Macculloch Hall Historical Museum to Participate in Blue Star Museums

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum in Morristown has announced the launch of Blue Star Museums, a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and more than 1,300 museums across America to offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2011.  Leadership support has been provided by MetLife Foundation through Blue Star Families. The complete list of participating museums is available at www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums. “Blue Star Museums may be the program at the NEA of which I am proudest,” said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman. “Blue Star Museum recognizes and thanks our military families for all they are doing for our country, and simultaneously begins young people on a path to becoming life-long museum goers.”

“Last year the success of the inaugural year of the Blue Star Museums program showed that partnerships between the nation’s museum and military communities are a natural,” said Blue Star Families Chairman Kathy Roth-Douquet.  “We are thrilled that 300,000 military family members visited our partner museums in the summer of 2010.  We hope to exceed that number this year as the military community tales advantage of the rich cultural heritage they defend and protect every day.  We appreciate the NEA and the nation’s museums who chose to partner with us.  We also are grateful to our friends at MetLife Foundation, the lead supporter of the Blue Star Museum outreach initiative, whose generous donation helps make our work possible.  This year, more than 1,324 (and counting) museums in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa are taking part in the initiative, including more than 500 new museums this year. 

About Blue Star Museums

Blue Star Museums runs from Memorial Day, May 30, 2011 through Labor Day, September 5, 2011.  The free admission program is available to active-duty military and their immediate family members (military ID holder and five immediate family members).  Active duty military include Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and active duty National Guard and active duty Reserve members.  Some special or limited-time museum exhibits may not be included in this free admissions program.  For questions on particular exhibits or museums, please contact the museum directly.  To find out which museums are participating, visit www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums. The site includes a list of participating museums and a map to help with visit planning.

This is the latest NEA program to bring quality arts programs to the military, veterans, and their families.  Blue Star Families is a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit network of military families from all ranks and services, including guard and reserve, with a mission t support, connect and empower military families.  In addition to morale and empowerment programs, Blue Star Families raises awareness of the challenges and strengths of military family life and works to make military life more sustainable.  Membership includes military spouses, children and parents as well as service members, veterans and civilians.   To learn more about Blue Star Families, visit www.bluestarfam.org.

About the National Endowment for the Arts

The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government.  To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities.  The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector.  To join the discussion on how art works, visit NEA at arts.gov. 

About Macculloch Hall Historical Museum

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. It is located in the heart of Morristown’s National Historic District. Macculloch Hall's Offices are open Monday - Friday –   9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The Museum is open for house and exhibit tours on Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. The last tickets for admission are sold at 3 p.m.  Admission is $6 Adults; $5 Seniors; Students 12 years and under and museum members are free.  Tours will visit gallery exhibits including the school room gallery limited opening of the Thomas Nast Christmas in July exhibit which is open July 17th through July 31st.  A wonderful exhibit of American silver, the Coming of Age:  Early American Silversmiths; Masters, Apprentices, Trade Partners and Taste is in the upstairs gallery. Visitors to Macculloch Hall will also have the opportunity to enjoy the colorful and elegant gardens. The gardens were restored in the 1950s by the Garden Club of Morristown and are planted for seasonal bloom.

School tours, adult/senior tours and rentals may be scheduled by appointment.  For information, call the Museum weekdays at (973) 538-2404, 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.  The Macculloch Hall Historical Museum received an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.