Museum of Early Trades & Crafts Fall Newsletter 2022
Winter Newsletter 2025/2026
Thank you for Celebrating our Community
In This Issue Celebrating our Community
From the Director
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Thanks to your support, our annual Fundraising Gala on October 9 raised over $50,000 for the museum, with the proceeds directly benefiting METC’s educational programs for students, senior adults, and people living with disabilities.
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Donations are a significant part of METC’s income, allowing us to continue our mission of educating and inspiring the public across all age groups.
Calendar of Events 3
During the evening, guests enjoyed music by The Jerry Vezza Trio, cocktails and luscious finger foods, as well as an elegant dinner. After special recognition of three community partners, The Support Network, The Kubert School, and the The Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund and the Morris County Board of County Commissioners, guests participated in a live auction in support of the museum’s educational programming. Master of Ceremonies, actor/comedian Jim Conroy, led the generous crowd through a live auction that funded specific programs for the museum.
Thank you to our Gala Sponsors
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New Exhibits
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We are extremely grateful for the support and generosity of our community which keeps METC vibrant, providing us with the resources to engage thousands of individuals each year, and our broad reach encompasses students, families, senior adults, classroom teachers, artists, historians, and researchers who use our collection and resources to deepen their understanding of history.
Education Update
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We value the generosity of our community whose donations fund programs, research and new technologies, supporting the museum's mission of accessibility to a broader audience, providing opportunities for all people to learn about and understand the world, and the many cultures and ways of life different from their own.
Thank you
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Museum of Early Trades & Crafts
9 Main Street, Madison NJ 07940
973-377-2982
fax 973-377-7358
www.metc.org
From the Director As autumn colors fill our streets, our historic building stands proudly at the heart of our community. We are reminded of how history surrounds us, and how vital it is to keep that history alive for future generations. At the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts (METC), we are doing just that with our innovative educational programs for thousands of students each year. Our hands-on field trips and in-class experiences connect young learners to the tools, skills, and stories of early America—helping them understand not only how things were made, but also how communities worked together to build the world we know today. This year, we’ve expanded our programs to reach more underserved schools across New Jersey, ensuring that every child has access to high-quality, curriculum-based learning, regardless of financial barriers. Budget cuts at the federal level are concerning, especially when it comes to the sustainability of exhibitions and educational programs, and have put some longterm projects at risk. But while we have had to re-allocate funding in certain areas, our educational impact continues to be strong. This year the museum is on track to serve over 6,000 individuals through educational programs alone, many funded through the generous scholarship program supported by our donors. Inside our beautifully preserved 1899 Richardsonian Romanesque building, we continue to celebrate craftsmanship and creativity through engaging exhibitions, artifact conservation, and public programs that connect the past to today’s world. Each object in our collection tells a story of ingenuity and perseverance. These stories inspire us all to think about the value of work, community, and innovation. And inside our Education Annex, housed in the equally historic James Building across the street, our educators creatively connect visitors to the history and experiences of people who came before us. Museums bring us together, forge connections, and inspire conversation. As social creatures, the majority of people visit museums with family and friends. These connections bring museums into the social fabric of our lives. It is your support that makes this all possible. As a nonprofit organization, METC depends on contributions from individuals like you to sustain our educational programs, preserve our historic building, and care for our growing collection. If you have not yet made a gift in 2025, we invite you to join us now with a tax-deductible donation. Your gift—no matter the size—directly supports the next generation of thinkers, makers, and leaders who will carry our shared history forward. Please visit metc.org/donate or mail your check to METC, 9 Main Street, Madison NJ 07940 to make your contribution today. Together, we can ensure that the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts remains a place where history inspires learning, creativity, and community for years to come. With gratitude, Deborah Farrar Starker, METC Executive Director Winter Newsletter 2025/2026
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS For more information or to register please visit www.metc.org/events
Holiday Arts Festival in the METC Education Annex: • 11/28: 1-2PM Alejandro Ataucusi, 2:30-3:30 Anthony Francesco • 11/29: 12-1PM Spotlight Kids, 1:30-2:30PM Danello, the Sad Surfer Please note our 2025 holiday hours: • Closing at 2PM on 11/26 and closed 11/27. • Closed 12/24 through 12/26 • Closed 1/1 • As a reminder, we are always closed on Mondays.
January 3—Makerspace Drop by between 11am and 3pm and let your creativity fly. January 19—School’s Out: Martin Luther King Jr Day Celebrate community and kindness by making heart-shaped sun catchers, pop up rainbows, and more. January 25— New Exhibit—Booked 20: FORMations opens See page 5 for exhibit details. January 27—The Complete American Revolution Lecture Series—Part 1: The Road to Revolution See below for full details.
February 16— School’s Out Craft for Presidents’ Day School’s out but fun is in! For children ages 5-12, come create weather-related crafts. February 24: The Complete American Revolution Lecture Series—Part 2: The Revolutionary War See below for full details. March 7 —Makerspace Creative exploration from 11am-3pm. March 21—NJ Makers Day Celebrate this extravaganza of STEM from 11AM-3PM.
February 7—Makerspace: Chocolate Walk Edition March 31—The Complete American Revolution Lecture Join us between 11am and 3pm and make origami chocolate Series—Part 3: After the Revolutionary War boxes, valentines, and more! See below for full details.
The Complete American Revolution Lecture Series with Joel Farkas Part 1: Road to the Revolution Covering the time from 1453-1776, this lecture covers our beginnings as the Colonies and follows the birth of America through the French and Indian War, taxation, and finally declaring independence. Part 2: The Revolutionary War From 1775-1783, learn more about the battles, the local encampments, and the key players that were integral in winning our independence. Part 3: After the Revolutionary War This last lecture of the series will focus on the years following the Revolutionary War, from 1783-1812, including the first Constitution, the Hamilton Burr Duel, and how we confirmed our independence. Winter Newsletter 2025/2026
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Winter Newsletter 2025/2026
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Upcoming Exhibits
BAR BOOKED 20: FORMATIONS Opens January 25 Ideas, plans, and movements can all evolve into tangible forms. The talented artists of the Book Arts Roundtable will captivate your eyes and minds with their visions of form in BOOKED 20. Some special pieces will evoke the transformation of this nation in recognition of RevNJ. METC is pleased to partner once again with The Book Arts Roundtable, the museum’s artists in residence, and a modern-day example of using crafts and skills to create beautiful book arts.
Save the dates Afterhours Artist Talks on February 12 and March 5 at 7PM— Join Book Arts Roundtable Coordinator Chris Schorr and the METC Curator Claudette Stecher Lopez for an in depth and behind the scenes tour of the exhibit. Artist Workshops on February 21 and March 14 at 1PM for adults.
In the Education Annex Windows in January— Lucille Hobbie’s Revolutionary Prints Beginning in 2026, the year of our Semiquincentennial, we are pleased to showcase the prints of Lucille Hobbie. These drawings of Revolutionary New Jersey Sites were commissioned in 1976 for the bicentennial.
Winter Newsletter 2025/2026
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Updates from our Education Annex 2025 Wrap Up •
The Education Department has seen significant growth this past year. From 2024 to 2025, there was a 22% increase in the number of school field trips and scout programs booked.
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We were able to use over $20,000 in grants from OOS to provide free programming at the museum to students from the Oranges and Maplewood.
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In December, our educators are excited to bring the entire third grade class from the local Madison Public Schools to METC! At the museum, they will learn about real people who emigrated to New Jersey in the 1800s through hands-on activities that coordinate with learning in their classrooms.
What’s Next •
Going into 2026, we have already seen a sharp increase in the number of adult programs being booked for the new year. We are excited for these new opportunities to build long-term relationships with organizations throughout New Jersey.
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Through the continued collaboration among educators, volunteers, and interns, we look forward to sustaining the growth from 2025 going into 2026.
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Starting up again in January, keep an eye out for the monthly Makerspace along with Holiday and School’s Out crafts that we continue to host throughout the school year.
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We are continuing to offer volunteer and internship opportunities to local college and high school students interested in history and education.
Sharing Knowledge and Experience Field trips and hands-on learning is key for promoting critical thinking and building strong imaginations. The exposure to new ideas and knowing how to use evidence to understand people is priceless. To accompany our robust field trip programs, we host various programs, events, and workshops tailored to each group. From Makerspace to adult lectures, the Education Department continues to find new ways to connect with those in our community. Regardless of age, hands-on learning and in-person discussions are ways for everyone to connect with and learn from each other. Make sure to follow METC on social media and check our website for new and upcoming events. We hope to see you soon!
Winter Newsletter 2025/2026
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T h a n k Yo u f o r Yo u r S u p p o r t * New & Renewing Members and Donors to our Annual Appeal* A.J. O'Connor Associates Nancy Adamczyk Muhammed Meraj Ahmed Martin Barbato Thomas Bintinger Andrew & Leigh Bolt Mimi Brooks Senator Anthony Bucco Carteret Public Library Kaitlin Casey Francisco Colon Blair & Donna Conley Stephanie Conrad County of Morris Tricia Coyle Barbara & John Cullere Patricia Dufort Aura Dunn Louise Easton John Egan Colin Failey Anna Fields Gary & Liz Fisch Liam Fitzgerald James & Janet Foster Frasso Landscaping Suzanne G. Hal Garwin & Meg Wastie Jeffery Gertler & JoJo Starbuck Melissa Goldin Magee Steven & Francesca Gooby Sofi Graure Scott & Nancy Guempel Thomas Haralampoudis Paul Haus
Andrew Hickman & Samantha Pozner Melissa Honohan Jarrett Hynes Ryan Hynson Legacy Philanthropy Group Mary Ellen Lenahan Laura Levine Valerie Librizzi Bill Lopez Dennis Lowenthal & Sharon Selinger David & Sylvia Luber Madison Historical Society Madison Area YMCA Douglas Magill Mark & Kathleen Haines Irene Maroney Anthony & Jaclyn Marques Judy Martorelli MCJ Amelior Foundation Joseph McNally Donna McNamara Patricia Miller Rebecca Moody Patricia Morgan Mr. & Mrs. Adam & Samantha Greene Mr. & Mrs. Darron Braslow Mr. & Mrs. Stacy Russo Mr. & Mrs. Tierney Mr. Michael Schloff Ms. Andrea Shenocca Ms. Annabelle Radcliffe Trenner Ms. Maria Lupo, Manager Ms. Mary McKenna Ms. Rebecca Fields
Corinne Murphy Abhinav Natarajan New Providence Memorial Library Adrienne Novak Kyle & Christy O'Connor John Oppenheimer & Corinne Nallet Brent & Nancy Phillippi Arthur Powell Bonne Rawley Amy & Daniel Reed Richard & Judith Jahnke Ridgefield Library Robert & Suzanne Rocco Gary Ruckelshaus Fernando Ruiz Judith Seery Meave Sheehan Mark Sheeleigh Paul & Katherine Skilton Isaac & Deborah Starker The Boles Family Tom & Maureen Byrne Silvina Traba Tyler C. Merson & Victoria Vitarelli Union Public Library Jerry & Diane Vezza Jen Walters Township of Washington Public Library Friends of Westfield Memorial Library Edward Zampella Ruth Zowader *7-7-2025 though 11-18-2025
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Winter Newsletter 2025/2026
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9 Main Street Madison, NJ 07940
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts founded by Edgar & Agnes Land in 1969 with their original collection of over 8,000 artifacts.
Our Vision Sharing the past, imagining the future.
Our Mission To inspire a connection with New Jersey’s history, culture, trades, and crafts.
Acknowledgements METC gratefully acknowledges generous funding from: The Fred W. Bruehne Trust • Borough of Madison The Charles L. Read Foundation • Citizens Bank Fund Hyde & Watson Foundation • Investors Foundation Madison Rotary • Madison Downtown Development Commission • Morris County Historic Preservation Trust National Endowment for the Humanities New Jersey Council for the Humanities • Orange Orphan Society • The Park Avenue Foundation • Provident Bank New Jersey Historic Trust • The NJ Arts Recovery Act Morris Arts The Museum of Early Trades & Crafts receives an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.
METC Board of Trustees
Martin Barbato, Chair Tyler Merson, Secretary Irene Maroney, Treasurer Andrew B. Boles Jeff Gertler Valerie Librizzi Patricia Morgan Shea Richardson Gary Ruckelshaus Michael Schloff Silvina Traba Virginia Wilson Ex-Officio The Honorable Bob Conley, Mayor of Madison METC Staff Deborah Farrar Starker Jefferson W. Kirby Executive Director Elizabeth Quay Deputy Director
Claudette Stecher-Lopez Curator of Collections Nicole Rowland Finance Manager Amy Reed Communications Manager Isabella Sangaline Museum Educator Brooke Figueiredo Museum Educator Stanley Ramirez Museum Assistant Katie Riso Curatorial Assistant Kathleen Brennan Barrett Part-Time Educator
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts
In Our Revolutionary Era
9 Main Street, Madison, NJ 07940
973-377-2982
fax: 973-377-7358
www.metc.org