[dropcap]S[/dropcap]ome people just love museums. Big ones like the New York Metropolitan Art Museum. Small ones like the many regional interest spots you’ll find all over the world. Either way, museums are almost always at their best when they express a particular point of view, a bold thematic direction, or a guiding philosophy.
One great museum that falls somewhere in between a big museum and a small regional one is the Morven Museum & Garden, situated in Princeton, NJ.
The Morven is the former New Jersey Governor’s mansion and the former home of Richard Stockton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. It showcases the history and culture of New Jersey, a state loaded with historical significance.
If you’d like to get to know the Morven, then the upcoming months are a great time to plan a day trip or weekend mini-vacation. There are many exciting events planned that are all worthy of your attention. If you’re planning a trip to the area and want to experience the museum yourself, you may want to look into the following event schedule more closely.
A lot is going on at the Morven Museum in December. For example, Museum Store Monday, a special discount day at museums across the nation, takes place on Sunday, December 1st, from 10 AM to 4 PM. The first 20 shoppers receive a special commemorative museum ornament, and Friends of Morven receive a generous 20 percent discount throughout the day.
Throughout the winter season, an exhibition called Dreaming of Utopia: Roosevelt, New Jersey, will run. It explores the history and culture of Roosevelt, NJ, an experimental utopian immigrant community, from the 1930s to the present day. This artist colony spurred by the New Deal brought together many garment workers who escaped tenement city life to a new place where they could breathe easy. It’s a fascinating chapter in New Jersey history and one that’s greatly served by this exhibition.
Other upcoming activities at the Morven include the Holiday Wreath Workshops, which are available at two different times on Monday, December 2nd. The first session is from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM. The second is from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. The price for the wreath-making workshop is $50 per wreath and $40 for Friends of Morven.
The Gift of Art: Robin Jess Botanical Illustration Workshop is for novice and experienced illustrators who love botanicals. The workshop takes place on Tuesday, December 3, from 10 AM to 4 Pm. It’s $65 for the public and $50 for Friends of Morven. There will also be a Gingerbread House Workshop teaching families how to construct beautiful holiday gingerbread houses (which they can take home afterward) on December 7.
Pajama Storytime with Gennady Spirin & Mrs. Claus is scheduled to take place Friday, December 20, at 6 PM. A viewing of the Festival of Trees starts at 4:30 PM and commences at 5:30 PM. Tickets are $30 for non-members and $25 for members. Each ticket includes a copy of one book.
What’s Happening in December
What to Expect in January
The calendar for 2020 also offers many exciting events to attend. The Prophetic Quest: Stained Glass Art of Jacob Landau with David Herrstrom opens Wednesday, January 22, 2020, at 6 PM. The illustrated lecture starts at 6:30 PM. It’s $10 for the public and free for Friends of Morven.
John Baxter on Richard Stockton: Revolutionary Unsung Hero takes place on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, at 2 PM. A museum tour or tea option exists as well. The lecture is free for Friends of Morven. The Tea/Tour/Talk is $27 for the public and $18 for Friends of Morven.
Individual tickets and Friends of Morven memberships are available for purchase through the Morven Museum website. Information about new exhibits, special events, and even museum operating hours are viewable at Morven.org.
Ticket Information and Friends of Morven Memberships
Hotels to Stay At in the Area
Hotels in Princeton offer the best accommodations. When visiting NJ, think about the Hyatt Regency Princeton and what it offers its guests. It’s one of the many options you have to choose from when visiting the area. Other recommended hotels include the Hampton Inn Princeton, Princeton Marriott at Forrestal, and beautiful Inn at Glencairn.
Experience all the excitement that the Morven Museum has to offer you. There’s never a dull moment, especially with so many amazing events planned. You can have a wonderful time exploring the attraction and its beautiful garden while in Princeton, NJ. It will be one of the highlights of your trip.
