By Susan Alai
Get ready for a veritable Scottish fling as singers, dancers, pipe-, drum- and fiddle players all settle in at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church on Sunday, Oct. 24, for a delightful afternoon of Scottish music and culture in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Macculloch Hall Historical Museum.
The 2:30 p.m. concert is called a “Spotlight on Youth” and tickets are $10 per person or $30 for a family pass.
Officially part of 1810 Tartan Day – A Macculloch Hall Bicentennial Celebration, the afternoon will feature a number of events with Scottish accents in recognition of the family of George and Louisa Macculloch and their impact on the town of Morristown.
George Macculloch, a Scotsman, was born in Bombay and emigrated with his wife and two children from London to America in 1806.
The museum, located at 45 Macculloch Avenue in Morristown, was the family home of the Maccullochs, whose family roots link back to Scotland. The property once included a 26- acre gentleman’s farm. The house today includes 10 period rooms and three exhibit rooms.
Following the program, ticketholders are invited to gather at the museum for cider and shortbread and to visit the elegant home and gardens that Macculloch founded.
The day will begin with a brunch at the Morris County Golf Club. Honorees at the brunch will include former Governor Tom Kean and Fred and Walker Kirby. Funds raised from the daylong event will be used to aid Macculloch Hall in expanding its educational programming and to create new elementary and secondary school programs to assist New Jersey teachers with the Core Curriculum Content Standards.
The family friendly event at St. Peter’s will include the Rampant Lion Pipe Band, McAngus Highland Dancers, St. Peter’s Choir and Connor and Sharlys Dugan of Dugan’s Hooligans.
While Macculloch Hall is 200 years old, the building as a museum is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Macculloch Hall became a museum after its purpose was dedicated by W. Parsons Todd, local Morristown resident and former Macculloch Hall owner who was known as “Mr. Morristown.”
Todd commuted to his job in Manhattan for 72 years and served as mayor and member of the board of aldermen. The museum is best known for its extensive collection of political cartoons by the renowned artist Thoms Nast, who popularized the Republican elephant, the Democratic donkey and the popular 19th century image of Santa Claus.
Complete details and tickets are available at www.maccullochhall.org. Tickets can also be purchased at the door. To reach the museum by phone call 973 538-2404
The museum is open for tours on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults; students and seniors are $5; those 12 years and under and museum members are free.
