Festival of Trees 2024: Deck the Halls with Matzo Balls!
Wednesday, November 20th, 2024 through Sunday, January 5th, 2025
Our Festival of Trees is a cherished annual tradition that welcomes visitors from far and wide. Stroll the exquisite displays of creativity in our galleries, presented by community nonprofits, schools, garden clubs, and local groups. Since its inception in 2005, we’ve welcomed over 40,000 people.
This year’s theme, Traditions & Celebrations, is inspired by Morven’s history and the stories of its residents, from our current exhibition Morven Revealed: Untold Stories from New Jersey’s Most Historic Home that include Governor Richard Hughes and his wife Betty Hughes:
Nothing makes a house a home more than holiday traditions. A particularly special one began on Christmas Eve 1950 in Trenton. Richard Hughes, who was not yet governor, had suddenly lost his first wife, Miriam, weeks earlier. Hughes did his best to pull Christmas together for his four small children, but nothing seemed right. When his Jewish friends got word of his situation, they arrived on Christmas Eve ready to decorate the tree. The interdenominational Christmas Eve visit became a tradition that continued after Hughes married Betty. She christened the event “Deck the Halls with Matzo Balls!”
Winter Garden Party
Thursday, December 5th, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
(rain or shine)
Closing out our 20th anniversary, this year’s winter fundraising event will celebrate the Hughes’ tradition. The museum will be open for viewing and as a special treat, Honey Hughes, daughter of Richard Hughes and former Morven resident, will sing holiday songs in the galleries along with sharing her family story in the Stockton Education Center at 7 p.m. Stroll outside, warm by a fire pit, visit the museum shop (all guests enjoy a 10% discount), and relax with great company at the event that launches the season of giving. Guests can expect a hearty selection of tasty morsels and warming beverages.
This celebration raises necessary funds to support and build on Morven’s educational programming, exhibitions, and the preservation of this treasured National Historic Landmark!
Levels of Sponsorship
$20,000 Shining Star Sponsor
• 12 tickets to the Winter Garden Party
• Host a private tour at Morven—up to 20 guests, hospitality included
• 40% discount on a private rental of one of our event spaces for up to 100 guests (subject to availability and approval)
$15,000 Blue Moon Sponsor
• 10 tickets to the Winter Garden Party
• Host a private tour at Morven—up to 20 guests, hospitality included
• 25% discount on a private rental of one of our event spaces for up to 100 guests (subject to availability and approval)
$10,000 Angel Sponsor
• 8 tickets to the Winter Garden Party
• Host a private tour at Morven—up to 20 guests, hospitality included
• 15% discount on a private rental of one of our event spaces for up to 50 guests (subject to availability and approval)
$5,000 Herald Sponsor
• 6 tickets to the Winter Garden Party
• Host a private tour at Morven—up to 10 guests, hospitality included
• 10% discount on a private rental of one of our event spaces for up to 50 guests (subject to availability and approval)
$2,500 Sentinel Sponsor
• 4 tickets to the Winter Garden Party
$1,500 Benefactor Sponsor
• 2 tickets to the Winter Garden Party
$500 Patron, priced per person
$250 Supporter, priced per person
To show your support and to be recognized on the Winter Garden Party invitation and webpage, along with receiving the Member discount at the Museum Shop through January 5, 2025, please reserve by October 4.
For more information contact Megan Shackney, Chief Development Officer, at 609-924-8144 x 101 or mshackney@morven.org.
THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS
SHINING STAR
Liza and Sky Morehouse
Robert N. Wilson and Michele Plante
HERALD
Baxter Construction
Capital Health
Carolyn and John Healey
Susan and Tracy MacGregor
Lisa and Michael Ullmann
SENTINEL
Ronica A. Bregenzer, Architect LLC
Glenmede
Rachel and Mark Herr
Douglas Honnold
Courtney Lederer and Mark Thierfelder
Eileen and Bob O'Neil
Sarah Ringer
Ellen and Greg Rogers
BENEFACTOR
Barbara and Thomas Bryne
Honda of Princeton
The Lopez Real Estate Group/Keller Williams Princeton
May and Costa Papastephanou
Alexandra Tatnall
Daphne A. Townsend
Clark Travers
PATRON
Callaway Henderson Sotheby's International Realty
Kerry Perretta
Barbara and Richard Pierce
Ruth Sayer
Jay Vawter
SUPPORTER
Rebecca and Rob Callahan
Jennifer Eident-Finn
Bill Ennist
Wendy Evans
Kim Gallagher
Alexandra Gerry
Ariel and Christopher Green
Madolyn Greve
Linda Knights
David Lauer and Ron Neldberg
Joanne Meehan
Dorothy and Charles Phohn, Jr.
Chris and Liza Rice
Carolyn and George Sanderson
Inez and Richard Scribner
Ann and Austin Starkey
Julie and Craig Wallace
As of October 4, 2024
