Museum Spotlight: InfoAge Science and History Museums (Wall Township)

AREA - Steve Lang, a trustee, and marketing chair of Wall Township’s InfoAge Science and History Museums, talks about the key to the 45,000 square foot facility.

“The youngsters that visit, they are asking questions,” he says. “That is our key. When they walk out of here, we want them asking questions.” He then adds, “To get a semi-look at everything that’s here, you’re probably going to make two or three trips – 10 to 15 hours.”

InfoAge Science and History Museums, located on the former Camp Evans site that was in possession of the United States Army from 1941 up until 1997, became incorporated as a 501 c3 in 1998.

InfoAge, whose first exhibits opened in 2005, is dedicated to scientific, historical, and educational exhibits, and programs. Aptly described, it is one large museum with 21 mini-museums under that umbrella. Some displays are in the main building near the welcome area and gift shop, but most are out in the campus area. But the displays and exhibits are hardly “mini,” especially in worth and learning. You will spend a good day here in one spot, and as Lang says, you will not only need but want to return.

Michael Ruane is the InfoAge Chief Executive Officer.

“We have been talking about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) since the beginning. We have been saying STEM because it is more easily recognized, but when people come in here, we also talk about STEAM (the above four components but with the addition of Arts) because we have definitely had STEAM events.”

Visitors to the InfoAge Science and History Museums have ventured from as far away as Brooklyn, Rockland County, New York, and both northern and southern New Jersey. Many homeschoolers also visit for the educational benefit, school visits themselves have doubled since 2022, and InfoAge also works on projects with scout groups.

Gleaned from the website, here is the mission of the InfoAge Science and History Museums: The MISSION of the Information Age Science and History Museum and Learning Center (InfoAge) is to preserve, educate, and honor scientific innovation to inspire new generations of thinkers, dreamers, and visionaries.

Our mission is broken into three Sub-Missions: DEVELOP an Interactive hands-on Learning Center focused on the evolution and preservation of communications, electronics, and related technologies;

Learning Center: As a National Historic Landmark, INSPIRE people – especially children –to learn and appreciate information technology to improve their lives and career opportunities; and Memorial: As New Jersey’s WWII Living Memorial, HONOR the accomplishments and service of veterans, civilians, and military contractors by recognizing their contributions and by preserving this unique historic site.

Our VISION: Our parking lots filled with yellow school buses and students who are motivated to pursue the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. Consider some of the offerings. Radio and Communications Tecnology; Lenni-Lenape Native Americans, European Colonization, and Indepen- dence; New Jersey Shipwreck Museum; Trains; Fallout Shelter Theater, and much more. In the main building there is a self-guided tour, but when you exit that structure and trek to the other buildings, experienced tour guides and docents on site are prepared to explain the displays and engage in discussion.

Annual events are also held at InfoAge. Lang and his group at the Trains museum often hold a three-week model train show where over 2,500 people have come through the front gates. The Computers exhibit, which has 60 rare computers displayed, in April welcomed almost 1,000 avid computer buffs when the Vintage Computer Federation held its annual event at InfoAge. “The events bring people in,” Lang says.

Buddha Pooch Dog Rescue Project, a

AREA - Growing up in Sussex County, Keri Mack Karmozyn’s family had rescue dogs. But her true passion for dogs came when she met her husband and his two dogs, a Shepherd/Pitbull mix and a Lab. “They changed my life,” she said.

Though an English major, Karmozyn spent most of her adult life in the restaurant business. It started with her working a summer job at her brother’s restaurant—and stayed onboard for the next 20 years working 13- to 14-hour days managing.

She later transferred to catering, thinking it would be easier, and according to Karmozyn it was harder, but she embraced every minute of it. “I worked for five-star chefs and loved it.” By then she was in her late 30 and experienced burn-out. She longed for something she was more in

InfoAge Science and History Museums are always growing. The Radio and Communications Technology museum is the most popular, but there are still more buildings to be open for events and displays. Discussion has included opening a café, and a new Firefighting building will be unveiled soon.

A visit to InfoAge Science and History Museums will benefit and engage anyone, but children especially are wowed by what they see and can do at the facilities. “If you want to bring children in, we have military vehicles, fire trucks, and trains. You have all these different things here,” Ruane says.

For more information, visit www.infoage.org

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Karmozyn began her career with dogs by starting her own doggy day care in Bedminster, where she lives with her husband, John, and five rescue dogs. Her clients were local and came via word of mouth, Facebook, and Instagram.

January 2021, Karmozyn stopped doggie care and started her rescue service, naming it Buddha Pooch Dog Rescue Project. It’s a non-profit 501c3 devoted to saving abandoned and neglected dogs from local high-risk shelters and connecting them with their new home, giving them a second chance.

Karmozyn pulls dogs from shelters that are in desperate need. “Dogs that need surgeries, I always step in,” she said. “I tend to go to the dogs on the senior side. I rarely have a puppy in my rescue. I advocate for the dogs that need the voice— owner surrenders, people dumping their dogs. Everyone says it’s the Pitbull breed, but so many other breeds too. Unfortunately, owners pass away, and no family member wants to take care of the dog. I go in to pull one dog and I come out with four. Rescue is so hard. It hurts your heart every day. I literally cry all the time.”

Women who assist Karmozyn in running the rescue are K.J. Magers, founder of Bonnies Bark ‘n Board, Bedminster; Courtney Connors, founder of Beyond K9 Training, Far Hills; and Theresa Hart, who fosters any dog that needs help out of the shelter.

“They help me foster, train, and advocate for both the rescue dog and the adopter,” said Karmozyn. “Without them, I’d be lost. Support—emotional, financial, you name it—is everything in rescue!”

During the humble beginnings of the rescue, Karmozyn