Morristown National Historical Park Morristown U.S. Department of the Interior

1779–80 The weather was cold enough to cut a man in two. —Pvt. Joseph Plumb Martin, 8th Connecticut Regiment

For two agonizing winters, Morristown sheltered Since the Revolutionary War, each generation has the main body of the under found its own way of telling Morristown’s story Gen. George . In early 1777 the and honoring those who lived it. These chapters general rebuilt and reorganized the young army. unfold in many ways at Morristown National Two years later, the harshest winter in decades, Historical Park. Exhibits display artifacts lovingly some 10,000 soldiers endured relentless cold preserved by soldiers’ families. Restored homes and snow, meager supplies, and constant hunger. remind us that war affected civilians. Original Led by Washington and mustering their own encampment sites are places to contemplate determination, they emerged as a cohesive force. those trying winters or take a walk in the woods.

Morristown, protected behind the Watchung Mountains from Brit- Above: An imagined Washington’s dress ish forces 30 miles east in New scene shows many of sword from first inau- the Ford Mansion’s guration; makeshift York City, was a strategic choice occupants outside as frying pan fashioned from a shovel; Brown for the Continental Army’s 1777 arrives in late 1779 to Bess musket; Joseph winter encampment. Soldiers join her husband at his Plumb Martin’s first- winter quarters. From hand account of his sought shelter wherever they left: George (1776) and experience as a Revo- could—in public buildings, private Martha (1772) Wash- lutionary War soldier; ington portraits by Isaac Whitehead’s homes, stables, barns, sheds, and Charles Willson Peale; canteen. tents. ALL PHOTOS NPS UNLESS OTHERWISE CREDITED. FORD MANSION AND ENCAMPMENT PAINTINGS —NPS / KEITH ROCCO; GEORGE AND MARTHA WASHINGTON PORTRAITS—© COURTESY OF LADIES’ ASSOCIATION; BROWN BESS MUSKET­—THE GEORGE C. NEUMANN Gen. hoped COLLECTION, NHP to spend the winter rebuilding and retraining his war-weary army, but it dwindled further because of desertions and expired enlistments. Then smallpox struck. Washington’s decision to tinued. Thousands of acres of Theodosia Ford, widow of Jacob Hastily built additions (since re- The general sought help from Continental Army Winter Camps inoculate soldiers and civilians trees were felled for over 1,000 log Ford Jr., a colonel in the local mi- moved) provided an office for the neighboring New Jersey counties Units directly under George Washington alike saved countless lives. Rein- huts, built in precise rows on the litia, allowed Washington to use aides and a for the head- and other states. The response forcements finally arrived in hillsides. Huts housed 12 enlisted her large home as his headquar- quarters. Servants and slaves from New Jersey was immediate 1775–76 Cambridge, Massachusetts spring 1777, and the army moved men; field officers had larger ters. Ford and her four children tended to domestic duties. Military and generous; it “saved the army Early 1777 Morristown, New Jersey out in June. quarters. Units from each state squeezed into two rooms while guards stood watch over a constant from dissolution, or starving,” 1777–78 Valley Forge, Pennsylvania generally encamped as a group. Washington and his senior staff stream of visitors. Washington wrote Washington. During the winter of 1779–80, at took over most of the house. wrestled with the problems of the 1778–79 Redding, Connecticut, and least 20 snowstorms cut supply Routine work included hauling army and the precarious coalition In May 1780 the Marquis de Middlebrook, New Jersey lines for food, clothes, and shoes. and chopping wood, cooking, dig- On New Year’s Eve 1779, Martha of states that was not yet a nation. Lafayette arrived at the Ford Man- 1779–80 Morristown () “The weather was cold enough ging latrines, troop inspections, Washington arrived to spend the The Continental Congress could sion with welcome news of aid 1780–81 and 1781–82 Hudson High- to cut a man in two,” wrote Pvt. and guard duty. Many soldiers winter with her husband. Like not fund the army, and ruinous from France. The next month the lands of New York, and Morristown area Joseph Plumb Martin. Despite the were accompanied by wives and other officers’ wives, she traveled inflation made the purchase of camp dispersed, as the last of the conditions, the business of main- children. Two women gave birth to her husband’s winter quarters badly needed food and clothing troops were ordered into battle 1782–83 New Windsor, New York taining the 10,000-man army con- in camp. every year. almost impossible. yet again.

Above: An imagined scene depicting typical daily activities at the Pennsylvania Line en- campment, 1779–80. Morristown Past and Present

Museum Building Washington’s Headquarters / Ford Mansion Fort Nonsense Jockey Hollow Visitor Center Wick House Pennsylvania Line Encampment Site Cross Estate Gardens NPS / ERIC OLSEN

Note: Numbers correspond to sites Left: Volume by ”patri- Washington’s Headquarters / Ford Man- information desk, exhibits, reproduction Grand Parade This field was the cen- New Jersey Brigade Encampment Site labeled on the map below. ot poet” and freed sion From December 1779 to June 1780, hut, short movie, and gift shop. ter of camp life. Even in the harshest About 900 soldiers of the New Jersey Bri- slave Phillis Wheatley; she visited Washington this was Washington’s quarters and base winter weather, soldiers gathered daily gade, the last group to arrive that winter, Museum and Visitor Information at his Cambridge, MA, of operations. Ranger-led tours only; ad- Wick House Henry Wick and his fam- for inspections, guard detail, and drill- encamped on a steep plot of land. Note: Designed by John Russell Pope, the Colo- head­quarters in 1776. mission included with museum fee. ily lived in this New England-style house ing. General orders were issued from the Walk-in site only. Below: Society of the nial Revival-style building was completed Cincinnati punch bowl on a 1,400-acre farm. During the 1779– orderly office (no longer standing), the in 1937. Exhibit galleries focus on 18th- commemorating Col. Fort Nonsense In May 1777 Washing- 80 encampment, Gen. Arthur St. Clair camp’s administrative headquarters. Cross Estate Gardens The early 20th- century domestic life of wealthy families Richard Varick’s service ton’s troops fortified this strategic crest made his headquarters here. century landscape of the Cross Estate like the Fords; military tactics, weapons, as an officer in the with earthworks and trenches. Stark’s Brigade Encampment Site includes a formal perennial garden, na- Continental Army. strategy, and camp life; and the Lloyd Pennsylvania Line Encampment Site A monument on the hillside marks the tive plant garden, pergola covered by Smith collection of rare manuscripts and Jockey Hollow Encampment Area and Precise rows of log huts on this hillside encampment site of Brig. Gen. John wisteria, pathway bordered by mountain books. Information desk, museum store, Visitor Center Some 10,000 Continental housed 2,000 soldiers during the 1779– Stark’s 1,270 men from Connecticut, laurel, and several large specimen trees. exhibits, short movie, tickets for Ford Army soldiers camped in this area during 80 encampment. Replica huts open. Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Note: Mansion tours. Entrance fee for museum. the winter of 1779–80. Visitor center has Walk-in site only.

Trails for Everyone New Jersey and the

The park has about 27 miles of designated campment site, which offers the best view Because of its central location among the area covers 2,155 square miles over 14 hiking trails. Ranging in difficulty from of the landscape from Mt. Kemble. While American Colonies and its well-developed counties. Historic sites; preservation groups; easy to moderate, the trails let you experi- hiking in the park please keep your pets transportation, provisioning, and defense historical societies; friends organizations; ence natural beauty while also exploring on a leash at all times. You can print a trail systems, New Jersey played a key role in state, county and local governments; and Revolutionary War history. map and park map from the park website. the struggle for independence. schools, libraries, and museums work to- Morris County’s 35-mile, multiuse Patriots’ gether to tell the stories of the American The 2.25-mile Yellow Trail connects the Path connects several dozen natural and Within the Crossroads of the American Revolution and New Jersey’s key contribu- key historic and interpretive sites through- historical sites. Printable maps are available Revolution National Heritage Area, New tions to building the nation. out Jockey Hollow. The White Trail/Grand at www.morrisparks.net. Bicycles are only Jersey’s rich history unfolds—from Fort Lee Loop Trail is the longest trail in Jockey allowed on the 3-mile-long paved Tour at the Palisades to Red Bank Battlefield on For information and a virtual tour, visit Hollow—6.5 miles. The Blue Trail, 3 miles Road. Biking is not allowed on hiking the Delaware River. The national heritage www.revolutionarynj.org. Civilian Conservation Each season has its own Catch a live demonstration on encampment roundtrip, includes the Stark’s Brigade en- trails. Corps builds trails, 1930s. beauty along park trails. weekend.

Historical Collections

Morristown National Historical Park has over 500,000 artifacts in its museum, ar- chives, and library collections. While the overall collection emphasizes the Colonial and Revolutionary eras, the rare book and manuscript collections document the na- tion’s development, and contain items from the 15th to 20th centuries. The park’s cultural resources office has regular re- search hours. See the virtual museum at www.nps.gov/morr. You can also visit Students examine original documents from the park’s www.morristownnhpmuseum.blogspot.com. extensive collections.

Planning Your Visit

The park grounds are open daily 8 am to on the trails. • Avoid poison ivy and pro- sunset. Park buildings’ hours and days of tect yourself against ticks and other in- operation vary seasonally. Before you visit, sects. • Keep your pets leashed at all times please call or check the website for updat- and keep the park healthy by cleaning up ed schedules of park hours, Ford Mansion after your pet. • Do not feed wild animals. tour times, and other activities. The park is • For firearms laws and policies, see the closed on Thanksgiving, December 25, and park website. January 1. Emergencies call 911 Accessibility We strive to make our facili- ties, programs, and services accessible to More Information all. For information, ask a ranger, check at Morristown National Historical Park the visitor center, call, or visit our website. 30 Washington Place Morristown, NJ 07960 Stay Safe, Protect the Park Federal law 973-539-2016 protects all natural and cultural features. www.nps.gov/morr • Collecting objects, using metal detectors, and digging for relics are all prohibited. Morristown National Historical Park is one • Do not allow your visit to be spoiled by of over 400 parks in the National Park Sys- an accident. While every effort has been tem. To learn more about the National made to provide for your safety, there are Park Service, visit www.nps.gov. still hazards that require visitor alertness. • Watch for uneven walking surfaces when in and around historic buildings or Join the park community. www.nationalparks.org

✩GPO:20xx—xxx-xxx/xxxxx Last updated 20xx Printed on recycled paper.

Reconstructed soldiers’ huts

ALL PHOTOS NPS UNLESS OTHERWISE CREDITED