The Old Barracks was built in 1758 to accommodate British soldiers during the French and Indian War and is the only remaining barrack structure in New Jersey. During the Revolutionary War, the barracks was one of Washington's military hospitals. The Old Barracks is also one of the earliest sites in NJ preserved by women. Beulah A. Oliphant purchased and restored the property in the 1899 with the support of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution—a group that she founded. The Old Barracks successfully opened as a museum in 1903.

The 2023 Trust grant will help fund the exterior restoration in preparation for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, where it will be at the center of the New Jersey celebration.

The 2019 Heritage Tourism grant helped fund the distribution of marketing materials, publication of a magazine advertisement, and visitor data collection improvements for the Old Barracks Museum. A second 2019 Heritage Tourism grant helped fund the creation of a website for Patriot’s Week. The 1990 Trust grant helped fund replacement of outdated mechanical systems, installation of new barrier-free access and the restoration of interior finishes. The Old Barracks continues to serve as a living history museum of the Revolutionary period. 

For more information, visit: www.barracks.org 

Patriot’s Week is an annual event hosted in the state’s capital that spans the week between Christmas and New Years. Thousands of visitors attend Patriot’s Week every year. The week-long celebration is designed to bring awareness to how the Revolutionary War events that transpired in New Jersey helped shape the nation. The celebration is a collaboration of several local historic sites in Trenton including the Old Barracks Museum, the Trent House, and the Alexander Douglass House, among others. There are nearly 70 immersive events during the week’s festivities including a colonial ball, walking tours, re-enactments, and lectures.   

The Trust grant helped fund the creation of a website for Patriot’s Week. To view the website, visit: https://patriotsweek.com/