(Morristown, NJ) –The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey recently awarded the Morris Museum a grant of $10,000 to support the Guinness Exhibition Program. The funds will provide new educational programs, transportation and lunch for underserved schools and organizations in Newark and Dover, allowing students, teachers and families to visit the museum and to experience the internationally renowned Murtogh D. Guinness Collection. These field trips are for children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to visit a major arts institution. 

“We are delighted to partner with the Morris Museum,” said Larry Altman, executive director of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. “The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey is dedicated to providing needed resources to charitable organizations making an impact in lives of people across New Jersey.”

Students of all ages from the Newark public schools and the Sacred Heart School in Dover will experience the Guinness Exhibition Programs in conjunction with the initial preview exhibition, Musical Machines and Living Dolls. The popular field trip will offer students an in-depth study of the Murtogh D. Guinness Collection of Mechanical Musical Instruments and Automata, while professional museum educators engage them in lively discussions and hands-on activities.

The Newark and Dover schools will make multiple visits over the school year to view the Guinness and other exhibitions.

Children and their families from the Emergency Residence Program, a shelter in Newark, who visit during the museum’s 8th Annual Halloween Extravaganza on Saturday, October 28 will enjoy additional Halloween activities, including pumpkin painting, face painting, creep room, spooky scavenger hunt, arts and crafts projects and a magician.

“Every exhibition at the Morris Museum is a classroom. We place great importance and emphasis on providing exceptional educational opportunities for students from our increasingly diverse communities,” said Steve Miller, Morris Museum executive director. “The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey is assisting us in this effort and we greatly appreciate its collaboration with the Morris Museum.” 

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About the Horizon Foundation

The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, created by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, supports charitable organizations that promote health and other cultural and arts programs throughout New Jersey. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.horizonblue.com/foundation.

About the Morris Museum

Founded in 1913, the Morris Museum explores and celebrates the arts, sciences and history through exhibitions, educational programs, performing arts and special events. The museum serves over 200,000 individuals each year, including 100,000 students and their teachers from elementary, middle and high schools in 13 New Jersey counties.

The Morris Museum, located at 6 Normandy Heights Road (at the corner of Columbia Turnpike) in Morristown, NJ, is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Admission to the museum is $7 for adults and $5 for children, students and senior citizens. Admission is always free for museum members and is free to the public every Thursday between 1 and 8 p.m. For more information, call 973.971.3700 or visit www.morrismuseum.org.