Built in 1758 to house soldiers of the British Army, it is the only remaining colonial barracks in the state and is one of the few tangible surviving elements of the 1776 Battle of Trenton.

George Washington crossed the Delaware River to catch the Hessian garrison by surprise during the Battle of Trenton on the morning of December 26, 1776.

For the remainder of that conflict it was occupied by whichever force controlled Trenton, including at various times British and American Continental Army troops.

[4] In 1902, members of the Daughters of the Revolution, under the leadership of Beulah A. Oliphant, bought part of the building to preserve it.

[5][7] The museum is open to visitors year round, Monday–Saturday, and is known for the annual Battle of Trenton Reenactments.