Macculloch Hall Historical Museum Exhibits for the First Time Popular Imagery of "Sheridan's Ride"

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum (MHHM) presents “Here is the steed that saved the day…” Popular Imagery of Sheridan’s Ride, which features fifteen objects from the Museum’s collection displayed together for the first time. Commemorating the victory of General Philip Sheridan (1831-1888) at the Battle of Cedar Creek in the Shenandoah Valley on October 19, 1864, “Sheridan’s Ride” became a celebrated event for the Union during the Civil War. Sheridan’s bravery and success were heralded in poetry and the general’s ride was made iconic through dynamic paintings, sculptures and widely published illustrations during the second half of the nineteenth century. The exhibition will be on view in the Upstairs Gallery of the Museum from February 21 through June 12, 2016.

Among the artists featured is poet and artist Thomas Buchanan Read (1822-1872) who wrote his famous poem Sheridan’s Ride in October 1864. His stirring language, celebrating both the general and his stallion Rienzi, “the steed that saved the day”, was recited at political rallies to inspire the patriotic fervor of the crowd. Fueled by the poem’s success, Read, also an accomplished artist, later painted several equestrian portraits of General Sheridan. Read’s Sheridan’s Ride painted in 1869 is the highlight of the exhibition.

Political cartoonist Thomas Nast (1840-1902) honored Sheridan’s heroism during the war as well as the general’s post-Civil War leadership in New Orleans. In a series of illustrations created for Harper’s Weekly, Nast portrayed Sheridan’s moral rectitude in squelching the White League or Banditti, who were terrorizing and killing newly emancipated African Americans throughout the city. A personal friend of Sheridan, Nast also recognized the general’s private successes. In Captured At Last (June 3, 1875) published in Harper’s Weekly on June 5, 1875, also on view, Nast warmly acknowledged the general’s recent marriage.

Programming for “Here is the steed that saved the day…” Popular Imagery of Sheridan’s Ride includes two special tours of the exhibition with Ryan Hyman, F.M. Kirby Curator of Collections: Wednesday, March 23 and Sunday, April 10, at 2:00pm. For more information about the exhibition, see the Museum website: www.maccullochhall.org.

This exhibition is supported, in part, by the F.M. Kirby Foundation. Macculloch Hall Historical Museum is a nonprofit educational affiliate of the W. Parsons Todd Foundation and received an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the New Jersey Department of State.

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, exhibitions, and educational and cultural programs. The garden is open daily, free to the public from 9:00am-5:00pm.

MHHM is open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 1:00-4:00pm. Admission is $8, Adults; $6, Seniors and Students; $4, Children 6-12; and free for Members and children under 5.

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum

45 Macculloch Ave.

Morristown, NJ 07960

973.538.2404