Civil War Exhibit to Close

CIVIL WAR EXHIBIT TO CLOSE; NEW EXHIBIT TO OPEN FEBRUARY 2: “NIKE MISSILE BASE IN MAHWAH”

At the Mahwah Museum, 201 Franklin Turnpike, Mahwah, the popular exhibit “New Jersey Fights in the Civil War: Remembering Soldiers Buried in Mahwah” will close on January 27th.  This exhibit, in honor of the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, documents the service of local Civil War veterans who are buried in Mahwah, and includes interesting artifacts such as uniforms, weapons and Confederate money.  The “Peace Democrats” of Bergen County, the role of women and children in the war, and medical practices of the time are also featured.   The Museum is open on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 1-5 p.m.

On February 2, a new exhibit, “Nike Missile Base in Mahwah: Nuclear Warheads in Our Backyard” will open.  During its 16 years of operation (1955 to 1971), the Franklin Lakes – Mahwah Nike missile base served as a significant installation for the protection of civilian and industrial infrastructure, and the population of the Greater New York area. In 1959 Nike Hercules missiles equipped with nuclear warheads were installed.  The people of Mahwah did not know much about this installation because everything was classified as top secret.  In 1971 the base quietly closed with a very limited closing ceremony.  The Mahwah Museum exhibit features models of the base and of the missiles; vintage video footage; and other artifacts of this interesting period. This exhibit will continue through June 2013. 

The popular exhibit “Les Paul in Mahwah” continues through June 2013, and the Museum’s Donald Cooper Railroad, the Museum’s HO-scale model railroad, is fully functional with new routes, a fully operating yard and enhanced scenery.  The Railroad is open weekends from 1-5 p.m. Please visit www.mahwahmuseum.com for more information about Museum events, including upcoming Gallery Talks featuring musicians Rik Mercaldi, Bucky Pizzarelli, Ed Laub and Lou Pallo.  

The Museum is located at 201 Franklin Turnpike.  The Museum is open weekends and Wednesdays from 1-5 p.m.  Admission is $5 and museum members and children under 12 are free. Visit www.mahwahmuseum.org or call 201-512-0099 for more information.

The Mahwah Museum receives operating support from the New Jersey Historical commission in the Department of State.