6 Best Museums in Morris County

Morris County is a middle-sized county in New Jersey that boasts a prominent military background. Morris County was an important location during the Revolutionary War and still offers sights for families to reminisce on the country’s history.

 

While Morris County may get most of its recognition due to its military history, it also offers many scenic country areas, parks, and of course, museums. Morris County real estate offers many full-sized homes with plenty of surrounding greenery.

 

For those looking at houses for sale in Morris County, you might want to consider visiting one of the many museums the county has to offer. The number and variety of museums are hard to match, but we highlight some of the most popular options below.

 

The Morris Museum is one of the most popular museums in Morris County. This museum features an assortment of collections with American Indian history, science, mechanical music, trains and railroads, and more.

 

The Morris Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate and is a very active venue. This location hosts numerous events for school-aged children, concerts, and live arts performances. In short, this museum is a local staple that offers much more than showcased history.

 

The Morris County Historical Society is a bit more unconventional than the Morris Museum. If you’re browsing houses for sale in Morris County, you might even mistake this building for a house. Built in 1853, this mansion is a historical landmark with authentic architecture.

 

The Morris County Historical Society is typically referred to as Acorn Hall. While this venue doesn’t boast quite as much community involvement as the Morris Museum, it still has a lot to offer. You can tour Acorn Hall during the week or on Sundays. However, the venue is closed to the public on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Inside, you’ll find historical attire from various wars, costumes, artifacts, scripts, and more. You can also visit The Gardens any day of the week as long as the sun is up.

The Museum of Early Trades and Crafts is a unique museum that emphasizes 18th and 19th-century history, specifically from tradesmen. The building looks somewhat like a small castle or church and was formerly the Madison Public Library.

 

Overall, this museum has an assortment of tools and artifacts from former craftsmen such as blacksmiths. Of course, there are some history books from the original library that help visitors reflect on the history of the venue.

 

The collection at the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts boasts items from more than 40 different occupations, primarily pre-Industrial Revolution. Beyond traditional tours, this museum also offers an assortment of educational programs to keep the community involved.

The Morris County Central Railroad was made public in the 1960s but only ran for about 15 years. While the train hasn’t actually run in over 40 years, the railway remains a cornerstone of Morris County. This museum features the historical start, operation, and termination of the Morris County Central Railroad.

 

If you’re exploring Morris County real estate, you might incidentally come across the Whippany Railway Museum, which features much more than an old train. The exhibits include structures like the freight house, telephone booth, air raid siren, and more.

 

While the Morris County Central Railroad doesn’t operate as a true transportation option, it does run for some short and special events. For example, you’ll see it running on Father’s Day or for pumpkin patch rides during autumn.

 

Named after Gustav Stickley, The Stickley Museum is another museum that might appear to be another local home. The Stickley Museum is home to Craftsman Farms, a 650-acre that was dedicated to Stickley’s hobbies, primarily arts and crafts.

 

Craftsman Farms and the overall museum property include more than one historic building. This property also features a handful of small cottages, a farmhouse, and an impressive garage for former chauffeurs.

 

Unfortunately, some exhibits included on The Stickley Museum property were vandalized beyond repair and have since been removed. With most of the architecture originating in the early 1900s, these buildings may not be around much longer.

If you thought The Stickley Museum featured some historical architecture, wait until you see the Macculloch Hall Historical Museum. This mansion was built in the early 1800s and had a handful of additions in time.

 

Many of the collections in this museum feature Thomas Nast who was a famous artist. Of course, this museum features some of Nast’s history and an assortment of arts and decorations throughout the venue.

 

The Macculloch Hall Historical Museum also has some interactive events for the community to supplement its typical collections and gardens. The gardens and orchards are free for anyone looking for a little break while looking for houses for sale in Morris County.

 

Overall, Morris County is home to many different museums that feature a variety of collections and exhibits. This county offers traditional museums, gardens, art museums, historic railways, and much more. Beyond an abundance of museums and historical landmarks, Morris County also features more attractions like The Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Hacklebarney State Park, and the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

 

It’s clear that Morris County offers quite a bit of historical and agricultural attractions. Don’t forget that this county is also a short ride away from New York too. Morris County is rapidly growing and doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.

 

Morris County is home to many nice towns on the west side of New Jersey. It’s considered a safe area with a lot of history and activities. Interested in learning more about Morris County real estate? Contact The Dougherty Group to learn more about Morris County homes and history.

_{*Header photo courtesy of Macculloch Hall Historical Museum}