Group Tours
The Old Barracks Museum offers unique, effective programs based on sound educational and historical research, designed to meet New Jersey social studies curriculum guidelines and provoke critical thought. The Museum provides diverse options to meet your classroom needs. On site, recreated barracks and hospital rooms provide an authentic backdrop to our acclaimed living history programs.
Experience another dimension to history as you and your students interact with Living History interpreters in our exciting "Meet the Past" programs. Enter the world of 1777 and share the trials, tribulations, and joys of ordinary people living in extraordinary times.
Unless noted, programs are suitable for all age groups; our seasoned interpreters are adept at handling classes from kindergarten to college. Teachers should exercise discretions in making their selections.
| Tour Title | Description | Age | Duration | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meet the Past: The Battle of Trenton | Groups encounter "persons of the past" from the year 1777. Participants are recruited into the Continental Army and are introduced to military life. They will meet a soldier or townspeople who recall the events of the "recent" Battle of Trenton. They will also encounter the medical personnel who staffed the Barracks when it was a smallpox inoculation facility between 1777 and 1781. | All ages | 45 minutes | $8 adults, $6 students and seniors. | Maximum number of participants is 120. |
| Meet the Past: New Jersey Divided | Groups encounter "persons of the past" from the year 1777. Participants are recruited into the Continental Army and are introduced to military life. They will meet a local soldier or townsperson who will challenge participants to remain loyal to King George III of England. They will also encounter the medical personnel who staffed the Barracks when it was a smallpox inoculation facility between 1777 and 1781. | All ages | 4 minutes | $8 adults, $6 students and seniors. | Maximum number of participants is 120. |
| A Call to Arms Workshop | This workshop takes place at the Old Barracks Museum, providing an intensive and individualized approach to exploring life in 1777. The workshop begins with your choice of one of our "Meet the Past" programs (either "Battles of Trenton" or "New Jersey Divided"), followed by two specialized subject workshops, including: "Uniforms and Clothing," "The African American Experience", "Archeology", "Architecture", "Child's Play", or "A Woman's Point of View." | Ages 9 and up | 2.5 hours | $13 adults, $12 students and seniors. | Maximum number of participants is 30, minimum number is 15. Available Mondays to Fridays, September through February only. |
| Gallery Workshop | The Gallery at the Old Barracks Museum showcases changing exhibits that relate to Colonial New Jersey History and the American Revolution. Gallery exhibit programs are designed to supplement school tours. The process of viewing and discussing the exhibit triggers critical thinking about the objects and the time in history in which they were made and used. Pre-visit packets are provided to teachers to assist them incorporate their visit into their curriculum and lesson plans. Students receive worksheets requiring them to explore the main themes of the exhibit culminating in a group discussion led by an exhibit program guide. | Grades 4th- 6th. | 50 Minutes | $8 adult and $6 per student. | Maximum number of participants is 30, minimum number is 15. Available Mondays to Fridays, September through February only. |
Special Combo: Schedule a 45 minute "Meet the Past" program and a 50 minute Gallery exhibit program at $8 per adult and $11 per student. One chaperone is required and admitted free for every ten students. $8/each additional adult.
Reservations
All group program visits must be reserved through the Old Barracks Museum Education Office at 609-777-4042 or 888-227-7225 (888-BARRACK). Our staff is available to take your call Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. To insure the availability of your preferred date, make your reservation as soon as possible.
Programs for spring are in high demand so reserve early. We suggest scheduling fall and winter tours to avoid the crowds! Reservations are required for groups of 15 or greater.
Please have the following information ready when scheduling a tour:
- Preferred date and time of visit;
- Organization or school name, address, and phone number;
- Number of individuals in the group (include drivers and chaperones);
- Name(s) of group leader(s);
- Name of desired program;
- Advise us of any special needs for your group.
To secure your booking, a 25% non-refundable deposit of your total admission fee is required within 3 weeks of the day you phone in your reservation. After you have made your deposit, we will send you a confirmation.
For pre-booked school groups, the Old Barracks recommends that one adult chaperone be present for every 10 children per visiting school group. These chaperones will be admitted free of charge with a pre-booked tour. The Old Barracks Museum will charge additional persons our normal fees.
The Old Barracks meets the N.J. Social Studies Curriculum Benchmarks 6.1 through 6.9.
