Garden Club of Morristown Continues More Than 40-Year Tradition of Decorating Macculloch Hall Historical Museum for the Holidays
The holiday season officially arrived at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum (MHHM) this week as members of the Garden Club of Morristown gathered to adorn the historic home with festive greenery and imaginative seasonal displays. The annual tradition—now more than 40 years strong—holds special significance this year as the Museum celebrates its 75th anniversary.
The Club’s relationship with MHHM runs deep. For more than 50 years, members have played a vital role in maintaining and restoring the Museum’s historic gardens, ensuring they remain true to their 19th-century design. Their holiday decorating effort, a beloved community ritual, brings that same dedication and artistry indoors.
“Decorating the Museum is a longstanding tradition of the Garden Club of Morristown and something we look forward to every year,” said Club President Michelle King. “We have a great time decorating, and it helps us get into the holiday spirit.”
This year, the decorators embraced a special theme—Stars and Stripes—in recognition of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary. Throughout the Museum’s period rooms, visitors will find patriotic touches integrated into fresh arrangements and seasonal vignettes.
Club members worked with a mix of live greenery and handcrafted holiday décor. Their contributions include a grand staircase garland, an array of charming small Christmas trees arranged throughout the house, garland framing the front door and outdoor planters, and unique mantle arrangements in each room. Local neighbors pitched in too, donating holly and evergreen clippings that not only enhance the arrangements but also fill the historic home with a fresh, nostalgic holiday scent.
One of this year’s standout details is a whimsical, period-inspired surprise: the historic dumbwaiter adorned with a display of (artificial) fruit—a playful nod to 19th-century domestic life.
“The Club has a special connection with MHHM, both through the historic gardens and through our annual holiday decorating,” noted longtime Club member and MHHM Trustee Alice Cutler. “We have been very active in restoring and preserving the garden’s original layout, and our indoor decorating allows us to continue that relationship even during the winter months.”
The Museum invites the community to experience the decorations in person at Home for the Holidays: A Macculloch Hall Christmas on Saturday, December 6, from 12:00–4:00 PM. Guests can explore the festively adorned period rooms and enjoy the creativity and craftsmanship of the Morristown Garden Club firsthand.
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum extends its sincere gratitude to the Garden Club of Morristown for sustaining this cherished tradition and helping usher in a warm, festive, and patriotic season, especially this year’s volunteers: Bobbi Bailey, Linda Canavan, Alice Cutler, Dana Higgins, Michelle King, Corinne Lee, Betsy Nicolas, Lisa Werner.
The Museum is open Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on weekdays by appointment. Please call (973) 538-2404 or email info@maccullochhall.org to schedule a visit. The gardens are open daily, free of charge, 8:00 a.m. to dusk.
