Time: 4:30 pm
Contact: Karen Hollywood, Publicity and Programs Coordinator Macculloch Hall Historical Museum / khollywood@maccullochhall.org / www.maccullochhall.org / (973) 538-2404 ext 15
“Collecting Oriental Rugs in America, Then and Now”
On Sunday April 21st at 4:30pm Macculloch Hall Historical Museum welcomes Oriental rug expert DeWitt Mallary to present “Collecting Oriental Rugs in American, Then and Now”. Mr. Mallary will discuss the evolution of Oriental rug collecting in America over the past century or so, as well as discussing the Museum’s rug collection. Macculloch Hall Historical Museum’s collection was assembled by its founder, W. Parsons Todd. Todd joined the Hajji Baba Club, America's first rug collectors group, in 1933, shortly after the group began. Mr. Mallary will consider what rugs were available and considered collectible then, and throughout Mr. Todd’s collecting period over the next several decades. He will also consider how tastes and preferences, supply and demand have affected the collecting of oriental rugs and textiles since then. Mr. Mallary will then discuss some of the rugs in the Museum's collection.
Mr. Todd began collecting rugs in the 1920s, when few collectors were paying attention to them and information was scarce. Relying on his taste and instincts, Mr. Todd purchased 65 rugs, ranging geographically from Morocco to China and chronologically from the sixteenth through the early twentieth centuries. Although the rugs are not concentrated in any specific group, Mr. Todd built an outstanding collection; he purchased some pieces in poor condition because his priority was a rug’s beauty, rarity, and content. This programwill be presented in the main gallery where vivid examples of the antique Oriental rug collection are currently being showcased, complemented by textbook examples of fine porcelain, silver, glass and furniture collected by Museum founder, W. Parsons Todd. The “A Fine Collection: Treasures from the Vault” exhibit has a perimeter layout which leaves the center of the room open for a series of speakers and musical programming taking place in conjunction with the exhibit. Musical programs take place on the first Sunday of the month at 4:30pm and speakers on the third Sunday of the month through June.
DeWitt Mallary has been collecting and studying rugs and textiles over the past three decades. From his original focus on Baluch and Turkmen rugs, his interests have expanded to many other areas of antique rugs and textiles. He has been a Contributing Editor of HALI Magazine for over 20 years, delivered papers at the International and American Conferences on Oriental Carpets, and curated exhibitions and given presentations at a host of rug meetings and symposia in American and Europe. He is a long-standing member of the Hajji Baba Club, America’s first and oldest rug collector’s group. He co-authored a catalog of Todd’s collection at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum.
Tickets for Sunday programs will go on sale from 1pm on the day of the program, no advance sales. The presentation begins at 4:30pm. House tours (regular admission applies) take place throughout the afternoon, the last tour leaves at 3pm. The upstairs galleries will remain open until 4:30pm, with the “A Fine Collection” exhibit closing at 3pm in preparation for the program. Tickets to hear speakers are Adults $8; Seniors & Students $6; Children 6 – 12 $4. Members and children under 5 are free. Speaker tickets include admission to take part in a house tour through the period rooms of the Museum for visitors who sign up for a tour during the afternoon. Visitors can also enjoy the “Thomas Nast: President Maker and Campaign Breaker”, and the “American Heroes in Bronze” exhibits prior to the presentation. Galleries close at 4:30pm.
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 are open (free of charge) during Museum hours. 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 is a nonprofit educational affiliate of the W. Parsons Todd Foundation.
Image attached: Macculloch Hall Historical Museum_ MHHM_DeWitt Mallary_April rug presentation
