The Old Barracks Museum

	The Old Barracks Museum - Quick Facts
HSP Category	Building
Period	1758-1759
Architect	British Government
HSP Style	Barracks
Builder	British Government
Construction	Brick and Wood
No. Stories	2 plus a basement
Original Use	Barracks
Present Use	Museum

Historical Significance:

French and Indian War

"In 1758, the Barracks was the biggest building in Trenton. About 300 British and Irish soldiers were the first to live here. The building was made of stone and had dark red woodwork. There were about 20 soldiers' rooms, each with two windows, a door and a fireplace. Twelve soldiers were housed in each room, with two men sleeping in each wooden bunk. The soldiers received rations of food, firewood, candles, cider, salt, and vinegar. There was a kitchen in the cellar, but most soldiers cooked in their rooms. In the center of the building was a little house with a staircase to the second floor and the balcony. The Officers' House was fancier and more comfortable. Cows, pigs, chickens and horses were kept outside in the yard. The first soldiers to occupy the Barracks were two companies of Irishmen, the Inniskillin's (1758-1759); two companies of lowland Scots, the First Regiment of Foot (1759-1760); and two companies of British soldiers with Swiss officers, the Royal American (1761-1762).

Revolution

When the Revolutionary War started, the Barracks was used by American troops. British prisoners of war from St. John and Chambly, Canada, were imprisoned in the Officers House while four companies of the Second New Jersey Regiment of the Continental Line were raised here. In December, 1776, British and Hessian troops occupied Trenton. Some of them stayed in the Barracks. Colonists loyal to the English king also arrived so that they could be protected by the soldiers. During the First Battle of Trenton on Dec. 26, in a miraculously successful morning raid, General Washington captured many of the Hessians. The Americans returned to Trenton and used the Barracks. In 1777, the Barracks became an army hospital under Dr. Bodo Otto. Many soldiers and supplies passed through Trenton until the end of the war. The last soldiers in the Barracks may have been sick and wounded soldiers from the siege of Yorktown in 1781. For more detail on the events surrounding the Battles of Trenton. 1900's

In the early part of the century, Trenton was a thriving industrial center, and its residents were proud of their growing, prosperous city. An organization of wealthy patriotic women, mostly from the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, wanted to save and restore the forgotten, tumble-down buildings that once were the Barracks. In 1902, they formed the Old Barracks Association and bought the south section of the building. In 1914 the State of New Jersey bought the north section and agreed to start a museum. The building was restored as some thought it must have looked in 1758, with a rebuilt middle section and new corridors, balconies, windows and landscaping." All wording is from the Historical Section of the Old Barracks Museum website found here: http://www.barracks.org/the-history.html

The Old Barracks became a State Registered Landmark in 1970, a National Register Landmark in 1971 and a National Historic Landmark in 1972. The second restoration of the Barracks began in 1985 and ended in 1998. Archaeologists, architects, historians, and specialist craftsmen worked together to determine how the Barracks was made, and how to best repair it. Today the exterior fence and parade ground emphasize the original military nature of the building.

Acknowledgements: The New Jersey State Society saved this Old Barracks from destruction in 1902 and handed the ownership over to the State of New Jersey in 1914. The Maryland State Society along with the New Jersey State Society planted and marked a tree for the 200th Celebration of the birth of George Washington.

Form Submitted By: Maryland State and New Jersey State Societies 6/10/2013

Designations:

National Register of Historical Places
State Historical Commission
City Landmark

Historic Marker:

Marker Organization: Maryland and New Jersey State Societies
Marker Date: 1932 and 2001
Marker Text: 1932 Marker WASHINGTON FIRST TOOK COMMAND OF THE AMERICAN ARMY UNDER THE GRANDPARENT OF THIS ELM AT CAMBRIDGE, MASS JULY 3, 1775 RAISED AND PRESENTED BY MARYLAND D.A.R. MARKED BY NEW JERSEY D.A.R. THIS TREE IS PLANTED AS PART OF THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF GEORGE WASHINGTON 1732-1932 2001 Marker for the Diorama The Battle of Trenton December 26, 1776 This diorama commissioned by The New Jersey State Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Ruth Spaar Cavallaro, State Regent, 1998-2001 Keith Alan Spaar, Sr designed and constructed the diorama Kenneth Earle Spaar, Jr and Gregory Ehrmann painted the military figures non-DAR artisans using standard sources on the Battle of Trenton

Funded By:

Beulah Oliphant, member of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1899, organized the local DAR to raise funds for the purchase of the South Wing of the Old Barracks for Historic Preservation. It is now funded by the State of New Jersey.

Information for the Visitors:

What you need to know if interested in visiting this destination:

Condition of Property: Preserve
Open to the Public? Yes
Public Fee: Prices vary per age range
Public Hours: Check website for current hours
Is it Family Friendly? Yes
Lodging? None
Brochure available? Yes
Catalog available? Yes
DVD available? Yes

Select a State to Explore our Historic Properties

Units Overseas

Directions and application forms can be found on this page or in the Forms section of the DAR members' website.

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