Murtogh D. Guinness Collection Gallery
Ten years ago, the Murtogh D. Guinness Collection permanent exhibition gallery at the Morris Museum opened to the public. In 2017, the Museum invites all audiences to celebrate its tenth anniversary, honoring the past and looking ahead to the future. Anniversary highlights include a special exhibition, Murtogh's Music Room, exploring some of the collector's favorite personal objects; exciting programs and events; and a redesigned entry gallery showcasing a rotating selection of instruments from the Guinness Collection and private collections. Proceeds from all anniversary programming will be used toward conservation of collection objects.
ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION
June 15 –October 15, 2017
Featuring more than a dozen objects, this exhibition will include a variety of Murtogh D. Guinness’s favorite instruments, cylinder, and disc musical boxes. Also exhibited will be an extremely rare (one of three known to exist) weight-driven Barrel Piano by John Longman, c.1810 (above) , and the Welte-Mignon Keyboardless Reproducing Piano, c.1905-08. Visitors will delight in the many personal affects scattered around Murtogh's music room, from a compound musical clock to favorite photographs.
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
Have a Guinness with Murtogh: Murtogh’s Birthday Bash
Sunday, May 7, 5:00PM
TICKETS: $35 per person. To purchase tickets, visit www.morrismuseum.org/special-events/ or call 973.971.3706.
In celebration of Murtogh D. Guinness’ birthday, join us for refreshments, including Guinness Stout on tap, and a special concert of mechanical musical instruments performing Ragtime selections. Individual automata will also be displayed, and of course, there will be cake!
Exhibition Tour and Reception
Murtogh's Music Room
Thursday, June 15, 6:00 PM
Join us for the opening reception of Murtogh's Music Room (June 15 –October 15, 2017). The event will feature a tour with the Guinness Collection Curator and light refreshments.
TICKETS: $25 per person. To purchase tickets, visit www.morrismuseum.org/special-events/ or call 973.971.3706.
Exhibition Tour
Murtogh's Music Room
Thursday, September 14, 2017, 6:30-8:00 PM
Enjoy a tour of Murtogh's Music Room with the Guinness Collection Curator.
TICKETS: $15 per person. To purchase tickets, visit www.morrismuseum.org/special-events/ or call 973.971.3706.
Family Film and Workshop Event
Saturday, October 7, 2017, 12:30-4:00 PM
Spend a fun-filled day immersed in automata! First, let us excite you with the film, Hugo, about a young boy and his automaton, in the Bickford Theatre. Afterward, enjoy fascinating automata from the Guinness Collection through live demonstrations. Wrapping up the afternoon, each family receives a kit to construct and operate their own automaton to bring home!
TICKETS: Family (up to 2 adults, 3 children) $48; Family Extended (up to 2 adults, 6 children) $55. To purchase tickets, call 973.971.3706.
Guinness Gallery Rededication and “Rach” Concert
Sunday, December 3, 2017, 2:30-4:30 PM
Join us for a Rededication Ceremony in honor of the Guinness Gallery. The event will also include a concert performed on the Ampico Reproducing Piano featuring the enchanting and energetic music of Sergei Rachmaninoff. Includes light refreshments.
TICKETS: $15 per person. To purchase tickets, visit www.morrismuseum.org/special-events/ or call 973.971.3706.
About the Murtogh D. Guinness Collection
In 2003, the Morris Museum was awarded the Murtogh D. Guinness Collection of 750 historic mechanical musical instruments and automata (mechanical figures) and more than 5,000 programmed media, ranging from player piano rolls to pinned cylinders. Highlights of the collection are displayed in a spectacular 4,300 square foot permanent exhibition Musical Machines & Living Dolls: Mechanical Musical Instruments and Automata from the Murtogh D. Guinness Collection. This interactive exhibition features more than 150 pieces from this extraordinary collection and takes visitors on a journey through the history of on-demand musical entertainment. Viewable storage provides visitors with broader access to the balance of the collection.
About the Morris Museum
Founded in 1913, the Morris Museum is an award-winning, community-based arts and cultural institution which serves the public through high caliber exhibitions in the arts, sciences and humanities. The Museum also offers educational programs, family events, and is home to the Bickford Theatre and its wide range of performing arts offerings. Continuously serving the public since 1913, the Morris Museum has been designated a Major Arts Institution and has received the New Jersey State Council on the Arts’ Citation of Excellence, among other awards. The first museum in New Jersey to be accredited, the Morris Museum was re-accredited in 2013 by the American Alliance of Museums.
The Morris Museum is a Blue Star Museum, offering free admission to active duty military personnel and their families, from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Location and Hours
The Museum is located at 6 Normandy Heights Road (at the corner of Columbia Turnpike) in Morristown, NJ, and is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday, 12:00 to 5:00pm. In addition, the Museum is open evenings from 5:00 to 8:00pm on the second and third Thursday of the month. Admission to the Museum is $10 for adults and $7 for children, students and senior citizens. Admission is always free for Museum members. For more information, call (973) 971-3700, or visit www.morrismuseum.org.
