“Did you ever wonder what it was like to live in a Dutch farmhouse in 1804?” That’s the kind of question the Meadowlands Museum seeks to answer. It stands here as a window into the past. The Meadowlands Museum is the main steward of the history and culture of the Meadowlands region. It serves as one of its leading storytellers.
Founded in 1961, the Meadowlands Museum began as the Rutherford Junior Museum. Parents wanted to connect school-age children to their community. Today, the Meadowlands Museum welcomes visitors of all ages. The museum is operated by dedicated volunteers and involved trustees.
The Meadowlands Museum calls the Yereance-Berry House home. This American Dutch farmhouse dates back to 1804. The Berry family, early settlers in Bergen County, built it. The Yereance-Berry House is a historic treasure. It is also a landmark. The house suggests a colonial farm dating to 1740. It is the oldest house in south Bergen County that is close to its original condition.
Inside the Meadowlands Museum, rooms come alive with exhibits. You’ll find both permanent and temporary displays here. The Meadowlands Museum sometimes includes loaned objects. These come from other museums and private collections. Historic artifacts are also on display. You can see print materials, photographs, textiles, furniture, and artwork. There is even correspondence from the daughters of John Rutherfurd. He was a close confidant of George Washington.
One permanent exhibit is dedicated to Dr. William Carlos Williams. He was Rutherford’s most famous native, physician, and poet. You can explore a pre-electric kitchen. See carpentry and other tools. Learn about the geology of the Meadowlands region. Other rooms feature rotating exhibits. These showcase the history of the area. Don’t miss the William Carlos Williams Poetry Garden.
Imagine doing laundry before electricity. The 19th-century laundry room exhibit shows washboards and scrub brushes. There are also old washing machines. See the ringers. Washing clothes was much harder then. The Meadowlands Museum also features a wonderful toy exhibition. These toys are from the turn of the last century. You can also find toys from the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Dolls, board games, playthings, and instruments fill the display.
The Meadowlands Museum has a mineral collection. There are rocks and gems from the area. You can also see specimens from all over the state. There is a separate room for glowing stones. It is very interesting to see when the lights are out.
The Meadowlands Museum offers educational programs. Lectures and traveling exhibits are available. The museum also provides customized on and off-site programs. They offer collaborative ventures with many partners. Assistance with academic research is available too.
Individuals who value the Meadowlands Museum’s purpose support it. Donations, memberships, sponsorships, grants, and fundraisers are crucial. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Your visit today helps ensure the Meadowlands Museum continues. It will keep telling the stories of this region for generations to come.