Macculloch Hall Historical Museum

Located in the heart of Morristown, New Jersey's National Historic District, Macculloch Hall Historical Museum was built by George and Louisa Macculloch. The Maccullochs emigrated from London, England to New York City in 1806. In 1810, they purchased 26 acres and a one-story stone bank house from General John Doughty, a commander in George Washington's Army during the Revolutionary War. The Maccullochs built their Federal style brick mansion, the first significant brick structure in Morristown, in 1810 and added onto it in 1812 and 1819 as their family's influence in local, state, and national history grew. Today, MHHM interprets the history and collections throughout the house's well-preserved rooms and galleries. We offer a diverse schedule of changing exhibitions, educational and public programs attended by thousands of visitors annually.

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Resources from Macculloch Hall Historical Museum

Resource Kit

Political Cartoons: Thomas Nast's Editorial Perspective of Current Events in his Time

Thomas Nast (1840-1902) worked at one of the most important illustrated newspapers in the United States during the 19th century. Nast worked for "Harper's Weekly" during the American Civil War (1861-1865). President Abraham Lincoln called Nast his "best recruiting sergeant" for the Union because of the power of his illustrations. Nast built readers' visual literacy through thousands of published images. Nast's political cartoons addressed current events in the United States during his lifetime including: slavery, political corruption, race, war, and other themes. This Resource Kit examines a selection of Nast's political cartoons from the Civil War and asks the following questions: How does an artist's values impact their work? Why does the intended audience matter? How do political cartoons communicate current events?

Created by: Macculloch Hall Historical Museum

Resource Kit

Drawing History: History Told Through Thomas Nast Political Cartoons

Thomas Nast worked at the three most important illustrated newspapers in New York City. Nast worked for "Harper's Weekly" during the Civil War and received recognition from President Abraham Lincoln as his "best recruiting sergeant" for the Union. Through thousands of images drawn by Thomas Nast, he built readers' visual literacy. After just four years working full time at "Harper's Weekly", Thomas Nast took a break during the summer of 1867-1897 to work on his idea for "The Grand Caricaturama", 33 large paintings presented with music and narration telling the history of the United States from Nast's perspective in live theater. Today only 8 of those paintings are known to exist.

Created by: Macculloch Hall Historical Museum

No Rest for the Wicked- Sentenced to More Hard Labor

Thomas Nast drawing published on the cover of Harper's Weekly on December 2, 1876. Donated by Nancy C. and Thomas A. Cantwell

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Another Such Victory, and I am Undone

Thomas Nast drawing published in Harper's Weekly on March 24, 1877

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Our Uncle Sam Going to Take a Rest

Thomas Nast drawing published in Harper's Weekly on April 7, 1877 New donation from the Estate of John Adler

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Nay Patience, Or We Break The Sinews

Thomas Nast drawing published on the front page of Harper's Weekly on May 5, 1877 Donated by Nancy C. and Thomas A. Cantwell

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A Truce- Not a Compromise, But a Chance for High Toned Gentleman to Retire Gracefully from their Very Civil Declarations of War

Thomas Nast image published in Harper's Weekly on February 17, 1877

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Compromise- Indeed

Thomas Nast image printed in Harper's Weekly on January 27, 1877

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The Electoral Vote

Thomas Nast image published in Harper's Weekly on January 27, 1877

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This Terrible Suspense Still Continues

Thomas Nast engraving printed in Harper's Weekly on February 24, 1877.

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4-00,000 More

Engraving by Thomas Nast published in Harper's Weekly on December 9, 1876

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A National Game that is Played Out

Thomas Nast engraving published in Harper's Weekly on December 23, 1876

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"Keep Cool!" Ten Day After the Election and Go South Young Man

Thomas Nast engravings printed in Harpers Weekly on December 2, 1876

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Light Artillery

One of five colored lithographs made for Currier and Ives

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum

Wrap-Up Discussion Questions

Political Cartoons: Thomas Nast's Editorial Perspective of Current Events in his Time

Think about how the arts and any kind of visual medium shape memory and opinion in our democratic society, and how that has been happening for centuries especially as illustrated by Thomas Nast, and how this continues today.

Created by: Macculloch Hall Historical Museum

Student Engagement: Memes

Political Cartoons: Thomas Nast's Editorial Perspective of Current Events in his Time

Team USA gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik at the 2024 Paris Olympics, NBC

Created by: Macculloch Hall Historical Museum

Thomas Nast Illustrates Values: Emancipation

Political Cartoons: Thomas Nast's Editorial Perspective of Current Events in his Time

This is one of Thomas Nast’s most powerful Civil War engravings created when he was just 22 years old. In this double-page centerfold Nast illustrates what he believed to be the past and the future of enslaved people in the United States. Click on each blue star to learn more about the image.

Created by: Macculloch Hall Historical Museum

Thomas Nast Illustrates Current Events

Political Cartoons: Thomas Nast's Editorial Perspective of Current Events in his Time

Click on the stars to learn about the image below. Question to consider: How can political cartoon communicate current events?

Created by: Macculloch Hall Historical Museum

Student Engagement: Find a Political Cartoon

Political Cartoons: Thomas Nast's Editorial Perspective of Current Events in his Time

Find a political cartoon either online or in print. Where did you find your political cartoon? Who is in the political cartoon? What is the political cartoon about?

Created by: Macculloch Hall Historical Museum

Thomas Nast's Intended Audience

Political Cartoons: Thomas Nast's Editorial Perspective of Current Events in his Time

"The Colored Volunteer" and "Light Artillery" and "Girls with Dolls" are companion images in which Nast uses children to illustrate the hopeful impact of the phrase “forever free” of the Emancipation Proclamation. Click through the slideshow to learn more about the two sets of images.

Created by: Macculloch Hall Historical Museum

Thomas Nast Illustrates Values: Columbia

Political Cartoons: Thomas Nast's Editorial Perspective of Current Events in his Time

Thomas Nast used the figure of Columbia to represent the moral conscience of the United States. During Reconstruction from 1865-1875, Nast transformed this allegorical figure from a figure representing the grief of a wounded nation to one personifying justice and equal treatment. Click through the slide show to see how Nast used the image of Columbia in three different political cartoons.

Created by: Macculloch Hall Historical Museum

Thomas Nast- The Artist

Political Cartoons: Thomas Nast's Editorial Perspective of Current Events in his Time

Click through the slide show to read more about Thomas Nast's life and accomplishments.

Created by: Macculloch Hall Historical Museum

Grand Caricaturama Newspaper Reviews

Drawing History: History Told Through Thomas Nast Political Cartoons

Read the reviews about Thomas Nast's Grand Caricaturama from different newspapers. Highlight phrases or words that praise the Grand Caricaturama. Circle phrases or words that are critical of the Grand Caricaturama.

Created by: Macculloch Hall Historical Museum

Wrap-Up Discussion

Drawing History: History Told Through Thomas Nast Political Cartoons

Think about how the arts and any kind of visual medium shape memory and opinion in our democratic society, and how that has clearly been happening for years, especially through Nast, and how it continues today.

Created by: Macculloch Hall Historical Museum

The Last Ditch Discussion

Drawing History: History Told Through Thomas Nast Political Cartoons

Read about Thomas Nast's painting, "The Last Ditch", in Activity #4 and answer the questions below.

Created by: Macculloch Hall Historical Museum

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