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Arts & Entertainment

Meet "President Lincoln" on his official birthday Sunday February 12th !

On Sunday February 12th celebrate Lincoln’s birthday by visiting Macculloch Hall Historical Museum to meet “President Lincoln,” portrayed by Civil War reenactor Bob Costello. Mr. Costello has a unique way of making you feel that you are actually in the presence of the 16th U.S. President!  “President Lincoln” will be available between 1pm and 4pm to meet museum guests, answer questions and even have his picture taken with visitors to the “Gone for a Soldier:” Jerseymen in the Civil War exhibit.  Macculloch Hall Historical Museum in collaboration with the New Jersey Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee (NJCW150) presents this major exhibit which commemorates the participation and heroism of Jerseymen in a major turning point in U.S. history.  Until now, many of the stories of the major contributions of Jerseymen to the Civil War effort have remained untold. “Gone for a Soldier:” Jerseymen in the Civil War makes a major contribution toward telling these stories. The exhibit brings together for the first time nearly two hundred objects from the Civil War from over thirty museums, historical societies, and private collections.

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum has its own connections to Civil War history. Lindley Hoffman Miller, son of U.S. Senator Jacob Miller and grandson of George and Louisa Macculloch, led the First Regiment of Arkansas Volunteers of African Descent.  Commissioned as a captain in 1863, Miller shared his war experience through letters to his family, which are on special display at the museum this February. 

The museum also holds the largest single collection of Thomas Nast original works in the United States. Among this collection are many of Nast’s drawings of Civil War subjects such as A Gallant Color-Bearer (Harper’s Weekly, September 20, 1862) and The Drummer Boy of Our Regiment in Action (Harper’s Weekly, December 19, 1863), which were generally thought to influence the course of the war.

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A Civil War Lecture Series in conjunction with the exhibit will be held monthly starting on February 22nd at 7pm when Joe Bilby will present “Freedom to All,” NJ Black Troops in the Civil War.  Full details about the lectures, other book signings, and family-friendly events can be viewed on the museum’s website and Facebook events page.

The New Jersey Sesquicentennial Committee, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, a volunteer organization working for increased awareness and recognition of New Jersey’s important role in the Civil war, has been recognized by the New Jersey Governor and both houses of the New Jersey legislature.

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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 to tour the house and view exhibits on Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. General Admission: Adults $8; Seniors & Students $6; Children 6 – 12 $4. Members and children under 5 are free. The last tickets for admission are sold at 3 p.m. School tours, adult/senior tours and rentals may be scheduled by appointment. For information, call the Museum weekdays at (973) 538-2404 ext. 10, visit our website www.maccullochhall.org or find us on Facebook.  Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, 45 Macculloch Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960.  Macculloch Hall Historical Museum is a nonprofit educational affiliate of the W. Parsons Todd Foundation. 

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