The Collections of the Vietnam Era Museum  Educational Center

The Museum maintains two categories of collections:

Artifact Collection
Due to limited exhibition and inventory space, our collection is limited.  The artifacts that are maintained by the Foundation are primarily memorabilia that has been left at the Memorial and an assortment of personal photographs and letters.  These photographs and letters can be rotated into specific exhibit areas as needed. 

In addition, the Foundation regularly creates temporary exhibits in the lobby area of the Vietnam Era Museum & Educational Center.  These exhibits often use not only photos and letters but other three-dimensional objects related to the topic being explored.  Examples include uniforms, medic kits, other government-issue items, yearbooks, etc.  These items are usually loaned to the Foundation for short-term use and are returned once the display is dismantled. 

Please call the Foundation office if you have material you think might be appropriate for our displays.

Resource Room Collection
Our library collection consists primarily of books, videos, reference materials, CD-ROMs, and other educational materials.  Please call the Foundation if you have material you think might be appropriate for our Resource Room. 

Guidelines for Additions to the Existing Collections:
Purchases or donations must be consistent with the purpose and goals of the NJ Vietnam Veterans‘ Memorial Foundation and the Vietnam Era Museum & Educational Center.  Criteria to be considered:

1. Potential life span and durability of the object
2. Immediate and long-term conservation costs
3. Availability of storage/display space
4. Authenticity of object
5. Number of similar and comparable objects already in the collection
6. Potential for exhibition or study usage

Due to the goals of the Vietnam Era Museum & Educational Center and space limitations, there are a number of items that we refrain from accepting for permanent donation.  The Director of Programs and Museum Content may wish to borrow these types of items for special planned exhibits from time to time but would not take ownership of said items.  These items may include but are not limited to:
uniforms and associated clothing, boots, rifles, vehicles and large bulky items.  If you are looking, however, to find a place to permanently donate these type of items, we may be able to point you in the right direction.  Contact the Foundation at (732) 335-0033.