Description of The Vietnam Era Educational Center

The Vietnam Era Educational Center welcomes more than 14,000 visitors a year.  The two largest audiences are Veterans and school students.  The Educational Center was planned to augment the Memorial and help visitors gain a better understanding of the war in Southeast Asia and the surrounding political strife in America.  It compliments the solemnity of the Memorial with a dynamic and lively learning environment.

The 10,000 square foot facility includes a number of key components:

Exhibit Space

Historic Timeline

Covering the walls of the exhibit area is a chronology of the war that presents a historical recollection of the events of the era, shown in two concurrent timelines -- one reflecting the activity in Vietnam and the other reflecting the activity in the United States.  This allows visitors to gain a full perspective of the political, military, social, and cultural elements in play during this time.  Interspersed along this timeline are touch screen computers that provide visitors with an interactive glance at historical events, as well as personal photographs submitted by Vietnam veterans and their families.

The Eyewitness Accounts

Mirroring the historical events is a secondary timeline presenting eyewitness accounts of some of the major events taking place throughout this era.  Whether from the jungles of Southeast Asia or the livings rooms of America, these personal accounts (through letters and other written material) help make the connection between the facts of war and its effect on peoples‘ lives.

The Oral History Theater

By presenting oral histories of the people who lived through this era, the story becomes more real to our visitors.  This vast array of memories brings a personal voice to the many faces of the war.  From a mother who lost a son, to a war protester, to a three-tour veteran, these individuals represent the millions of people whose lives were forever changed by the Vietnam War and bring the hard, cold facts into the proper perspective.

Multi-Purpose Room

This area of the building seats thirty to forty people.  Its flexible design allows for lectures, meetings and teleconferencing.  Additionally, docents use this room for educational programs with visiting school groups.

Resource Center

A library of books, videos, CD-ROMs, periodicals, and other reference materials allow visitors to gain a more in-depth understanding of issues and topics.  The resource center has five computer stations that provide Internet access and other applications.  The resource center has a dual purpose:

    To enable visitors to initiate research into the Vietnam Era and to direct them to appropriate subject-related materials and the local, state or national facilities where these items can be borrowed or obtained.

    To assist veterans and other interested visitors in locating biographies about the 1,560 men and women killed from New Jersey, and to assist in locating and identifying New Jersey personnel who served in the armed forces from 1959-1975.

Gift Shop 

The gift shop is open to the public.  Its primary goal is to complement and augment the purpose of the Memorial and Educational Center.  In addition to Memorial and military-related mementos, the shop sells books and other assorted items pertaining to the Vietnam Era.  Please visit the gift shop web page for make purchases online.