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Community Corner

350 Years of New Jersey History, From Stuyvesant to Sandy

On Sunday May 11th Macculloch Hall Historical Museum (MHHM) welcomes Joseph G. Bilby to discuss his new book, co –written with James M. Madden and Harry Ziegler, “350 Years of New Jersey History, From Stuyvesant to Sandy”. His program will be presented in the main gallery at 4:30pm and is the second to last in a series of programs that take place on the second Sunday of each month through June celebrating the 350th New Jersey Anniversary. Prior to the program visitors may also visit the second floor gallery exhibit “Made in New Jersey: A Celebration of Decorative and Fine Arts” which stars the Museum’s collection of New Jersey stoneware, silver, and artists such as Thomas Nast, A.B. Frost and Edward Kranich. 
In “350 Years of New Jersey History” the authors, experienced narrators of the New Jersey saga, provide a year by year chronicle of notable events that mark the Garden State’s fascinating evolution. There are many familiar moments in New Jersey’s history, but what about the Garden State’s lesser known stories- the unsung heroes, villains, and forgotten tales? In this book the authors uncover the meaning of the “Jersey Blues,” celebrate some of state’s bravest Revolutionary and Civil War soldiers and investigate New Jersey’s most famous ghost. From the inferno that engulfed Asbury Park, to the benevolent side of Frank Hague and the equestrienne who plunged forty feet into a pool of water on horseback in Atlantic City, rediscover these and many other events from New Jersey’s hidden history. Mr. Bilby’s presentation will explore the State’s history as discussed in the book, focusing on a few notable incidents from each century. He will be available to sign and sell books following the program.
Joseph G. Bilby was born in Newark, New Jersey, received his BA and MA degrees in history from Seton Hall University, served as a lieutenant in the First Infantry Division in Vietnam in 1966-67 and is the author/editor of countless books and articles on New Jersey and military history. In 2011, Mr. Bilby was honored with the Jane G. Clayton Award of Recognition by the New Jersey Historical Commission for his work. He also edited “New Jersey Goes to War, Biographies of 150 New Jerseyans Caught Up in the Struggle of the Civil War”, which received the 2011 New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance (NJSAA) award for non-fiction.  
Visitors to the museum on program days can also enjoy the upstairs gallery exhibit “Thomas Nast Brings Down Boss Tweed,” featuring the political cartoons Thomas Nast created attacking Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall, prior to the program. Also on display, “Controversies” presents challenging subject matter on New Jersey history topics and events which had national significance: medical experimentation, immigration, and the right to die. The programs celebrating the 350th New Jersey Anniversary take place on the second Sunday of each month through June. A second series of programs, related to the “Controversies” exhibit takes place on the first Sunday of each month through June. Visit maccullochhall.org for more details.
Tickets for Sunday programs go on sale from 1pm on the day of the program, no advance sales, and remain on sale until the presentation begins at 4:30pm.  House tours (regular admission applies) take place throughout the afternoon, the last tour ticket is sold at 3pm. The upstairs galleries will remain open until 4:30pm, with the “Controversies” main gallery exhibit closing at 3:30 pm in preparation for the program. Tickets to hear speakers are Adults $8; Seniors & Students $6; Children 6 – 12 $4. Members and children under 5 are admitted free. Speaker tickets include admission to docent-led period room tours for visitors who sign up during the afternoon. 
MHHM preserves the history of the Macculloch-Miller families, the Morris area community, and the legacy of its founder W. Parsons Todd through its historic site, collections, exhibits, and educational and cultural programs. The Museum is open for house and exhibit tours on Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. The last tour ticket is sold at 3pm. Adults $8; Seniors & Students $6; Children 6 – 12 $4. Members and children under 5 are free. The gardens at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum are open Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm and Sundays 1pm - 4pm unless posted otherwise. Please check our website for any holiday closings. (973) 538-2404 ext. 10, maccullochhall.org or find us on Facebook. MHHM, 45 Macculloch Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960. Macculloch Hall Historical Museum received an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.  Macculloch Hall Historical Museum is a nonprofit educational affiliate of the W. Parsons Todd Foundation.  

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