Monmouth Battlefield Opens 'Revolutionary' Visitor Center

A new $8 million state-of-the-art visitor center at Monmouth Battlefield State Park opened to the public on Friday. This the first time the state park has had an open visitor center in over 15 months, as the old visitor center closed in December 2011.

The new 13,000 square foot center showcases the history of the Battle of Monmouth with artifacts, interactive exhibits, art, maps, replications of costumes and weaponry, and informative historical text.

The Battle of Monmouth took place on June 28, 1778 between the British Army under Sir Henry Clinton and the Continental Army under General George Washington during the Revolutionary War.

An animated relief map shows the complicated military maneuvers of the battle and archaeological finds explain how historians gained insight into battle strategy. Visitors can also listen to audio describing how the battle unfolded and what the soldiers endured.

Besides engaging exhibits, visitors can learn even more about the battle by watching a short video in the visitor center’s 100-seat movie theater. There is also a museum shop and book store on site. 

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin was at the new facility’s dedication and ribbon cutting on Thursday. The center is opening in connection with the 235th anniversary of the battle; the reenactment of the Battle of Monmouth is taking place this weekend.