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Community Corner

Thomas Nast Brings Down Boss Tweed

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum currently has on display through August 17th 2014 “Thomas Nast Brings Down Boss Tweed”, in the second floor Thomas Nast Gallery.  The popular exhibit features over twenty examples of the political cartoons Thomas Nast created attacking Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall.  

Thomas Nast (1840-1902) is one of the most recognized names in the world of political cartoons.  Often called the father of American political cartooning, Nast’s images remain popular today.  His well-known depictions of the Democratic donkey and Republican elephant, conceived more than 100 years ago, continue to represent both parties.  Uncle Sam and Columbia, two of his favorite figures to draw, are still recognized as symbols for the United States of America.  Nast’s battlefront and home front images drawn during the Civil War were powerful tools for bringing the war into people’s homes. The artist’s iconic representations of Santa Claus, which Nast made universally popular, still appear on a variety of surfaces each year during the holiday season.  

The campaign that contributed most to Thomas Nast’s fame was the one he carried on so relentlessly against the Tammany Ring of New York in the 1870s.  The target of Nast’s attack was “Boss” William M. Tweed (1823-1878), the political leader of New York City’s Tammany Hall. Tweed worked his way up from ward politician to become the most powerful political force in the city and state of New York.  As head of the city’s Commission of Public Works, Tweed was in position to hand out lucrative contracts to his cronies who “kicked back” a major part of their receipts to the Ring.  By appointing his Tammany Hall associates to key public offices, Tweed was able to prevent disclosure of his fraudulent activities. Visit this interesting exhibit during touring hours until August 17th.  

The next exhibit in the Thomas Nast Gallery opens on September 7th.  Mounted to commemorate the final year of the Civil War Sesquicentennial (2011-2015), this second floor exhibit will include stirring images of a nation in conflict. Nast illustrated battles, Union and Confederate troop movements, and their activities throughout the Civil War.  He also captured the poignancy of those back home, who worried about their family members in combat.  Nast covered both the home and battle fronts; his work was the main source of information about the war for many people. His illustrations in publications like “Harper’s Weekly” brought the information about what was happening into the homes of the American public, the way mass media does today. 

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum preserves the history of the Macculloch-Miller families, the Morris area community, and the legacy of its founder W. Parsons Todd through its historic site, collections, exhibits, and educational and cultural programs. The Museum is open for house and exhibit tours on Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. The last tour leaves at 3pm. Adults $8; Seniors & Students $6; Children 6 – 12 $4. Members and children under 5 are free. The gardens at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum are open Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm and Sundays 1pm - 4pm unless posted otherwise. The gates are secured at all other times. Please check our website for any holiday closings. Call (973) 538-2404 ext. 10, visit our website www.maccullochhall.org or find us on Facebook.  Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, 45 Macculloch Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960.  Macculloch Hall Historical Museum received an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.  Macculloch Hall Historical Museum is a nonprofit educational affiliate of the W. Parsons Todd Foundation.
 

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