May 23, 2012

To the Editor:

On behalf of the “Morven in May: A Celebration of Art, Craft and Garden” committee, we would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to all who helped make this year’s special event possible, including too many individuals to mention here.  A special thank you to our corporate sponsors who provided both financial and in-kind support, including Baxter Construction; Callaway Henderson International Realty; Howard Design Group; Jack Morton Exhibits; Masterminds Advertising; PrincetonScoop; RBC Wealth Management; Robert Wood Johnson IV Charitable Trust; and Suplee Clooney, & Co.

The weekend commenced with a festive preview garden party under a grand tent on Morven’s Great Lawn.  Three hundred of our friends and neighbors enjoyed delicious fare provided by Main Street Fine Catering while perusing the beautifully crafted art objects on display by our talented invited artisans.  Over 700 attended the art show throughout the weekend alongside our traditional heirloom plant sale, which, this year, sold three times the number of plants than ever before!  All proceeds from Morven in May fund Morven Museum & Garden’s historic gardens, exhibitions and public programs.

Thank you, again, and we look forward to seeing you next year!

Leigh Constable Bartlett

Betsy Griffith

Ruth Wilson

2012 Morven in May Co-Chairs

April 25, 2012

“Morven in May: A Celebration of Art, Craft and Garden” will take place on May 4 through 6 under a 60-by-100-foot tent on Morven’s great lawn. Along with an array of hand-crafted art works, there will be a sale of heirloom perennials and unique annuals ready for planting in spring gardens.

Situated on five landscaped acres in Princeton, Morven is the former New Jersey Governor’s mansion. It showcases the cultural heritage of the Garden State through exhibits of fine, folk, and decorative arts, and educational programs. It is open for tours throughout the year thanks to a general operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission; a Friends group; and proceeds from special events like “Morven in May.”

Friends of Morven will have an opportunity to preview the plant sale and make purchases at a discount on Friday, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. The weekend officially kicks off with a Friday evening preview garden party from 6 to 8:30 p.m., followed by two days of art and garden sales.

Reservations are required for the preview party, which will feature catering by Main Street (which will also supply refreshments throughout the weekend), and a raffle. “Garden-friendly” attire, including “garden-friendly shoes.” is recommended for the Friday evening event.

Special attractions during the weekend include an appearance by Ray Rogers, author of The Encyclopedia of Container Plants, on Saturday at 2 p.m. Mr. Rogers has profiled more than 500 outstanding plants in 180 genera, and has won 397 blue ribbons and 88 top awards (including five Best in Show) at the Philadelphia International Flower Show for container-grown plants. After a career in public horticulture with the Morris Arboretum and the American Horticultural Society, he has turned to garden writing and speaking. A book signing by the author will follow. This event is free with admission to the show.

Area artists whose work will be featured include Meg Michael (paintings); James Ruocco (wood turner), and Ellie Wyeth (floorcloths).

Mapleton Nurseries and Kube Pak are among the “Partners in Horticulture” participating in “Morven in May.”

All proceeds from the event will help fund the museum’s historic gardens, exhibitions, and educational programming.

Weekend hours are Saturday, May 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, May 6, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. General admission to the Art and Craft Show is $10; Friends of Morven, $8; and children 12 and under, free. Admission to the Plant Sale only is free, and free parking will be available.

For more information visit www.morven.org.