PAST EXHIBITS & EVENTS
An air of innovation and creativity permeates the tiny hamlet of New Hampton. Once a bustling center of industry, a deep appreciation for the arts has always been an integral part of this community’s spirit. Our celebration of the village’s 25th anniversary of being included on the National Register of Historic Places highlights the previously unheard history, remarkable residents, and amazing artisans of the locale, from both then and now.
Learn more and find the self-guided walking tour of New Hampton HERE
Featured are highlights of the Musconetcong River's long and dynamic history, its importance to residents for both food and pleasure (from Paleo-Indian to present), its national significance, and its designation by the National Park Service as a "Wild and Scenic River."
Fishing equipment, both antique and archaic, will adorn the walls alongside photographs and paintings that capture the Musky's natural beauty. They will tell the river's tales together with signage that is not only fascinating in its fact-telling but utilizes gorgeous graphics inspired by the Federal Art Project's Works Projects Administration art of the 1930s.
This winter, the Lebanon Township Museum will be hosting its annual art show featuring original works of art created by the Musconetcong Watercolor Group, a watercolor and drawing instruction group that meets in a 19th century stone gristmill in Imlaydale.
While there is no overarching theme of the artists’ works for this exhibit, natural beauty remains their collective inspiration. Taking that into consideration along with the comfortable and charming atmosphere of the schoolhouse-turned-museum, the exhibit has been named Hyggelig. It’s a Danish/Norwegian adjective (pronounced hue-guh-leeg) used to describe a “cozy and warm atmosphere of togetherness in a pleasant setting surrounded by the beauty of nature.”
This exhibit will be on display from December through February. Learn more here.
THE ROSS IMPACT - September 3, 2022 - November 22, 2022
Lebanon Township artist H. Donald Ross (1912-2003) created over five hundred commissioned works of art, mainly of historic sites in and around Hunterdon County. Some of these structures still stand but many do not--which means his impact on preserving local history through art is undeniable.
Countless local residents still recall Don with fondness as a favored teacher, friendly school custodian, helpful neighbor and talented artist who created breathtaking depictions of beloved homes and churches. Thus, The Ross Impact on the community was twofold--both as an artist and as a friend. See a virtual version of the exhibit here.
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS!
May 1, 2022 - September 3, 2022
Join us in celebrating the Lebanon Township Museum's first forty years! Since 1982, the Lebanon Township Museum has been not only a site for housing and displaying historical artifacts but also a vital part of the community: a place for gathering, sharing talents and learning together. Our exhibit runs through September. Or visit the virtual exhibit here.
March 1 - April 30 2022
There’s a double entendre in the title of our current exhibit, “From Our Perspective.” The show is made up of 1-point perspective drawings made by Valley View 4th graders with teacher Nicole Newcomb and 2-point perspective drawings created by Woodglen Eighth Graders with teacher Alex Maxwell.
Literally speaking, perspective drawing is a technique that gives the illusion of spatial depth. Figuratively, the featured artists’ ages range from 9-14 so there’s the additional meaning of “perspective” as being from a young person’s point of view.
The Musconetcong Watercolor Group celebrates its thirteenth anniversary with a display of recent works at the Lebanon Township Museum. While there is no overarching theme of the artists’ works for this exhibit, natural scenes remain their collective inspiration. Taking that into consideration along with the comfortable and charming atmosphere of the schoolhouse-turned-museum, the exhibit has been named Hyggelig. It’s a Danish/Norwegian adjective (pronounced hue-guh-leeg) used to describe a “cozy and warm atmosphere of togetherness in a pleasant setting surrounded by the beauty of nature.”
As the winter winds blow in and the ground becomes covered with snow, we invite you in to share the warmth and beauty provided by the Musconetcong Watercolor Group’s Anniversary Exhibit, Hyggelig. The exhibit continues until the end of February 2022.
The unintended theme in this collection of quilts made by the members of the Courthouse Quilters over the past three years is Perception.
How does one interpret a whispered message or, in this case, a shared theme? How does one find the beauty in tragedy? How does one draw inspiration and make the decision to create something literal, figurative, imaginative or whimsical? When the theme is given invariably--a window--does one create a scene from the inside looking out or the outside looking in?
It all depends on Perception.
The Lebanon Township Museum's first in-person exhibit since March 2020 features an exciting and eclectic display of fascinating artifacts acquired by the museum alongside distinctive works of art created by local artists over the past fifteen months.
Due to the pandemic, summer 2020 lacked the normal busy schedule of vacations, camp and backyard get-togethers. Our Summer Staycation virtual exhibit took inspiration from the past to provide modern ideas for making the most of local attractions as well as instructions for games and activities at home.
The Threading the Needle exhibit honored women's activism and celebrated the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment. It featured quilts created by the members of the Courthouse Quilters and was the last in-person event at the museum before the pandemic lockdown began.
In 1989, all of the Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette and Senior Girl Scout troops in the township helped create ah historic coloring book of Lebanon Township. You might recognize some of the names of the girls, leaders, individuals and businesses that helped support the project. Check out page 15 if you’d like a laugh!