Current Exhibitions

 

“Siri: A helpful Communications Assistant” – Photo courtesy of Paige Gardner

Steampunk Fashion
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 – Sunday, October 6, 2019 

Airships, locomotives, and corsets: the Victorian Era gave the world technological advancement, the birth of science fiction, and opulent fashion. The modern steampunk trend takes inspiration from this bygone age, especially in its dress. Featured is work by designers Paige Gardner, Amber O’Boyle Kulp, and Colleen O’Neill through a selection of women’s and men’s costumes and accessories that illustrate the eclectic and individualistic nature of steampunk fashion today. To provide a historical context for the six costume ensembles on display, 19th-century Victorian Era clothing and accessories from the Morris Museum’s permanent collection have been integrated into the installation, highlighting the design connections and deconstructions that oftentimes serve as the inspiration for steampunk costumers.

Discover elements of the steampunk style alongside 19th-century counterparts in this exhibition. Get some of your own steampunk style by checking out our Museum Shop for fascinators, pins, earrings, and necklaces by Amber O’Boyle Kulp and Colleen O’Neill.

 

Magnified Lincoln Signature. Photo by Maria Ribaudo, Collections Manager, Morris Museum.

Pen to Paper: Investigating Famous, Historical Letters
Saturday, March 30, 2019 – Sunday, July 7, 2019 

 Take a closer look at documents, presented in facsimile, from our Founding Fathers, past presidents, famous writers, and inventors, as we discover the clues that letters can reveal. Learn about the various writing tools used over the course of time and how communication has evolved, from the quill pen to text messaging. Find out how a leading forensic handwriting expert uses handwriting to determine a person’s character, psychological state and identity.

Related Programs
Interview with a Forensic Handwriting Expert Sunday, April 28, 2019, 2:00PM
Can handwriting really give us insight into someone’s personality? Join us as we remotely interview renowned graphologist Andrea McNichol who will be in her Los Angeles office. Hear about her work in the field and how her skills have helped the FBI and other law enforcement agencies with numerous criminal cases, including the O.J. Simpson and JonBenét Ramsey murder investigations. Come to this interview to find out.

Advance registration is required:  973.971.3706
 
Museum Members: $8
Non-Members:  $10 Non-Members Combo ticket: $13 (includes Museum Admission)
 
 
Writing Lab Saturday, May 18, 2019, 2:00PM
Experience writing with a variety of tools, from the quill pen to the metal dipping pen and more modern day writing instruments.  Learn about their differences and how pen technology has changed, as you travel back in time on a historical writing adventure! A great event for both children and their families. This program is presented in partnership with the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts.

Advance registration is required:  973.971.3706
 
Museum Members:  $8 Non-Members:  $10 Non-Members Combo ticket: $13 (includes Museum Admission)

 
 
   

Mysteries on Paper
Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 2:00PM
 
Explore Morristown National Historical Park’s Lloyd W. Smith Collection with archivist Dr. Sarah Minegar, as she discusses her work with the intriguing letters and rare books that comprise this priceless collection.

Advance registration is required:  973.971.3706

Lecture Tickets:
Museum Members:  $10 Non-Members:  $12
 
 

Fresh Perspectives Collage 2019.

Fresh Perspectives
Saturday, March 9, 2019 – Sunday, June 9, 2019 

The Fresh Perspectives juried exhibition began in 1989 as an outlet for artistically-accomplished New Jersey high school students to express their curiosity and creativity.

Now in its 30th year, the Morris Museum is once again proud to display the superb work of photography, painting, drawing, sculpture and video by New Jersey’s most talented young artists.

A Cache of Kinetic Art: Simply Steampunk logo designed by Sarah Gonzalez.

A Cache of Kinetic Art: Simply Steampunk Friday, March 15, 2019 – Sunday, August 11, 2019 

Simply Steampunk is the second installment of our four-year exhibition series, A Cache of Kinetic Art, exploring kineticism in contemporary artistic practice. Only fully appreciated when set in motion, these imaginative works capture the wondrous vision of a world powered by steam-engine technology from a bygone era. Combining 19th-century machine aesthetics with creative expression, engineering, and design, the interactive sculptures and installations in Simply Steampunk delight the senses with amazement, luminosity, sound, and movement.

Read the Press articles:


Participating Artists

  • David Bowman, Mechanicsburg, PA
  • Chris Cole, Bend, Oregon
  • Ken Draim, Pittsburgh, PA
  • Kyle Dries, Glen Oaks, NY
  • Bradley Litwin, Philadelphia, PA
  • LoHiFi Productions (Chris Little and Theofanis Pitsiavas), Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Kenneth McBain, Morristown, NJ
  • Mike Richison, Ocean Township, NJ
  • Will Rockwell, West Orange, NJ
  • Walter Rossi, New York, NY
  • Matt Steinke, Austin, TX


People’s Choice Award:  Voting is now opens and concludes on Sunday, June 30 and must be done on-site at the Museum.  The award will be announced on the website and social media on Tuesday, July 2.



Related Programs


Build an Automaton Children’s Workshop,
Sunday, June 16, 2019, 12:30 – 2:00PM.

Join the Guinness Collection staff at a maker’s workshop where each child will receive one automaton kit to assemble, decorate, and then bring home.

For children ages 5 and up.

Workshop Fee:
Children: $15
Parent: FREE but must be present.

Advance registration required:
973.971.3706



Last Look: Behind the Scenes of Simply Steampunk
Thursday, August 8, 2019, 6:00PM – 8:00PM

Accompany the Guinness Collection staff into the world of steampunk kinetic art to catch a final glimpse before the exhibition closes.  Artist David Bowman will join the tour to share his insights on his works.

Museum Members: Free
Non-Members: $15

Tickets: 973.971.3706  

Leadership support for this exhibition is provided by our partners at M&T Bank.

     




 

Gallery Tour – Morris Museum.

Gallery Tours

The Morris Museum offers tours of select exhibitions for groups of 10 or more.

Gallery Tours include educator-led programs for field trip students and adult groups, as well as self-guided browse tours.

For more details please contact [email protected]

 
 
 
 

 

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