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Department of State

New Jersey State Museum

The Hon. Tahesha Way, Lt. Governor and Secretary of State
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Events At The Museum

Events Calendar

Touch the Stars
December 10-13 2024

Weekday Planetarium Program

2:30 pm  Big Astronomy

Touch the Stars
December 14 2024

Science Under the Stars: Astrophotography - How To Do It And What You Can Get

4:15 pm

This is an introduction to the basics of astrophotography that can be done from one’s home using affordable equipment. Dr. Vanderbei will show several pictures of stars clusters, nebulae, and galaxies taken right from his driveway. Finally, we will learn how taking astrophotographs of the same object over the course of weeks, months, or years can lead to discovering how that object changes over time.

Reserve your seat

Small Explorers
December 14 2024

Small Explorers: Celebration

9:30 am and 11:00 am

Join the Small Explorers for a celebration. Festivities will include music, food, nutrition information, activities, and crafts. Come explore traditions of family gathering for different cultures.

The program is free but space is limited: Register

Small Explorers is the Museum’s free program for Trenton-area families with children ages 6 months to 5 years. Small Explorers is supported by a grant from PNC Grow Up Great.

Touch the Stars
December 14-15 2024

Planetarium Shows - Weekend Schedule

12:00 pm  Worlds Beyond Earth
1:00 pm  One World, One Sky
2:00 pm  Dinosaurs of Antarctica
3:00 pm  Big Astronomy

Touch the Stars
December 15 2024

Trenton Brass Quintet Plus One

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Free Holiday Concert, Museum Auditorium
Stop in and enjoy some holiday cheer at this free event!

Touch the Stars
December 17-20 2024

Weekday Planetarium Program

2:30 pm  Big Astronomy

Touch the Stars
December 21-22 2024

Planetarium Shows - Weekend Schedule

12:00 pm  Worlds Beyond Earth
1:00 pm  One World, One Sky
2:00 pm  Dinosaurs of Antarctica
3:00 pm  Big Astronomy

Touch the Stars
December 24 2024

Weekday Planetarium Program

11:00 am  Season of Light

NOTE: The Museum will close at 1:00 pm and the Shop will close at 12:30 pm on Dec. 24.

Touch the Stars
December 26-29 2024

Patriot’s Week Planetarium Program

12:00 pm  Worlds Beyond Earth
1:00 pm  One World, One Sky
2:00 pm  Dinosaurs of Antarctica
3:00 pm  Big Astronomy

Touch the Stars
December 28-29 2024

Spanish Language Planetarium Show

11:00 am  astronomia a gran escala

Touch the Stars
December 31 2024

Patriot’s Week Planetarium Program

2:30 pm  Big Astronomy

Touch the Stars
December 31 2024

Civil War Flag Unveiling

10:00 am

Join flag historian Dr. David Martin and Cultural of Cultural History Nicholas Ciotola for the history of five new flags to be unveiled in the New Jersey State Museum exhibition, The Civil War Flag Collection of New Jersey.

Touch the Stars
January 1 2025

Museum Closed for New Year’s holiday

Touch the Stars
January 2-3 2025

Weekday Planetarium Program

2:30 pm  Big Astronomy

Touch the Stars
January 4-5 2025

Planetarium Shows - Weekend Schedule

12:00 pm  Worlds Beyond Earth
1:00 pm  One World, One Sky
2:00 pm  Dinosaurs of Antarctica
3:00 pm  Big Astronomy

Touch the Stars
January 7-10 2025

Weekday Planetarium Program

2:30 pm  To Space & Back

Touch the Stars
January 11 2025

Small Explorers: Journey into Space

10:15 am

Who doesn’t look up and wonder? Even Small Explorers know about the Sun and Moon. Join us for a Planetarium show, followed by stellar activities and pizza as we continue our journey through space! One session only for this program, please register
Small Explorers is supported by a grant from PNC Grow Up Great

Touch the Stars
January 11-12 2025

Planetarium Shows - Weekend Schedule

12:00 pm  Big Astronomy 1:00 pm  Earth, Moon & Sun
2:00 pm  EXO: Are We Alone?
3:00 pm  To Space & Back

Touch the Stars
January 14-17 2025

Weekday Planetarium Program

2:30 pm  To Space & Back

Touch the Stars
January 18-19 2025

Planetarium Shows - Weekend Schedule

12:00 pm  Big Astronomy 1:00 pm  Earth, Moon & Sun
2:00 pm  EXO: Are We Alone?
3:00 pm  To Space & Back

Touch the Stars
January 21-24 2025

Weekday Planetarium Program

2:30 pm  To Space & Back

Touch the Stars
January 25 2025

Science Under the Stars: Why Do We Believe the Big Bang Theory?

4:15 pm

When scientists use the word “theory”, it means something very different from the general public’s usage. The Big Bang theory, which describes the beginning of our cosmos, has now been confirmed by thousands of observations for over a century. Dr. Tony Rothman will present the main pillars of the theory, discuss some unanswered questions of current research and will try to answer any of your lingering questions about the Big Bang.

Reserve your seat for this free talk

Touch the Stars
January 25-26 2025

Spanish Language Planetarium Show

11:00 am  Cuentos de cielos mayas

Touch the Stars
January 25-26 2025

Planetarium Shows - Weekend Schedule

12:00 pm  Big Astronomy 1:00 pm  Earth, Moon & Sun
2:00 pm  EXO: Are We Alone?
3:00 pm  To Space & Back

Touch the Stars
January 28-31 2025

Weekday Planetarium Program

2:30 pm  To Space & Back

Touch the Stars
February 1-2 2025

Planetarium Shows - Weekend Schedule

12:00 pm  Big Astronomy 1:00 pm  Earth, Moon & Sun
2:00 pm  EXO: Are We Alone?
3:00 pm  To Space & Back

Touch the Stars
February 4-7 2025

Weekday Planetarium Program

2:30 pm  Big Astronomy

Touch the Stars
February 8-9 2025

Planetarium Shows - Weekend Schedule

12:00 pm  Áróra
1:00 pm  One World, One Sky
2:00 pm  Dynamic Earth
3:00 pm  Big Astronomy

Touch the Stars
February 11-14 2025

Weekday Planetarium Program

2:30 pm  Big Astronomy

Touch the Stars
February 15-16 2025

Planetarium Shows - Weekend Schedule

12:00 pm  Áróra
1:00 pm  One World, One Sky
2:00 pm  Dynamic Earth
3:00 pm  Big Astronomy

Touch the Stars
February 18-21 2025

Weekday Planetarium Program

2:30 pm  Big Astronomy

Touch the Stars
February 22-23 2025

Planetarium Shows - Weekend Schedule

12:00 pm  Áróra
1:00 pm  One World, One Sky
2:00 pm  Dynamic Earth
3:00 pm  Big Astronomy

Touch the Stars
February 22-23 2025

Spanish Language Planetarium Show

11:00 am  Astronomía a gran escala

Touch the Stars
February 25-28 2025

Weekday Planetarium Program

2:30 pm  Big Astronomy

Touch the Stars
March 1-2 2025

Planetarium Shows - Weekend Schedule

12:00 pm  Áróra
1:00 pm  One World, One Sky
2:00 pm  Dynamic Earth
3:00 pm  Big Astronomy

Upcoming Events

Small Explorers: Celebration

Explorers

December 14, 9:45 am or 11:00 am

Join the Small Explorers for a celebration. Festivities will include music, food, nutrition information, activities, and crafts. Come explore traditions of family gathering for different cultures.

The program is free but space is limited: Register

Small Explorers is the Museum’s free program for Trenton-area families with children ages 6 months to 5 years. Small Explorers is supported by a grant from PNC Grow Up Great.

Science Under the Stars: Astrophotography - How To Do It And What You Can Get

Explorers

December 14, 4:15 pm

This is an introduction to the basics of astrophotography that can be done from one’s home using affordable equipment. Dr. Vanderbei will show several pictures of stars clusters, nebulae, and galaxies taken right from his driveway. Finally, we will learn how taking astrophotographs of the same object over the course of weeks, months, or years can lead to discovering how that object changes over time.

Reserve your seat

Trenton Brass Quintet Plus One Holiday Concert

quintet

December 15, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Join us for a free afternoon of holiday music, courtesy of the Trenton Brass Quintet Plus One! Take a break from your schedule and settle in for an hour of holiday music – Christmas and Hanukkah favorites, plus a song celebrating Kwanzaa. Concert will be held in the Museum Auditorium.

Civil War Flag Unveiling

gaines

December 31, 10:00 am

Join us for the unveiling of five flags from the Civil War Flag Collection of New Jersey. Flag historian David Martin and Curator of Cultural History Nicholas Ciotola will provide the history of each flag as they’re unveiled.
This rotation features the storied flag of the Second New Jersey Infantry Regiment. At the 1862 Battle of Gaines’ Mill, Corporal James Marshall draped this very flag around his body to protect it from the enemy while fighting off the numerically-superior force that threatened to surround him. Despite his efforts, the Confederates captured the flag and displayed it in Richmond as a war relic. After the war, New Jersey Adjutant General William S. Stryker learned of the flag and coordinated its return to the state.

Small Explorers Series

Small Explorers Series

Local families are welcome to register for the Small Explorers program, taking place in the Discovery Den on the second Saturday of the month, October through June. 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.

Event Rentals

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:

First Floor West Gallery
Riverview Court

This exceptional space is an ideal setting for buffet receptions, intimate sit-down dinners, business seminars and more. Available evenings and weekends only.

Auditorium
Auditorium

The 384-seat Auditorium is available for a wide variety of lectures, conferences, movie premieres, theater performances and more.

Additional rental spaces

 

 

 

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