Permanent Exhibition
Historic Morven: A Window Into America’s Past
Gallery 1
Orientation Gallery
Gallery 2
The struggle for liberty

Gallery 3
Forming the New Nation
Gallery 4
The American Spirit of Enterprise
Gallery 5
The Governors’ Era: New Jersey’s Home
Hallway
Keeper of the Flame
Garden Room
Inhabitants of Morven
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.
Morven was built by Richard Stockton (1730–1781), a signer of the Declaration of Independence, in the 1750s on property granted to his grandfather by William Penn (1644–1718) in 1701. Of course, European settlers were not the first to call this land home. Native Americans lived in the Mid-Atlantic region for more than 12,000 years. Archaeology at Morven has uncovered evidence of Lenni-Lenape tool-making on its current five acres.
Morven’s history is America’s history, and we welcome you to experience it through the lens of this National Historic Landmark.
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’s second floor features five elegant galleries that showcase several changing exhibitions a year. For more information on visiting Morven Museum please click here.