The National Park Service at Morristown National Historical Park (NHP) is pleased to announce that Capitol Exhibit Services, Inc. of Manassas, Virginia was recently awarded a $1.679 million contract to produce, fabricate and install exhibits in Morristown NHP’s Washington’s Headquarters Museum. The project includes completing the museum’s military gallery and mini-theater on its main level, and creating the Discover History Center (DHC) interactive exhibits on the museum’s ground floor.
The DHC will be an immersive, 21st-century exhibit that will engage visitors of all ages with hands-on and multi-media experiences to explore the stories of Morristown, New Jersey’s significant role in the American Revolution. On the museum’s main level, the military gallery exhibit will feature an interactive timeline overview of the Revolutionary War. A dedicated mini-theater space for the park’s introductory video, uniform signage, and audio-description and listening devices will ensure accessibility for all visitors to the museum.
Capitol Exhibit Services, Inc. has assembled a stellar team to produce and install the exhibits including: Hillman & Carr (AV & multi-media); Karen Carr Studios (illustrations); Audio Description Associates, Inc. (exhibit audio-description); and Drill Construction, Inc. (construction services). Drill Construction, is a local New Jersey company headquartered in West Orange.
Morristown NHP Superintendent Tom Ross stated of the contract award, “We are so pleased to have such an excellent exhibit fabrication firm in Capitol Exhibit Services, Inc.; their top-notch team will bring our exciting design plans to reality. Visitors from both near and far will immerse themselves in the Discover History Center and learn about the nationally-significant events that occurred in and around Morristown during the Revolutionary War.”
This partnership project was made possible through the park’s legislated partner, the Washington Association of New Jersey (WANJ), whose Noble Cause Campaign raised $1.6 million to renew and enhance the Washington’s Headquarters Museum galleries from 2005-2011, and now has donated an additional $1.7 million for the new Discover History Center.
“The National Park Service does a terrific job caring for and protecting the special places saved by the American people so that we may all enjoy and appreciate our great historic heritage,” said Eileen Cameron, President of the Washington Association of NJ. “As we reach the goal line with this important project, the WANJ Board of Trustees is appreciative of the many friends, families, businesses and foundations who have so generously given to the DHC where visitors, especially elementary school children and older students, will learn about the leadership of General George Washington and of the courage of the soldiers of the Continental Army who sacrificed so much to found a new, never before achieved, independent nation with individual liberties. We look forward to welcoming children and families from across the nation and globe to be entertained by these fascinating exhibits and learn our unique history.”
Related construction and preparatory activities that occurred in 2016 in anticipation of this contract award included renovations to the museum’s visitor information desk and store. NPS staff along with exhibit designer Steve Feldman Design LLC will provide project management and review services over the Capitol Exhibit Services contract. The entire DHC exhibit project is scheduled to be completed by late December 2017.
