The First Vietnam War Museum of its Kind in the United States
The Vietnam Museum enables all visitors to learn about the myriad of forces that produced the conflict abroad and the dissension at home. It provides an atmosphere where appropriate materials and exhibits help visitors understand the significance of the Memorial, the reality of the conflict, and the social, political and cultural complexities of the Vietnam Era.
The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial & Museum hosts many educational and public programs within the Museum and has experience working with all types of classes and groups. Please visit our Group and Class Trip pages for more information.
The 10,000 square foot facility includes a number of key components.
Museum History​
By the spring of 1993, preliminary plans for the Memorial‘s companion project, the Vietnam Era Museum, began as a result of the call for an educational component by veterans, students, and teachers in the state.
Temporary Exhibits
Temporary exhibits are featured in the theater area and lobby of the Museum. These change three to four times each year and focus on a variety of topics related to the Vietnam Era including Veteran-created art, photography, popular culture, and military history.
Historic Timeline
Covering the walls of the Museum is a chronology of the Era that presents a historical recollection of the events, shown in two concurrent timelines — one reflecting the activity in Vietnam and the other reflecting political, cultural and historical events in the United States. Touch screen computers provide visitors with an interactive glance at historical events, as well as personal photographs submitted by Vietnam Veterans and their families.
Circle of Letters
Complementing the historic timeline is the Circle of Letters, a chronological display of items collected from those who served and their supporters back home. These personal accounts help make the connection between the facts of War and the lasting effects it has on peoples’ lives.
The Testimony Theater
By sharing the oral histories of New Jerseyans who lived through this Era, the experiences of the Vietnam War and the 1960’s, the human side of this tumultuous time engage visitors. This vast array of memories bring personal voices to the many faces and experiences 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.
Our one hour presentation is broken down by topic into several shorter segments on each of the following topics. These are just a few of the clips from the video. The full video is on view at the Vietnam Museum & Educational Center.Â
Plan Your Visit to
The Museum & Educational Center
Tuesday – Saturday, 10 AM – 4 PM.
We have picnic tables on the grounds to accommodate lunches.