In 1849, Eleazar and Joanna Cotton Morton moved into their newly- built home, now the oldest standing home in Benton Harbor, at 501 Territorial Road. They were the first European settlers in what is now Benton Harbor, building a log cabin, which served as a hotel, in 1836, just east of the "great marsh" near a spring of fresh water. Henry Morton, one of Eleazar and Joanna's ten children, helped his father build the home and he and his wife, Josephine, lived with his parents. He was one of the founders of Benton Harbor with Sterne Brunson and Charles Hull. James Stanley, the only son of Henry and Josephine to live to adulthood, married Carrie, and they were the third generation to live in the House. Their four sons died before their parents. J. Stanley, a businessman and shipping co-owner, deeded the House to the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph Federation of Women's Clubs to be preserved, maintained, and used permanently for "memorial, educative,and other similar purposes" and to be named in honor of his mother, Josephine Morton Memorial Home. The House is open for tours April through October on Sundays, 1 to 4 P.M.

     Morton House Museum is located at the corner of Territorial and Hull, just up the hill from the Benton Harbor Arts District.

     Our Home Page will be used to tell you of our regular General Meetings and our Special Events. Our internet address is http://www.parrett.net/~morton/.

Attention Teachers and Community Service Providers: Morton House Museum is sponsoring an education program for elementary students. Noel Bash is our Education Chair and can be contacted at bash5849@sbcglobal.net. She presents an historic-geared program with several hands-on opportunites for the students emphasizing Morton House Museum.

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IMPORTANT DATES
  April 22,2007, 1-4 PM. - Morton House Museum opens the season for tours. We suggest a donation of $5 for adults, children 12 and under accompanied by a paying adult, free.
  June 24, 2007, 1-4PM - Special Summer Sunday at Morton House Museum.
  July 4, 2007 - The Museum will participate in the 4th of July Day Parade, followed by Lemonade on the Lawn at 501 Territorial.
    

Our Membership Drive is now in progress. If you have not received a Membership letter and wish more information about membership in the Federation, please contact Mrs. Martha Shindeldecker at 1452 Downing, Benton Harbor, MI. 49022.

     Any questions regarding our activities or Morton House Museum may be directed to the President, Chuck Jager at 269-556-0328, or an E-mail directed to:smith.arnold@gmail.com

Click here for recent pictures.Click here for Museumland.

Number of visitors

Arnold E. Smith
smith.arnold@gmail.com

Copyright © 1996 Arnold E. Smith
This Home Page was created by WebEdit,Monday, November 11, 1996
Most recent revision Saturday, February 3, 2007