WHERE: Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton St, Princeton, NJ
As we head into the new year, we are counting down the days until Morven’s latest special exhibition Striking Beauty: New Jersey Tall Case Clocks, 1730-1830.
The first exhibition of its kind, Striking Beauty features over 50 tall case clocks, representing almost as many different clockmakers, from both private and public collections. These freestanding pendulum clocks are as functional as they are beautiful with faces made of intricate brass work or painted designs of objects like ships, suns and moons. Internally, their complicated workings are mechanical masterpieces. Some even chime with contemporaneous melodies.
Don’t miss out on the chance to explore the five-gallery exhibition to see the most comprehensive look ever given to the ingenious work of New Jersey clockmakers. Clocks are on view from New Jersey cities and towns such as Elizabeth, Newark, Burlington, Flemington, and Salem, and more.
In conjunction with the closing of the special exhibition, Morven is hosting four programs offering visitors to take a closer look at Striking Beauty. First, on Sunday, January 21, at 1:00 p.m., join us for “Clopening” Striking Beauty, an illustrated talk with exhibition advisor Steve Petrucelli. Steve will discuss the design, mechanics, and history behind the beautiful timepieces featured in Striking Beauty, offering behind-the-scenes insight on the exhibit’s creation along the way.
This event is hybrid - held both live and online. In-person tickets are $15 General Admission, $10 for Members and Students. Virtual tickets are $10 General Admission, $5 for Members and Students.
Don’t miss out on the chance to explore the five-gallery exhibition to see the most comprehensive look ever given to the ingenious work of New Jersey clockmakers. Clocks are on view from New Jersey cities and towns such as Elizabeth, Newark, Burlington, Flemington, and Salem, and more.
In conjunction with the closing of the special exhibition, Morven is hosting four programs offering visitors to take a closer look at Striking Beauty. First, on Sunday, January 21, at 1:00 p.m., join us for “Clopening” Striking Beauty, an illustrated talk with exhibition advisor Steve Petrucelli. Steve will discuss the design, mechanics, and history behind the beautiful timepieces featured in Striking Beauty, offering behind-the-scenes insight on the exhibit’s creation along the way.
This event is hybrid - held both live and online. In-person tickets are $15 General Admission, $10 for Members and Students. Virtual tickets are $10 General Admission, $5 for Members and Students.
In-person tickets include access to visit Striking Beauty on Sunday, January 21, during the museum’s open hours from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A Q&A for both live and virtual attendees will follow the talk. A Zoom webinar link will be shared with virtual ticket holders following registration and a recording of the event will be provided following the program.
Morven will be the home of a Tall Case Clock Maquette Making Workshop with Princeton Academy of Art on Wednesday, January 24, & Thursday, January 25, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. Designed for students aged 7-13 years old, this two day workshop introduces children to the history and design of traditional tall case clocks, starting with an introductory tour of Striking Beauty. Afterward, participants will make their way over to Morven’s Stockton Education Center for the construction portion of our workshop where students will receive a set of pre-cut basal wood parts and a detailed set of instructions and will begin putting their clocks together.
The second construction portion of this workshop focuses heavily on exterior design. Children are encouraged to paint and decorate their clocks as they see fit while Morven will provide several photo examples of clocks on display to use for inspiration. At the end of the workshop, children will leave with completed maquettes that we hope will inspire their interest in clock making and the history of New Jersey for years to come! Registration is $200 per student.
Next, on Thursday, February 8, at 6:00 p.m., join Morven’s Interim Director and Curator Beth Allan for Finding Peter Hill: The Life and Times of a New Jersey Clockmaker, a special evening exploring the life and work of America’s earliest documented Black clockmaker. While developing Striking Beauty, Curators Beth Allan and Jesse Gordon Simons uncovered new information about Hill’s life and work. It is believed that he made over one hundred tall case clocks during his lifetime, learning the craft while enslaved and then purchasing his own freedom. Mark the close of Striking Beauty by celebrating the little known story and beautiful craftsmanship of Peter Hill.
This event is hybrid - held both live and online. In-person tickets are $15 General Admission, $10 for Members and Students. Virtual tickets are $10 General Admission, $5 for Members and Students.
Morven will be the home of a Tall Case Clock Maquette Making Workshop with Princeton Academy of Art on Wednesday, January 24, & Thursday, January 25, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. Designed for students aged 7-13 years old, this two day workshop introduces children to the history and design of traditional tall case clocks, starting with an introductory tour of Striking Beauty. Afterward, participants will make their way over to Morven’s Stockton Education Center for the construction portion of our workshop where students will receive a set of pre-cut basal wood parts and a detailed set of instructions and will begin putting their clocks together.
The second construction portion of this workshop focuses heavily on exterior design. Children are encouraged to paint and decorate their clocks as they see fit while Morven will provide several photo examples of clocks on display to use for inspiration. At the end of the workshop, children will leave with completed maquettes that we hope will inspire their interest in clock making and the history of New Jersey for years to come! Registration is $200 per student.
Next, on Thursday, February 8, at 6:00 p.m., join Morven’s Interim Director and Curator Beth Allan for Finding Peter Hill: The Life and Times of a New Jersey Clockmaker, a special evening exploring the life and work of America’s earliest documented Black clockmaker. While developing Striking Beauty, Curators Beth Allan and Jesse Gordon Simons uncovered new information about Hill’s life and work. It is believed that he made over one hundred tall case clocks during his lifetime, learning the craft while enslaved and then purchasing his own freedom. Mark the close of Striking Beauty by celebrating the little known story and beautiful craftsmanship of Peter Hill.
This event is hybrid - held both live and online. In-person tickets are $15 General Admission, $10 for Members and Students. Virtual tickets are $10 General Admission, $5 for Members and Students.
In-person tickets include access to visit Striking Beauty from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. where one of Hill’s clocks is on display. A Q&A for both live and virtual attendees will follow the talk. A Zoom webinar link will be shared with virtual ticket holders following registration and a recording of the event will be provided following the program.
Your last chance to take a special look at Striking Beauty will be during its final weekend at the Striking Beauty Exhibition Advisor Open House. Exhibition advisor Steve Petrucelli will be in the galleries on Saturday, February 17, & Sunday, February 18, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., answering questions about the exhibit and offering a behind the scenes look at the over fifty historical timepieces on display. Tickets are $10 General Admission, $8 for Students and Seniors, and free for Morven Members.
Outside of Striking Beauty programming, learn to grow your own microgreens at home with Morven! On Wednesday, January 31, at 6:00 p.m., join Morven’s horticulturalists Louise Senior and Charlie Thomforde as they lead a Grow Your Own Microgreens Workshop. Microgreens are young seedlings of edible vegetables and herbs. Unlike larger herbs and vegetables that can take weeks or months to grow, microgreens can be harvested and eaten much sooner. They are also easy to grow inside during the winter months.
Louise and Charlie will explain the science, benefits, and best practices behind growing microgreens. All supplies provided. Workshop participants will leave with a microgreen growing kit, including planted seeds, that can be used again following the first harvest. Tickets are $15 General Admission, $10 for Morven Members and Students. Suggested for ages 12 and older.
Your last chance to take a special look at Striking Beauty will be during its final weekend at the Striking Beauty Exhibition Advisor Open House. Exhibition advisor Steve Petrucelli will be in the galleries on Saturday, February 17, & Sunday, February 18, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., answering questions about the exhibit and offering a behind the scenes look at the over fifty historical timepieces on display. Tickets are $10 General Admission, $8 for Students and Seniors, and free for Morven Members.
Outside of Striking Beauty programming, learn to grow your own microgreens at home with Morven! On Wednesday, January 31, at 6:00 p.m., join Morven’s horticulturalists Louise Senior and Charlie Thomforde as they lead a Grow Your Own Microgreens Workshop. Microgreens are young seedlings of edible vegetables and herbs. Unlike larger herbs and vegetables that can take weeks or months to grow, microgreens can be harvested and eaten much sooner. They are also easy to grow inside during the winter months.
Louise and Charlie will explain the science, benefits, and best practices behind growing microgreens. All supplies provided. Workshop participants will leave with a microgreen growing kit, including planted seeds, that can be used again following the first harvest. Tickets are $15 General Admission, $10 for Morven Members and Students. Suggested for ages 12 and older.
ABOUT MORVEN MUSEUM & GARDEN
Most historic sites celebrate one notable resident. Morven is unique in that it was home to many remarkable people. Built in the 1750s and home to one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, Richard Stockton, Morven was home to five generations of Stocktons, then Robert Wood Johnson, Jr. before becoming New Jersey’s first Governor’s Mansion and home to five New Jersey governors, their families and staffs, witnessing nearly 300 years of history. Morven is located at 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ and is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The gardens are open daily until dusk.
Follow Morven on social media:
Facebook: @morvenmuseum
Instagram: @morvenmuseum
Twitter: @MorvenMuseum
TikTok: @MorvenMuseum
Threads: @morvenmuseum
Most historic sites celebrate one notable resident. Morven is unique in that it was home to many remarkable people. Built in the 1750s and home to one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, Richard Stockton, Morven was home to five generations of Stocktons, then Robert Wood Johnson, Jr. before becoming New Jersey’s first Governor’s Mansion and home to five New Jersey governors, their families and staffs, witnessing nearly 300 years of history. Morven is located at 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ and is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The gardens are open daily until dusk.
Follow Morven on social media:
Facebook: @morvenmuseum
Instagram: @morvenmuseum
Twitter: @MorvenMuseum
TikTok: @MorvenMuseum
Threads: @morvenmuseum
