The Battleship New Jersey is about to get the visitor experience to match its size.
The Battleship New Jersey Museum & Memorial announced a $24.25 million redevelopment project Tuesday that will build a new landside visitor center, add dedicated parking at Wiggins Marina, and fund more than $6 million in critical repairs aboard the historic ship.
It’s the largest capital investment in the museum since it opened on the Camden waterfront in 2001.
Construction is expected to take about two years, with work anticipated to begin in the second or third quarter of 2027. Details on construction phasing and visitor access during the project will be announced as plans are finalized.
The bulk of the funding — $19.8 million — comes through tax credits awarded by the N.J. Economic Development Authority’s Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion, or CAFÉ, program.
The project breaks down into three pieces:
- an approximately $9.5 million visitor center on land,
- a $5.5 million parking structure at Wiggins Marina,
- more than $6 million in shipboard improvements.
Together, museum officials say the work will make arrival and access easier, expand room for exhibits and education programs, and knock out preservation and infrastructure needs that had been out of financial reach.
Marshall Spevak, CEO of the Battleship New Jersey Museum & Memorial, said the project builds on the ship’s 2024 dry docking, which secured its physical future.
“After successfully preserving the Battleship’s physical future through her historic dry docking in 2024, our responsibility is to build an institution around her that can thrive for generations,” Spevak said. “This project will fundamentally change how visitors arrive, how they experience the ship, and how we sustain this national treasure over the long term.”
Gov. Mikie Sherrill said the investment strengthens one of the state’s most significant historic sites.
“As a Navy veteran, I know Battleship New Jersey stands as an enduring testament to the service and sacrifice of generations of Americans,” Sherrill said. “This investment will preserve that legacy and strengthen one of New Jersey’s most treasured historic destinations.”
For Battleship Board Chairman Thomas Reilly Sr., the project carries a personal weight. His father served aboard USS New Jersey during World War II.
“My father was one of the thousands of sailors who served aboard this ship, and I have always viewed our stewardship of the Battleship as a promise to them,” Reilly said. “We have an obligation not only to preserve the ship, but to tell the stories of the people who served aboard her with the care and permanence they deserve.”
Elected officials and economic development leaders had plenty to say about this — here are some of their remarks:
Evan Weiss, NJEDA CEO: The CAFE program is “helping to spur economic activity, drive foot-traffic into key corridors, and revitalize communities across the state.”
Rep. Donald Norcross, Founding Trustee of the Battleship New Jersey: “For more than 25 years, I have been proud to stand with the Battleship New Jersey, beginning as one of the founding members who helped bring this historic ship home to the Camden waterfront.”
Vincent Solomeno, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs: “The Battleship New Jersey is a living memorial to the Sailors, Marines, and in a broader sense, all veterans who have served the United States.”
Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr.: “This investment will improve the visitor experience, support tourism, and strengthen the Battleship’s role as an anchor of the Camden waterfront.”
Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen: “The Battleship is an unmistakable part of Camden’s identity and an enduring symbol of our city’s strength and resilience.”
Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez, Assemblyman Bill Moen Jr. and Assemblyman Bill Spearman (joint statement): “The Battleship New Jersey is an essential part of Camden’s identity and a powerful educational resource for students from the city and across our state.”
