Morven Museum and Garden
Morven Museum and Garden
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
83 reviews
Excellent
36
Very good
37
Average
9
Poor
1
Terrible
0
LoveToTravelWhenICan
Pennsylvania, USA666 contributions
Jun 2022 • Friends
The museum's thorough and knowledgeable docent gave us an extraordinary tour of the museum, and he hung around in case we had questions afterwards. Very interesting for we gone with beautiful gardens.
Written June 22, 2022
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.
BillD5853338
Newtown, PA107 contributions
May 2021
This is one of the best-kept secrets in Princeton. My wife and I loved exploring this old mansion turned into a wonderful museum, with its rich history as a former governor's mansion and formerly owned by Declaration of Independence signer - Richard Stockton. This is not just a must-visit for local classroom history classes but for anyone interested in New Jersey historical events. The employees here could not have been more helpful and kind, including the gardener who helped us understand the local foliage. Don't miss this little gem of a museum.
Written May 21, 2021
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.
susanwinetasting
Putnam, CT709 contributions
Sep 2020
The people who lived at Morven over the years have so many interesting stories, from the original owners to the governors. Walking through the museum is a walk through time. Whether you are from the area or not, I recommend a visit. Be prepared to read if you want to fully understand the individuals associated with Morven. The museum is mostly handicap accessible, though some areas are not manageable for wheelchairs. There is an elevator. Parking is on the premises. The gardens are lovely and worth a walk through. The price of admission is fair. We spent two hours there.
Written December 6, 2020
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.
Tom and Heather
Swedesboro, NJ840 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
We love places like this. A historically significant home with owners that have made a contribution to the history of our country. This one is no different. The home and property was turned into a museum to share the story of the beginning of our country and the governors of New Jersey.
The property is nice and has some gardens there. The gardens could be better maintained. The house itself is where the museum is. The one thing I found myself thinking as I went through was I wish they would have had mini displays and pictures of how the rooms were used originally. The house had been added in to over tons abs it would have been nice to see how it may have been used. Especially because many families lived there. That would be really interesting for them to represent the different periods and families.
The displays were wonderfully informative and the highlighted a few let people. Again, they left us hanging! Specifically , they mention a slave named Marcus who seemed fascinating. Yet after a short introduction they didn’t say anything else. That seems to be resisted throughout the museum.
Some suggestions... the museum seems to have handicap accessibility as an after thought. There is a small elevator that goes up one floor but if you want to see the rest you need to navigate the stairs. I have a walker and it was a challenge. Also, the museum is a fairly extensive size, with plenty of room, yet there is not one bench throughout where someone could sit for a few minutes. That was disappointing and reduced the amount of time I could stay there.
There are other buildings on the property that would be be nice to see them utilized. The one other stop was the gift shop. The lady in there was so kind! The gift shop is very small and had a small variety of things related to the property. I wish they had more of a variety but we had two nice conversations with the woman who worked there.
The property is nice and has some gardens there. The gardens could be better maintained. The house itself is where the museum is. The one thing I found myself thinking as I went through was I wish they would have had mini displays and pictures of how the rooms were used originally. The house had been added in to over tons abs it would have been nice to see how it may have been used. Especially because many families lived there. That would be really interesting for them to represent the different periods and families.
The displays were wonderfully informative and the highlighted a few let people. Again, they left us hanging! Specifically , they mention a slave named Marcus who seemed fascinating. Yet after a short introduction they didn’t say anything else. That seems to be resisted throughout the museum.
Some suggestions... the museum seems to have handicap accessibility as an after thought. There is a small elevator that goes up one floor but if you want to see the rest you need to navigate the stairs. I have a walker and it was a challenge. Also, the museum is a fairly extensive size, with plenty of room, yet there is not one bench throughout where someone could sit for a few minutes. That was disappointing and reduced the amount of time I could stay there.
There are other buildings on the property that would be be nice to see them utilized. The one other stop was the gift shop. The lady in there was so kind! The gift shop is very small and had a small variety of things related to the property. I wish they had more of a variety but we had two nice conversations with the woman who worked there.
Written September 27, 2020
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.
Nigel F
East Windsor, NJ52 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Historic home, beautiful garden, great little museum. Not a full day, but definitely worth a visit. Highly recommend a formal tour.
Written January 19, 2020
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.
naidapv
Pleasant Valley, MO135 contributions
Nov 2019
Very small museum. But very nice. Only got to see the permanent exhibit on the first floor because they were changing exhibits on the second.
Written November 10, 2019
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, NJ1,489 contributions
Nov 2019 • Friends
I have visited Morven several times to take in one of their special exhibits. On my most recent exhibit it was to see the Baseball in New Jersey special exhibit and it was wonderful!
The real test of a museum exhibit is: "did you learn something?" My friend and I both learned a great deal about the early days of baseball in the state such as:
*Baseball was played in NJ before the
Civil War.
*There were African American baseball
teams in many cities in the state in
beginning in 1855 in Newark (photo)
*There was a ladies baseball team, the
"Bloomer Girls," who toured the state
in the 1890s playing exhibition
games (see photo).
*Back in the early days the rules of the
game were quite different than today
(see photo).
This exhibit was very well organized and the explanatory cards for each item were outstanding. It was not a large exhibit, but it was "mighty" good!
The real test of a museum exhibit is: "did you learn something?" My friend and I both learned a great deal about the early days of baseball in the state such as:
*Baseball was played in NJ before the
Civil War.
*There were African American baseball
teams in many cities in the state in
beginning in 1855 in Newark (photo)
*There was a ladies baseball team, the
"Bloomer Girls," who toured the state
in the 1890s playing exhibition
games (see photo).
*Back in the early days the rules of the
game were quite different than today
(see photo).
This exhibit was very well organized and the explanatory cards for each item were outstanding. It was not a large exhibit, but it was "mighty" good!
Written November 5, 2019
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.
Dorissapp
Marlton, NJ1 contribution
Sep 2019 • Friends
Enjoyed the tea and the historical information. Wish the home was more historically decorated and the gardens a bit more manicured. Guides and tea preparers were excellent!
Written September 29, 2019
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.
Sherpa307508
1 contribution
Jul 2019
Very small Museum, Easily viewed. Docent excellent. Spoke slowly and loud. Good for those of us with hearing problems. We were a senior group.
Written August 22, 2019
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.
Taughboyne
NJ580 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
The building is interesting but the main story here is the people who lived in it, all the way from well-known Revolutionary War era influentials and their unnamed slaves to a handful of recent New Jersey governors with large families. At every stage the wonder is how they all fitted into what was just a modest sized structure. On the day we went there were few other visitors and (after paying for tickets at the adjacent museum shop) we had the equivalent of an exclusive personalized briefing from the enthusiastic custodian. Like us she was a long term resident in the neighborhood but a johnny-come-lately to Morven. Inside the rooms are fairly small with creaking wooden floors often connected by stairs, some of which are closed to all but staff. Although a few pieces of furniture have "do not touch" signs and some rooms are largely empty apart from wall displays, you are free to sit in others and read old magazines or watch antique videos that connect with the buildings themes. The story of Morven's occupants is well told in texts, paintings and judiciously selected artifacts, including a section on the industrialist and philanthropist Robert Wood Johnson and his links to New Mexico's Ghost Ranch. Ours was a spur of the moment decision to drop in on Morven and we regret postponing getting to know the place for so long. If you have an hour or two to spare in Princeton there are many less rewarding places to visit.
Written January 26, 2019
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, NJ22 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.
Morven Museum and Garden (Princeton) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Morven Museum and Garden
- Morven Museum and Garden is open:
- Wed - Sun 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- We recommend booking Morven Museum and Garden tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Morven Museum and Garden tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Morven Museum and Garden:
- (0.13 mi) The Peacock Inn
- (0.17 mi) Palmer House
- (0.36 mi) Nassau Inn
- (0.46 mi) Princeton house & small garden
- (3.36 mi) Inn at Glencairn Princeton
- Restaurants near Morven Museum and Garden:
- (0.12 mi) The Perch
- (0.24 mi) Jammin' Crepes
- (0.33 mi) The Bent Spoon
- (0.39 mi) Halo Pub
- (0.33 mi) Mediterra Restaurant