American Heroes in Bronze: The Artwork of James E. Kelly

An exhibit of bronze sculptures is currently on display in the upstairs gallery of Macculloch Hall Historical Museum.  “American Heroes in Bronze: The Artwork of James E. Kelly” is co-curated by William B. Styple and the Museum’s Curator of Collections Ryan Hyman.  This unique exhibit explores the work of Irish-American sculptor James E. Kelly (1855-1933).  In the decades following the American Civil War, over forty Union Generals visited the New York City studio of Kelly, who was highly respected for his artwork’s historical accuracy.  While the war heroes sat, the artist conducted in-depth interviews regarding their wartime service, and heard their very personal stories of Fort Sumter, Antietam, Gettysburg, and Appomattox.   The work resulting from these personal interviews presents a unique perspective on the famous figures and events from the Civil War. Also included in this exhibition are Kelly’s depictions of notable events from the Revolutionary War and well known civilians such as Thomas Edison and Clara Barton.  Bas reliefs, busts, engravings and bronze sculptures depict these heroes. The collection of Kelly’s work is on loan from private collectors and can be viewed during touring hours until October 31st.

On Sunday March 17^th Macculloch Hall Historical Museum welcomes the co-curator of the exhibit, William B. Styple, for an intriguing presentation about artist James E. Kelly, “Kelly’s Heroes: The Story of Civil War Artist James E. Kelly, the sculptor who interviews forty Union Generals.”  Historian and author William B. Styple discovered and transcribed Kelly's interviews with Generals Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Hancock, Warren, Chamberlain and many others. The resulting book “Generals in Bronze—Interviewing the Commanders of the Civil War” was published in 2005 and is the basis of this presentation which Mr. Styple will discuss along with images of these unique pieces of art.  Mr. Styple will return on June 16^th for a second presentation, "Tell Me of Lincoln: The Story of Civil War artist James E. Kelly's quest to interview those who knew Abraham Lincoln".  Both programs begin at 4:30pm and tickets are available on the day from 1pm.  Mr. Styple will be available after the programs to sell and sign his books.  For more information visit maccullochhall.org

Visitors can also visit the other current exhibits on display at the Museum.  Macculloch Hall Historical Museum presents more than twenty examples of presidential campaign images in the exhibit “Thomas Nast: President Maker and Campaign Breaker.”  The exhibit illustrates the six presidential campaigns from 1864 through 1884.  Thomas Nast (1840-1902) was America's leading political cartoonist in the second half of the nineteenth century. From the studio in his Morristown, NJ home, Nast popularized the symbols of the Democratic (donkey) and Republican (elephant) parties that continue more than a century later. Nast, a staunch Republican, illustrated his views of the presidential campaigns for Harper's Weekly. 
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum exhibits some of its most popular pieces as well as many seldom-seen treasures which have been in storage in “A Fine Collection: Treasures from the Vault.” Vivid examples of the antique Oriental rug collection are hung in the Museum's first floor gallery, complemented by textbook examples of fine porcelain, silver, glass and furniture collected by Museum founder, W. Parsons Todd.  Both exhibits are on display until June 30th during touring hours.

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum preserves the history of the Macculloch-Miller families, the Morris area community, and the legacy of its founder W. Parsons Todd through its historic site, collections, exhibits, and educational and cultural programs. The Museum is open for house and exhibit tours on Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. The last tour leaves at 3pm. Adults $8; Seniors & Students $6; Children 6 – 12 $4. Members and children under 5 are free. The gardens are open (free of charge) during Museum hours. Please check our website for any holiday closings. Call (973) 538-2404 ext. 10, visit our website www.maccullochhall.org or find us on Facebook.  Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, 45 Macculloch Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960.  Macculloch Hall Historical Museum is a nonprofit educational affiliate of the W. Parsons Todd Foundation.

Image attached: Macculloch Hall Historical Museum_ Sheridan’s Ride James Kelly (1855-1933) American Bronze 1878 Collection of MHHM Morristown, NJ_Image courtesy of Stan Freeny