Make New Holiday Memories at Morven Museum & Garden

PRINCETON, N.J. - Nov. 14, 2018 - PRLog -- -- "Hundreds of Christmases were celebrated by the families living at Morven over its long history as a home," Morven Museum & Garden Executive Director Jill Barry recounted recently. "This year, we're excited to invite all families to celebrate the holidays with us through a variety of meaningful programs."

Morven's Festival of Trees opens November 21 and runs through January 6, 2019; this year showcasing Holidays at Morven Through the Centuries.  Following are Morven's featured holiday programs:

FESTIVAL OF TREES HOLIDAY PARTY

On Thursday, November 29, beginning at 5:30 p.m. enjoy cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and merrymaking at Morven's signature Holiday Party, hosted by Co-chairs Carolyn & John Healey, Alex & Howie Powers, and Lisa & Michael Ullmann. Carolers welcome you to peruse the Mansion, adorned with holiday decor and trees, invoking Holidays at Morven Throughout the Centuries. This year's celebration will continue in the new Stockton Center's Gathering Space adjacent to the Museum.

GINGERBREAD HOUSE WORKSHOPS

        On Saturday, December 1, enjoy a new tradition in Morven's new Stockton Center by creating a gingerbread holiday house to take home.  Pre-built gingerbread house and candy decorations will be provided, as well as holiday background music; hot cocoa and cookies donated by Starbucks, Princeton.  Two sessions: 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., $25.00 per house for members; $35 for non-members (One family up to six people – please, no combined groups) .Limited to 25 families per session.

COLONIAL CHRISTMAS TEA WITH ANNIS STOCKTON

        Imagine what it was like to be invited to tea at Morven in the 18th century.  On Tuesday, December 4 starting at 2:00 p.m., take a private tour of the Festival of Trees and Morven's newly reimagined first floor galleries with costumed reenactor Alisa Dupuy as she portrays one of Morven's first residents: Annis Boudinot Stockton.  Following the private tour, stroll across the lawn to the Stockton Center for Christmas stories, poetry, and a three-course holiday sweets tea provided by Perfect Blend. 2:00 p.m. Tour begins in Museum, 3:00 p.m. Tea begins in Stockton Center; $30 for members; $45 for non-members.

MORNING WITH SANTA

        Whisper Christmas wishes to Santa and take your family photo on Saturday, December 8. Children's activities include interactive stories, songs, and dance presented by Garden State Storytellers' League and creating an original Morven-themed take-home craft with the Arts Council of Princeton's Veronica Olivares. Two one-hour sessions available: 9:30 or 11:00 a.m.  $25 for members' families; $30 for non-members. (One family up to six people – please, no combined groups) Limited to 25 families per session.

PAJAMA STORYTIME: THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS with GENNADY SPIRIN

        Almost the night  before Christmas, on Friday, December 21 starting at 5:00 p.m., families can enjoy a private tour of the glorious Festival of Trees inside the Museum, vote on a favorite decoration, then stroll together across the lawn to the Stockton Center for a new family tradition: an illustrated reading of The Night Before Christmas. Pajama Storytime with award-winning illustrator Gennady Spirin includes a book signing and snack. Families are encouraged to bring their favorite blanket for this special holiday event.  5:00 p.m. Private tour of Festival of Trees; 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. illustrated storytime, snack & book signing. $25 for member families; $30 for non-member families - (One family up to six people – please, no combined groups)  Ticket includes one book per family. Additional books may be purchased separately.

For details or to register visit http://www.morven.org or email dlampertrudman@morven.org

Additional December programming includes:  PRINCETON BATTLEFIELD SOCIETY EDUCATION FORM: Soldiers and Civilians in Princeton Winter 1776 to 1777

        The Princeton Battlefield Society's third 2018 Education Forum takes place at Morven on Sunday, December 2 from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. focusing on the Ten Crucial Days during the Winter of 1776 to 1777 and features four noted historians: Dan N. Hagist, Larry Kidder, Joseph Seymour, and Glenn F. Williams.  The authors will discuss the people and military actions during the pivotal time in America's War for Independence. Books will be available for signing/sale following lecture. $15 advance registration; $20 at door.

ABOUT MORVEN MUSEUM & GARDEN (https://morven.org/)

For more than 200 years Morven has played a role in the history of New Jersey and the nation. Originally part of a 5,500-acre tract purchased from William Penn in 1701 by the Stockton family, it was the home of Richard Stockton, a Signer of the Declaration of Independence. As well as serving as a Stockton homestead for several generations into the 20th century, Morven was home to the families of Robert Wood "The General" Johnson Jr., and eventually five New Jersey governors, three generations of enslaved families, respective domestic workers, and staff.