Old Barracks Museum
Old Barracks Museum
4.5
Military MuseumsHistoric SitesHistory Museums
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
In 1758, the Old Barracks was constructed to house British troops during the French and Indian War. During the Revolutionary War, the barracks was one of Washington's military hospitals. Today, the building is home to an interpretive museum, galleries, gift shop, and meeting space. Guided tours start on the hour from 10 AM - 4 PM, Monday - Saturday.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • Lisa W
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Unexpected gem, awesome staff
    Our family (ages 4-70) really enjoyed this experience. We were in Trenton for dinner and wanted to do something beforehand. Found the reviews for the Old Barracks and decided to check it out. The docents were exceptional - really made the time period come to life. It was an unassuming place and some reviewers have complained that it didn’t have lots of pomp and circumstance. I think you need to go on a special event day for that (we heard tomorrow is a big re-enactment). But even on a “normal day” there are actors in character in each room who are really knowledgeable, humorous, and friendly. I learned a lot and had fun! The gift shop is quaint with some interesting items. I found the spot to be an unexpected gem and would recommend it to anyone hoping to add new context to their understanding of the Revolutionary War.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written December 29, 2023
  • Marshall B
    115 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A real treat for the history buff!
    Really cool history of both British and American history troops that were stationed there. Our tour guide Lauren was exceptional and did and amazing job of explaining the history so it was clear and easy to understand. I would recommend this site to anyone who enjoys Revolution era history.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written May 28, 2024
  • CDR G$
    Buckingham, Pennsylvania620 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Revolutionary Find!
    The Old Barracks Museum has gallery and living history exhibits telling the story of the Battle of Trenton, the Revolutionary and French and Indian [Seven Years] Wars. The introductory video for visitors explains the Ten Crucial Days during the Revolutionary War explaining the two Battles of Trenton and Princeton. The building itself was not actually part of the Battle of Trenton but one of five barracks built across the Garden State by the colonial legislature during the French and Indian War to avoid British troops from being quartered in citizens homes. It served various military purposes thru the years as a barracks, recruiting depot and prison. Friendly and informative staff. Although located in Trenton the area is well patrolled by law enforcement and security due to the proximity to the State Capitol Complex.
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written July 26, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles247 reviews
Excellent
179
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53
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10
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John B
Basking Ridge, NJ1 contribution
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
The museum should welcome those who decide to visit on the spur of the moment and not essentially discourage them by limiting visitation to those who book in advance. I tried to visit today and was told I need to book in advance. I will NOT even consider attempting a return visit until this restrictive policy is abandoned, pandemic or no pandemic. Masks are still required, which combined with New Jersey's relatively high rate of immunization would seem to negate the reason(s) for limiting visits to those who register in advance.
Written July 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lorna B.
Bechtelsville, PA884 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022
We are Colonial American history buffs and wanted to visit this site, whose website’s homepage states (in big letters), “The Old Barracks Museum is welcoming visitors Wednesdays - Saturdays 10am - 5pm. No reservations required.” We drove here from Berks County, PA (an 80-minute drive) yesterday, only to find it closed to visitors for the day. (A man who met us at the door told us they were filming for a fundraiser.) There was nothing posted at their website; apparently, they posted it on Facebook only (we don't use Facebook and would never have thought to check that). What a big disappointment to drive all that way for nothing. Hopefully they will remember to update their website another time (and way before the morning of the closing!). Closing on one of their very few visiting days rather than, say, timing the filming to occur on a Sunday, Monday, or a Tuesday instead shows poor management IMO.
Written November 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CDR G$
Buckingham, PA620 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Solo
The Old Barracks Museum has gallery and living history exhibits telling the story of the Battle of Trenton, the Revolutionary and French and Indian [Seven Years] Wars. The introductory video for visitors explains the Ten Crucial Days during the Revolutionary War explaining the two Battles of Trenton and Princeton. The building itself was not actually part of the Battle of Trenton but one of five barracks built across the Garden State by the colonial legislature during the French and Indian War to avoid British troops from being quartered in citizens homes. It served various military purposes thru the years as a barracks, recruiting depot and prison. Friendly and informative staff. Although located in Trenton the area is well patrolled by law enforcement and security due to the proximity to the State Capitol Complex.
Written July 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

anderson213
Hannibal, MO829 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
There's good information throughout the museum and what is presented through the tour. The guides knew their information backwards-and-forwards. The only disappointment was that we were under the impression that there would be others present, showcasing the time period. However, there were only two guides. As I said, they knew the material, but some of the uniqueness was lost.
Written August 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jerome M
Gary, IN1,625 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2019
We did a day trip to the Old Barracks. We learned more about the battles that took place during the American Revolution. The characters around the barracks gave you a sense of life during that time. The guided tour was very good and the guide was knowledgeable about the times. We were able move abut on our own after the tour. The barracks is a short distance from the main area.
Written May 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

luiscastellanos
Arlington, VA34 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022
En mi opinion los boletos son muy caros. No la pase bien alli. Siento que regale $20.
Solo pude ver un pequeño cuarto acerca de la guerra Franco-India y otro cuarto pequeño con una pelicula aburrida. No habian guias para acompañarme a ver otros ambientes.
(Tenia que esperar media hora, y debia retirarme del hotel). Encima, no me devolvieron el dinero y solo ofrecieron un voucher para que regresara luego (ni pienso regresar alli).

In my opinion it's too much money for the tickets. I didn't have a good time there. I feel I gave $20 away.
I could only see a small room with the French Indian War Exhibit and a small room with a boring movie. No guides were available at the time to escort me on the other rooms.
(I would had to wait half hour for that and I needed to check out at the hotel). And on top, no money back. Only a voucher so I could come back later (no way I'm coming back)...
Written November 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marshall B
Knoxville115 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Friends
Really cool history of both British and American history troops that were stationed there. Our tour guide Lauren was exceptional and did and amazing job of explaining the history so it was clear and easy to understand. I would recommend this site to anyone who enjoys Revolution era history.
Written May 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bobybu
Yardville, New Jersey68 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
I am a history buff and enjoyed the museum very much. Admission is $6.00 and well worth it. It has something for everyone. In the hour I visited I learned about the French and Indian Wars, Washington Crossing the Delaware, The Battles of Trenton and Princeton, Soldier life, Medicine of the era, and other aspects of 18th century America. They also have some very nice original artifacts and a well-appointed gift shop.
Any trip to Trenton Should include a visit to the Old Barracks.
Written November 8, 2002
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tigerfan85
Hickory, NC443 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We arrived on a Sunday morning and were the only people touring the Barracks. Parking on a Sunday morning was a breeze - there is a lot right at the gate and we had it almost to ourselve. We received a personalized tour by a costumed interpreter and then were taken to an infirmary room where we had a nice long talk about Smallpox and how people were vaccinated at that time - Yikes - you have to hear this!. Our family including kids aged 13-18 loved this visit and would recommend a tour of the Barracks to anyone interested in history. I would also like to point out that this great historical attraction is suffering with cuts in government funding and is struggling mightily to stay open. I have never felt better about an admission fee I paid - they really need it.
Written July 12, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

RCP62
Stockholm, Sweden8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2015 • Family
With no particular expectations I took my children, 11 and 13, to visit the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton today. We were met by and guided around by not one but two 18th-century costumed, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, gracious guides, who held my children's interest throughout, responded to all questions we came up with, and enlightened me on all sorts of issues (where the saying "flash in the pan" comes from; that around 80% of New Jerseyans were loyalists at the start of the American Revolution; that the taxes the colonists were angry at having to pay to Britain were at least in part to finance the debts from the French & Indian War that Britain financed at great cost to benefit the colonists, and were only around ⅓ of the amount of taxes mainland British paid; to name a few!). My son enjoyed learning how a musket works; my daughter enjoyed guessing at the answers to the questions the guides asked of us. There was a great explanation of how George Washington got the American soldiers innoculated against smallpox, which was a greater cause of mortality than dying from war wounds.

The quality of the guides and the whole museum were first-rate.

Plus it is easy to find, easy to park, and there are nice nearby inexpensive restaurants.
Written July 20, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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