5-22-2023 2:34pm

At Home with George: Honoring Heroes through Photography at Morris Museum

Morris Museum’s Photography Exhibit Honors Sacrifices by Nation’s Famed and Unsung Heroes.

MORRISTOWN, NJ — An evocative photography exhibition opened this week at the Morris Museum, inviting the public to pause, reflect, and honor the brave individuals who gave their lives in service to the country. The exhibit, entitled "At Home with George," offers an intimate glimpse into the sacrifices endured in the fight for American liberty, from the Revolutionary War to the present day.

The Morris Museum, established in 1913 and the only Smithsonian affiliate in New Jersey, is currently housing 21 large-scale photographs by artist Xiomaro, in addition to an engaging clip from a New Jersey PBS episode. This exhibition brings to life the initial sacrifices made during the Revolutionary War and continues the narrative through the many conflicts that followed.

“At Home With George” showcases contemporary fine art photographs of General George Washington’s military headquarters at the Ford Mansion. The Ford Mansion holds the honor of being the first historical park established by Congress and President Herbert Hoover within the National Park System.

Xiomaro, the artist behind these compelling visuals, was commissioned by the National Park Service over five years to create the first and only artistic photographic collection of Morristown National Historical Park.

"As we approach Memorial Day and Independence Day, my photographs aim to not only highlight the connection between General Washington and these significant dates but also pay tribute to the often-overlooked men and women who lost their lives or endured extreme hardship through the decades in the fight for freedom," said Xiomaro.

The exhibition reveals the stark differences in living conditions based on rank and societal structures of the colonial era. The striking images include Theodosia Ford’s bedroom, which was used as sleeping quarters for Washington and his wife, Martha, despite Theodosia being a widow who selflessly offered her home as a military headquarters.

On the other end of the spectrum, a detailed close-up image reveals the rustic interior of a reproduction log hut that housed up to 12 soldiers within a cramped space measuring only 14 feet by 16 feet, capturing the harsh conditions faced by soldiers encamped in nearby Jockey Hollow.

“Xiomaro’s photography is distinctive. His images are composed from unique vantage points typically unseen by the public while his use of natural light captures the experience of living in the 1700s," said Anne Ricculli, Ph.D., the Director of Exhibits and Collections, who curated the exhibition.

In addition to his work in photography, Xiomaro is also the author of "Weir Farm National Historic Site" and frequently appears as a guest on mainstream television news outlets. After a transformative battle with cancer, Xiomaro, a former entertainment attorney and rock musician, found solace and purpose in art photography.

The "At Home with George" exhibition will run until July 30, 2023, at the Morris Museum, located at 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, New Jersey, with generous support from The Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation. For more information, visit www.xiomaro.com or the museum’s website at https://morrismuseum.org/on-view/current/at-home-with-george.