PRINCETON – The Morven Museum & Garden will undertake a major preservation project with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and a National Park Service “Save America’s Treasures” grant.
“In these extraordinary times, we are able to fulfill our most primary public charge, to preserve the National Historic Landmark known as Morven in perpetuity, thanks to a $210,000 grant from the Save America’s Treasures program of the National Park Service coupled with a gift from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation,” Morven Museum & Garden’s Executive Director Jill Barry said in a prepared statement.
Competing against preservation projects from across the country, Save America’s Treasures, administered by the National Park Service, Department of Interior, awarded Morven its full request to facilitate much-needed repairs on the landmark structure including exterior woodwork repair, interior floor repairs, interior storm windows, and a new energy efficient lighting system, according to the statement.
“At a time where operating funds are so limited, we are fortunate to have funders that understand the importance of caring for the infrastructure of the 260-year-old physical building in a timely manner or risk suffering irreparable damage,” Barry said in the statement. “As Robert Wood Johnson’s home from 1928-44, the foundation generously supported the project.”
Notably, additional matching funds were provided by the New Jersey Historic Trust and the Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund, along with the sponsorship of the Princeton chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution for the first phase of the project, the repair of 52 windows and corresponding 104 shutters, according to the statement.
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, Morven is New Jersey’s first governor’s mansion and home to five New Jersey governors, their families and staffs, witnessing nearly 300 years of history, according to the statement.
Morven is located at 55 Stockton St., Princeton, and is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The gardens are open daily until dusk.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/morven.museum.garden; Instagram @morvenmuseum; or Twitter @MorvenMuseum
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PROGRAMS AT MORVEN
Morven Museum & Garden presents the online exhibition, “Portrait of Place: Paintings, Drawings and Prints of New Jersey, 1761-1898.”
The International Day of Peace: Roosevelt Poets Read at Morven will take place at 5 p.m. Sept. 21. Free for Friends of Morven, or $10.
A virtual Victorian Pressed Flower Wreath Workshop will be held at noon on Sept. 25. Cost is $35, or $25 for Friends of Morven.
Celebrate Richard Stockton’s birthday with a tulip planting workshop at 4 p.m. Sept. 29. Free for Friends of Morven; or $10.
A replica of the Justice Bell will be on view from Oct. 20-31 in the Stockton Education Center.
A Roosevelt String Band Concert featuring music of the 1960s will be held at 2 p.m. Oct. 25. Cost is $15, or $5 for Friends of Morven, or $5 for the link to the virtual lifestream.
To register for any program, visit www.morven.org
