on display
Historic Morven: A Window Into America’s Past
Permanently available on the museum's first floor
As home to one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and five New Jersey governors, Morven has played a role in the history of New Jersey and the nation for more than 200 years.
A museum since 2004, Morven has, until recently, focused on the better-known patriarchs who led on the national scene. This exhibition expands these stories while adding the voices of the many people who lived and worked at Morven, including women, children, generations of enslaved men and women, immigrant servants, and later, employees.
This exhibition is self-guided but Morven is happy to offer docent-led tours on the hour. Please note that during Festival of Trees in December, no formal tours are given, but docents are available to answer questions.
Morven Revealed: Untold Stories from New Jersey’s Most Historic Home
On display through March 1, 2026
When we talk about Morven, we often consider its place on the national scene: home to a signer of the Declaration of Independence, senators, and governors. While the importance of these inhabitants led to Morven’s preservation, consider the space around these better known histories. This exhibit explores not the battles, speeches, or legislation that Morven witnessed, but rather the quotidian experiences of dressing, child rearing, housekeeping, and hosting that made it a home.
Morven survived war and fire but it also survived over fifty-five children. What did their coming of ages look like in the 1790s? the 1860s? the 1970s? And what do we know about the women who birthed and raised them? These women were often the tastemakers of their day—how did they dress themselves and their home? As their families expanded with each generation, so did their landholdings in Princeton, changing the landscape that surrounds us today.
As we celebrate our twentieth anniversary as a museum we take this opportunity to dig into our collections to share some of these lesser-known stories. What do we uncover when we consider the everyday moments that made Morven a home for over two hundred years?
Northern Family, Southern Ties
On display through 2028
Curators are researching the complex connections between northern and southern families, and the interstate movement of enslaved people unveiling a story stretching from the late eighteenth century through the Civil War. The exhibit demonstrates how regional differences were not always as cleanly drawn as they may have been portrayed.
Colerain Plantation, Georgia,
1845-47.
Unknown artist. Oil on canvas. The Miller Collection.
Irish-born John Potter was a wealthy merchant in Charleston, South Carolina, responsible for importing both sundry goods as well as human cargo. His marriage to Catherine Fuller of that city proved a successful step to consolidating generational wealth. Their only daughter married Robert Field Stockton of Princeton, a seafaring Naval Lieutenant Commandant. How did their 1823 marriage impact the social, economic, political and physical landscape of New Jersey?
Interested in viewing these exhibitions?
The purchase of admission to Morven includes access to all exhibitions currently on display. If you're interested in exploring these exhibits, click below to learn how to make the most out of your visit.
