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Community Corner

Book signings in conjunction with the 350th New Jersey Anniversary

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum (MHHM) is celebrating the 350th anniversary of New Jersey with book signings by authors whose work explores aspects of the state’s history. On Sunday June 29th  we welcome Maxine N. Lurie who will be available to sign and sell books to museum visitors during touring hours 1pm – 4pm. Visitors may also wish to visit the second floor gallery exhibit “Made in New Jersey: A Celebration of Decorative and Fine Arts” which stars the Museum’s collection of New Jersey stoneware, silver, and artists such as Thomas Nast, A.B. Frost and Edward Kranich.

Dr. Lurie is the editor of “New Jersey: A History of the Garden State” which presents a fresh, comprehensive overview of New Jersey’s history from the prehistoric era to the present. The findings of archaeologists, political, social, and economic historians provide a new look at how the Garden State has evolved from the rich Native American heritage and complex colonial history through industrialization, urbanization, and the growth of shore communities the rise of suburbs, the concomitant decline of the state’s cities, growing population density, and changing patterns of wealth. Contributors mine new and existing sources to incorporate fully scholarship on women, minorities, and immigrants. All chapters are set in the context of the history of the United States as a whole, illustrating how New Jersey is often a bellwether for the nation.

Maxine N. Lurie holds a BA from Alfred University, a MA from the University of Rochester, and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. She has taught at Marquette University, Rutgers University, and Seton Hall University. An Early American historian, she has taught and written about New Jersey history for twenty-seven years. Although retired, she continues to teach and is actively involved in several research projects, and in New Jersey’s history community.  Lurie is the author of a large number of scholarly articles, encyclopedia entries and editor of a number of books focusing on New Jersey, including “Mapping New Jersey” with Peter Wacker and Michael Siegel, which tells the history of the state through new and historical maps; and most recently with Richard Veit editing “New Jersey: A History of the Garden State”.  She and Veit are now working on an illustrated history of New Jersey. Professor Lurie is chair of the New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance, chair of the New Jersey Historical Commission and its 350th Anniversary Committee, and is a member of the State Historic Records Advisory Board. Professor Lurie has received several awards including in 1997, the Richard J. Hughes award from the New Jersey Historical Commission.

Book signings with other New Jersey authors will continue throughout the spring, please visit maccullochhall.org for dates. Admission includes meeting with authors, house tours, and gallery visits between 1pm and 4pm. In addition to book signings the Museum is also presenting a speaker series to celebrate the 350th anniversary taking place at 4:30pm on the second Sunday of each month through June. Tickets for Sunday programs go on sale from 1pm on the day of the program, no advance sales. House tours (regular admission applies) take place throughout the afternoon, the last tour ticket is sold at 3pm. Visitors can also enjoy the upstairs gallery exhibit “Thomas Nast Brings Down Boss Tweed,” featuring the political cartoons Thomas Nast created attacking Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall, prior to the speaker programs. Also on display, “Controversies” presents challenging subject matter on New Jersey history topics and events which had national significance: medical experimentation, immigration, and the right to die. A second series of programs, related to the “Controversies” exhibit takes place on the first Sunday of each month through June. Visit maccullochhall.org for more details.

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum preserves the history of the Macculloch-Miller families, the Morris area community, and the legacy of its founder W. Parsons Todd through its historic site, collections, exhibits, and educational and cultural programs. The Museum is open for house and exhibit tours on Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Adults $8; Seniors & Students $6; Children 6 – 12 $4. Members and children under 5 are free. The gardens at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum are open Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm and Sundays 1pm - 4pm unless posted otherwise. Please check our website for any holiday closings. Call (973) 538-2404 ext. 10, visit our website www.maccullochhall.org find us on Facebook. Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, 45 Macculloch Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960. Macculloch Hall Historical Museum received an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.  Macculloch Hall Historical Museum is a nonprofit educational affiliate of the W. Parsons Todd Foundation. 

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