(PRINCETON, NJ) -- There are a number of exciting historical events taking place at Morven Museum & Garden this August. On Thursday, August 4 at 6:30pm, join Monmouth University Professor and former US Army Fort Monmouth Command Historian Melissa Ziobro for a talk on the “Hello Girls,” who were women employed by the US Army Signal Corps as telephone switchboard operators during WWI.
The “Hello Girls,” whose Chief Officer Grace Banker hailed from New Jersey, worked long hours to ensure battlefield communications. After the war, the women fought for veteran status, and they are being considered for a Congressional Gold Medal today. In-person tickets are $15 for General Admission, $10 for Morven Members. Virtual tickets are $5 for General Admission, free for Morven Members.
Museum galleries will be open from 5:00pm to 6:00pm to view Ma Bell: The Mother of Invention in New Jersey exhibition and see switchboards and relevant telecommunications information. Doors open for in-person guests at 6:00pm with light refreshments in the Stockton Education Center. A Zoom link will be shared the day of the program for virtual ticket holders. Q&A for both live and virtual attendees follows the lecture.
On Saturday, August 13 at 2:00pm, join Curators Elizabeth Allan and Jesse Gordon for a tour of our Ma Bell: The Mother of Invention in New Jersey exhibition and view the original TelStar 1 satellite up close on its final weekend at Morven. From satellites, switchboards, and radios, to Picturephones and more, Morven's latest exhibition features so many important moments in New Jersey's telecommunications history. Tickets are $15 for General Admission, $10 for Morven Members.
Lastly, on Thursday, August 18 at 6:30pm, come to Morven where local historian Linda Barth, a longtime canal expert, will share highlights and details about the Delaware and Raritan Canal. In this hybrid event, Barth will discuss the history of the Canal, and how it relates to Morven itself, as well as the state of New Jersey. In-person tickets are $10 General Admission, $5 for Morven Members. Virtual tickets are $5 for General Admission, free for Morven Members.
Doors open for in-person guests at 6:00pm with light refreshments in the Stockton Education Center. A Zoom link will be shared the day of the program for virtual ticket holders. Q&A for both live and virtual attendees follows the lecture.
Most historic sites celebrate one notable resident. Morven Museum & Garden is unique in that it was home to many remarkable people. Built in the 1750s and home to one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, Morven was home to five generations of Stocktons, then Robert Wood Johnson, Jr. before becoming New Jersey’s first Governor’s Mansion and home to five New Jersey governors, their families and staffs, witnessing nearly 300 years of history. Morven is located at 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ and is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00am to 4:00pm. The gardens are open daily until dusk.
Funding for the Ma Bell exhibition has been provided in part by AT&T Services Inc., The Hess Foundation, Liza and Schuyler Morehouse, The Astle-Alpaugh Family Foundation, Richard Lounsbery Foundation, Lisa and Michael Ullmann, Fulton Bank, and Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
