Perth Amboy in Middlesex County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Perth Amboy Barracks & Inventors’ Institute
Photographed by Don Morfe, April 6, 2016
1. Perth Amboy Barracks & Inventors’ Institute Marker
During the French and Indian War (1754-63) British troops were initially quartered (housed) in private residences. After a wave of protests from the colonists, the Provincial Assembly in 1758 authorized the construction of barracks, for 300 men each, at Perth Amboy and four other locations. The Perth Amboy Barracks were completed in the spring of 1759 at a cost of more than 4,000 pounds. Consisting of a three-story central block (officer’s quarters) and flanked by L-shaped wings (soldiers), the structure was 183 feet in length and contained 26 fireplaces. The Barracks were used alternately by Americans, British and Hessian troops.
In 1847 Dr. Solomon Andrews (1806-1872) established his “Inventors’ Institute” in the former Barracks. Here, in a specially constructed hangar, Andrews built and exhibited a prototype airship as early as 1849. It was from this site on June 1, 1863, that he made the world’s first fully-controlled flight aboard the unpowered dirigible Aereon.
After serving for many years as the city’s poor house, the Barracks were torn down in 1908 to make way for the Perth Amboy Grammar School.
Erected 2013 by Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space
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Location. 40° 30.743′ N, 74° 16.13′ W. Marker is in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, in Middlesex County. It is on Barracks Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 178 Barracks Street, Perth Amboy NJ 08861, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New Jersey’s Central Jersey, in Greater Princeton, and in the New York City Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Simpson United Methodist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Thomas Mundy Peterson School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Ye Town Tavern (approx. 0.4 miles away); Terra Cotta (approx. 0.4 miles away); Market Square (approx. 0.4 miles away); George Washington (approx. 0.4 miles away); Surveyor General's Office (approx. 0.4 miles away); Thomas Mundy Peterson's Historic Vote (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Perth Amboy.
Photographed by Don Morfe, April 6, 2016
2. Perth Amboy Barracks & Inventors’ Institute Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 916 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 16, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
