The Bergen Museum of Art & Science

The Museum is temporarily closed and undergoing change. We are no longer located at the Bergen Mall. Our lease expired several months ago and we are hoping to relocate the museum to a new location. We are currently involved with the town of Oradell, NJ in trying to move the museum to the building that is known as the Blauvelt Mansion. In the meantime, we are trying to have an a new exhibit sometime in February, 2011 at the Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum which is adjacent to the Blauvelt Mansion.

Below is an excerpt from a recent letter to the Mayor of Oradell in support of this effort:

The Board of Directors of the Bergen Museum of Art & Science have voted to support the efforts of Oradell, The Blauvelt Demarest Foundation, and Oradell residents to preserve the Blauvelt mansion and property from development or destruction. We are a New Jersey 501 (c) 3, not for profit, incorporated in 1956.

We do not have a home of operation or facility to exhibit our collection at this time. We envision establishing a working relationship with Oradell, Bergen County and the new foundation envisioned by Oradell residents. This relationship would include utilizing the mansion for our exhibits and educational activity.

This will be will be a first step in getting operational again and rebuilding the museum where we can hold small exhibits and have student art classes, summer art camp, science & math camp, chess classes, etc,. We will eventually need to include and to showcase our Mastodon collection and our large collection of paintings, drawings and sculptures.

We now have a new Board of Directors including a new President and Chairman of the Board, Dr. James Waldron.We are currently looking to expand our Board of Directors and are seeking highly qualified candidates to fulfill some of our vacant positions, including a new curator.

Gail Zavada, who dedicated her time at the Bergen Museum of Art & Science helping and teaching children at our summer camps how to paint and draw, passed away suddenly last year. Please go here for her memoriam.

For formation regarding the re-opening of the Bergen Museum or information on future exhibits call 845-918-1577 and stay tuned to this web site for more information. Email to Bergen Museum Please keep checking our web site for our opening date.

- Dr. James Waldron,President and Science Director, BMAS

The Bergen Museum of Art & Science Management

Museum History

In 1956 the museum was founded to provide a center for the purpose of stimulating youth and adult interest in the arts and sciences. The Museum is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization.

The mission of the Bergen Museum is to participate in the community quality of life by bringing world class exhibits and programs to the public. The Museum also recognizes that Bergen County is a combination of many distinct cultures. The Bergen Museum continues to explore the region's roots and identity by promoting its regional artists through our Exhibitions, Bergen Music & Art Festival, juried shows, Youth Art Gallery , Music programs, Holocaust Yom Hashoah Remembrance, visual arts and science programs.  The Museum's educational outreach program brings programs to the schools and the public. 

The collection is composed of Regional historical artifacts, local and regional artwork. The collection includes the Bergen Museum 's Stefan Knapp Mural (was once displayed on the Alexander's building in Paramus ), paintings, photographs, the Mastodon skeletons, substantial collection of donated artwork and scientific objects.

The New Jersey Children's Museum is located at 599 Industrial Avenue. The New Jersey Children's Museum is an interactive play and learning center where children and adults can learn about the world and have a great time together.

The Museum is designed for children from 1 to 8, but children of all ages will enjoy their visit. All exhibits are child friendly. Touching everything is very much encouraged. And we're huge! Fifteen thousand square feet of carpeted exhibit space is brightly decorated and divided into thirty different rooms, each with its own unique and exciting theme.

The emphasis is on fun and learning. Every room has something for your child to play with, hold, and turn on and off. Every exhibit is fascinating, educational, interactive, and fun for adults too! The Museum is open 7 days a week, including Sunday. Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 1 through October 1, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., winter months 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. - 262-5151.

The Fritz Behnke Historical Museum

Close your eyes and imagine for a moment a farm community nestled in the heart of Bergen County. Picture a peaceful community comprised of black dirt (muck) and upland farms with acres of celery, corn, tomatoes, spinach, eggplant, peppers and a variety of vegetables as far as the eye can see. There are greenhouses and barns, trucks and tractors dotting the landscape along with chicken and dairy farms. This is Paramus eighty years ago, one of the best areas to live and work, even in 1923.

For additional history and facts, visit the Fritz Behnke Historical Museum, 330 Paramus Road.

The Schoolhouse Museum is a treasure trove of local history that is maintained by the Ridgewood Historical Society. The building in which the museum is housed is an original school that was used in the 1800s as a local one room schoolhouse. The building is currently owned by the Old Paramus Reformed Church, and it is our pleasure to feature the museum on our website. The Curator of the museum is Dorothy-Anne Pangburn.