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Morris County is one of the richest corners of New Jersey for history and culture, and its museums prove it. Within a short drive you can wind up a two hundred year old music machine, stand where the telegraph was invented, and walk a working farm that runs the way it did in 1900. Here are the best museums in Morris County, from a world class collection in Morristown to hands on historic sites in Madison, Morris Plains, and Whippany.
Morris Museum, Morristown
The Morris Museum is the largest museum in Morris County and one of the biggest in the state. Its permanent galleries cover fine art, natural science, and cultural history, but the showstopper is the Guinness Collection of Mechanical Musical Instruments and Automata, one of the most significant collections of its kind in the world, brought to life in live demonstrations. The museum also runs the Bickford Theatre and a full calendar of family programs. It sits at 6 Normandy Heights Road and is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with adult admission of $12. Check the tickets page before you go.
Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, Madison
Housed in a striking 1900 Romanesque building on Main Street, the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts (METC) tells the story of how New Jerseyans lived and worked in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Its collection of early hand tools and its hands on exhibits make it a favorite for families and school groups. METC is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. at 9 Main Street in Madison.
The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms, Morris Plains
Craftsman Farms was the home of Gustav Stickley, the leading figure of the American Arts and Crafts movement, and today the Stickley Museum preserves his log house estate as a National Historic Landmark. Guided tours walk you through original Stickley furniture and interiors on a wooded property along Route 10. Introductory tours of the Log House and the Craftsman Shop run Friday through Sunday, so check the tour calendar before your visit.
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, Morristown
This 1810 Federal style brick mansion near the Morristown Green holds decorative arts and a noted collection of works by political cartoonist Thomas Nast, who lived across the street. Its formal gardens are free and open daily. The museum is open Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. at 45 Macculloch Avenue, with weekday tours by appointment. See the hours and admission page to plan a trip.
Historic Speedwell, Morristown
Historic Speedwell is known as the Birthplace of the Telegraph. It was here on the Speedwell Ironworks estate that Alfred Vail and Samuel Morse demonstrated the electromagnetic telegraph in 1838. Run by the Morris County Park Commission, the site pairs restored historic buildings with the story of one of the most important inventions of the nineteenth century. Speedwell opens seasonally, so confirm the current hours with the park commission before visiting.
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, Morris Township
Fosterfields is a working living history farm where costumed interpreters run the property the way a Morris County farm operated around 1900, from plowing with horses to seasonal chores. It is a hit with kids and one of the most hands on historic sites in the county. Operated by the Morris County Park Commission, Fosterfields runs its main season from spring through October, open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in summer and fall, with $5 admission.
Whippany Railway Museum, Whippany
For train lovers, the Whippany Railway Museum in Hanover Township preserves New Jersey’s railroad heritage inside a historic freight house, with vintage locomotives and rolling stock on the grounds. The museum is open Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. during its operating season and runs special excursion train rides on select dates, so check the event calendar before you plan a trip.
Plan Your Morris County Museum Day
Many of these museums sit within a few minutes of one another, especially the three in and around Morristown, so it is easy to pair a couple in a single afternoon. Hours and admission change seasonally and some sites are tour only, so it is always worth checking the museum’s website before you head out. For more ways to spend the day, see our local’s guide to Morristown, browse our guide to all 39 Morris County towns, or plan around a cultural event like the Morristown Festival of Books.
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On Right Now
The Morris Museum has been running Matisse: Beyond Color, and the county parks put on a Great Glass Hunt that is worth building a morning around.
Looking for more hands-on fun for younger kids? See our guide to indoor play places in Morris County, from play cafes to trampoline parks.
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