Rich in historic lore and tradition, Morristown was, Rich in historic lore and tradition, Morristown was, Rand is, a great city, originally settled in 1715, and Rand is, a great city, originally settled in 1715, and Rhas developed over the last 300 years into one of Rhas developed over the last 300 years into one of RNew Jersey’s most distinguished towns.
Located 30 miles northwest of New York City, the Morristown area was originally inhabited by the Lenni
Lenape Indians, and then settled by New Englanders and East New Jerseyites of European origin.
Morris County was formed by an Act of the State Legislature on March 15, 1738. Several years after
its founding, the community of West, or New, Hanover was renamed “Morris Town” and designated the county seat of government.
During the Revolutionary War and down to today, Morristown has been known as “Th e Military
Capital of the American Revolution”, playing host during two winters to General George Washington and the Con tinental Army. Much of the history of these winter encampments is preserved today at Morristown National Historical Park, the country’s fi rst national historical park, which was created in 1933.
In the years following the Revolutionary War, Morris County became a leader in the iron ore mining and
fabrication industry. It was in Morristown that the steam boiler and some of the machinery for the S.S. Savannah, the fi rst steamship to cross the Atlantic Ocean, were crafted, and where the telegraph was perfected by Morristown native Alfred Vail at national landmark Historic Speedwell. Th e old barn in which Vail and Samuel Morse conducted their experiments and sent the fi rst telegraph message, “A patient waiter is no loser”, still stands.
In 1831 construction began on the Morris Canal, conceived and developed by Morristown resident
George Macculloch. Crossing the state from Phillipsburg to Jer sey City, a distance of 102 miles, it played a major role in the movement of iron ore, coal and farm produce from mines and farms to factories and population centers.
By 1900 the nation’s business and fi nancial leaders, seeking a getaway from New York City, discovered the
Morristown area. Within a few years, more millionaires lived within a three-mile radius of the Morristown Green than anywhere else in the United States or in the world. Some of their opulent Gilded Age mansions have survived down to today.
17. Joint Free Public Library of Morristown and Morris Township 1 Miller Road
Th is was originally the site of the Library and Lyceum which opened in 1878 and hosted the most cel ebrated performers and lecturers of the day in cluding Mark Twain, Henry Ward Beecher and Woodrow Wilson. It was destroyed by fi re in 1914. Th is library, in Gothic Revival style, was built to harmonize with St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and dates
from 1917. Colored glass me dallions feature Columbus’ ships, printers’ marks and monograms of fi ve great American poets. Th e library houses a children’s department and the North Jersey History and Genealogy Center. Th omas Nast’s monumental original cartoon, “Swinging Round the Circle,” hangs in the library. Th is cartoon was part of his 1867 Grand Caricaturama show which toured the U.S. Th e cartoon was re stored and hung in 1990. Visit the F.M. Kirby Gallery for rotating exhibits highlighting local history.
18. Wood Farmhouse 83 South Street PrivateRecently restored, the Wood farmhouse dates from the late 18th century and was home for many generations to the prominent James Wood family. On July 14, 1825 the Marquis de Lafayette slept here during his visit to Morris town as the “Nation’s Guest”. From 1922 to 1961 it housed the Woman’s Work and Art Ex change, a non-profi t
organization that served as a retail outlet for women selling their hand-made goods. Th e house has been used as commercial space and is owned by the library.
19. Dr. Lewis Condict House 51 South Street 51 South Street 51 South Street PrivateDr. Lewis Condict was a nephew of Silas Condict, a New Jersey member of the Continental Congress. Dr. Condict built this 1797 Federal-style resi dence. A local politician, physician and busi nessman, he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, was the fi rst President of the Morris County Medical Society. Dr. Con dict
introduced a new British smallpox vaccine to America by publicly inoculating his two-year-old daughter on the front steps. From 1805 to 1809 he was a member of the NJ General Assembly. On July 14, 1825, Dr. Condict gave the welcoming address to General Lafayette on his return to Morristown as the “Nation’s Guest”. In 1936 the Woman’s Club of Morristown purchased the home and are the current conservators of the house.
20. Church of the Redeemer 36 South Street
Th is Gothic Revival Church was built in 1917 to replace a prior structure built here in 1886. Th e congregation was founded by a group of Mor ristown citizens in 1852 who were former mem bers of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Th e par ish campus contains three separate stone structures: a Norman Gothic
church seating 375, a two-story Parish House, and a twelve-room rectory. Th e fi rst church wardens were William Duer, former president of Columbia College in New York City, and Alfred Vail, co-inventor with Samuel F. B. Morse of the electromagnetic telegraph.
21. Th e Schuyler-Hamilton House Museum5 Olyphant Place
Th e 1760 colonial home of Dr. Jabez Campfi eld, it was used by General Washington’s personal physician, Dr. John Cochran. Also, Washington’s aide, Colonel Alexander Hamilton, court ed Campfi eld houseguest Betsy Schuyler at this location. Th e furniture collec tion includes notable
pieces of tiger maple from 1770-1812. Th e conservators of the home, which is not on its original foundation, are the D.A.R.’s Morristown chapter.
22. Morristown National Historical Park30 Washington Place
Th is is the location of the Ford Mansion and the Washington’s Headquarters Museum. Th e park commemorates the two winter encampments of General George Washington and the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Th e mansion, museum, and gift shop are here at the Washington’s
Headquarters Unit. Five miles south is another Visitors Center, the Wick farmhouse, the tour road and twenty-six miles of hiking trails at the Jockey Hollow Unit. Another park unit is the Cross Estate and Garden.
23. Fort Nonsense 16 Chestnut Street
Th is was the site of an earthwork fortifi cation built by Washington’s troops in the spring of 1777 on what was then called Kinney’s Hill. Its purpose was to protect the main roads leading north and south and the military storehouses in Morristown. Due to later folklore, the site acquired the name “Fort
Nonsense”. Site interpretation includes seven wayside exhibits, a vista clearing overlooking Morristown and providing views of Manhattan, and a small monument. Th is site can be driven to, or can be hiked by intermediate-advanced walkers.
Funding for this project was provided in part through the Cooperative Marketing Grant Program
of the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.
HISTORICMORRISTOWN
WALKING TOUR
6 Court StreetMorristown, NJ 07960
Tel: 973-631-5151morristourism.org
Sponsors:
MORRISTOWN HISTORY16. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church & GraveyardSouth and Miller Streets
Th e congregation was founded in 1827 and met orig inally at Macculloch Hall. Th e church, in the Gothic Revival style with a Norman tower, was built beginning in 1897 and was designed by the New York architectural fi rm of McKim, Mead and White. Inside is a carillon with bells cast
in Eng land, imported stained glass windows, a chapel window of Tiff any glass and a Spanish rood screen. Since no stone was put in place until it was paid for, the church took 24 years to complete. In the graveyard are many Macculloch family members, Millers, Fords and Vails, including Alfred Vail, co-inventor of the electromagnetic telegraph with Samuel F.B. Morse. Th e unusual table-top gravestones were used by family members who would visit their loved ones and picnic in the graveyard.
7. Presbyterian Church & Burying Ground 57 E. Park PlaceTh is was the fi rst congregation founded in Morris town, c. 1733. Th e current edifi ce (1893) is the third on the site. Th e Gothic Chapel on the left of the main building dates from 1863. Th e graveyard behind the church is the fi nal resting place of over 1,700 indi viduals. Th e earliest tombstone is dated 1731, and fully
1,500 of those at rest died prior to 1850, includ ing 138 who served in the American Revolution. Th e church served as a hospital for victims of smallpox in 1777. It is believed that an untold number of victims of the epidemic were buried in one or more mass graves at that time. historic signage in the graveyard.
14. Villa Fontana: Th omas Nast House Private50 Macculloch Avenue
Th e site is one of four National Historic Landmarks in Morris County. It derives its name from the front yard’s fountain which has the original ba sin. Th e house was built c. 1865 in the Second Empire style, and received landmark status in 1964. Renovations have resulted in the neo-classical Victorian seen today. Th is
was home to po litical cartoonist, Th omas Nast, and his family from 1872 to 1902. Nast created the images of Columbia, Santa Claus, the Republican Elephant, Democratic Donkey, Tammany Tiger and Uncle Sam. His cartoons infl uenced the outcomes of several presidential elections. Th e interiors of the home and surround ing streetscapes appeared in many of Nast’s drawings. Guests to the Nasts’ home included Mark Twain and Ulysses S. Grant.
15. Vail Mansion 110 South Street Located at the end of a long refl ecting pool is a home built for Th eodore Vail, chief architect of the Bell System, twice its president, and cousin of Alfred Vail, co-inventor of the electromagnetic telegraph. In the Italian Renaissance palazzo style, it was built of marble and granite 1914-1918 to house Vail’s art collections. He died
before the building was complete and never lived here. Begin ning in 1922 it served as Morristown’s Town Hall. It now serves as a centerpiece for new luxury residences. Note the bronze doors of the mansion which feature eight panels depicting important events in Morristown history. Now the mansion houses an upscale restaurant, Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen, recently selected as one of New Jersey’s top 25 restaurants.
1. Morris County Tourism Bureau 6 Court Street
Welcome to Morristown, the county seat of Morris. Th e town was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and expanded in 1986 to include 700 civic, commercial and residential buildings. Originally settled c. 1715, the town grew after the discovery of iron in the surround ing hills. General George Washington brought the Continental Army twice to the area
for winter encampments. Stop by the offi ce to plan your stay and to pick up maps, brochures and coupons. Th e Tourism Bureau off ers programming and guided tours and sells some local items. Th e offi ce is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2. Morris County Courthouse Washington & Court Streets
Th is is the county’s third courthouse, built in 1827, and one of the best examples in New Jersey of a public building in the Federal style. For many years bells rang from the belfry to signal the start of court and to alert the town if there was a fi re. Th e courthouse was the site of the Antoine LeBlanc triple murder case (1833) and the Karen
Ann Quinlan right to die case (1975). Court Room One has been preserved to look as it did in 1827.
10. General Porter House 1 Farragut Place 1 Farragut Place 1 Farragut Place PrivateTh is Victorian is in the Colonial Revival design with Queen Anne details. It was built between 1880 and 1890 by General Fitz John Porter. Educated at West Point, he served there before the Civil War under General Robert E. Lee. As a Union Army General he was court martialed for not obeying orders at Bull Run, but was exonerated later. He also oversaw the building of Greystone
Psychiatric Hospital. Note the unusual double bay win dows which face Macculloch Avenue, and the stone carriage step by the curb.
3. First Baptist Church 51 Washington Street
Th is is the second oldest congregation in Mor ristown, established in June, 1752. Th is is the congregation’s fourth church building, built in 1892. Th e church was originally located on the Green and served as a hospital for smallpox vic tims at the time of the American Revolution. Th is Romanesque Revival church suff ered a
devas tating fi re in 2000 and has been restored.
4. Arnold’s Tavern Plaque 20 N. Park Place
Th e blue State of NJ heritage plaque marks the site of General George Washington’s headquarters dur ing the winter of 1777, following his victories at Tren ton and Princeton. It was here that Washington is sued the proclamation requiring all people in America to swear allegiance to the United States. Th e tavern was built c. 1764 by
Samuel Arnold and operated for 100 years before it was moved to Mount Kemble Av enue after the owner planned to raze it. Th e building served as a boarding house, then All Souls Hospital, before burning in 1918. Arnold’s Tavern was a popular tourist attraction following the American Revolution, and people came from around the world to visit the site because of its association with George Washington.
8. Morristown Green Park Place
Th e 2.62 acre Green dates from 1715, appearing on early maps of the area. Originally used as pasture land for early settlers, during the American Revolu tion it was used as a military parade ground. Th e Green was the site of the fi rst county courthouse and jail, early churches and commercial buildings. Th e park underwent
a major renovation in 2007, with the addition of plaques that explain the history of the Green. Th e Morristown Green is one of only two greens in New Jersey to have survived down to the present day and remains central to the life of the town, hosting political and cultural events throughout the year.
5. Patriots Memorial Frieze 1 N. Park Place & Speedwell AvenueTwelve medallions along the upper part of the Cen tury 21 Department Store building feature founders and important citizens of Morristown. Five of the twelve medallions depict persons interred in the Presbyterian Church Burying Ground across the street. Among those featured are Reverend Timothy Johnes, Jacob Arnold,
Jacob Ford, Jr., Alfred Vail, Silas Condict and Tempe Wick.
6. Morris Frank and “Buddy” StatueIsland between N. Park Place and E. Park Place
Th e statue is by J. Seward Johnson depicting the founder of “Th e Seeing Eye”, Morris Frank, and his dog “Bud dy”. Th e Seeing Eye is located in nearby Morris Township and was North America’s fi rst dog guide school, established in 1929. Th e statue was placed near the Green in 2005.
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9. Sansay House 17 DeHart Street PrivateTh is was the residence of Monsieur Louis Sansay, a Frenchman from Santo Domingo, built in 1807. Sansay was Morristown’s dancing master and taught classes here. On July 14, 1825 a banquet was held here in honor of the “Nation’s Guest”, the Marquis de Lafay ette. From 1872 to 1880 this was the home of General Joseph
Warren Revere, Civil War Brigadier-Com mander and Paul Revere’s grandson.
11. Admiral Rogers House 40 Macculloch Avenue 40 Macculloch Avenue 40 Macculloch Avenue Private
Th is is a vernacular Victorian home in the Gothic Re vival style, built in 1852 by C. Raymond Perry Rogers. Admiral Rogers was the superintendent of the Naval Academy from 1874 to 1878. Rogers was the nephew of three naval commanders, including Oliver Hazard Perry. Th e wisteria which hangs from the front
porch was a gift from Commodore Matthew C. Perry whose historic 1854 expedition was largely responsible for opening Japan to western trade.
12. Macculloch Hall Historical Museum45 Macculloch Avenue
Th is Federal style brick mansion was built between 1810 to 1819 by George Perrot Macculloch, the “Fa ther of the Morris Canal”. It is the oldest brick struc ture in Morristown on its original foundation. Six generations of the Macculloch family have lived here. It is now a house museum which holds 18th and 19th
century decorative arts and the largest col lection of works by political cartoonist and former neighbor Th omas Nast. Th e garden behind the man sion is the oldest in Morris County and is open dawn to dusk each day. It holds many varieties of roses, some unique to this garden. Local folklore claims the garden is the site of the fi rst docu mented “Jersey” tomato grown in the state. Wisteria from Commodore Perry’s Japan expedition hangs from the back porch.
13. Th e Kedge 49 Macculloch Avenue 49 Macculloch Avenue 49 Macculloch Avenue PrivateTh is unusual brick-and-shingle home was built between 1870 and 1880 by Henry Miller, a grandson of George Macculloch. Originally built as a summer cottage, generations of Maccullochs have lived here. Henry Miller had a distinguished career as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy. A “kedge” is a small anchor.