 Objects
collected for display at the Morristown Neighborhood House
formed the beginnings of the Morris Museum collections, and
education has been an intrinsic part of the museum's program
from its inception. Mrs. Aldus Pierson, the House's first
headworker, gave talks to children about various cultural
expressions represented by this early collection of art and
artifacts from a broad range of cultures throughout the world.
Generous donors soon began giving Mrs. Pierson interesting
objects they had acquired in their travels around the world.
By 1927, the collection filled seven rooms and encompassed
the first floor of the Neighborhood House's annex. From
1938 through 1956, the museum occupied space in the Maple
Avenue School, enabling staff to enhance programs for children
and to establish relationships with area schools. The museum
was incorporated in 1943, and the outreach education program
began in 1950 with a series of in-school presentations
for Morris County students, including talks about American
Indian culture.
In 1963, having outgrown its fourth location, the Morris
Museum acquired "Twin Oaks," the former Peter
H. B. Frelinghuysen family estate. Mr. Frelinghuysen was
a lawyer and banker and was the grandson of Frederick T.
Frelinghuysen, the secretary of state under President Chester
Arthur. Today, this architecturally significant Georgian-style
mansion is the heart of the museum's exhibition space.
To support expanding activities and programs, successful
capital campaigns have made it possible to add to the facility
since then. In 1970, the gallery space was increased and
a 312-seat theatre was added. In 1990, the museum complex
was further expanded to the present 75,524 square feet.
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