Museum of Early Trades & Crafts
Spring Newsletter 2025
Museums, such as ours, have always been at the center of history where the authentic stories are told. For over 55 years, METC has been sharing stories of the many different people who built our communities, farmed the land, and worked in the trades, leaving behind evidence of their time here. It is our collection and our exhibits that make up these pieces of evidence to help us understand and learn from the history that came before us.
For the past few years, METC has been a proud partner of RevolutionNJ, working with other organizations in preparation of the celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026 and actively involved in collaborations and projects at the state and local level. We are fortunate that New Jersey, “The Crossroads of the American Revolution” is rich in stories to tell and that our history is “a reservoir we can dip into.” While working on new exhibits and activities for the 250th, we intend to dip into that reservoir and share those rich and vibrant stories about the wide range of diverse experiences from the American Revolution.
As we prepare for this celebration of America, we are also aware of major funding cuts to federal granting agencies that support museums, libraries and other history and educational institutions. The recent dismantling of the National Endowment for Humanities (NEH) and the Institute of Museums and Library Services (IMLS) will have a chilling effect on thousands of nonprofit institutions that rely on granting support for their programs, archives, collections and research. METC has benefitted from this funding, and we are concerned about how these changes will impact what we do going forward. Small museums like ours have always done more with less, but now that less is being reduced even further.
While I do not know what the future holds, I do know that there is no better time to partner with us as we continue to forge ahead with new and exciting opportunities to engage with our museum. Whether you are looking for a deep dive into history, a program on crafting, a leisurely guided tour of our historic building, or a field trip for young scholars, METC will continue to be here for you, and to help you make your own personal connection to our museum.
I hope you will consider supporting METC with a donation to our Annual Fund this spring which will provide us with the resources we need to continue to create new and exciting ways to engage our visitors. You can donate online at metc.org/donate or mail your check directly to us.
We are so grateful to our community and for your continued support that enables us to keep history alive!
Thank you!
Deborah Farrar Starker, METC Executive Director
An informed community is an engaged community, and an engaged community will fight for its museums. To reach out to your local representatives about funding museums and libraries, here is some contact information
• Do you work in a museum or library? Contact your members of Congress using this contact form from the National Humanities Alliance at https://p2a.co/DdtlGIT Tell Congress how the NEH supports your work and the field.
• Do you love museums and libraries? Contact your local elected officials them to contact their peers in Congress to support the NEH using this form: https://p2a.co/HJwNkhW
Hang onto your hats… SUMMER IS COMING!
Back by popular demand, Workspace Wednesday will keep your summer doldrums (and summer slide) away! With expanded programming, Workspace is available every Wednesday from June 25 until August 27.
Morning Sessions will run from 10AM-12PM for caregivers and children under 6. Afternoon Drop Off Sessions will run 2-4PM for children ages 7-11. Join us in our collaborative workspace in the METC Education Annex to build, create, explore, and more!
Looking for more Drop Off Fun? Come to our new Friday Drop Off Crafts! (for ages 7-11) This program will run July 18, August 1, and August 15. With a variety of weekly themes ranging from food to animals to space, your child will stay engaged and entertained all summer long.
See page 6 for more information!
2025 CALENDAR OF EVE
For more information or to register please visit
May 3—Makerspace SUPERHERO Edition
May 3rd is Superhero Day in Madison! Join us for a SUPER edition of Makerspace with guest artist Dan Fenelon as you create your own superhero logo. Wear it proudly on your shirt as you chase the Madison Menace through town collecting superpowers. Entrance to the museum is free as you track down the menace.
May 31 Architecture Tour
Did you know that on Memorial day in 1900 Madison’s first public library (and the home of METC) opened? Come celebrate the 125th anniversary of the James Library Building and learn about its history as well as other architectural gems in downtown Madison with the museum’s Executive Director.
June 8 All Ages Guided Tour
Join us for a guided tour of the Museum and its exhibits with the price of your admission at 2pm.
Spend a Saturday at METC
Announcing special pricing for Makerspace participants! When registering for Makerspace, you may notice a new option ”Combo Ticket: Makerspace Plus Museum Admission.” You can now purchase your Makerspace ticket plus discounted Museum entrance fee for the whole family, which includes our hands-on Children's Room. A full day of fun, art, and STEM activities awaits your entire family!
(Members, you still receive FREE Makerspace plus FREE entry into the museum)
FRIDAY NIGHTS THIS SUMMER: DOWNTOWN CONCERT SERIES
Friday, July 11,: Mama D and the Vexations
Friday, July 25: The C3 Soul Revue
Friday, August 8: Zaire
Friday, August 22: Rosewood
Give a warm METC welcome to our new staff
Katie Riso— Curatorial Assistant
Hello, my name is Katie Riso, and I’m excited to join the METC team as a Curatorial Assistant!
My education in Anthropology and Archaeology at Monmouth University sparked my passion for historical research and conservation and led me to the METC. In my free time you can find me hiking or playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends. Please feel free to say hello when you see me!
Patron Services/Curatorial Assistant
We are thrilled to have Catherine expand her role to include both Patron Services and Curatorial work!
Catherine Lynn Shattuck graduated from Drew University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts, double majoring in Art History and Studio Art. She began working at METC in March of 2024 as a Patron Services Assistant and has expanded her role to Collections Assistant and now Curatorial Assistant. As a Curatorial Assistant, Catherine helps care for the museum’s extensive collection by updating object locations in PastPerfect, assessing object conditions in the VSF, and conducting inventories. When she’s not working in the VSF she enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and collecting vinyl records.
has been extended for our visitors at METC through May 11.
Works of art do not spring fully formed from an artist’s hands. They require thought, ideas, time, parts and plans. From the creative process to the literal process, every artist takes steps to create, mold, and transform their final piece–their work of art.
Come take the time to process.
Identity—Coming in May
We are thrilled to partner with the Morris County Vocational School, Design Academy to bring “Identity” to our Education Annex windows. Throughout their time in high school, these students have embraced numerous community service projects, demonstrating their passion for beautifying the spaces around them. This exhibit provides them with a meaningful opportunity to share their unique visual stories and artistic journeys with the community.
Updates from our Education Annex
School Programs
Spring is blooming, and so are our programs! We have experienced a big jump in Outreach programs (where our educators travel to schools) this year. We love visiting students in their classrooms and bringing our exciting hands-on programs to them. Of course, our on site field trips are always in demand providing students with an opportunity to experience our extraordinary museum, and have a full day immersed in New Jersey's history.
Our most popular programs are:
• American Revolution Our education team has included new research to provide students with of many civilian groups who were integral to the war effort
• Trades & Communities We have added a new craft component to this popular program.
Scout Programs
We recently updated our Detective Scout Program with more interactive components. Scouts will be engaged in finding and decoding clues to solve the Case of the Missing METC Artifact. The children are thrilled to solve a “real” mystery. Stay tuned New boy scout programs are coming soon!
Events Recap
• Our sold out “Finger Puppets and Storytelling” event with BAR artist Mickey Waring was a success and participants had loads of fun creating personal puppets.
• METC's “School’s Out” craft events continue to be a crowd pleaser and we have seen a big increase in participation over the last few months.
As always, our team at METC is dedicated to creating educational programming that makes learning fun and exciting. We have so many opportunities for kids of all ages and encourage parents to explore the various options at METC. Over the years, the steady evolution of museums from “informal” educational extras to partners in mainstream education has transformed how we collaborate with schools. Exciting field trips, after-school programs, drop in crafts and outreach are some of the many ways museums are responding to the needs of our educational community.
Upcoming Events
Summer is coming and Workspace Wednesdays will now run EVERY WEDNESDAY from June 25 through August 27.
• Morning Session 10AM-12PM: Caregiver and Child ages 6 and under. Join us to play with blocks, puzzles, and beads, get creative with coloring, and build with Legos. $10/family; free for members.
• Afternoon Session 2-4PM: Drop-Off Program for children ages 7-11. Spend time in the Education Annex in our collaborative work space to build with Legos and blocks, paint, experiment with coding robots, use our 3D Printer, and more! (30 participant limit). $20/child; $10 for members.
Introducing new Friday Drop-off Crafts (for ages 7-11). Drop your child off for an afternoon of fun and creativity in our Education Annex. $20/child; $10 for members.
• July 18, 2-PM: Food and Fun
• August 1, 2-4pm: Blast Off to Space
• August 15, 2-4pm: Animal Crafts
Thank You for Your Support*
New & Renewing Members and Donors to our Annual Appeal*
Axelrod Family
Joseph Balwierczak
Nancy Barrett
Linda Barth
The Boles Family
Dennis & Denise Bone
Suzanne G. Bowles
Larry & Nancy Bruce
David & Judy Casey
Yin Chan Tam
Robert Chapman
Robert Clark
Kinzie & Michael Elfenbein
Ms. Rebecca Fields
Gary & Liz Fisch
James & Janet Foster
Eugene Fox
Stephen Gray & Kathleen M. Ulrich
Scott & Nancy Guempel
Ms. Daphne Hanrahan
Thomas Haralampoudis
Patricia Harris
Andrew Hickman & Samantha Pozner
Tom Judd
Catherine Keim
John Kimball & Astri Baillie
Barbara Kuppersmith
Will Leland
Valerie Librizzi
David & Sylvia Luber
Robert Madara
Michael & Suzie Maguire
Jim & Kate Malcolm
Irene Maroney & Claudio Bergamasco
Kevin & JoAnne McCarthy
Alan Moors
Patricia Morgan
Daniel & Janet Murnick
Benjamin & Edith Ostrom
Ronald H. Partizian
Christine Saraceni
Mr. Michael Schloff
Mark Sheeleigh
In Memory of Tess Sheeleigh
Ms. Andrea Shenocca
Kevin & Caroline Smith
Solu Family
David Strand
Katherine Suell
Ms. Annabelle Radcliffe Trenner
Tyler C. Merson & Victoria Vitarelli
Scott & Tara Wildove
Ruth Zowader
*11-27-2024 through 4-8-25
