18th century Georgian mansion reopens to the public on Sunday.
By: Jennifer Potash
After a five-year renovation that shuttered Morven, the 18th century Georgian mansion will reopen to the public Sunday and embark on a new chapter in its history.
Familiar to many as a golden-yellow brick house set back from Stockton Street, Morven’s exterior has been restored to the Greek Revival color palate.
Beyond renovating the exterior and reconfiguring rooms, Morven has a new mission to highlight as a museum not only the stately mansion but also the people who have occupied the house over its long history from signers of the Declaration of Independence to many New Jersey governors.
"For 250 years the people who have lived here have done the most amazing things," said Martha Leigh Wolf, executive director of Morven Museum and Garden.
The nonprofit Historic Morven Inc. holds the lease from the state to operate the historic house as a museum and public garden.
Built in the 1750s by Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and his wife, Annis Boudinot Stockton, the house was expanded by Commodore Robert Field Stockton in the 1850s and underwent various renovations over the years including covering the floors with red carpeting.
Not surprisingly, there were some unexpected revelations when the extensive renovation began.
Ms. Wolf said, for example, the carpet was taken off and parquet floors were found, but the poor condition of the flooring led the renovators remove that as well. Underneath, the 18th century floors were revealed and restored to a warm and gleaming finish.
The new galleries reflect a broad approach to showcasing New Jersey’s cultural heritage, rather than focusing on a single person or period.
An exhibit called Legacy of Leadership is an interpretive gallery that traces the public lives of Morven’s occupants.
And off the main entrance are two collections that give a flavor of 18th century life.
One, the Boudinot Collection of the Princeton University’s Art Museum, is a collection of late 18th and early 19th century portraits, furniture and other decorative arts. The collection once belonged to Elias Boudinot IV, Richard Stockton’s brother-in-law and president of the Continental Congress when it was located in Princeton.
Portraits by Thomas Sully, a 19th century American artist, will be on display including six Stockton family portraits.
Secondly, many New Jersey institutions, including the university, the New Jersey Historical Society and the New Jersey State Museum, loaned items to be included in the new exhibitions, Ms. Wolf said.
Another new feature is a full-fledged museum store that will offer books, pottery and children’s toys as well as home-grown Jersey products such as jams, Ms. Wolf said. The store will be located in the former wash house behind Morven.
Beyond the buildings, Morven’s formal gardens have a new look as well.
Ms. Wolf said she hopes residents and visitors will use the gardens as a kind of oasis. Tables and chairs and benches will be added for the warm weather so visitors could bring a lunch to enjoy outside, she said. The gardens may also be used by small groups seeking to have a catered tea or simple luncheon, she said.
The renovations are not totally complete and plans are under way to redo the upper floor of Morven to reflect the private and family lives of its occupants, Ms. Wolf said.
Marking the return of the museum is a day-long celebration on Sunday that starts with a pancake breakfast hosted by the Princeton Rotary Club at 10 a.m.
The grand opening ceremony will commence at noon with a picnic on the front lawn with the Princeton High School Studio Band performing. Attendees may bring a lunch or choose from offerings by the Witherspoon Bread Company, Mediterra, Small World Coffee, Terhune Orchards and The Bent Spoon.
Historical re-enactors will stroll the grounds playing instruments.
The Historical Society of Princeton will offer walking tours of historic sites, leaving from Morven at noon, 1 and 3 p.m.
Musicians from Westminster Choir College will bring the day to a close with a performance of American favorites.
The cost of the Princeton Rotary pancake breakfast is $6 in for adults and $3 for children in advance or $8 for adults and $4 for children at the door. To purchase tickets, contact Ahmed Azmy at (609) 945-5017 or John Powell at (609) 924-2909.
More information about Morven and its opening events is available at www.morven.org or (609) 924-8144.
On-street parking is limited and visitors are encouraged to consult www.princetonparking.org for suggested sites nearby.