Northeast USA Museums and Culture

The New Jersey Naval Museum is located at 78 River Street, Hackensack, New Jersey. The entrance to the parking lot is next to the Heritage Restaurant. The museum is operated by The Submarine Memorial Association, a not-for-profit corporation.

Walking through these grounds takes you back to the 1750s, when Samuel Fleming claimed 210 acres of untamed wilderness—a landscape he famously described as overrun with wolves, bears, and indigenous peoples far outnumbering the scattered colonists. What began as one man's frontier homestead has transformed into a vibrant gathering place where visitors of every age can explore how life unfolded on the raw edge of settlement. The castle hosts engaging programs and exhibits designed to bring that frontier spirit to life, and during winter months, the crisp air and quiet grounds create an especially immersive way to imagine those early survival stories. The property marked two and a half centuries since its founding in 2006, and continues opening its doors to anyone curious about the region's frontier origins.

The Air Victory Museum is an educational organization dedicated to inspiring today’s youth through the technology and achievements in aviation history.<br/> The Air Victory Museum is a 501(c)-3 Non-Profit Educational Museum dedicated to preserving the history, science and technology of flight. From 1903 to the present day, aviation has seen so many new advancements and overcame many barriers to be the force that it is today. From airliners that many of us take for granted each day to front line cutting edge combat aircraft making the world a safer place, aviation has touched all of our lives whether we realize it or not.

The Barnegat Light Historical Society (BLHS) operates and maintains the Barnegat Light Museum (above) and organizes and promotes events to further the awareness of the history of Barnegat Light and Long Beach Island. <br> The Museum Gardens are open all year and the museum is open June through October on weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and July & August, daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Tours are available by appointment. B.L.H.S. meetings are held the second Thursday of the month . New members are always welcome.

Tucked along the river in Hunterdon County, this cluster of a dozen historic structures holds decades worth of artifacts and narratives about how the region took shape. More than 40,000 objects fill these spaces—everything from everyday items to rare finds—each one a thread in the larger tapestry of local life across two centuries. The village calendar stays active with rotating exhibitions, educational talks, musical performances, and themed gatherings that keep the past feeling alive and relevant. When winter settles in, the grounds take on a quieter character, though the museum reopens each spring and remains welcoming through the fall season, operating Tuesday through Sunday when visitors can explore at their own pace.

Foolish mortals beware! We love to put a little fright in your day. See if you survive the Black Hole. If so, you have made it through a journey of terror in the House of Frankenstein.

The Adirondack Museum believes in the power of history to ignite the imagination, stimulate thought and shape the future. Our collections and engaging programs reflect stories of life, work, and play in the Adirondack Park and northern New York State.<br> The Adirondack Museum is renowned for the breadth of its collections that include historic artifacts, photographs, archival materials, and fine art documenting the Adirondack region's past. Twenty-two exhibit spaces and galleries tell the stories of the men and women who have lived, worked and played in the largest wilderness area east of the Mississippi River. <br> The museum includes a research library, publications program, and an active education department that offers special events, classes, symposia, workshops, demonstrations, field trips, and engaging hands-on experiences for thousands of visitors each year.

In 1973, growing interest in local history led to the organization of the Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Association. A permanent charter from the State of New York was received in October 1976. The GCHA is a non-profit membership organization with a mission to research, collect, record and preserve the history of the communities of Greenlawn and Centerport, Long Island, New York

Heralded by The New York Times as “an institution in its ascendancy”, El Museo del Barrio was founded in 1969 by artist Raphael Montañez Ortiz with the support of a group of Puerto Rican educators, artists, parents and community activists in East Harlem’s Spanish-speaking El Barrio. Since then, El Museo del Barrio has evolved into New York’s leading Latino cultural institution, having expanded its mission to represent the diversity of art and culture in all of the Caribbean and Latin America. <br> As the only museum in New York City that specializes in representing these cultures, El Museo del Barrio continues to have a significant impact on the cultural life of New York City and is now a major stop on Manhattan’s Museum Mile on Fifth Avenue. El Museo del Barrio thrives on the sustained excellence of its collections, exhibitions and public programming.

The Northport Historical Society has been collecting, preserving and telling the stories of the people of Northport for more than four decades. Hop on board a journey of discovery -- a trip that begins before the time of Columbus and brings us right up to the present.

National Museum of Women in the Arts, the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to recognizing the contributions of women artists.

Created by an act of Congress in 1980, the National Building Museum is America's premier cultural institution dedicated to exploring and celebrating architecture, design, engineering, construction, and urban planning.

Learn about the authentic tradecraft that has been used throughout time and around the world. Hear spies, in their own words, describe the challenges and the "game" of spying.

The Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington and its Lillian & Albert Small Jewish Museum preserve, chronicle and present the story of the local Jewish community through archival collections, exhibits, educational programs, publications, and the restoration and preservation of the oldest synagogue building in the nation’s capital. The Museum is located in the historic 1876 Adas Israel Synagogue—the oldest in the Washington, DC area. The synagogue is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the DC Inventory of Historic Sites (PDF download), and the Historic American Buildings Survey. It is an Official Project of the Save America’s Treasures program.

The National Museum of Crime & Punishment features over 100 interactive exhibits, spread over 3 floors, for a total of 25,000 square feet.

Come experience the only remaining examples of the N&W's legendary success at the Virginia Museum of Transportation: the N&W Class A 1218 and the Class J 611. In our Rail Yard, explore historic steam and diesel engines, cabooses, and other rail equipment as modern trains rumble past. Inside the Museum, enjoy model trains, hands-on exhibits, and stroll among our antique automobiles, and truck and bus exhibits.

The mission of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Museum and Visitors Center is to educate the American public on the history of drugs, drug addiction and drug law enforcement in the United States through engaging and state-of-the-art exhibits, displays, interactive stations and educational outreach programs.

The mission of the National Firearms Museum is to develop and manage educational programs that promote appreciation, understanding, and participation in gun collecting, and the preservation of the heritage of firearms through collection, conservation, exhibition and research as part of a nationally recognized museum in America.

The Virginia Museum of Natural History’s innovative Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education programs reach students, teachers, and the general public statewide and throughout the region. From "at-the-museum" programs to outreach education programs that bring the museum to locations across the Commonwealth, the museum's education programs are correlated directly to the Virginia Standards of Learning and the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. VMNH educators are leaders in the field of informal science education throughout the state, providing a vital link between the museum's important research and collections programs and all citizens of Virginia and beyond.

The Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, also known as the RISD Museum, is Rhode Island’s leading museum of fine and decorative art, housing a collection of 84,000 objects of international significance. It is southeastern New England’s only comprehensive art museum and is accredited by the American Association of Museums. The RISD Museum strives to be a vital cultural resource by educating and inspiring a wide variety of audiences: families and individuals, scholars and researchers, artists and designers, and students of all ages. The Museum maintains an active program of exhibitions, lectures, tours, workshops and publications dedicated to the interpretation of art and design from diverse cultures ranging from ancient times to the present.

The Culinary Arts Museum at Johnson & Wales University is the premier museum devoted to the preservation of the history of the culinary and hospitality industries.

The New England Wireless and Steam Museum museum is entirely volunteer and therefore our efforts are mainly directed to hosting scheduled groups such as school classes, engineering societies, club or association meetings etc. We do not have the staff to handle walk-in visitors except by prior arrangement. If you are from away, Thursday is volunteer day, and there are usually people here on that day from 9AM to 4:30PM, but please call (401) 885-0545 or email [email protected] for an appointment.

Built in 1913 and finished the following year, this East Greenwich landmark channeled Medieval design principles into its sturdy brick facade. For nearly eight decades starting in 1918, the structure served as home base for Rhode Island's Guard units until the final departure in early 1996. Walking through during winter months, you'll notice how the historic architecture holds its own against the cold New England weather, creating an almost fortress-like atmosphere inside. The space now houses a Military & Naval Museum packed with artifacts spanning generations, and the building itself earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural significance and role in the state's defense history.

From its founding, the Seabee Museum and Memorial Park has stood on its own, collecting grants from federal, public, and private sectors. The majority of funding received to date has been from the MCB-6 Association, other Seabees, the Rhode Island State Preservation and Historical Society, the Federal HUD Office, and a Federal Grant from the Department of Defense (allowing Seabee Reserves to perform a full summer training program here). While this may sound significant, it’s only a small percentage of the bricks and mortar required to complete this tribute to the "Original Home of the Seabees."

Explore the depth and diversity of African artistic traditions through rotating collections that span masks, woven textiles, carved figures, intricate jewelry, and resonant musical instruments. The museum brings these pieces to life via hands-on workshops, engaging lectures, and curated gallery experiences designed for everyone from curious kids to lifelong learners. Winter visits offer a particularly intimate atmosphere within the elegant nineteenth-century Oakland manor in Columbia, where the quieter season creates space for reflection alongside the vibrant stories each artifact tells. The institution reaches far beyond its walls through school partnerships, community outreach initiatives, and travel opportunities that deepen connections to African cultures. Housed in this historic restored estate and supported by a network of donors, corporate partners, and foundations, the museum remains dedicated to welcoming underrepresented communities and ensuring African art belongs in every conversation about cultural heritage.

Mission: To be the premier experience and best resource for information and inspiration about the lives of African American Marylanders. The museum seeks to realize its mission by collecting, preserving, interpreting, documenting and exhibiting the rich contributions of African American Marylanders from the state’s earliest history to the present and the future.

The Baltimore Tattoo Museum hopes that what you see at the museum will inspire you to come check out the history of electric tattooing, and if you dare, get a tattoo yourself!

America's most important, historic and comprehensive collection lives to tell the story of railroading every day. Forty acres of heritage and a world class collection await your discovery!

Here at the JMM, visitors can uncover the roots of Jewish history in our landmark historic sites – the Lloyd Street Synagogue, built in 1845, now the nation’s third oldest surviving synagogue and B’nai Israel Synagogue, built in 1876 and still home to a vibrant congregation. Our Museum Campus includes three exhibition galleries featuring fascinating and diverse exhibitions that explore in depth, the Jewish American experience. The Museum offers a wide range of programs and special events for children, adults, and families as well as a research library and family history center. We invite students of all ages to experience the rich vitality of Jewish culture and heritage on and off-site through our education programs.

Geppi’s Entertainment Museum is dedicated to presenting the story of popular culture since the nation’s earliest days in an entertaining and educational fashion so that our guests have the unique opportunity to walk through a timeline that parallels and is entwined with history as a whole.

The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum is among the nations most dynamic cultural and educational institutions. Because it is a wax museum committed solely to the study and preservation of African American history, it is also among the most unique. Primarily, the presentation of life-size, life-like wax figures highlighting historical and contemporary personalities of African ancestry defines its uniqueness.

Find your smile at the National Museum of Dentistry! Smile-inspiring exhibitions and innovative programs make a national impact to educate the public about the importance of good oral health to a healthy life.

The Delaware History Center dominates the 500 block of Market Street Mall in downtown Wilmington and is composed of the Delaware History Museum, Old Town Hall, Willingtown Square, and Society's research library. Ample public parking is available at 4th and King Streets, 7th and King Streets, 6th and Shipley Streets, and at street meters. <br/> The Delaware History Center is just a few blocks from the Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park, the First USA Riverfront Arts Center, and the Wilmington train station.

For the child who believes milk comes from the grocery store instead of a cow, for the woman who remembers using a cornsheller on her grandmother's farm, the family who takes twentieth century technological advances and the farmer for granted, the Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village offers a memorable and educational experience. By preserving the quickly fading agricultural heritage of Delaware and the Delmarva Peninsula, the Museum stands as an important legacy for future generations.

Please Touch Museum, the children’s museum of Philadelphia. Please Touch is designed for families with young children and since 1976, has dedicated itself to enriching the lives of children by creating learning opportunities through play. <br> Let your child be your guide as they interact with our museum exhibits, take part in museum activities or enjoy one of our interactive theater performances.

Independence Seaport Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Museum is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.<br> Independence Seaport Museum Tickets include admission to Independence Seaport Museum's Galleries, Cruiser Olympia and WWII Submarine Becuna.

Walk through the doors of a museum that broke new ground when it welcomed visitors back in May 1998—the first Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission addition in two decades. You're stepping into a space devoted to the U.S. Brig Niagara, the reconstructed warship that turned the tide at Lake Erie during the War of 1812, and now permanently berthed here as a living centerpiece of the collection. Winter visits carry a particular magic, with the ship's silhouette against grey skies and quiet galleries that let you linger over the multimedia displays and hands-on exhibits chronicling the vessel's remarkable journey. The museum brings this maritime legacy vividly to life through interpretive programming and engaging installations that dig deep into Pennsylvania's connection to the water and the region's seafaring past.

Explore how design shapes the world around you at this unique gallery devoted entirely to the creative discipline. The Design Center showcases compelling exhibitions spanning architecture, fashion, graphic design, product innovation, and more, complemented by lectures and special events that reveal the thinking behind everyday objects and spaces. Dive into the extensive research library and collections for inspiration and discovery.

The Museum intends to become the world's foremost source of understanding about the history, nature and significance of the world's cultural heritage.<br> The Museum will continue to undertake field and laboratory research to produce significant knowledge about the human past and present. <br> The Museum will develop engaging exhibits, educational programs, and electronic communications about the human condition which provide opportunities to experience authentic cultural materials and contribute meaningful and enjoyable experiences about what it means to be human. <br> The Museum will continue to be an international resource in research, collections, and outreach. The Museum is committed to contributing to the education of the University of Pennsylvania students, to serving the people of the City of Philadelphia, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the United States, and the world, and to making archaeology and anthropology relevant to global concerns. <br> The Museum will encourage the entrepreneurial efforts of the curators, staff, and other constituencies to enhance the substance and fiscal underpinnings of its vision.

Imagine a museum dedicated to the region and nation's rich glass heritage. A place where examples of thousands of products can be viewed and compared and where the stories of people and processes come to life! The MAGWV provides this and much, much more.

"We’re more than just the first public art institution in the United States. We were the first museum in America to begin collecting contemporary American art – resulting in our world renowned Hudson River School collection. We staged the first retrospective of Pablo Picasso in America; we were the first museum to both exhibit and purchase works by Surrealist artists – today almost every exhibition about Surrealism includes works borrowed from our collection. We were the first art museum to also have a theater – and we were the first to show Gertrude Stein’s Four Saints & 3 Acts – which we also produced."

The mission of the Peabody Museum is to serve Yale University by advancing our understanding of earth’s history through geological, biological, and anthropological research, and by communicating the results of this research to the widest possible audience through publication, exhibition, and educational programs. <br/> Fundamental to this mission is stewardship of the Museum’s rich collections, which provide a remarkable record of the history of the earth, its life, and its cultures. Conservation, augmentation and use of these collections become increasingly urgent as modern threats to the diversity of life and culture continue to intensify.

Here you will see one of the world's largest TITANIC exhibit. A 28 foot detailed model is the centerpiece in the collection of artifacts and memorabilia. The famous R. M. S. Titanic, so carefully designed to be called "unsinkable", on her maiden voyage took 1500 people with her to a watery grave on April 14, 1912. The museum's collection includes photographs taken by the Wood's Hole Oceanographic Institution, a recorded account of the tragedy by a Titanic survivor, and a video tape of the vessel's discovery. The Marine Museum's newest exhibit, The Andrea Dora, is now open. This exhibit includes photographs, videos, artifacts and a model of the Italian liner which sank off the coast of Nantucket in the summer of 1956.

The mission of The Brick Store Museum is to preserve the rich heritage of the Kennebunks for year-round residents, seasonal visitors and future generations through the collection, preservation, interpretation and exhibition of its material culture.<br/> History - William Lord was born at Kennebunk Landing in 1799, the third son of Tobias Lord and Hephzibah Conant Lord. As a merchant and ship owner, Lord became one of Kennebunk’s most important patriarchs and citizens. In 1820 he married Sarah Cleaves of Biddeford, and they lived in what was then the Jonas Clark house at 20 Summer Street. It sits high on the hill and is now known as the William Lord Mansion, a private residence. It was here that Lord and his wife raised their large family of 10 children.

Founded in 1983 in Portsmouth, the Children's Museum of New Hampshire relocated to Dover in 2008. It offers a blend of art, science and cultural experiences for families. At the heart of our mission is a commitment to offering access to all children and families by minimizing barriers that prevent fair and meaningful educational and cultural opportunities. Since its inception, the Museum has served over 2 million people from New Hampshire and beyond. The Children's Museum is New Hampshire's most visited educational and cultural institution. In our three years in Dover, the Museum has reached over 280,000 students and families from 110 New Hampshire towns and cities, communities throughout New England, and visitors from all over the world. 50% of our visitors came in free or with reduced admission, and 24% are from underserved audiences.