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-- Best New Jersey Day Trips - Morristown (under construction)-- Liberty Park -- Princeton -- Lambertville -- Morristown -- Pinelands -- Camden -- Wildwoods -- Cape May -- Asbury Park -- Ocean Grove -- Trenton -- Restaurants -- Hotels -- Theaters -- Stadiums/Arenas/Teams -- Historic Homes -- Battlefields/Military -- Lighthouses -- Art Museums -- History Museums In the center of one of New Jersey's most affluent and picturesque regions, a day trip to Morristown probably requires a choice of targeting either its downtown or the historic sites just outside. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named Morristown one of its “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” and its Historic District features many Victorian-era homes. In addition to its historic sites, Morristown's central business district is one of the state's more successful city centers with a diverse mix of dining and shopping options surrounding the Morristown Green, where Washington established his headquarters at Arnold's Tavern during the winter of 1777 . It is one of New Jersey's most significant Revolutionary War sites, highlighted at the Morristown National Historical Park where Washington and his army encamped during the winters of 1776-77 and 1779-80.
* Morris County Tourism Bureau
* Morristown N.J., Historic, With a Lively Downtown, 1/6/2016, NY Times * Morris County Park Commission * Morristown Partnership
Established 1937, offers over 200 events annually including classical music, modern dance, theatre, popular music, comedy, youth groups, New Jersey-based artistic organizations, sponsors arts education and community outreach programs
Morristown National Historical Park is made up of various Revolutionary War-related sites in Morris County. This region served as the winter encampment for George Washington and the Continental Army during the 1779-80 winter. The Ford Mansion, an early 1770s Georgian home built by the Ford family, served as Washington’s personal headquarters during his stay in the Morristown area. Widower Theodosia Ford moved with her four children into two of the mansion’s rooms while the General, along with Martha Washington and almost two dozen others, occupied the rest of the space.
While Washington resided in what was considered one of the finest houses in the area, the troops and lower-level leaders set up camp in the nearby Jockey Hollow. Many of the 2,000 soldiers from the Pennsylvania Brigade constructed log cabins, cutting down over 600 acres of trees on the Wick property. . Major General Arthur St. Clair took over the circa 1750 Cape Cod-style Wick House, which is open top the public and furnished to depict its use as a general's headquarters. Henry Wick’s 1,400 acre forest-covered farm attracted the army looking for land and resources to build camp and stay for the winter months. Site of Continental army’s winter encampment of December 1779 to June 1780. Park includes Washington's headquarters, other historic homes, reconstructed tavern, military barracks and hospital, cannons, fortifications and parade ground. Washington resided with wife Martha and military aides in Ford Mansion, originally built in early 1770s for iron manufacturer and Revolutionary militia officer Jacob Ford, Jr.
 Ford Mansion. Image: National Park Service
After Ford's death in 1777, his widow offered house to Washington as headquarters during winter encampment while she moved into two rooms with her four children. Ford family and descendants continued to live in house until 1870s sale at auction to wealthy residents who formed nonprofit Washington Association of New Jersey to preserve house, later donated house and collections to National Park Service in 1933. House furnished to reflect 1770s, shown in guided tours which begin in museum building. Museum building designed by noted architect John Russell Pope, who also designed Jefferson Memorial in Washington, features exhibits of furniture, weapons, documents and other 18th century objects. Park also includes Wick House built between 1747 and 1750, which served as officers' headquarters of Major Joseph Bloomfield of Third New Jersey Regiment during winter of 1776-1777 and of General Arthur St. Clair in 1779-1780 winter encampment. House open to public, furnished to portray its use as a general's headquarters. Washington also ordered construction nearby of fortifications on hill overlooking Morristown, later known as "Fort Nonsense," also administered by National Park Service and open to visitors.
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