Macculloch Hall Historical Museum
Located in the heart of Morristown's National Historic District, Macculloch Hall Historical Museum was built by George and Louisa Macculloch. The Maccullochs emigrated from London, England to New York City in 1806. In 1810, they purchased 26 acres and a one-story stone bank house from General John Doughty, a commander in George Washington's Army during the Revolutionary War. The Maccullochs built their Federal style brick mansion, the first significant brick structure in Morristown, in 1810 and added onto it in 1812 and 1819 as their family's influence in local, state, and national history grew.
George and Louisa raised a son, Francis Law, and a daughter Mary Louisa, in the mansion on what would become Macculloch Avenue. Five generations of the Macculloch-Miller-Post family lived in the house until 1949. In 1949, the family sold the house to W. Parsons Todd. He incorporated the house into a museum for public benefit in 1950. Todd spent years preserving the nationally recognized structure and building a fine and decorative arts collection and historic archive.
Today, MHHM interprets the history and collections throughout the house's well-preserved rooms and galleries. We offer a diverse schedule of changing exhibitions, educational and public programs attended by thousands of visitors annually.
Mission Statement
Established in 1950 by W. Parsons Todd (1877-1976), Macculloch Hall Historical Museum preserves and interprets its historic house and gardens, unparalleled collection of the work of political cartoonist Thomas Nast (1840-1902), fine and decorative arts collections and Macculloch family archives, inspiring visitors to experience everyday American history where it happened. The museum’s unique historic setting, its period rooms and professional galleries excite and educate visitors of all ages, connecting present to past in a dynamic cultural environment. On site, online and through outreach, MHHM serves local, state, national and international communities.
PUBLIC HISTORY PRACTICE
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum (MHHM) affirms that democracy is grounded in productive civic engagement by an informed, educated citizenry. By committing to practicing public history that is accessible to everyone, MHHM bases its research on professionally curated primary sources. We believe in fact-based, evidence-supported interpretation guided by professional standards set by the American Association for State and Local History and the American Alliance of Museums.
Public history at MHHM strives to inspire visitors, on site or online, to experience everyday American history as it was lived at Macculloch Hall from 1810 to 1949, and through interpretation of the collections established for public benefit beginning in 1950. MHHM interprets its history within the context of broader community, state, national, and international trends contemporary to the historical period as well as to how that moment in time is interpreted today.
MAKING HISTORY ACCESSIBLE
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum was one of eight historic sites that collaborated with The Intrepid Museum and New York University’s Ability Project, eight disability advocates, Access Smithsonian and National Trust for Historic Preservation to produce an accessible digital publication. This publication Making History Accessible: Toolkit for Multisensory Interpretation, offers a range of digital and physical/tactile solutions to help make interpretive content at historic sites and other educational facilities more accessible.
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, IMLS grant number CAGML-247144-OMLS-20.
MORRISTOWN'S COMMUNITY MUSEUM
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum is committed to creating a welcoming, safe space for learners of all ages and learning styles to question, discuss, comment on, object to, and interact with everyday American history where it happened. On site, online and through outreach, MHHM strives to foster engagement with participants in environments where everyone feels respected and valued.
As a non-profit historic house museum dedicated to preservation, interpretation, and education, MHHM strives to be transparent in its:
- Practice of public history: Guided by the Museum’s mission, MHHM is dedicated to the interpretation of its site and collections, preserved as a museum for the public good by W. Parsons Todd in 1950, and to the lives of the people who lived, worked, were forced to work, and gathered at Macculloch Hall from 1810-1949, when it was owned by the Macculloch Family.
- Decisions about how exhibitions and programs are organized: MHHM is dedicated to intellectual, interpretive, and physical accessibility. We present opportunities for history engagement for learners of all ages, learning styles, and physical abilities. The museum will be open about engagement that can be supported on site, online and through outreach. MHHM will work in partnership with its full community to interpret the practice of public history together.
- Commitment to our community: As a historic house museum and garden dedicated to community, history, and preservation, MHHM’s commitment to equality, justice, equity, and positive change is long term. We believe our community is stronger together. MHHM initiates and nurtures partnerships with community organizations and businesses to ensure a diversity reflective of the Greater Morristown Area community.
- Workplace Culture: MHHM is proudly resolute in promoting diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
