps, broadsides, pamphlets, mass-produced prints and other materials that document the cultural and historical heritage of New Jersey from the colonial era through the 20th century. They form the largest and finest collection of New Jersey-related material in existence.

The New Jersey Historical Society relies on memberships, fundraising, and countless volunteers to continue its mission. For more information on programs, special events, and exhibits hosted by New Jersey Historical Society or to become a member or volunteer, please call 973-596-8500 or visit www.jerseyhistory.org.

If you are a member of a non-profit organization or know of one that you would like to see featured on this site, please let us know in the comments or send an e-mail to kelly@thehistorygirl.com.

Location: 52 Park Place, Newark, NJ 07102, USA

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