National Historical Park
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National Historical Park NEW JERSEY roads connecting New England and Penn- structure built by the National Park Serv- sylvania, and hold himself in readiness to ice in 1935 for the display and safe storage Morristown~~~~ move troops with great rapidity to any of historical material. Exhibits in this threatened point. Morristown thus be- building illustrate the story of the main NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK came the scene of almost continuous Amer- Continental Army encampments in the ican military activity from 1776 to 1782. winters of 1777 and 1779-80, the inspiring UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR leadership of Washington, and the rela- The Ford Mansion J. A. Krug, Secretary tions of these two subjects to the important NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, Newton B. Drury, Director In 1779-80, during the worst winter of local and national problems of that time. the Revolutionary War, .General Washing- Original objects of many kinds, supple- Site oj Washington's military headquarters and the main encamp- ton used as his headquarters the mansion mented by paintings, photographs, and old built by Col. Jacob Ford, landowner, ment oj his Continental Army during the winters oj 1777 and 1779-80 j-; prints, are used in this connection. For iron manufacturer, and ardent patriot of those interested in special fields, consider- Morris County. This house, built just be- able space is devoted to the display of large During two winters of the Revolutionary eighteenth century, making their living by fore the conflict began, is typical of the fine study collections, such as Colonial and War, 1777 and 1779-80, the rugged hill farming or by working in the many iron homes occupied by wealthy Americans in Revolutionary War arms, household fur- country around Morristown, N. ]., shel- mines, forges, and furnaces of the locality. the mid-eighteenth century. Architectur- nishings, and costumes. Natural color tered the main encampments of the Conti- As the war moved southward into New ally, it illustrates many principles of the slides of the park are shown on the screen nental Army while Morristown was the Jersey, however, the town suddenly found symmetrical Palladian design, particularly in the museum auditorium. headquarters of its Commander in Chief, in the beautiful main doorway. The build- itself in the midst of important military Fort Nonsense George Washington. At Loantaka Valley, operations. This came about mainly be- ing was partially restored by the National a few miles from the present Morristown cause of its geographical position in rela- Park Service in 1939 and is now furnished Soon after the American troops took up National Historical Park, in January 1777, tion to New York, which from 1776 on was with authentic pieces of the 1780 period or winter quarters near Morristown in Janu- and at Jockey Hollow within the park area, the principal British stronghold in the earlier, thus showing the general appear- ary 1777 Washington began the almost during the winter of 1779-80, Washington North. While only 30 miles from the ance of the mansion when Washington herculean task of gathering wagons, grain, systematically reorganized his weary and enemy lines on Manhattan and Staten occupied it. Part of the original furniture and other military supplies for the coming depleted forces almost within sight of the Islands, Morristown was protected on the remains in the house, among which is the spring campaign. Most of these supplies strong British lines at New York. Here east by the Watchung Mountains, a range tall secretary desk at which the Comman- were concentrated in Morristown, and in May 1780 came Lafayette with welcome of parallel ridges stretching from the Rari- der in Chief penned some of the most im- their protection became essential. On news of the second French expedition sent tan River on the south toward the northern portant letters of his career. May 28, therefore, the Commander in to aid the Americans; and here also was boundary of the State. Keeping his lines The Historical Museum Chief issued orders for one detachment to maintained and developed, in the face of of communication safely behind these hill remain in the town "to Strengthen the bitter cold, hunger, hardship, and disease, barriers, Washington could watch the Brit- Directly behind the Ford Mansion is the Works already begun upon the Hill near the Nation's will to independence and free- ish movements in New York, guard the Historical Museum, a modern, fireproof this place, and erect such others as are nee- dom. Thus for a time this small New Jersey village became the military capital The Historical Museum Reconstructed Continental Army officers' hut in Jockey Hollow of the United States, the testing ground of a great people in its heroic fight for "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Morristown National Historical Park was established to commemorate the men and 'events associated with this phase of Revolutionary War history and to preserve for the inspiration and benefit of all Ameri- cans the remaining physical evidences of that heroic time and place. Morristown During the Revolutionary War When the Revolutionary War began Morristown was a small, rural community with about 50 houses, a few churches, and some other buildings. Most of its people were descendants of New Englanders who had come into the region early in the The Wick House, quarters of Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair, winter of 1779-80 essary for the better defending it, that it The Revolutionary Camp Hospital, may be a safe retreat in case of Necessity." Burying Ground and Bettin Oak How the works came to be called Fort Non- sense is not yet known. There is some evi- A replica of the camp hospital building dence to show the name was of Revolution- has been reconstruoted from plans and de- ary War origin, but no foundation for the scriptions prepared by Dr. James Tilton, story that Washington ordered the fort Hospital Surgeon at Morristown in 177f)- built just to keep his men busy, and that he 80. was personally responsible for it. The fort Across from this is an old burying was reconstructed by the National Park ground where lie the remains of about a Service in 1937 on the basis of historical hundred Continental soldiers who failed to research and archeological investigation. survive that bitter winter. Capt. Adam Bettin, who was killed in the mutiny of the Jockey Hollow and Environs Pennsylvania Line on January I, 1781, is The main Continental Army, number- said to be buried under a massive oak tree ing up to IO,OOO men, was encamped in on the Jockey Hollow Road. Jockey Hollow during, "the hard winter" of 1779-80. About 1,000 acres of this land, The Wick House and Farm including all but three units of the military The Wick House was built by Henry camp site, are within the present park Wick, a settler from New England, about boundaries. In its general wooded and 1750. It served as military quarters for rural appearance, Jockey Hollow today Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair during the closely resembles the conditions existing Continental Army encampment of 1779- when the Continental troops arrived there- 80. in December 1779. Many of the camp This old farm home has been restored grounds have remained relatively undis- and furnished in period fashion as part of turbed, and observing visitors can still see the plan to recreate Colonial atmosphere physical evidences of army occupation. in the area. Careful historical and archeological re- search by the National Park Service has led How to Reach the Park to the reconstruction of several log huts, typical of hundreds once used in Jockey Only about 30 miles west of New York Hollow as quarters for officers and men. City, the park may be reached by automo- Such investigation has also resulted in the bile from the east via New Jersey Route 24, recovery of many interesting military ob- from the south and north via New Jersey jects for museum display. Route 32 (U. S. Route 202), and from the 16-52365-1 MORRISTOWN NATIONAL HISTORleAL PARK HISTORICAL MUSEUM ." ~ FORD "'''''510N . -....~ WASHIN'TON'S HEADQUARTERS "...."" ~ .•....•". -==;r» ~ SPUDWILL AVI . ..;t ~;r==::::~ IT. FORT NONStH St Reconstructed Continental Army hospital hut west via New Jersey Routes 6, 10, 5N, and Park Administration 32. Regional and transcontinental bus lines serve Morristown from all main Morristown National Historical Park points. The town is' also located on the was established by act of Congress in 1933 and is administered by the National Park D. L. & W. Railroad, whose trains stop at Service of the United States Department Morris Street, hardly more than 5 minutes' of the Interior for the benefit and inspira- walk from the Ford Mansion and the His- torical Museum. tion of the American people. About 1,051 acres in extent, it has three separate areas: Visitor Service and Regulations The Ford Mansion and the Historical Mu- seum, Fort Nonsense, and Jockey Hollow. All park buildings are open daily except All communications relative to the park Monday and Thursday from loa. m. to 5 should be addressed to the Superintendent, p. m. Special service is provided for school Morristown National Historical Park, classes, patriotic societies, and civic groups Morristown, N. J. when arrangements are made with the su- Other National Park Service areas corn- perintendent in advance. memorating various phases of the Revolu- KEY There is a single adult admission charge tionary War are: Washington Monument, of JO cents covering both the Ford Man- Washington, D. C.; Colonial National His- . MAIN APPROACH ROjlDS sion and the Historical Museum. Children torical Park, Va.; George Washington under sixteen are admitted free when ac- Birthplace National Monument, Va.; companied by responsible adults.