Morven Museum & Garden unveils programs for 250th anniversary of American independence

As the nation prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, Morven Museum & Garden in Princeton is planning a yearlong slate of exhibitions and events in 2026 tied to the semiquincentennial.

Morven, the only home of a New Jersey signer of the Declaration of Independence that is open to the public, will use new shows and public programs to explore the nation’s founding and its legacies, including slavery and the lives of Black soldiers and artists.

“Throughout 2026, Morven will offer a rich variety of programs in collaboration with community partners, leading historians, writers, and artists,” said Greer Luce, curator of education and public programs. “Whether you’re interested in history or just curious about the 250th, there’s an opportunity for everyone to join in the conversation and learn more.”

A major new exhibition, “Five Independent Souls: The Signers from New Jersey,” opens May 3, 2026. It will assemble personal items, manuscripts, furniture, and artwork to examine the lives of Abraham Clark, John Hart, Francis Hopkinson, Richard Stockton, and John Witherspoon — all signers of the Declaration and all enslavers. The show will look at how the rhetoric of “freedom, equality and liberty” was intertwined with slavery and will include actual signatures of the New Jersey signers.

“Five Independent Souls reveals who they were as people: their ideals, their familial background, and influence,” said Elizabeth Allan, Morven’s deputy director and curator. “We’ve spent years securing loans from institutions and private collections across the nation, and are excited for visitors to experience this landmark exhibition.”

A second new exhibition, “Voices in Print: New Jersey Black Women Printmakers Shaping the American Narrative,” opens Sept. 4, 2026. Developed with the Princeton University Art Museum and the Arts Council of Princeton as part of “Re-Visioning America: 1776–2026,” it will feature prints by Black women artists with ties to New Jersey. It will be the first show in Morven’s Stockton Education Center.

Two ongoing exhibitions will also be on view. “Northern Family, Southern Ties,” through 2028, examines connections between families straddling the Mason-Dixon Line and the interstate movement of enslaved people from the late 18th century through the Civil War. “Morven Revealed: Untold Stories from New Jersey’s Most Historic Home,” on view through March 1, 2026, looks at day-to-day life at Morven rather than battles or legislation.

Visitors can also see the permanent exhibition “Historic Morven: A Window into America’s Past,” which highlights the Stockton family’s role in the American Revolution, including Richard Stockton’s capture by British Loyalists. Morven officials note the site is part of a broader Revolutionary-era landscape in Princeton, including the Princeton Battlefield and Nassau Hall.

“As we approach this extraordinary anniversary, Morven is proud to stand where American independence began—and to share these stories with new generations,” Executive Director Rhonda DiMascio said. “We’ve been preparing to make 2026 unforgettable, and we can’t wait to welcome visitors of all ages from around the world to Morven.”

Special 2026 events include “Men W/O Shoes: A Student-Led Tribute to Forgotten Heroes” Feb. 19-21, featuring student-created art about Black soldiers at the Battle of Princeton; “LivingHistory USA Weekend” April 11-12, an immersive tour with historical figures; a free Fourth of July festival; and “Princeton 1776 Fest” on Oct. 3, a community celebration with live music, interpreters and craftspeople.

Programs will range from a “Generation Declaration” speaker series to interactive “Signer’s Stories” events and behind-the-scenes curator talks throughout 2026.