About the Museum

The New Jersey State House is the capitol building of the U.S. state of New Jersey and is the third-oldest state house in continuous legislative use in the United States. Located in the state capital of Trenton, in Mercer County, it was originally built in 1792 and is notable for its close proximity to the state border with Pennsylvania, which makes it the closest capitol building to a state border. The building accommodates both the New Jersey Legislature's Senate and General Assembly chambers, offices of the governor, lieutenant governor, and various state government departments. From August to November 1799, the federal government relocated its offices to Trenton, with the United States Department of State headquartered in the State House, following an outbreak of yellow fever in the then-capital of Philadelphia. The State House has experienced numerous expansions and renovations to meet the growing needs of the state since its original construction. Designed by Jonathan Doane, the original structure has seen architectural inputs from other notable architects across the centuries. The State House underwent a significant restoration and modernization project in 1987, and another renovation project that started in 2017, with a major focus on the governor's office and related Executive Branch agencies. The New Jersey State House deviates from the architectural trend of most U.S. capitol buildings, which are reminiscent of the U.S. Capitol, and is integrated into an urban setting instead of a park-like campus. It offers daily tours to the public and provides an educational platform for middle and high school students.