Morven Museum and Garden
Morven Museum and Garden
4.5
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
84 reviews
Excellent
37
Very good
37
Average
9
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Cheri D
Yardville, NJ464 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Always a delightful place to visit with a lot of rich history. It's on the National Historic Landmark list and was home to Richard Stockton, one of Declaration of Independence signers and once was the NJ Governor's homes. There are always standing displays in the home and displays that change such as the Striking Beauty: NJ Tall Case Clocks: 1730-1830, the current temporary exhibit that I visited most recently. NJ has such quite a history with a number of clock makers who resided here and made such beautiful time pieces. Christmas is also a nice time to visit to see the annual Festival of Trees. Many more events are held here throughout the year. It truly is a year round place to visit with much to offer. They also have a small gift shop on the premises with lovely items to purchase.
Written February 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elaine F
Bridgewater, NJ3,740 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
Because today was the Free Day at 25 NJ museums, my husband and I decided to visit this piece of NJ history. What an interesting find! The house was originally the home of Richard Stockton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Under his watch and the ownership of other relatives down the line, this house has hosted people from George Washington to Fidel Castro. There are docent tours, but we opted to do the house on our own. There is some period furniture, lots of photos, and interesting pieces of history that his house holds. It was the home of many governors and even once rented by Robert Wood Johnson and his family. There is an exhibit about the unearthing of the original greenhouse on the second floor. In the old wash house there is a small book store. Walk the grounds and see the garden and the pool house and the covered in pool. This was a real house that housed real families and has the stories to go with it. We did not realize the significance of this house and its owners and inhabitants to the history or New Jersey and the United States. We've driven past it for years, so we thank the National Park Service for the opportunity to visit. There is ample parking. Entry fee is $8 and there are additional docent tours if you want them, but we did it on our own.It made for a lovely afternoon.
Written September 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
L H
Glenolden, PA27 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
Our family wanted to get together and do a holiday tour. Morven Museum had each room in the home decorated with a Christmas tree and each tree had a theme. Some trees were elegant and absolutely gorgeous. Other trees were whimsical and cute. After touring all the rooms and viewing the trees you got to vote on your favorite tree. There were guides in several of the rooms that could answer questions or make suggestions on what to see. Upstairs there was an impressive selection of samplers that gave you insight into the history of the people and the area. There are sometimes stairs between rooms (3 steps) and a main staircase to the 2nd and 3rd floors.
I believe the cost for 4 adults and 2 children was $25.
The museum is very close to shops and restaurants in Princeton. I would walk if the weather was nice but there are parking garages in town.
I believe the cost for 4 adults and 2 children was $25.
The museum is very close to shops and restaurants in Princeton. I would walk if the weather was nice but there are parking garages in town.
Written December 8, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TeamMan
Princeton, NJ1,517 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
We visited Morven specifically to see the Lindbergh Exhibit and it did disappoint. Everyone knows the bare facts of the first solo flight over the Atlantic and the kidnapping. However, this special exhibit covered so much more, such as:
---Charles' early life and his love of flying.
---Specific details about his solo flight
from New York to France (see photos)
---The romance between Charles and
Anne Morrow.
---Anne's career as a best-selling author.
---Their troubled marriage
---The kidnapping of their baby (photos)
---The trial of Bruno Hauptman
---Charles' involvement in the American
First movement and the accusations of
being a Nazi sympathizer.
---Their extramarital affairs, including
Charles' children by other women.
This is a very honest exhibit. No attempt has been made to hide or smooth over their life. It's Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh's life - warts and all.
We did not take the docent led tour of the residence, but frankly, the home did not seem to be especially interesting. I might come back in the spring to enjoy tea and something to eat when the garden is in bloom (photo).
---Charles' early life and his love of flying.
---Specific details about his solo flight
from New York to France (see photos)
---The romance between Charles and
Anne Morrow.
---Anne's career as a best-selling author.
---Their troubled marriage
---The kidnapping of their baby (photos)
---The trial of Bruno Hauptman
---Charles' involvement in the American
First movement and the accusations of
being a Nazi sympathizer.
---Their extramarital affairs, including
Charles' children by other women.
This is a very honest exhibit. No attempt has been made to hide or smooth over their life. It's Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh's life - warts and all.
We did not take the docent led tour of the residence, but frankly, the home did not seem to be especially interesting. I might come back in the spring to enjoy tea and something to eat when the garden is in bloom (photo).
Written January 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheExplorerFamily
Somerset, NJ6,451 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
“Morven” means “Big Mountain” in Gaelic.
This five - acre property is a very short walk from the campus of Princeton University. The Main Mansion with the Georgian Architecture was built in the 1750’s by Richard Stockton – one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He built it on the land that was given to him by his grandfather, who bought it from William Penn in 1701.
Unfortunately, there was a huge fire that destroyed the home in 1758. It was soon rebuilt, and christened “Morven” by Annie Boudinot Stockton – Richard’s wife. A large portrait of hers hangs proudly in the house.
Four generations of Stocktons resided here before the place was leased in 1928 to General Robert Wood Johnson, the Chairman of J&J. It was then deeded to the State of NJ in 1954, and became home to five Governors until the Governor’s Mansion was relocated to Drumthwacket in 1982. Today Morven is the “People’s Place”, and hosts permanent and temporary Exhibitions, and special events.
Many famous people, including George Washington in the past, and, more recently, Tennis Star Althea Gibson have stayed here as guests.
Yesterday, when we visited, the first floor was filled with antique and period furniture, and the second floor was filled with heart-wrenching, but interesting stories about the life and family history of Charles Lindberg – including the “Trial of the Century” about the kidnapping and the eventual murder of the two-year old baby. Such a sad outcome. We had obviously read a lot about the kidnapping case, but learned a tremendous amount of stuff about the personal family life of Charles Lindberg and his wife, in this very nice and tastefully done Exhibit. There is even a replica of the “Spirit of St. Louis” on the front lawn of the Museum – This is the plane that Charles flew from NY to Paris in May 1927, on his historic flight.
The Garden is still undergoing renovation.
It is a nice place to experience the rich cultural history of the Garden State of New Jersey. Take the guided tour. The people who work here are very pleasant, helpful, and passionate about the restoration.
This five - acre property is a very short walk from the campus of Princeton University. The Main Mansion with the Georgian Architecture was built in the 1750’s by Richard Stockton – one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He built it on the land that was given to him by his grandfather, who bought it from William Penn in 1701.
Unfortunately, there was a huge fire that destroyed the home in 1758. It was soon rebuilt, and christened “Morven” by Annie Boudinot Stockton – Richard’s wife. A large portrait of hers hangs proudly in the house.
Four generations of Stocktons resided here before the place was leased in 1928 to General Robert Wood Johnson, the Chairman of J&J. It was then deeded to the State of NJ in 1954, and became home to five Governors until the Governor’s Mansion was relocated to Drumthwacket in 1982. Today Morven is the “People’s Place”, and hosts permanent and temporary Exhibitions, and special events.
Many famous people, including George Washington in the past, and, more recently, Tennis Star Althea Gibson have stayed here as guests.
Yesterday, when we visited, the first floor was filled with antique and period furniture, and the second floor was filled with heart-wrenching, but interesting stories about the life and family history of Charles Lindberg – including the “Trial of the Century” about the kidnapping and the eventual murder of the two-year old baby. Such a sad outcome. We had obviously read a lot about the kidnapping case, but learned a tremendous amount of stuff about the personal family life of Charles Lindberg and his wife, in this very nice and tastefully done Exhibit. There is even a replica of the “Spirit of St. Louis” on the front lawn of the Museum – This is the plane that Charles flew from NY to Paris in May 1927, on his historic flight.
The Garden is still undergoing renovation.
It is a nice place to experience the rich cultural history of the Garden State of New Jersey. Take the guided tour. The people who work here are very pleasant, helpful, and passionate about the restoration.
Written January 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MeraKi25
Philadelphia, PA4,693 contributions
Jan 2015 • Couples
I've been to Morven a few times for the yoga in the garden series offered in the summer (for free), so I had always wondered how the museum itself was... We drove in on a rainy day, and although the website indicates tours go every hour on the hour, we were able to do a self-guided tour without waiting for the hour to hit. There are some interesting paintings of previous owners and you can learn a little more about the history of NJ. However, there isn't a whole lot to look at and you could not easily spend a decent amount of time here... One redeeming factor in this visit was the Festival of the Trees. There were several artificial trees decorated by local groups and then you were able to vote on your favorite. The display of stitching was interesting, when you realized most were created by pre-teens. Walking through was quick and the house is beautiful. However, go with the groupon (essentially buy one get one free admission) or go when you can also tour the grounds.
Written January 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daliowa
Princeton, NJ2 contributions
Sep 2013 • Friends
We visited Morven on Free Museum Day. There is a fascinating tour given in the museum that recounts the history of the Stockton family and all their different personalities and idiosyncracies. The tour & talk was interesting and humorous. Morven was for some time the governor's mansion in NJ.
You'll see the Stockton family paintings and furniture which include such items as a large mirror which was a gift from George Washington.
They also have several rooms for special exhibits. We saw artists of the Jersey Shore, and the exhibit was larger than I expected, and besides the beautiful paintings it also had detailed descriptions about the painters.
I did notice that Morven has an elevator, but there are also small steps between some rooms which could cause difficulty to anyone with a disabiility. Also , the museum's days and hours are limited, be sure to check the website.
The grounds around Morven are very nice to walk around. I recommend Morven for anyone interested in history or art. You'll be pleasantly surprised.
You'll see the Stockton family paintings and furniture which include such items as a large mirror which was a gift from George Washington.
They also have several rooms for special exhibits. We saw artists of the Jersey Shore, and the exhibit was larger than I expected, and besides the beautiful paintings it also had detailed descriptions about the painters.
I did notice that Morven has an elevator, but there are also small steps between some rooms which could cause difficulty to anyone with a disabiility. Also , the museum's days and hours are limited, be sure to check the website.
The grounds around Morven are very nice to walk around. I recommend Morven for anyone interested in history or art. You'll be pleasantly surprised.
Written October 9, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelingrm
New Jersey740 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
We went here primarily to see the art exhibit about the NJ Impressionists who painted the Jersey shore. "Coastal Impressions: Painters of the Jersey Shore, 1880 -1940" was a fine experience! I am sure you have heard of the Hudson River School, the New Hope School but I never knew about the NJ artists who studied in France and painted such fine works. This exhibit deserves to be at the Newark or Montclair Museum.
Princeton is a lovely town and the Morven home, formerly the NJ governor's mansion is interesting history for any NJ citizen. The grounds are beautiful. This is a beautiful way to spend a day.
There is an "afternoon tea" that would make Morven a great destination this summer.
Princeton is a lovely town and the Morven home, formerly the NJ governor's mansion is interesting history for any NJ citizen. The grounds are beautiful. This is a beautiful way to spend a day.
There is an "afternoon tea" that would make Morven a great destination this summer.
Written June 1, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marty S
16 contributions
Oct 2018 • Business
History at its best.
Mansion of Richard Stockton, Signer of the Declaration of Independence
Was the Governors Mansion until they moved to Drumthwacket
Now it is a wonderful Museum.
Enjoy
Mansion of Richard Stockton, Signer of the Declaration of Independence
Was the Governors Mansion until they moved to Drumthwacket
Now it is a wonderful Museum.
Enjoy
Written October 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LibertyStreet
Milford, MI189 contributions
Dec 2017 • Solo
Historic home with a charming garden. The exhibits keep getting better and better. Great place for 4th of July weekend. Lots of tents set up to teach America’ early Republicans parking but also within walking distance of the downtown center and university.
Written March 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there parking
161945
West Orange, NJ90 contributions
Some parking. Not a lot.
PosiAficionada
Bayonne, NJ23 contributions
What would be appropriate dress for the tea at the end of October? My friends and I have a difference of opinion. Thank you.
Steven B
Westtown, Pennsylvania, United States104 contributions
I do not think one needs to be fancy. I would be most prepared for possible cool weather (40-50F), and perhaps precipitation.
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