CLOSING SOON: Morven Museum & Garden is presenting several programs prior to the February 18 closing ofits “Striking Beauty: New Jersey Tall Case Clocks, 1730-1830” exhibition. (Photo by Sebastian Bach)

Morven Museum & Garden’s latest exhibition, “Striking Beauty: New Jersey Tall Case Clocks, 1730-1830” closes on Sunday, February 18. The first exhibition of its kind, it features more than 50 tall case clocks, representing almost as many different clockmakers, from both private and public collections. The freestanding pendulum clocks are as functional as they are beautiful, with faces made of intricate brass work or painted designs of objects like ships, suns, and moons.

The five-gallery exhibition features clocks from towns including Elizabeth, Newark, Burlington, Flemington, Salem, and more.

In conjunction with the closing of the exhibition, Morven is hosting four programs offering visitors to take a closer look at “Striking Beauty.” First, on Sunday, January 21 at 1 p.m., is an illustrated talk with exhibition advisor Steve Petrucelli, who will discuss the design, mechanics, and history behind the timepieces featured in “Striking Beauty,” offering behind-the-scenes insight on the exhibit’s creation along the way.

This event is hybrid — held both live and online. In-person tickets are $15 general admission, $10 for members and students. Virtual tickets are $10 general admission, $5 for members and students. In-person tickets include access to visit “Striking Beauty” that day during the museum’s open hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A Q&A for both live and virtual attendees will follow the talk. A Zoom webinar link will be shared with virtual ticket holders following registration, and a recording of the event will be provided following the program.

Morven will also host a Tall Case Clock Maquette Making Workshop with the Princeton Academy of Art on Wednesday, January 24 and Thursday, January 25 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Designed for students ages 7-13, this two-day workshop introduces children to the history and design of traditional tall case clocks, starting with an introductory tour of “Striking Beauty.” Afterward, participants will make their way to Morven’s Stockton Education Center for the construction portion of the workshop where the students will receive a set of pre-cut basal wood parts and a detailed set of instructions and will begin putting their clocks together.

The second construction portion of this workshop focuses heavily on exterior design. Children are encouraged to paint and decorate their clocks as they see fit while Morven will provide several photo examples of clocks on display to use for inspiration. At the end of the workshop, children will leave with completed maquettes. Registration is $200 per student.

Next, on Thursday, February 8 at 6 p.m., join Beth Allan, Morven’s interim director and curator. for “Finding Peter Hill: The Life and Times of a New Jersey Clockmaker,” an evening exploring the life and work of America’s earliest documented Black clockmaker. It is believed that he made over 100 tall case clocks during his lifetime, learning the craft while enslaved and then purchasing his own freedom.

This event will be held both live and online. In-person tickets are $15 general admission, $10 for members and students. Virtual tickets are $10 general admission, $5 for members and students. In-person tickets include access to the exhibit from 5 to 6 p.m., where one of Hill’s clocks is on display. A Q&A for both live and virtual attendees will follow the talk. A Zoom webinar link will be shared with virtual ticket holders following registration and a recording of the event will be provided following the program.

The last chance to take a special look at “Striking Beauty” will be during its final weekend at the “Striking Beauty” Exhibition Advisor Open House. Petrucelli will be in the galleries on Saturday, February 17 and Sunday, February 18 from 12 to 3 p.m., answering questions about the exhibit and offering a behind-the-scenes look at the timepieces on display. Tickets are $10 general admission, $8 for students and seniors, and free for Morven members.

Morven Museum & Garden is located at 55 Stockton Street. For more information, visit morven.org.