(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Morven Museum & Garden will be closed from Monday, January 24, 2022 through mid-February, 2022 while the floors of the main galleries are being refurbished. During this time, the public can still visit them via online exhibitions and virtual programming. This restoration was made possible through support from the Save America's Treasures grant program as administered by the National Park Service, Department of Interior, as well as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
From Jill Barry, Executive Director: “If you have been on site over the past eighteen months, you may have noticed restoration projects on the exterior of the historic landmark building, including the front porch, columns, and roof line. Now we move inside to repair several historic floors as we prepare for significant anniversary years, including the 250th of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.”
In terms of upcoming events, on Thursday, January 27 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm, historian and filmmaker Laurence Cotton joins virtually to present a "mini-travelogue" of select Olmsted landscapes across North America in a special evening event, Frederick Law Olmsted: Designing America. During this yearlong celebration of the 100th anniversary of his birth, discover the extraordinary legacy of a true Renaissance man and how Olmsted's philosophy, writings and designs are still relevant today. Tickets are $15 for the virtual program, and $10 for Morven members.
Begin to plan for their annual Morven in May Plant Sale on Tuesday, February 1 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm, with Deer Resistant Design author and garden expert Karen Chapman sharing tips and tricks via a virtual program & live Q&A. Tickets are $15 for general admission, and $10 for Morven members.
On Saturday, February 5 from 11:00am to 1:30pm, they will be hosting an in-person Victorian Pressed Flower Valentine Workshop. Participants will learn how to create Victorian-style Valentines with Morven’s Curator of Education. All pressed flowers (many from Morven’s historic gardens), materials, and art instruction will be provided. No previous experience is required and space is limited. Tickets are $45 for general admission, and $35 for Morven members.
From Thursday, February 10 through Thursday March 3 at 6:30pm, Morven’s Grand Homes & Gardens Distinguished Speakers Series returns with another stellar lineup. This year, they armchair travel to the Roaring 20’s starting at Innisfree in New York, then on to Swan House in Georgia, down to Ca’ D’Zan on Florida’s west coast, and then arriving finally in Miami’s Vizcaya, sponsored by Keller Williams Realty Princeton. This series has something for everyone, and features each week’s presenter on-site at their respective location with both an in-person, limited capacity “watch party” in Morven’s Stockton Education Center, adjacent to the Museum, as well as virtual viewing options and recordings for all ticket holders. Tickets for the entire series (4 events) are $90 for in-person general admission, $75 for virtual general admission, $60 for in-person Morven members, and $45 for virtual Morven members. Individual tickets are available for $30 for in-person general admission, $25 for virtual general admission, $20 for in-person Morven members, and $15 for virtual Morven members.
On Saturday, February 12 & Sunday, February 13 at 9:00am, spend an exciting and informative two days at Morven with acclaimed architectural illustrator David Genther. Appropriate for every skill level, beginner to expert, this workshop introduces the techniques of Beaux-Arts wash rendering. Participants will begin by learning the basic skills needed to produce a traditional ink wash rendering of a Doric column capital. All levels are welcome. Tickets are $225 for general admission, and $175 for Morven members.
Lastly, on Tuesday, February 22 from 2:00pm to 3:30pm, Morven will be hosting a Virtual Rose Workshop with Renowned Rosarian Michael Marriott. Join them for the "Return of the Rosarian" Michael Marriott live from the UK as he explores the British roots of Mount Vernon's historic roses on Washington's Birthday and shares other rose-related tips and tricks in a special, new virtual program created just for Morven. Tickets are $15 for general admission, and $10 for Morven members.
Morven Museum & Garden is located at 55 Stockton Street in Princeton, New Jersey. It is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00am to 4:00pm. The museum will be closed Monday January, 24 through mid-February for restorations.
Most historic sites celebrate one notable resident, Morven 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 Museum & Garden is supported by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) through the American Rescue Plan Act. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this press release do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.
