Named after Dr. Thomas Kerr, Kerr Memorial Museum was home to the doctor, his wife Jessie, and their daughter, Virginia, at the dawn of the 20th century. The museum offers visitors a glimpse of quiet middle class life in the late 1800s - a stark contrast to the loud, smoky industrial capital of Pittsburgh just a few miles down the road. This 19th-century Queen Anne-style home, which also served as Dr. Kerr's medical office, was bequeathed to Oakmont upon Virginia's death in 1994, and is now operated by a staff of volunteers.
The Morris Museum is dedicated to helping individuals enjoy and understand natural and physical sciences, history and the performing arts. It hosts a variety of exhibitions, performances, educational programs, workshops, school field trips and family events. The museum features a collection of more than 40,000 objects, including fine art, dolls, science objects and decorative items. Music boxes, books and other items are available for purchase at the on-site gift shop. All visitors enjoy free admission Thursdays from 5pm to 8pm.
More than 300 years of history are explored in the Morris Plains Borough Museum. Its collection includes historic photographs, maps, postcards, clothing, artifacts and artwork. Among the Museum's most prized possessions are a squirrel-tail-style fire pump, used by the borough's first fire department.
The Morris Plains Museum's stated mission is to "connect the past to the present and make Morris Plains's vibrant history tangible, relevant and meaningful for today's community and for generations to come."
The Morris Plains Museum dates back to 1974. It has been in its present location since 2005.
Its origins date back to the 1920s when the building housed the Somerville Historical Society's art collections, but this location officially became the Somerville Museum in 1988 after generous donations allowed for renovations.
The Somerville Museum is the only community-based and member-supported institution of it's kind in Somerville. Not unlike the Somerville Open Studios (SOS) project, which the museum participates in every year, the space is designed to be a reflection of this community's diversity. Exhibits range from work by local visual artists to historical presentations in a community context and coolaborative efforts with the Somerville Public Schools.
Additionally, the museum serves as a meeting place for cultural organizations and has hosted musical performances.
Somerville Museum encourages people to bring their creative/research ideas to the table for possible exhibit, even if they have no prior experience curating for museums. Please visit the Community Curatorial Program page of the museum's website for more information.
