Morven Museum & Garden

06/22/2026

Do you know where our exhibit title “Five Independent Souls” comes from?

On June 22, 1776, New Jersey’s Provincial Congress elected 5 men to send to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia and gave them instructions to unite with other delegates in “supporting the just rights and liberties of America.” If necessary they should join “in declaring the United Colonies independent of Great Britain.”

Upon learning the news, John Adams wrote to Samuel Chase, “Jersey has chosen five new Members all independent Souls, and instructed them to vote on the first of July for Independence.”

🪶Visit Morven to learn more about these five delegates who signed the Declaration of Independence for New Jersey.

On view now: Portraits of New Jersey signers John Witherspoon, 1868; Richard Stockton, 1868; Francis Hopkinson, 1868; John Hart, 1869; and Abraham Clark 1868-69; Henry Bryan Hall (1808-1884). From NYPL The New York Public Library.

06/18/2026

Tomorrow, June 19, Morven’s administrative offices will be closed in observance of Juneteenth. But we’ll be a part of Princeton Symphony Orchestra's Juneteenth Community Celebration!

From 5-7 pm the museum will be open late (with free admission!) and you can create a unique button. There’s more food, reflection, and fun with other Community Partners, too.. Learn more here: bit.ly/JN19MO

Image by Ben Haith - https://seekflag.com/flag-of-juneteenth/, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=80127314

06/17/2026

On this day 250 years ago, Royal Governor William Franklin (1730–1813) was arrested in Perth Amboy and brought under guard to Burlington, NJ. On June 16, 1776, New Jersey's Provincial Congress had resolved "That in the opinion of this Congress, the said William Franklin, Esquire, has discovered himself to be an enemy to the liberties of this country…”

As the son of leading patriot Benjamin Franklin, their relationship was one of the most visible examples of a family divided during the American Revolution.

Visit our exhibition "Five Independent Souls" to learn about the last standing royal governor as New Jersey prepared to vote for independence. Click here for details: bit.ly/4fSq9OR

Medallion with Portrait of William Franklin, 19th century, after John Flaxman: American Philosophical Society.

Medallion with Portrait of Benjamin Franklin, 19th century, A.H. Bently: American Philosophical Society.

06/16/2026

We are overjoyed with the success of the second annual, sold-out Princeton Garden Tour! 🌸 It was a privilege to share the vibrant blooms, peaceful pathways, and gardening stories with such an enthusiastic, supportive community. A huge thank you to our wonderful homeowners, volunteers, and everyone who worked hard behind the scenes to make this event blossom, especially the amazing staff at Morven Museum & Garden.🌿

06/15/2026

100% agree! And they didn’t even mention the $5 beers at Happy Hours, free shuttle around town, and Morven (less than a 15 minute walk from the Princeton U Art Museum!). We love this town ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Explore Princeton's historic campus, browse one of the country's best record stores, visit a world-class art museum, and discover why this college town makes a perfect weekend getaway.

06/15/2026

Two performances this Saturday at Hopewell Valley Stage! Get your tickets for The Crossing.

New Musical about Jersey’s Revolutionary Story Comes to Hopewell by Brad Fay | Jun 14, 2026 | Hopewell Valley Stage The Crossing: A Revolutionary New Musical—Book & Lyrics by Jason Huza, Music by John Allen Watts—Features Black Patriots and Thomas Paine On Christmas night 1776, with the Americ...

06/12/2026

At “Five Independent Souls: The Signers from New Jersey,” you’ll see 100+ historic artifacts related to the American Revolution, including the real signatures of the signers: Abraham Clark, John Hart, Francis Hopkinson, Richard Stockton, and John Witherspoon.

Compare your John Hancock with our John Hancock, and read letters from George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and more Founding Fathers.

Now at Morven Museum & Garden in Princeton through January 17, 2027.

Click here for details and tickets: bit.ly/4xmbqlH

📍55 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ 08540

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Morven is grateful to the institutions and private lenders whose art and objects appear in this exhibitions, including those featured in this video: .org, , , , , , , ,

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Funding for this exhibition has been provided, in part, by Liza and Schuyler Morehouse; Carol Hanson; Eileen and Robert O'Neil; ; ; J. Richard and E. Barbara Pierce; the General Society of Colonial Wars upon the recommendation of the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New Jersey; Glenmede; Nassau Inn; Palmer Square - Princeton NJ; Lear & Pannepacker, LLP; and NJM Insurance Group.

Funding provided by a grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust.

Morven Museum & Garden received a project grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission - NJHC, a division of the Department of State.

06/12/2026

Come out to the Princeton Municipal Building today, June 12, at noon, for the Spirit of Princeton's annual Flag Day Ceremony!

06/11/2026

HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, N.J. (PIX11) – It’s a musical 250 years in the making. “We want to be the Les Mis for America,” said John Allen Watts, Composer of the new musical,&nb…