As far as US history goes, New Jersey has some of the most interesting. Lenni-Lenape Indians inhabited the area for hundreds of years, and the first European settlers came from Holland, Sweden and Finland in the mid-1600s. The oldest buildings still surviving in our state were built in 1758, during the French and Indian War. Located in Trenton, the Old Barracks were constructed in response to complaints from local residents who were mandated to house British troops in their own homes. There are only four other Colonial-era barracks surviving in the United States.
Soldiers' Quarters
During the Revolutionary War, the barracks were used by both British and American troops at various times. In 1777, the buildings served as a hospital during a Smallpox outbreak; they were the first mass medical treatment center in the western hemisphere.
Office Building
During the 1800s, a portion of the barracks were demolished to make way for the New Jersey State House. The structures that remain today have served various purposes over the years including a home for widows, a boarding school, and the residence of the first mayor of Trenton.
Reenactment
The Barracks now serve as a museum, offering tours, reenactments and a glimpse into the past. Children aged 9-12 can participate in an overnight program allowing them to sleep in the soliders' quarters and live the Revolutionary life for a night.
To learn more about this unique historic spot, enjoy the video below or visit www.barracks.org.
Have you heard of the Old Barracks before? Have you visited?
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