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Created in 1933, through the generous donations of the Washington Association, Morristown National Historical Park preserves sites in the Morristown, New Jersey area occupied by General George Washington and the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War from 1779-1780. General Washington chose this area for its logistical, geographical and topographical military advantages, in addition to its proximity to New York City, which was occupied by the British in 1779. Located in northern New Jersey, Morristown National Historical Park is an hour west of New York City.
Morristown NHP encompasses just under 1700 acres of land in four non-contiguous sections. Historical sites within the park include the historic Jacob Ford Mansion (General Washington’s military headquarters during the winter of 1779-1780); the Upper Redoubt site (built in 1777 following the battles of Princeton and Trenton) in the Fort Nonsense Unit of the park; the historic Wick House & Farm (headquarters of General Arthur St. Clair). Also, Morristown National Historical Park offers over 27 miles of hiking trails which cross through the New York Brigade area and the New Jersey Brigade areas, located in the Jockey Hollow Unit of the park.
Information for specific units of the Park can be found:
Ford Mansion and Museum
Plan Your Visit
Learn More About Ford Mansion
Fort Nonsense
Learn More About Fort Nonsense
Jockey Hollow / New Jersey Brigade and the Cross Estate
Learn More About Jockey Hollow
Learn More About New Jersey Brigade and the Cross Estate
General Information on Morristown National Historical Park:
Historic Background (via MorrisTourism.org)
Plan Your Visit to Morristown National Historical Park
The Ford Mansion and Museum
Jacob Ford, Jr. built the mansion as his family home in 1772. General and Mrs. Washington lived at the Ford Mansion from December of 1779 until June of 1780. The General and his staff used it as his headquarters as they plotted strategy against Britain and support for the troops quartered at Jockey Hollow.
The Headquarters Museum houses collections of military objects, items illustrative of domestic life, and the Lloyd Smith pamphlet and document collection. In addition, the museum houses the Discover History Center.
The mansion is seen by guided tours available at 10 and 11am and at 1, 2, 3 and 4pm. Tours will begin at Washington’s Headquarters Museum, tour sizes will be no more than 20 visitors with a single ranger or guide. The average tour time is 30 to 45 minutes long and will take you through the Jacob Ford Jr. Mansion, where General Washington and his aids spent six months starting in December 1779.
The room probably used as Washington’s office during the six months he stayed at the Ford Mansion.
For more information about the Ford Museum, please visit the below links.
Plan Your Visit
Learn More About Ford Mansion
Fort Nonsense
Fort Nonsense was established on the highest hill of Morristown, as a military storage depot. It also served as a strategic location for a beacon alarm system and a vantage point for lookout for enemyactivity. Constructed during the 1777 encampment, Fort Nonsense commands stunning scenic vistas of Morris County and of the hills beyond. On a good, clear day visitors might be able to glimpse Manhattan. No portion of the 1777 fort still remains.
Fort Nonsense is reached by the Fort Nonsense Access Road which adjoins Ann St in Morristown.
Jockey Hollow
Jockey Hollow is the area where the Continental Army camped for several winters during the American Revolution. It is located approximately 6 miles from Morristown.
Jockey Hollow features a Visitor’s Center, the Wick House, and reproductions of the soldiers’ huts. In addition, the New Jersey Brigade area and the Cross Estate are nearby.
Jockey Hollow is home to 27 miles of trails of different levels of difficulty.
The Jockey Hollow Visitors Center is located off Tempe Wick Road in Harding Township, NJ. For GPS use the address 586 Tempe Wick Road, Morristown.
Imagine the conditions that the troops endured as they camped at Jockey Hollow in deep snow and bitter temperatures during the coldest winter in 100 years. General Washington and his staff determined that this encampment would protect soldiers’ health. The General decided that improved sanitary conditions and better health care be available for the men. As usual, there were clinics attached to the Army and a hospital was located seven miles away, in Basking Ridge.
For additional information, please visit these links:
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In partnership since 1933 with Morristown National Historical Park.
Most photos courtesy of Dan Beards
