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Perth Amboy in Middlesex County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Perth Amboy Barracks & Inventors’ Institute

 
 
Perth Amboy Barracks & Inventors’ Institute Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Don Morfe, April 6, 2016
1. Perth Amboy Barracks & Inventors’ Institute Marker
Inscription. 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.

This Historic Site Marker is a gift to the people of Perth Amboy from the Middlesex County Board of Chose Freeholders, 2013.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space

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War, French and Indian.
 
Location. 40° 30.743′ N, 74° 16.13′ W. Marker is in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, in Middlesex County. Marker 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.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Thomas Mundy Peterson School (approx. 0.3 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); Record Office (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Polish Veterans of World War II, Post 40 (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Surveyor General's Office (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Earl of Perth (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Perth Amboy.
 
Perth Amboy Barracks & Inventors’ Institute Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Don Morfe, April 6, 2016
2. Perth Amboy Barracks & Inventors’ Institute Marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 437 times since then and 21 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.

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Mar. 28, 2024