While Mother Nature has been kind to northwest New Jersey, humanity’s innate imperfection has stepped in to cause monumental fires, mine disasters, explosions, and aircraft collisions throughout the 20th century.

MCHS will officially open its new exhibit, Up in Smoke: Northern New Jersey’s Worst Man-Made Disasters: 1910-1989, at Acorn Hall. This photo-driven exhibit brings heroes to light, recognizes the sacrifices of those lost, and illustrates the varied events that brought communities together, tightened safety regulations, and changed legislation nationally.  

Up in Smoke covers twelve 20th-century disasters, five from Morris and seven from its contiguous counties that, due to their scale, severity, loss of life, or ability to cause major changes in workplace safety or fire science, stand as benchmarks with ominous connotations. Still, in understanding the severity of the situations, heroes, some as martyrs, emerge answering a call beyond requirements of duty and advancing our common cause.

Up in Smoke will be available through April 26, 2020.

MCHS is located at Acorn Hall, 68 Morris Avenue, Morristown, and is open Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays, 1-4 p.m. Admission, which includes the exhibits and landscaped grounds, is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for students, and is free for children under 12 and MCHS members.  

Founded in 1945, MCHS is a member-supported 501 (c)3 organization whose mission is to preserve and promote the history of Morris County.