Macculloch Hall
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum truly shines among New Jersey's historic house museums. Built from 1810 to 1819, this Federal style mansion of more than twenty rooms was home to George Macculloch and five generations of his descendants. Macculloch is best remembered as the Father of the Morris Canal.
The property now known as Macculloch Hall was a twenty-six acre working farm until 1888 when Macculloch's daughter, Mary Louisa Miller, divided the property into a land development corporation. As a farm, Macculloch employed workers, including slaves, until 1819, raising crops including more than two dozen varieties of pears. Not surprisingly, George Macculloch was first president of the Morris County Agricultural Society. He originally conceived the Morris Canal for the transport of farm produce from northwest New Jersey to metropolitan New York markets.
In 1949, Morristown millionaire W. Parsons Todd bought the house the house and its remaining three acres from Henry W. Miller for $10,000. Todd's goal was to create a museum to exhibit his personal collection of eighteenth and early nineteenth century high style antiques. At the age of seventy, Todd began collecting in earnest with purchases from the notable Parke-Bernet Galleries in New York. Although a shrewd businessman in his copper mining ventures, Todd had somehow trained his eye to focus on the finest antiques available to furnish his historic house museum. At his death in 1977, the W. Parsons Todd Foundation was endowed to insure that the Museum would continue as a community resource for local history and the decorative arts.
Of Morristown's six historic house museums, only Macculloch Hall is built of brick. This construction reminds the visitor that Macculloch had immigrated from the tight neighborhoods of London were wooden buildings were a fire hazard. So, while even the court house and churches were frame dwellings, Macculloch's house made a statement about his worldly experiences and ambitions.
Macculloch
Hall's Dining Room is the most oppulent room in the Museum featuring
examples from W. Parsons Todd's extensive collection of 18th and early
19th century porcelain, crystal, and silver.
Visitors to Macculloch Hall see a house that is both grandly elegant and cheerfully relaxed. These characteristics are derived from its history as a family home. The family held frequent large house parties that sometimes lasted for a week. The rooms are large and filled with light. There is a sense of movement throughout the house beginning in the Center Hall with a staircase that sweeps upwards. The architecture and atmosphere remain un-muddled just as George Macculloch intended.
The grand flow from room to room can be seen looking from George Macculloch's Office into the Parlor which known by the family as the "best room."
In addition to Macculloch Hall's ten period rooms filled with the Todd Collection are four galleries of changing exhibits. The largest gallery, the Schoolroom, was originally Macculloch's classroom for his boys' boarding school. The Nast Room always features a changing exhibit of works by nineteenth century America's leading political cartoonist. W. Parsons Todd purchased nearly 2,000 works by the artist directly from his son, making Macculloch Hall's collection of Democratic Donkeys, Republican Elephants, Uncle Sams and Santa Clauses--all Nast inventions--among the largest in the United States. Educational programs compliment Macculloch Hall's fine collection and changing exhibits. Macculloch Hall hosts two open-house events each year highlighting its historic gardens. Daffodil Day is the third Sunday in April and Rose Day is the first Sunday in June. These events feature live music, tours of the house and garden, and light refreshments.
Macculloch Hall is open to the public on Weds., Thurs., and Sun., 1 to 4 PM; group tours at other times by appointment. Admission is Adults $3; Seniors, Students $2; under 12 are free. The gardens are open every day, dawn to dusk, free of charge. 45 Macculloch Avenue, Morristown. (973) 538-2404. website
Comments
21 Jan 2008, 18:00
a trip in November 2008 for other
tour guides where we are the
tourists interested in historic
sites.......please contact.