Museums

The City of Bridgeton hosts small but impressive collections that speak to the communities' past as well as our present. Woodruff Museum of Indian Artifacts

Located on the lower level of the Bridgeton Free Public Library, at 150 E. Commerce Street, the Woodruff Museum, created in 1976, features nearly 30,000 pieces of Native American relics dating back centuries to a time well before Europeans settled the area. The collection includes arrowheads, axes, utensils and stones that tell an ancient tale. Those interested in finding out more about the Woodruff Museum can visit Bridgeton Library or call the Bridgeton Free Public Library at (856) 451-2620.

Southern New Jersey All Sports Museum & Hall of Fame of Bridgeton –Bridgeton City Park

This Bridgeton treasure is a museum dedicated to athletes and teams covering all areas of sport in the South Jersey region. Among the items displayed are photos, equipment, scrapbooks, and other sports memorabilia of many well-known athletes of national fame having a regional or local connection to Bridgeton; all displayed in a warm and intimate setting in the heart of Bridgeton City Park.

The large Trophy Room features medals, cups, and trophies from the likes of John Borican; African-American Olympic athlete, All-Pro Football star Harvey Johnson, and Major League Baseball stars "Goose Goslin" and "Rube" Oldring. The collection also features heavyweight boxing great Jack Gross.

Among the museum's treasures are a Jackie Robinson game-used bat, the Golden Glove from Hall of Famer Willie Mays; authentic and original memorabilia from the 1980 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies; a collection of game bats from the "Big Red Machine" of Cincinnati Reds fame all courtesy of former head scout Joe Bowen, and uniforms and equipment from baseball's first lady umpire, Bernice Gera.

The collection also features authentic game-used equipment from Bridgeton's own George Jamison; a USFL Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars and NFL star with the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs, and Brison Manor who played with the Denver Broncos during their heyday as the "Orange Crush"

Other well-known athletes represented include the King of Softball, Eddie Feigner, the Clown Prince of Baseball Max Patkin; boxing legend Rocky Graziano; and Yankee great Sparky Lyle, to name a few.

In 2013, the museum played host to an extensive traveling exhibit honoring Jackie Robinson and 2014 will see Bridgeton play host to the Smithsonian Institutes traveling "Hometown Teams" exhibit from June 28th through August 10th. The exhibit will focus the rich tradition of American sport embodied by hometown teams.

Admission is free and museum hours are Thursday thru Saturday: 10am to 12 noon & 1:00pm to 3:00pm or by appointment. Please call (856) 451-7300.