Kitchen Garden & Orchard
In 1810 George and Louisa Macculloch purchased a 26-acre parcel of land on which they built Macculloch Hall. The Maccullochs cultivated the land primarily to feed their family, planting a traditional kitchen garden as well as apple and pear orchards. George Macculloch (1775-1858) loved the gardens and kept meticulous journals. From them we know what was planted when and where, how crops did and what the family ate. Some of Louisa Macculloch’s (1785-1863) recipes are among the family’s papers in the Museum’s Archives. Modern adaptations of many of them are under "Interactive Activities."
Garden highlights include the wisteria trellised along the rear porch, given to the Maccullochs by Commodore Matthew Perry in 1857; the sundial on the upper lawn installed in 1876; the sassafras tree at the far end of the lawn, believed to be the second oldest and largest sassafras tree in New Jersey; and many varieties of heirloom roses, meaning their cultivars date to before 1920. Mrs. Macculloch paid Francis Cook $1.00 to plant the first roses in 1810.
Garden Club of Morristown
Beginning in the 1950s, Museum founder W. Parsons Todd (1877-1976) engaged the Garden Club of Morristown to replant Macculloch Hall’s gardens. The Garden Club created the layout and specified many of the plantings that grace the garden today. Planted for seasonal bloom, the gardens offer daffodils and other bulbs to welcome spring, followed by the magnificent wisteria in May, the roses in June, and a selection of perennials throughout the summer and fall.
We do not host events or ceremonies in our gardens
Staged photoshoots and professional photography are allowed in the gardens by permit only.
To receive a photo permit please contact Carly Cheponis by calling 973-538-2404, ext. 101 or emailing ccheponis@maccullochhall.org.
The fee is $75 per session.
