Morristown National Historical Park facts for kids
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Morristown National Historical Park
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Ford Mansion, Morristown
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 Location in Morris County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | In and around Morristown, New Jersey |
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| Area | 1,711 acres (6.92 km2) |
| Built | 1744 |
| Architectural style | Georgian, Cape Cod |
| Visitation | 222,395 (2011) |
| Website | Morristown National Historical Park |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000053 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHP | March 2, 1933 |
Morristown National Historical Park is a special place in Morristown, New Jersey. It's a park that protects four important locations from the American Revolutionary War. These sites are Jockey Hollow, the Ford Mansion, Fort Nonsense, and the New Jersey Brigade Encampment site.
You can find these historical spots in Morristown, Harding Township (both in Morris County), and Bernardsville (Somerset County).
In March 1933, Morristown became the very first National Historical Park in the United States.
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Exploring Morristown's Historic Sites
Morristown National Historical Park includes several key locations. Each one played an important role during the American Revolutionary War. Let's explore them!
Jockey Hollow: A Winter Camp
Jockey Hollow is located a few miles south of Morristown. It was a major winter camp for the Continental Army. This was the army led by George Washington during the Revolutionary War.
During one tough winter, some soldiers from Pennsylvania had a disagreement. Later, about 200 soldiers from New Jersey also tried to do the same. This shows how hard life was for the soldiers.
Fort Nonsense: A Lookout Point
Fort Nonsense sits on a high hill overlooking Morristown. People believe it was used as a signal fire location. It also had earthworks, which are walls made of dirt for defense.
The Ford Mansion: Washington's Winter Home
The Ford Mansion is right in Morristown. This house was where George Washington and his staff stayed during the "hard winter" of 1779–1780. This winter was the coldest ever recorded in New Jersey.
The owner, Theodosia Ford, was a widow with four children. She shared her home with Washington, his helpers like Alexander Hamilton, and their servants. Even Martha Washington came to stay with her husband that winter.
Washington's Headquarters Museum
Next to the Ford Mansion is the Washington's Headquarters Museum. This museum is open to visitors most days. It has three rooms with exhibits about the park's history.
You can also watch a video called "Morristown: Where America Survived." The Ford Mansion itself can only be seen on a guided tour that starts at the museum.
New Jersey Brigade Encampment Site
The New Jersey Brigade Encampment Site is south of Jockey Hollow, mostly in Bernardsville. About 1,300 soldiers used this site during the winter of 1779–1780.
How Morristown Became a National Park
The idea for Morristown National Historical Park started in 1932. The National Park Service (NPS) suggested that the winter camps of the Continental Army should be protected. They specifically mentioned Jockey Hollow and the Ford Mansion.
In January 1933, leaders from the NPS and local areas met. They decided to create a bill to make Morristown a national historical park. They wanted it to be as important as the big scenic parks in the western United States.
The bill was introduced in Congress with strong support. The Secretary of the Interior, Ray Lyman Wilbur, called it a very important project.
Finally, in March 1933, during the last days of President Herbert Hoover's time in office, Congress officially made Morristown the country's first National Historical Park.
