Spring Exhibit Series - The Morris Canal & The Morris Canal Greenway
April 26, 2015 |
This spring Macculloch Hall Historical Museum (MHHM) presents a speaker series related to the current exhibits on display at the museum, on the last Sunday of the month, through June, at 4:30pm. On April 26th President of the Canal Society of New Jersey (CSNJ) Joe Macasek will present “The Morris Canal & the Morris Canal Greenway”. This important piece of infrastructure connected New York Harbor at Jersey City with the Delaware River at Phillipsburg and is subject of the current second floor gallery exhibit “Canals of New Jersey”. Charted to be built in 1824, the Morris Canal passed through the heart of New Jersey’s iron district and provided the long-needed transportation system that would promote commercial activity and enable rustic settlements to grow into thriving industrial towns. By the early 1900’s, however, the canal had become obsolete. Today, the Morris Canal Greenway, a partnership between local communities and the CSNJ, seeks to preserve the surviving historic remains of the canal, interpret canal sites, and offer recreational opportunities to the public. In this presentation Joe will discuss the Morris Canal’s history and operation and how the Morris Canal Greenway Project is bringing the canal back to life as a History/Recreation Corridor. Mr. Macasek has had a lifelong interest in local New Jersey history and industrial archeology and offers lectures on local history topics and industrial archaeology.
Visitors who arrive prior to the program can enjoy the “Canals of New Jersey” exhibit. MHHM has partnered with CSNJ to present this display of panels that tell the story of New Jersey’s two towpath canals, the Morris and the Delaware and Raritan. The CSNJ’s display is supplemented by objects including some from MHHM’s collection and information about Macculloch Hall founder George Macculloch who had the idea for the Morris Canal. The exhibit shares some of the stories of the workers and families who lived and worked on the canal, as well as other details about its construction using photographs and drawings, as well objects such as model canal boats.
The Spring Exhibit Speaker Series continues on Sunday May 31st with “Nast the Homebody”. Ken and Nancy Miller, current owners/caretakers of political cartoonist and 19th century Morristown resident Thomas Nast’s home Villa Fontana, will speak about life there using pictures from his time and today. They will also discuss the changes that have occurred to the house since it was sold by Sarah Nast in 1908 and the challenges of restoring and caring for an old house that is a National Historic Landmark. The final presentation in the series, presented by museum consultant, writer and educator Steve Miller will take place on Sunday June 28th, “Currier & Ives: More Than A Christmas Card”. The 19th century lithography firms of N. Currier and Currier & Ives produced images of America that remain as popular today as when they were made. Steve will present an illustrated history of the sequential firms showing the wide range of pictures they produced that go beyond their well-known winter scenes.
Tickets for the program go on sale from 1pm on the day of the program, no advance sales, and remain on sale until the presentation begins at 4:30pm. Speaker tickets include admission to the museum exhibits during the afternoon and a guided tour of period rooms, the last tour ticket is sold at 3pm. Speaker tickets will remain on sale until 4:30pm. The Museum’s collection of “Currier & Ives” prints on display throughout the second floor of the museum and the second floor “The Civil War Through the Eyes of Thomas Nast” and “Canals of New Jersey” exhibits will remain on view until 4:30pm. The first floor “Thomas Nast: Unknown Works and American Icons” exhibit will close 3:30 – 4pm in preparation for the program. Tickets to hear speakers are Adults $8; Seniors & Students $6; Children 6 – 12 $4. Members and children under 5 are admitted free.
Image attached: MHHM Spring Exhibit Speaker Series Joe Macasek _Morris Canal_April 26 2015
|
Website:
www.maccullochhall.org |
| |
| Location Information |
|
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum |
45 Macculloch Avenue
Morristown, NJ 07960 |
| Website:
www.maccullochhall.org |
| |
| Contact Information |
|
Karen Hollywood |
| Email:
khollywood@maccullochhall.org |
| Phone:
973-538-2404 |
|