During the 1779-1780 winter, soldiers endured temperatures so low that the ground froze deep enough to prevent burying the dead.
The Ford Mansion, Washington's headquarters, was occupied by the family of Colonel Jacob Ford Jr., who had died shortly before Washington's arrival.
The park was the first National Historical Park established in the United States, designated in 1933.
Archaeological excavations at Jockey Hollow have uncovered tens of thousands of Revolutionary War-era artifacts including buttons, musket balls, and personal effects.
Fort Nonsense was named by local tradition; it is believed Washington ordered the earthworks built largely to keep his idle troops occupied rather than for tactical defense.
The Continental Army suffered from a lack of food, clothing, and pay during the Morristown encampment, leading to a near-mutiny among the Connecticut regiments.
The park contains the site of the Wick House, which served as the quarters for Major General Arthur St. Clair.
Morristown National Historical Park marks the site of the Continental Army's winter encampment during the harsh winter of 1779–1780. The park preserves the Ford Mansion, which served as George Washington’s headquarters, alongside the Jockey Hollow area where soldiers built log huts. The site is managed by the National Park Service and includes the Washington’s Headquarters Museum. It commemorates the survival of the American army during the Revolutionary War's most severe winter. The landscape features reconstructed soldiers' huts and extensive hiking trails through forests that once sheltered thousands of troops. Several distinct units make up the park, including the fort site at Fort Nonsense. Visitors can explore period-specific artifacts and archaeological remnants of the encampment.
The reconstructed log huts at Jockey Hollow provide the most authentic 18th-century setting for photography.
Prioritize visiting the Ford Mansion for a guided tour as capacity is often limited.
Wear sturdy walking shoes to traverse the uneven, unpaved terrain of the Jockey Hollow trail system.
Check the National Park Service website for scheduled living history demonstrations before arriving.
Do not attempt to see all units of the park on foot in one day, as they are geographically separated by several miles of roadway.
The Ford Mansion and museum may have reduced operations or closures during mid-week in the off-season; check current NPS alerts.
Maintain respectful behavior near historical structures; do not enter restricted areas or disturb the natural landscape.
