National Landmarks
Morris County is home to four important National Historic Landmarks. They include the Gustav Stickley homestead, the Morristown National Historical Park, the Thomas Nast home and the factory building where the telgraph was demonstrated successfully for the first time. We are very proud of our history of innovation which has contributed to the growth and development of America, especially in the arts and communications. The National Landmarks are The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms, Morristown National Historical Park, Villa Fontana and Historic Speedwell.
Villa Fontana: Thomas Nast House
50 Macculloch Avenue
The site is one of four National Historic Landmarks in Morris County. It derives its name from the front yard’s fountain which has the original basin. The house was built c. 1865 in the Second Empire style, and received landmark status in 1964. Renovations have resulted in the neo-classical Victorian seen today. This was home to political cartoonist, Thomas Nast, and his family from 1872 to 1902. Nast created the images of Columbia, Santa Claus, the Republican Elephant, Democratic Donkey, Tammany Tiger and Uncle Sam. His cartoons influenced the outcomes of several presidential elections. The interiors of the home and surrounding streetscapes appeared in many of Nast’s drawings. Guests to the Nasts’ home included Mark Twain and Ulysses S. Grant.
Please note this is a private home.
