TRIBUTE TO VETERANS
NORTHJERSEY . COM | WEDNESDAY , NOVEMBER 11 , 2020 | 3
New Jersey ’ s Citizen Soldiers Honored at National Guard Militia Museum
Artifacts , Documents and Memorabilia Preserve Rich Military Heritage
By JOSEPH RITACCO Tribute to Veterans
Channeling a bit of the determined
spirit so often demonstrated by the soldiers whose legacies it preserves and celebrates , The National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey has always risen to the challenges faced during its 40 years of operation , most notably the destructive Superstorm Sandy of 2012 and the recent COVID-19 global pandemic .
After closing its doors to the public in March , the Monmouth County-based museum , with locations in Sea Girt and Lawrenceville , decided to increase its online presence , said Sergeant Andrew Walker , the museum ’ s curator since last year . “ Every school is doing what it can remotely , so we ’ ve responded by getting more content onto our website for teachers and parents , including more concise histories and lesson plans ,” said Sgt . Walker , who spent five years on active duty at Fort Bragg , N . C ., with the 82nd Airborne Division and another five prior to his active service as a Jersey Guardsman , serving as an F-16 crew chief for the 177th Fighter Wing out of Atlantic City .
The museum has tentative plans to
A recent display for the 50th Armored Division — a division of the Army National Guard from July 1946 until 1993 — featured weapons , tank rounds , unit guidons and a set of field phones from the era .
reopen its doors by Memorial Day 2021 , eager to welcome visitors to its two renovated locations . The Sea Girt Museum is relocating to the front gate of the National Guard Training Center on Sea Girt Avenue . “ The Sea Girt Museum is our center of
PHOTOS / NATIONAL GUARD MILITIA MUSEUM OF NEW JERSEY
The most popular and unique artifact at the National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey is the Intelligent Whale , the only surviving submarine made by the Union during the Civil War era . Previously stored in the Washington , D . C ., Naval Yard Annex , it was added to the museum ’ s collection in 1999 . operations ,” said Sgt . Walker , “ and will now be more accessible to the public .”
Perhaps as important , the new location is further from the waters of Stockton Lake , which flooded the museum during Superstorm Sandy in 2012 . “ The museum staff did its best , but the storm was stronger than expected ,” added Sgt . Walker . “ We saved everything we could and had to send some of our uniforms and flags to professional conservators .”
The Sea Girt location was back on its feet within six months due to the efforts of guardsmen , temporary employees and volunteers . Today it is home to the museum ’ s administrative offices , catalog of artifacts and its oral history
archives , which include more than 600 interviews of veterans of all branches of services from World War II , Korea , Vietnam , Desert Storm , Operation Iraqi Freedom and other military campaigns .
The Lawrenceville Museum , opened in 1998 , is unveiling a new building that will provide over 5,000 square feet of display space to better complement the collection of armored vehicles and artillery surrounding the complex . “ The Lawrenceville Annex has a specific emphasis on field artillery ,” said Sgt . Walker , adding that the site maintains strong relationships with the nearby 112 th Field Artillery Association and the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs . The museum ’ s proximity to the beach towns of the Jersey Shore make it an ideal attraction for beachgoers during the summer months , as well as veterans ’ groups and students throughout the year . “ Day to day , I also answer a lot of cold calls from people looking for some history related to their grandfather ’ s service or wanting to donate some artifacts to our collection ,” said Sgt . Walker .
The most unique and popular artifact in the museum ’ s collection is the Intelligent Whale , the only surviving submarine made by the Union during the Civil War era . Previously stored in the Washington , D . C ., Naval Yard Annex , it has been part of the National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey ’ s collection since 1999 .
Sergeant Andrew Walker , right , curator of the National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey , inspects an M1 Garand rifle with Mark Cianciosi , a student intern from Monmouth University .
The museum ’ s machine gun collection is a personal favorite of Sgt . Walker , who listed the World War I-era Lewis gun and Vickers gun among its highlights . “ If you ’ re into firearms and military history , it can take your breath away when you get to handle pieces like this ,” he said . “ It ’ s an opportunity you may not get at every military museum .”
The National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey was officially established by the State of New Jersey on August 1 , 1980 , and has steadily progressed over the past 40 years in expanding its mission to preserve and present the story of the state ’ s vibrant military history to New Jersey ’ s citizens through historically accurate interpretive exhibits . It is a heritage to which Sgt . Walker is proud to contribute .
“ I ’ m thankful to all those who came before me , and that includes the staff and volunteers of the New Jersey National Guard , as well as the visitors and the public at large ,” he said . “ We ’ re looking forward to getting back to a sense of normalcy .”