Calling all history and culture buffs: 5 attractions in Morris County to explore
The Garden State takes pride in preserving its rich history and unique cultural roots. But there are some New Jersey counties that have more stories to tell than others — and Morris County is one of them.
Morris County's history includes everything from serving as a military capital during the American Revolution; being a major center for iron ore production throughout the 19th century; and acting as a hot spot for wealthy individuals during the Gilded Age, among other things.
So if you're looking for something to do this summer and want to take a deep dive into some North Jersey history, here are five places to visit in Morris County:
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum and Gardens, Morristown
Considered an anchor of the Morristown Historic District, the Macculloch Hall Historical Museum was built in 1810 as the home of George and Louisa Macculloch. They purchased the 26-acre property from General John Doughty, a commander in George Washington's Army during the Revolutionary War, and built a Federal-style brick mansion that they continued to add onto for several years. Five generations of the family lived in the home until it was chartered by W. Parsons Todd as a Morristown community museum in 1950.
Today, the Macculloch Hall Historical Museum invites visitors to experience American history as it was lived at this site from 1810 to 1949, as well as how it was interpreted starting in 1950. It features a collection of work by political cartoonist Thomas Nast, fine and decorative arts collections, Macculloch family archives, period rooms and professional galleries.
And on the grounds of the property, you can see things like wisteria that was given to the Maccullochs by Commodore Matthew Perry in 1857; the sundial installed on the upper lawn in 1876; a sassafras tree that is believed to be the second oldest and largest of its kind in New Jersey; and many varieties of heirloom roses.
Tickets: Admission to the museum is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and $5 for children ages five to 17. Admission to the gardens is free.
Hours: Museum open from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays; gardens open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Morris Museum, Morristown
A photo of the Mega Model Train Gallery at Morris Museum.
New Jersey's second-largest museum and the state's only Smithsonian affiliate, the Morris Museum is a one-stop shop for innovate exhibits and events. The venue originally opened in 1913 as the Morristown Children's Museum, where cultural artifacts from around the world were displayed for children, but was renamed in 1985 and today boasts more than 75,000 square feet of gallery space, a theater and more.
The museum currently features permanent exhibits like the Guinness Collection, Mega Model Train Gallery, the Earth Science Gallery and Earth & Memory: Contemporary Native American Pottery, among others. The venue also hosts an array of live performances and film viewings.
Tickets: Admission is free for museum members, or $12 for adults and $8 for seniors, students and children ages three to 17.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Morristown National Historical Park, Morristown
Established in 1933 as the country's first National Historical Park, Morristown National Historical Park is a 1,700-acre property dedicated to commemorating Morristown's role in the Revolutionary War. It features the sites of General George Washington and the Continental Army's encampment from December 1779 to June 1780 during what would be the coldest winter on record. The park is also home to several historic buildings that showcase the encampments, George Washington and items relating to pre- and post-Revolutionary America, such as Washington's Headquarters Museum, the Jockey Hollow Visitor Center and more.
Tickets: Admission to the park and buildings is free.
Hours: The park grounds are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Washington's Headquarters Museum and Jockey Hollow Visitor Center are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
New Jersey Firemen's Home Museum, Boonton
New Jersey Firemen's Home in Boonton, April 14, 2020.
Originally built in 1872 as the home of William G. Lathrop of Boonton Iron Works, the Lathrop Mansion officially became the site of the New Jersey Firemen's Home — the first and only licensed retirement institution for firemen in the state — in 1898. It provides specialized long-term care and residential health care services to New Jersey firefighters.
In addition to this, the Firemen's Home also has an 8,000-square-foot museum that showcases an array of historic firefighting equipment from local fire departments. First opened in 1985, it features things like steamers, ornate hose carts, helmets, uniforms and vintage fire trucks, among other things.
Tickets: Admission is free.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Go: 565 Lathrop Ave., Boonton; 973-334-0024,
Whippany Railway Museum, Whippany
The Whippany Railway Museum's restored circa-1907 steam locomotive, known as "Old Number 385."
Originally opened in 1965 as the Morris County Central Railroad Museum, where members of the Morris County Central Railroad would display a small collection of railroad memorabilia, the Whippany Railway Museum went through a long history of preservation efforts to get to where it is today.
The venue features several unique pieces of railroad equipment with ties to New Jersey on its ground, all of which have been restored by museum volunteers. There are also historic signs, railroad china, tools, rotating displays of different New Jersey area railroads and an interactive model railroad layout.
Tickets: Admission is $5 for adults and teenagers and $3 for children ages six to 12.
Hours: Noon to 4 p.m. most Sundays from April through October.
Here are some other historic and cultural attractions to check out in Morris County:
- Cooper Mill, Chester
- Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum, Landing
- Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, Madison
- The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms, Morris Plains
- Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, Morristown
- Historic Speedwell, Morristown
- Schuyler-Hamilton House Museum, Morristown
Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay, on X @maddiemcgayy, and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at [email protected].
