Morris Museum
Morris Township, NJ, 07960 US / NJ
Location Description
The Morris Museum was founded as a children's museum in 1913. In 1964 it moved to the Twin Oaks, Georgian-style mansion on the former grounds of the Frelinghuysen estate. Since then, the Museum's emphasis on visual art has grown and in 2003, the Museum was awarded the Murtogh D. Guinness Collection of Mechanical Musical Instruments and Automata. It is around this cornerstone of motion and kinetics that the Museum has designed its upcoming exhibition calendar furnishing a historical building with contemporary surprises. The Morris Museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums. ARCHITECTURE Architecture style is both modern and Neo-Georgian. The Morris Museum has a modern structure that is built around a Georgian style brick mansion (dating between 1910-1913) that had been named Twin Oaks. The mansion was owned by Peter and Adaline Frelinghuysen, grandparents to former Congressman Rodney P. Frelinghuysen. Peter was the president of P. Ballantine & Sons Brewery. The Morris Museum purchased the mansion in 1964. It is located in the historical Normandy Heights neighborhood of Morristown, New Jersey. It currently encompases 75, 524 square feet and includes a grand entrance pavilion with sleek modern glass walls that links the 1913 Neo-Georgian-style mansion, with original brick walls, to a modern two story promenade Museum court with skylights that let in natural light. The Museum sits on 8 acres. AVAILBLE FURNITURE 5, 60” round tables (seats up to 10) 15, 48” round tables (seats up to 8) 6, 24” high top tables 3, 30” cafe tables (seats up to 4) 15, 6’ banquet tables 2, sets of risers for 42” high tables (bar height) 1, 8’ bar back (8’x18”) table 2, 5’ banquet tables 4, 48” sq. tables 100 banquet chairs 1, podium w/microphone & P.A. 1, projector Renter must supply computer & necessary cords 2, roll-down screens 1, electric piano (includes bench) 24 standing easels (12 small, 12 large) DESCRIPTION OF EXTERIOR The Morris Museum is one building featuring 16 galleries, three classrooms, one theatre, five storage spaces, and administrative offices. Seven of the gallery spaces are within the original mansion. The Twin Oaks Mansion was designed to be an understated Neo-Georgian style home with a service wing, entry portico, and veranda. Diaper patterned brick covered the twin gables and numerous chimneys showcasing the grandeur of the home itself. In addition to the impressive architecture, the landscaping, circular drive, formal gardens, and distance from the road were part of the “Heights Area” style. Today, as visitors walk around the grounds of the old mansion one can still see remnants of the past in the crown moldings, the untouched staircase, and decorative patterns on the ceilings. Many of the original features such as baseboards, chair rails and crown molding are still apparent. In addition there are several ornate doors and fluted pillars, as well as the original staircase with a wooden balustrade railing and three different styles of carved balustrades. There are 12 different sculptures on the grounds of the Morris Museum. SPECIAL FEATURES *Bickford Theatre, a fully rigged proscenium theatre with 312 seats and on-site technical director that offers plays, concerts, dance and other theatrical performances as a complement to the exhibitions and educational programs. *Guinness Collection of Mechanical Musical Instruments and Automata 750 historic mechanical musical instruments and automata (mechanical figures) and more than 5,000 programmed media, ranging from player piano rolls to pinned cylinders. As one of the most significant collections of its kind in the world, highlights of the collection are displayed in a 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.
Location Category
- AUDITORIUMS / THEATERS - [general]
- AUDITORIUMS / THEATERS - Arts Centers / Stages
- BUSINESSES / BUILDINGS - [general]
- BUSINESSES / BUILDINGS - [general]
- GARDENS - [general]
- GARDENS - Botanical / Arboretums
- HOUSES - [general]
- HOUSES - Mansions / Estates
- MUSEUMS / EXHIBITS - [general]
- MUSEUMS / EXHIBITS - Art / Galleries
