Front:
VS ARMY ARMANT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COMMA
PICATINNY ARSENAL
1880
100 Years of Screen to the Nation
1980
MUSEUM
Back:
PICATINNY ARSENAL
DOVER, N.J. 07801
Picatinny Arsenal was established by the War Department on 6 September 1880.
Originally it was named the "Dover Powder Depot", then four days later re-
named "Picatinny Powder Depot". In 1907, because of expanding activities,
the post became "Picatinny Arsenal". During WWI the Arsenal produced all
sizes of ammunition from .30 caliber to 16 inch projectiles. From 1938 thru
1945 the Arsenal produced artillery ammunition, bombs, high explosives, py-
rotechnics, and other ordnance items for the WWII effort, employing 20,000
people at the peak of its activities. It also provided detonators to the AEC
for inclusion in the Manhattan Project. The first nuclear projectile (280mm)
was produced in conjunction with the AEC in 1952. In the years from Korea
thru Vietnam the Arsenals prime mission shifted from production to develop-
ment and improvement of large caliber conventional and nuclear munitions.
Today Picatinny serves as the headquarters for the US Army Armament Research
and Development Command (ARRADCOM), formed in 1976, currently employing
6,000 highly skilled technicians, scientists, and engineers engaged in a
full range of armament research and development.
The aerial view on the front shows the central part of the Arsenal with the
eastern part of the golf course in the foreground and Picatinny Lake and
Lake Denmark, a recreation site with picnic, party, and boating facilities,
in the upper right.
Other pictures clockwise from the upper right are:
Building 171, currently housing the US Army Munitions Production Base Mod-
ernization Agency and several other activities.
Forge and tools used at the "Middle Forge" established at the foot of Pica-
tinny Peak in 1749. The "Middle Forge" later became a part of the "Mount Hope
Iron Works" that provided cannon shot and other iron implements for the Rev-
olutionary War. The "Works" were operated intermittently until 1880.
The Arsenal Museum, founded in 1920, is open to the public Tuesday thru Fri-
day 9 AM to 3 PM. A staff is on hand to guide visitors through the museum and
provide information on displays. Special programs for groups are available.
Contact museum personnel at telephone number (201) 328-2797 for information.
Interior of the Arsenal Museum. The Museum has over 14,000 items of weaponry
and ammunition, US and foreign, dating from revolutionary times to the pres-
ent on display inside and adjacent to the Museum building.
The Scheller Co., Hackettstown, N.J.
55124A/F
Post Card
