Morristown National Historical Park | Morristown

Morristown National Historical Park preserves sites associated with the Continental Army's encampments during the American Revolutionary War. It is located in Morristown, New Jersey, USA.

Visual Characteristics

The park encompasses several distinct areas. The Jockey Hollow area features rolling hills, deciduous forests, and reconstructed soldiers' huts. The Fort Nonsense site is a hilltop earthwork fortification. The Ford Mansion is a two-and-a-half-story Georgian-style house constructed of stone and wood, painted white with dark shutters.

Location & Access Logistics

The park is situated approximately 30 miles west of New York City. Access to the Ford Mansion is via Morris Street in Morristown. Parking is available at the Ford Mansion Visitor Center. Jockey Hollow is accessible via James Street and has multiple parking areas. Public transportation options to Morristown include NJ Transit train lines from New York Penn Station. Local bus services connect to various park entrances.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Morristown served as the Continental Army's winter encampment site during 1777-1778 and 1779-1780. The Ford Mansion was built in 1774 by Jacob Ford Jr. and served as General George Washington's headquarters during the 1779-1780 encampment. Fort Nonsense is an earthwork fortification constructed by the Continental Army in 1777.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can tour the Ford Mansion, which is furnished with period artifacts. The Jockey Hollow area offers walking trails through the encampment sites and reconstructed huts. The Fort Nonsense site provides views of the surrounding landscape. Ranger-led programs are offered seasonally.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available at the Ford Mansion Visitor Center and at Jockey Hollow. Shade is provided by trees in wooded areas. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally available within the park. No food vendors are located within the park boundaries, but are available in the town of Morristown.

Best Time to Visit

For photography of the Ford Mansion, morning light offers optimal illumination. Spring and fall provide moderate temperatures for outdoor exploration of Jockey Hollow and Fort Nonsense. Winter visits offer a stark landscape but may be impacted by snow and ice.

Facts & Legends

During the winter of 1779-1780, conditions at Jockey Hollow were exceptionally harsh, with deep snow and extreme cold. Soldiers faced severe shortages of food and supplies, leading to significant hardship and discontent. A unique tip for visitors is to explore the less-trafficked trails at Jockey Hollow to experience a greater sense of the encampment's scale.

Nearby Landmarks

• MacArthur Park (0.8km North)
• Morristown Green (1.2km North)
• Mayo Performing Arts Center (1.5km North)
• Acorn Hall (1.8km North)
• Shongum Lake (4.5km Southwest)