 Cook established the university 's geology museum in 1872 with specimens collected during the New Jersey Geological Survey which he directed as New Jersey 's state geologist . Since then , the museum has operated on the building 's second floor , offering free tours to small groups , schools , and to the general public . The museum 's collections , of which only a small portion is on display , feature exhibits on geology , natural history , paleontology , and anthropology , with an emphasis on the natural history of New Jersey . 
