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Why is Morristown known as the Capital of the American Revolution?
- Morristown, located in Morris County, NJ, played a crucial role in the American Revolutionary War and is home to several historically significant sites.
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What historical attractions can be found in Morristown?
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Visitors can explore the Morristown National Historical Park, which features important Revolutionary War sites such as:
- The New Jersey Brigade Area
- Fort Nonsense
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Visitors can explore the Morristown National Historical Park, which features important Revolutionary War sites such as:
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What is Washington’s connection to Morristown?
- Morristown was the site of General George Washington's winter headquarters during the Revolutionary War. His 18th-century home is now preserved as the Washington’s Headquarters Museum.
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What modern attractions does Morristown offer?
- In addition to its rich history, Morristown boasts restaurants, shops, galleries, and museums, offering a blend of historical and contemporary experiences.
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1. The George Griswold Frelinghuysen Arboretum
Walk garden paths and admire seasonal blooms on a peaceful spring stroll.
The George Griswold Frelinghuysen Arboretum is a majestic 127-acre botanical garden on East Hanover Avenue that is a regional center for horticultural activities and the headquarters of the Morris County Parks Commission. The arboretum features a magnificent Colonial Revival mansion surrounded by rolling meadows, woodlands, and beautifully manicured gardens of native and exotic plants, spring-blooming shrubs, and perennials, ornamental grasses, fall fruit and foliage, and shade trees. The Frelinghuysen Arboretum presents a calendar of events, including educational programs, cooking classes, garden tours and demonstrations, and lectures.
353 E Hanover Ave, Morristown, NJ 07960, Phone: 973-326-7603
2. Morristown National Historical Park - Washington Headquarters and Museum
Explore Revolutionary War history and visit exciting sights from George Washington’s era.
Morristown National Historical Park - Washington Headquarters and Museum is home to four significant American Revolutionary War sites, namely the New Jersey Brigade Encampment Site, Jockey Hollow, Fort Nonsense, and the Ford Mansion (Gen. George Washington's Headquarters). The 1,676-acre park also features an 18th-century farm and reconstructed soldier huts, a visitor’s center, a three-mile tour road, and over 24 miles of hiking trails. Visitors to the park can enjoy guided tours, special events, and re-enactments of battles during the American Revolutionary War.
30 Washington Pl, Morristown, NJ 07960, Phone: 973-543-1949
3. Jockey Hollow at Morristown National Historical Park
Hike wooded trails and discover a key site on your history trip.
Located at Morristown National Historical Park, Jockey Hollow is a vital encampment site from the American Revolutionary War. The 1,200-acre area was home to over 12,000 plus members of the Continental Army during the winter of 1779-80 and features replica huts used by the Continental Army's soldiers during the Revolutionary War. Visitors can explore some of these huts and a wealth of exhibits and displays at the park’s Visitor Center. The 1,676-acre Morristown National Historic Park also features a three-mile tour road and over 24 miles of hiking trails.
586 Tempe Wick Rd., Morristown, NJ 07960, Phone: 973-543-4030
4. Ford Mansion and Museum
Tour Washington’s winter headquarters and learn about colonial life during a family visit.
Located in Morristown National Historical Park, the Ford Mansion and Museum is a classic 18th-century American home built in the Georgian style by Jacob Ford, Jr. Completed in 1774 by the early American industrialist, the mansion was used as the Continental Army's winter encampment of 1779-1780 after Ford died of pneumonia in 1777. Mrs. Jacob Ford and her family generously moved into the home’s kitchen while the soldiers used the mansion and grounds as an encampment. Visitors can explore the mansion and surrounding grounds on guided or self-guided tours.
30 Washington Pl, Morristown, NJ 07960, Phone: 973-539-2016 ext. 210
5. Morris Museum
See model trains and rotating exhibits for an unusual mix of attractions.
The Morris Museum is one of New Jersey's oldest arts and cultural institutions that offers a variety of programs in the arts, theater, symposiums, history, science, film and music, and other unique performances. Established in 1913, the award-winning, the institution is the second largest museum in New Jersey and includes the Stanford White-designed Georgian-style Frelinghuysen mansion, which is home to an array of permanent and rotating exhibitions that explore the arts, sciences, and humanities. One of the signature exhibitions at the museum includes the Murtogh D. Guinness Collection of Mechanical Musical Instruments and Automata, which features more than 750 pieces of exquisite craftsmanship and live demos of collection pieces.
6 Normandy Heights Rd, Morristown, NJ 07960, Phone: 973-971-3700
6. Loantaka Brook Reservation
Bike or walk along easy nature trails perfect for a weekend outing.
The Loantaka Brook Reservation is a nature preserve and scenic park with over eight miles of cycling and hiking trails, family-friendly picnic areas, an array of sports fields, and green spaces for families to relax and enjoy. The park features four distinct areas, namely the Loantaka Way Trail, the Kitchell Road Loantaka Brook, the Seaton Hackney Stables, and the South Street recreation facilities that cater to all kinds of recreation and outdoor activities. Seaton Hackney Stables offers horseback riding on a property next to the Loantaka Brook Reservation, where riders can enjoy trail riding near the Loantaka Brook.
468 South St, Morristown, NJ 07962
7. Fosterfields Living Historical Farm
Meet farm animals and explore life in the 1800s on a kids-friendly trip.
The Fosterfields Living Historical Farm is a working farm that uses turn-of-the-century tools and techniques for daily farm activities as it was done over 100 years ago. The 214-acre National Register Historic Site offers visitors the opportunity to experience farming as it was in the 1920s and perform daily farm tasks, such as grooming the horses, feeding the chickens, and collecting eggs. Visitors can also witness the farmer plowing and planting of the fields using antique machinery and enjoy guided tours of the 1854 Gothic revival-style mansion known as The Willows that was once the home to the previous owners of the farm.
73 Kahdena Rd, Morristown, NJ 07960, Phone: 973-326-7645
8. Historic Speedwell Ironworks
Visit the birthplace of telegraphy and admire this exciting piece of tech history.
Historic Speedwell Ironworks is the beautifully restored estate of Stephen Vail. Located on Speedwell Avenue in Speedwell Village, just north of downtown Morristown, the National Historic Landmark site tells the story of the Speedwell Iron Works, Vails' once extensive ironworks, through an array of displays and exhibits. Of the eight structures in the complex, the restored factory where the first successful demonstration of the telegraph was conducted by Alfred Vail and Samuel Morse in 1838 and changed the course of modern communications.
333 Speedwell Ave A, Morristown, NJ 07960, Phone: 973-285-6550
9. Lewis Morris Park
Hike, picnic, or sled depending on the season during a fun trip outdoors.
Lewis Morris Park is a county park that offers an array of outdoor activities, recreation, and interesting sites for the whole family to enjoy. The park is home to Sunrise Lake, sandy beaches, picnic areas and sports fields, miles of hiking trails for cycling and jogging, and offers facilities for camping, horseback riding, ice skating, fitness activities, and dog-walking. The lake offers boating, canoeing, fishing, ice-skating in the winter, while other amenities and activities in the park include modern restrooms, sledding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
270 Mendham Rd, Morristown, NJ 07960, Phone: 973-267-4351
10. Schooleys Mountain County Park
See waterfalls and walk forest trails on an affordable nature escape.
Nestled in the hills of western Morris County, Schooleys Mountain County Park is an 823-acre park in Long Valley and surrounded by lush riverine wetlands and fertile agricultural lands. Named after the Schooley family, who owned most of the land in the area in the 1700s, the park offers a wide range of recreational and leisure activities, including picnic areas, sports fields and play areas, a beautiful lake picnic grove, a natural amphitheater, and miles of hiking trails. The Adirondack-style venue also features a charming lodge for overnight stays and a newly renovated Boathouse with an expansive deck that can be rented for private events.
91 East Springtown Road, Washington Township, NJ 07853, See the Map
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents:
- 1. The George Griswold Frelinghuysen Arboretum
- 2. Morristown National Historical Park - Washington Headquarters and Museum
- 3. Jockey Hollow at Morristown National Historical Park
- 4. Ford Mansion and Museum
- 5. Morris Museum
- 6. Loantaka Brook Reservation
- 7. Fosterfields Living Historical Farm
- 8. Historic Speedwell Ironworks
- 9. Lewis Morris Park
- 10. Schooleys Mountain County Park