Morristown National Historical Park, Washington Headquarters and Museum Reviews

I was visiting nearby Whippany for a convention and had a few free days to myself, so I wound up exploring the Washington's Headquarters site, along with a few other spots that are part of the Morristown National Historical Park. Just to be aware-- the different sites are considerably separated, though not too long of a drive apart. At the HQ site, there is a charming little museum and gift shop next to the historic building itself. You get a tour of the mansion from a park ranger, and the ones I interacted with were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. The rooms are all set up as they would have been at the time, and there are a few period pieces remaining as well. Would recommend a visit here, as well as the nearby Jockey Hollow.

Although it was never on the top of my lists for historical sites to see, I am very glad that I visited this place with my friend. Not only did the main floor have troves of exhibits, including George Washington’s inaugural sword, but they recently opened a new hand on exhibit area in the lower level, which was fascinating to interact with. A must see for all American Revolution and history buffs alike.

I would definitely come here again when i'm back in the area! So much to do and see! I had a great time on a day with great weather!

Kid friendly museum with interesting exhibits for adults. Lots of history of the revolutionary war, troop formations, movements, and strategy. They have a massive collection of documents pre-war, during the war, and post-war. The only negative was the house itself was under renovation but should be back within the year.

This site includes the Historical Park, the house Washington was housed in, and a museum with video introduction. First, the museum was good (although not particularly large) and the short movie was very informative. The gift shop was small, but nice. The 18th century Ford house (a mansion at that time) was amazing, and for me the best part of the park. It was original and they told us had the original doorknob! Much of the furnishings inside were original to the Ford family and were used by Washington. We were able to see first and second floors and cellar. We had a great tour guide who took us all over with great stories. It felt as though Washington and his officers were still living there and had just stepped out temporarily. Definitely the highlight. From there we drove to the encampment area of the park. It was really nice. There were many visitors there walking dogs and hiking. It had a great family feel, and I think a picnic there would be a good idea. You can travel around the park and see reconstructed huts similar to Valley Forge. My husband, kids and I had a great time exploring. It was a hot day, though, so bring water!

My 9 year old daughters are now getting interested in history and, for the first time, I found myself (happily) waiting for them to finish in the historical center on the lower level. Perhaps the most interactive museum on the Revolution we have visited; even more so than Yorktown or Philly. Found this site more engaging than Valley Forge.

Enjoyed a very nice tour here of the Ford Mansion and learned about the interesting history of George Washington and his winter here. would recommend the guided free tour that runs often, also the movie is very worthwhile and informative.

For anyone interested in the history of our country, this is a great stop. First stop at the Washington's Headquarters Museum and enjoy the video of the history of the encampment during the winter of 1779-1780. The museum has several galleries of period furniture as well as weaponery. There is also a document room with an original copy of Thomas Paine's "Common Sense". If possible, take the docent lead tour of the Ford Mansion, which is about 45 minutes and shows you where Washington and his aids spent the winter. Our tour guide did an excellent job of not only giving the history of the building and the history, but also compared mundane items such as the height of the people at that time (Washington was 6'3"), their diet, etc.. Very worthwhile visit.

George and Martha Washington lived here the winters of 1777 of 1779 while his troops camped at Loantaka Brook and Jockey Hollow, respectively. House is typical center hall colonial with appropriate 18th c furnishings as well as officer traveling gear. Attic housed soldiers. Reconstructed out buildings. Museum has interesting artifacts from the revolutionary war period.

I like this park. It's beautiful & a manageable size ... you always know you're in a park as opposed to lost in the wilderness like at Yellowstone where a bear might eat you for lunch. I thought there would be only locals here ... I didn't think it was famous enough to draw foreign tourists, but happily I was wrong. Ford Mansion was smaller than expected, but apparently Washington really slept (& strategized) here after famously crossing the Delaware, & it's pretty cool being somewhere like that even if, like me, you're not especially patriotic. We never made it to Jockey Hollow or Fort Nonsense ... maybe next time. The entrance fee here is reasonable, but free is always better, & entry will be completely free April 19-20 for the start of Ntl Parks Week.

From the moment that you enter the door you're transported to another place and time. From the carefully restored Ford's Mansion to the property itself, there is a sense of timelessness here.

We visited the area in July and were fascinated by all of its historical significance. Its importance was stressed in the Museum and Headquarters. A guided tour is free for all and be sure to sign up early. There are many artifacts in the museum and the guides give good stories of what went on here. We also visited the park with three statures of Washington, Lafayette, and Hamilton. It was a good photo opportunity.

The Ford Mansion itself is interesting to see but not too exciting. Kids will enjoy the museum - lots of interactive learning and facts about the Revolutionary War and what life was like for people living during that time in America. If you want to tour the mansion, make sure to sign up as soon as you arrive. Tours are organized, start at specific times and can booked up.

Morristown, New Jersey played a key roll in the Revolutionary War effort and much of that effort is reflected in the Washington Headquarters Museum. The museum is housed in a separate building from the Ford Mansion. The museum's artifacts display the material cultural of 18th century America. Clothing, jewelry, eating utensils, musical instruments, weaponry, muskets and pistols of the time are included in the display. Of significant importance is the original portrait of Gilbert Stuart's portrait of George Washington.

There are various rooms in the museum, one of which is The Lloyd W. Smith Gallery named after the principal private contributor to the museum's collection. Much of the collection here comprises material cultural artifacts.

The military Gallery houses muskets, canons, pistols, maps and portraits.

The room of documents which are representative of those appearing during the Revolutionary era are in my opinion significant. Issues such as British taxation, cartoon illustrations, George Washington portraits including is death bed and early debates about slavery.

Finally, the museum has an auditorium where presentations are given on all aspects of the era and war. A video is on continuous showing called "1782-1789 Democracy.

Due to the Covid=19 epidemic the museum and Ford Mansion have been periodically shutdown so check on the the current status of the museum .

We try to get hte kids to this museum (and the adjoing Ford Mansion) at least every year. It is set on a beautiful property and is worth an afternoon trip. The docents are knowledgeable & friendly and we always learn a little bit more about our area's history. We strongly recommend this museum.

The Museum is small but interesting. You can do this as part of a visit to other historic sites in the area.

We visited the museum while exploring all of the areas of the NHP. After stopping at Fort Nonesense and enjoying the views we headed to the museum. My kids loved the scavenger hunt in the museum included in the Jr Ranger booklet. The artifacts are very nicely displayed. My kids were able to complete their Jr Ranger books and get their badges here (we started at Jockey Hollow before coming here). The house tour was sold out so we weren't able to explore there.

The tours begin at the fireproof (!) Visitor's Center at the rear of the property. There is free parking but it is limited. The Visitor's Center has exhibitions, which are really interesting and related to Washington's time at the site or objects from the era, a gift shop, a film, and restrooms. The house museum tour is excellent, informative, and moves at a pace that keeps children (4-12) interested. There are some places to sit a long the tour, but they are limited (in case you have tired kids). There is no fence around the property and there is a major road at the front, so it is important to keep a close eye on any wandering children. The setting is lush and beautiful. The house and objects fascinating.

You would need to plan carefully if you needed wheelchair access and it is unlikely you would be able to enter the historical house without a great deal of effort since there is no wheelchair access at the front and there are many stairs in the house.

We visited Jacob Ford Mansion and was pleasantry surprised by the tour of General Washington's winter headquarters. Our National Parks Service's guide, a young Ms. Watts, was very informative. Thoroughly enjoyed it and the museum and surrounding area. We strongly recommend visiting it; it was $7 each well spent.

Went to jockey hollow and Washington Headquarters. Took friends from our of state. Five kids and two adults. We walked around Jockey Hollow for awhile and went into park museum. Rained so did mot stay long. Had lunch near by in Morristown a bit pricey at pizza place.
Washington Headquarters was neat to see and took the tour of Ford mansion. Ranger tour guide was good, lively and engaging. The story of how the site was saved is neat. This is a good addition to a historic site adventure.

Very few people in the USA and even in NJ appreciate the deep history in Morristown. George Washington and the Continental Army came here twice during the Revolutionary War. First after the battle of Trenton and Princeton and then during the winter of 1779-1780. A must for every American.

Good tour. If you're a history buff you'll enjoy seeing the rooms where decisions were made. If you're not you'll learn something and still enjoy the visit.

To think that you can be in the same place where this incredible man and his family lived! There was a guide who was dressed in colonial garb and spoke as if he were receiving a letter for Washington from the tour group. We had a tour of the house which served as Washington's headquarters. While we waited at the museum before the tour, we saw a film about Valley Forge, which was very well done. There is also a gallery of artifacts, including a huge chain used to stop the British. Anyone interested in American History would enjoy a visit here. Things in the gift shop to appeal to all ages.

We went on the off chance and glad we did. This is a very easy visit and worth the $4.00 fee (free for Golden Age Pass).
The museum area houses a small museum of artifacts, mainly bedding, embroidery, china, children's books and implements of the day from the well to do. Another room houses documents and a third is an armory. There is a video running depicting life for the soldiers. The tour includes a very well narrated talk of the main house, it lasts about 40 minutes and is well covered by a volunteer. The house is interesting to see and per the guide is much like it was in the 1700's.
There is a small gift shop in the museum area. Beware parking is limited.
Jockey Hollow is close by and there is no fee for this attraction.

Even though some areas are still under development this is a fine museum. The Ranger at the visitor center was friendly, informative and humorous.
We toured the Ford House and our guide, Joel, was great.
Not too far off I 287 so worth the detour.

A very good movie, and a pretty good tour of the Ford mansion that really explores what happens the winters after Valley Forge at Jockey Hollow near Morristown. A good story made better because it is true.

Great place to learn about the Army's Winter encampments of 1777, 1779-80, and where the PA & NJ divisions encamped in 1781 & 1782! The worst mutiny of the War happened here & Benedict Arnold's Court-Martial! Incredible history! Washington's Headquarters (Ford Mansion), General St. Clair's Headquarters (Wick Farm House) replica huts, museum, movies, miles of trails to hike, ride horses, 3 mile paved road for cars & bikes, reenactments, tours, etc!

Great place to learn about Winter during the Revoluntionary War. Very educational with the restored barracks in the visitor's center at Jockey Hollow. Excellent movie. Washington's headquarters was very interesting. Best part of this location were the Park Rangers who were very nice, friendly, and helpful.

Another cold day in New Jersey was the real impetus for my visit here. Still it was interesting and if you are really interested in the history of the American civil war then this is highly recommended. The staff are knowledgeable but for me it is a tad too American centric but I imagine that that is the bulk of their visitors so it is probably okay. Not amazing but still interesting.

Located right off I 287 in Morristown NJ, this park offers two views of the historic battles waged by General George Washington and his troops vs the British.
A true feel for the past

Who knew there was another winter refuge colder than Valley Forge? Well worth a visit and well preserved. I wish I had given myself more time.

You can obviously enjoy the historical artifacts left behind by Washington and his troops during the revolutionary era, his Headquarter and Museum in town, the Wick Farmhouse and the site of winter encampment with recreated soldiers barracks at Jockey Hollow. The Visitor Center will do a wonderful job reminding what you already forgot from history courses. What most first time visitors would miss, because of time constraint or lack of preparation, are the wonderful hiking trails within easy reach at Jockey Hollow. If you enjoy the Eastern woods, please invest $1 to buy a trail map and choose your course(s), perhaps with a little help from the local rangers at the Visitor Center. Most trails are clearly marked and pretty obvious, even beginners couldn't get lost. Most are rated easy or moderate, depending on the elevation you might have to scale. Spring and Fall are best, even the summer should be comfortable enough with the canopy of tall trees providing shades. Dress according to weather and terrain, and bring plenty of water. I highly recommend the Grand Loop, which courses around the perimeter of the park, crossing streams and ponds besides the magnificent foliage, ca. 5.3 miles, and could be completed within 3 hours. Experienced hikers could do in much less time. History & Nature in one package, you can't ask for more in densely populated Jersey!

We stopped for lunch on our way to Washington's HQ and a friend called for the time of the last tour. The phone message said there were no tours on Wednesday so we took our time and didn't rush. We got there after three to find out that the phone message was in error and we had just missed the Wednesday tour which was at 3 o'clock. The Museum worker refused to let us in on the tour in progress but we decided to try our luck and the tour guide graciously let us in because of the message error. Museum staff need more PR training.
There are some interesting items in the museum such as guns, clothing, artillery and furniture but it definitly needs to be combined with the house tour to make it a worthwhile trip. There is a beautiful statue of George Washington outside. Glad it survived the recent social strife.

We did not realize the park has two locations, until we visited the Washington's headquarters in town and we were surprised, that most of the park is outside of town. The headquarters offer a half an hour mansion tour, small exhibitions, and a 15 minutes movie in the visitor center, as well as a small shop. You can do everything there in an hour. We did not have time to visit the other parts, so can't comment on the trails.

The museum is simple but informative. The Ford Mansion is worth touring. And it's worth the drive to Jockey Hollow to see how the "other half" lived during Washington's encampment in 1779. Great tree color in the fall.

I went to this site because I love history. I found the 50 minute tour to be insightful and interesting. The museum is small but it appears that an expansion is planned. The gift shop too is tiny but very well stocked. Overall, I would recommend to those who are interested in American history.

A must for the history buff as well as for school age children. This is a historical building. Be sure to take a guided tour.

Washington Headquarters and Museum consist of Ford Mansion (General George Washington and the Continental Army used it as an encampment from December 1779 to June 1880) and the Museum ( a Mount Vernon-inspired building where you can see a few objects from the Revolutionary War period). In the Museum you buy the tickets to tour Ford Mansion, and I especially recommend this, because the tour guide was very knowledgeable and enjoyable. She really took us back to the times when George Washington was in town with the Continental Army. The Museum also has a small gift shop and is wheelchair accessible. Morristown National Park is a must for any Revolutionary War fan.

Toured museum and home where Washington kept the troops during the horrible winter . Morristown residents helped shelter the General and his troops. Great exhibits for Revolutionary War historians.

The park is gigantic, and we only had time to investigate the main Visitor Center. which had interesting exhibits and a moving, 15-minute film on the starving, ragged colonial army facing a frigid winter in Morristown, NJ. We took a tour of the Ford House, which became Washington's headquarters. The house is gigantic and the tour guide was enthusiastic and very knowledgeable about that period of American history. Definitely worth seeing.

If you are an American or world history buff, and traveling in the area, stop here. Walk through the grounds and take it all in. A great walk for an hour..through the humidity...go in the fall...that's my tip...go go go

This is part of the National Parks and is in the midst of Morristown near I287. We were here for a wedding in New Jersey so we got off I287 in Morristown to visit - follow the instructions on the NPS website to find the museum - it's well hidden and there's lots of traffic so you could easily miss it. Very interesting to learn about the worst winter of the Revolutionary War. Here you meet w/ the Park Ranger to go over to tour Ford's Mansion where Washington used as his headquarters.

Great tour guide, pleasant, lots of history, made it interesting! All ages would enjoy. Beautiful grounds, well appointed historic rooms! Video at main location, 30 minute documentary. Gift shop, free parking and a worthwhile glimpse of American History

Well worth a visit. The museum/visitor center is staffed by courteous and knowledgeable crew of Park Service employees. The tour of the Ford Mansion normally costs $4.00 but on Independence Day the fee was waived. The tour was excellent. This is a great way to spend a couple of hours learning an integral part of the fight for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

A nice place to visit. You'll learn of Morristown's past and get to see a collection of historical items.

I'm a history buff so I enjoy such places. Washington Headquarters was well done and interesting. The Park ranger did a very good job.

A interesting museum that displays various artifacts of the colonial period. You can watch a video on the bottom floor about the terrible winter of 1780-1781 and the hardships endured by Washington's soldiers. You should also visit the Ford Mansion while you are here. I did find it odd that they did not accept credit cards for admittance to the Ford Mansion, Still, it is a worthwhile place to visit,

I drove past this place hundreds of times before finally stopping in one weekend. The museum has some cool stuff but he history of the Ford Mansion is what blew me away. To think you’re standing in the same rooms that Washington, Hamilton and others lived in hundreds of years ago blows my mind. If you’re a history buff this free tour and free museum and definitely worth a few hours of your day.

Visitors can pick up passes for the house tour at the visitor center gift shop. While you wait, you can view two galleries on the first floor, as well as a 20 minute video and gallery in the basement. The house tour guide was nice and the historical facts were interesting.

The park ranger was somewhat rude and there was an individual who was handicapped and no effort was made for her whatsoever. The tour was interesting but the park ranger needed some customer relations training

The two attractions at this site are Ford's Mansion where Gen Washington and his staff stayed and a museum that houses some fine Revolutionary War artifacts. Park Rangers offer a guided tour of the mansion that provides a wonderful perspective of its history and helps you relate to our first Commander-in-Chief during his winter encampment. The mansion is well maintained and authentically furnished. There are some very interesting things to see in the museum so take your time and enjoy it. I suggest you sign up for the tour of the mansion first and then use your waiting time to view the video and soak in the museum around your tour time. There is a $4 entry fee, unless you have a National Park pass that covers admission. If you have the time, consider visiting the Morristown Commons and nearby Jockey Hollow where Washington's troops encamped during the winter of 1779-1780. Though not as impressive as the HQ, these additional sites provide interesting historical perspective for the history buffs.

We enjoyed visiting this National Historical park to get an understanding of what Washington and his men endured during the harsh winters fighting the British.

Great park with excellent visitors' center. I spent a long time in the visitors' center, watching the video, seeing the exhibits. "Where the Revolution Survived" is the theme of the museum. Inspiring.

Fell short of my expectations as there were few items that were original to the period since many are at the Smithsonian Museum in Wash., DC.

Overall very nice and informative on the history of the country and good areas to walk. Had a bit of an issue with a rude ranger who was very annoyed at having to deal with people in general. He was very unpleasant to multiple groups asking questions and decidedly should not have been the front person.

As the other reviewer noted, the parking is limited but ample for the visit. The tour was great. We saw the exhibits, and gift shop, while waiting for the tour to start. Tour started on time. Guide was knowledgeable as were some others on the tour! "Mrs. Hamilton" was another presenter. Lovely way to spend the day

full of great information about that time in American History! Walk on the same floors that our first President did.

Lots to see in this small museum. We found it helpful to start with the introductory video. We visited the museum before and after our ranger-led tour of the next-door Ford Mansion.

We did a tour through the house and spent time in the museum. The tour was just okay because of the quality of the guide. Our guide was knowledgeable but his delivery was flat and he made little effort to engage the young people in our group. It was interesting to walk through the house, and we found some elements of the three exhibit rooms in the museum to be of value as well. The movie, however, brought the period of time to life. It was well worth watching!

Parking garages with easy access to restaurants and shops very helpful. The day was beautiful so many people were on foot walking through the park and main street. The restaurant took a little longer than anticipated, so we didn't have much time to browse the shops.

Visiting relatives they took us to Washington's HQ. We joined a guided tour of the HQ and were most impressed by the knowledge of the guide and being able to see life as it was at the time of the American Revolution. Being British we were able to compare directly with military museums in the UK and to see how our histories were tied together. The museum itself houses a number of fascinating artefacts and the short film really brings home the privations suffered by the soldiers. The visit left a lasting impression – truly the birth of a nation!

It’s been many years since we visited Washington's Headquarters Museum Building. We enjoyed seeing the improved exhibit galleries and the new Discover History Center. Some of my ancestors served in the American Revolution so I find the early history of New Jersey and our country very interesting. Check it out if you are in the area.

We had a great time visiting George Washington's Headquarters in Morristown, NJ. We timed it perfectly and went on a free guided tour of the Ford House which George Washington turned into his headquarters. After the tour, we visited the museum and learning center, which exceeded expectations. The three adults in the group enjoyed everything. The six-year-old did not enjoy the house tour, but enjoyed the learning center, movie, and gift shop! The best part was everything was free including the tour, museum, and parking.

Washington's headquarters where he planned his attack in the American Revolution. Tour guides were awesome and really influential in learning about the experience that Washington and his men had during their stay.

The Ford family put up General Washington and his family and staff for the harshest winter of the war. The Ford's preserved home is the center piece of a very valuable period tour.

I'm always amazed at how the winter quarters for the revolutionary army got so much hype and development, yet the sites where the actual battles took place have very little. This is a perfect example of that. Nothing really exciting happened here except that Washington and his men hunkered down for several really bad winters. Same thing as Valley Forge. Both of these sites have enourmous vistors centers that quite frankly aren't being used to the full potential. Then you take a place like The Battle of Princeton and there is no visitor's center except for a couple of plaques and monuments. The Battle of white Plains in New York has one small little commemorative stone in the corner of a city park. Anyway this site is ok to view a historic house that Washington lived in for 6 months. $4 for adults but free for children. The museum is free but only contained 3 exhibits that were just ok. There is also a half hour movie that is ree. We had a good time with family but agree that the Park Rangers could use a few lessons on customer relations. We had 22 people in our group but they would only allow 20 on the tour at one time "due to Fire codes". Are you kidding? so two of our group had to wait outside.

Excellent Museum! Be sure to ask for guided tour when entering the museum. Ford Mansion interior can only be visited with the museum guide.

Easy to get to. We did the "light" version while in the area visiting friends. Kids enjoyed the vast outdoor spaces. Was worth the visit just to see the very mature hardwood forest and the landscape of hills and streams. Lots of walking and hiking opportunities. I'd like to know why the Park Service buildings (restrooms, visitor center, etc.) are round - I'm sure there is a story there.

The Washington Headquarters Museum is nice, but small. The size of the building is deceiving for the quantity of artifacts inside. The arms room was probably my favorite; and one of the best pieces they had inside was Washington's sword that he wore during his inauguration. Nice place to visit after seeing the Ford Mansion which is on the same grounds.

We were among a few visitors on a Wednesday morning. We didn’t have time to tour the Ford Mansion, but we enjoyed the excellent film and visitor center exhibits. This is a small facility, but well designed and maintained. The exhibits are very well done and informative, with interesting artifacts. We thought the visitor center was much better than Valley Forge, which will get a much-needed renovation in 2020. These displays tell the story of an under-appreciated chapter in the American Revolution, two years after Valley Forge, with troops surviving a more severe winter. Children and adults will enjoy the interactive exhibits on the lower level where they (adults too!) can dress in a Revolutionary coat and tricorne hat and learn more about the times.

Visiting this site, for me, was all is all about the history, I could imagine the 10,000 soldiers struggling to survive the harsh winter. The visitors’ center had a nice video and a cutaway of the soldiers hut. There many hiking trails there and very informative park rangers. It's a nice way to spend a couple of hours hiking and soaking up some history.

We stopped in while sight-seeing around the area. The Ford Mansion tour is outstanding and very well done. The museum is extremely well laid out and impressive with lot of exhibits, many are interactive. You'll spend more time there than you might think!

We have lived here for years and never made the trek to this museum. We had friends in town and they wanted to go so off we went. It was really really interesting and gave me a new appreciation of what these poor people went through.

Take the time to visit this site. For some small sum you can participate in a park ranger's presentation and learn all sorts of wonderful factoids about the role George Washington played in our history, right here in NJ.

This park is spread all over Morristown, NJ. Most people don't realize how much of a pivotal role Morristown played in the American Revolution because it is overshadowed by Valley Forge and no battle was fought here. However, the first winter at Morristown was by far the worst the American army spent in the war. Try to envision six feet of snow on the ground, no shelter, inadequate clothing and food and more likely not even having shoes. That will begin to give you an idea of what winter was like here.

The Ford Mansion, where Washington stayed, is well done. It doesn't cost much, $4 if I remember correctly. The tour guides know their stuff and really give you an appreciation of what these poor souls went through. If you are in the area I highly recommend stopping in for a visit.

The area where the soldiers stayed is separate but not far. Jockey Hollow doesn't have too much to look at but a lot of nice hiking fields, a house where a general stayed, and a few replicas of the huts the soldiers had to build. It is a nice way to spend a day if you are bored in Morris County.

Enjoy learning about Morristown's role in the War of Independence.
Nice exhibits and plenty of free parking. Take the free guided tour of the Ford Mansion.

The museum and surroundings were very well maintain. The museum is small but offers a lot of information about Washington encampment in Morristown during the war.

Even though it says it is open on those days. It is not open on Mondays and Tuesdays. We drove all the way here to find that out.

This event was just beautifully done by everyone involved. We live in Morristown and have often used the parks for walking, hiking, or picnics but we had never gone to such an amazing event. We took our grandchildren, ages 3 and 6 along with a leashed pet. It was wonderful!

Everybody involved knew so much about George Washington's time in Morristown at Jockey Hollow during the revolutionary but it was such fun to see everyone dressed up in authentic clothing, sleeping and eating as the soldiers might have and showing how early doctors treated the sick and wounded. They also showed how the army trained both men and soldiers for the coming battles and then showed how the cannons were loaded and fired. It was both exciting to see all of this happening in front of us but also to see the delight in the faces of our grandchildren. Very good trip and highly recommended.

Bring the kids, bring the grandparents - this site will have something to interest all. Small museum that won't overwhelm the kids - plus a film on Washington's encampment during the winter of 1779 to 1780. It was a brutal winter and the film presents a dramatic enactment of the poorly equipped and poorly clothed soldiers struggling through a record 20 plus snow storms and building huts at Jockey Hollow. Also included in price of admission ($4) is a tour of the Ford Mansion where Washington stayed for 6 months over that winter. Military on active duty and seniors (62 and over) get a national parks pass (any park attraction) for free which entitles them and their guests to attend parks for free. The Ford Mansion is enthralling. Most rooms are blocked off and you can peer in to see period furniture. See the rooms that Washington is reported to have used, see servant quarters, and see the two rooms where the widow Ford stayed with her children while Washington and aides were encamped there. The mansion once stood on 200 acres of property. Step back in history with this tour. Park tour guide was very knowledgeable and fielded many questions from our group. There are only a few mansion tours each day and attendance is limited. Be sure to get your ticket right away to avoid being shut out on the mansion tour. Follow up this visit with a trip to Jockey Hollow!

There is a lot to see in Morristown at Jockey Hollow, Fort Nonsense, and the Ford Mansion. Fun any time of year.

Went here not knowing what to expect a was very surprised to see what a nice museum and tour it was. The rangers are nice and informative and engaged the visitors on our tour. Would go again if I could. Perfect weather for walking around houses.

Fabulous museum. The visitor's center is self-guided, the Ford Mansion requires a tour guide. The visitor's center is filled with period furnishings. There's also a room about Washington himself, and New Jersey's role in the Revolutionary War. The ranger who conducted the tour of the Ford Mansion was a wealth of information painting a picture of life in Morristown during Washington's stay. The visitor's center is wheel-chair accessible, but the mansion is not.

Morristown National Historic Park preserves the location where the Continental Army encamped twice; first in the early months of 1777, after its famous crossing of the Delaware River and victories at Trenton and Princeton, and during the winter of 1779-80 which turned out to be the coldest on record. The park consists of three primary historic areas from the Revolution; Fort Nonsense, Ford Mansion and Museum and Jockey Hollow. Fort Nonsense is located on top of a hill where in the spring of 1777, Washington had his soldiers fortify the ridge. The earthworks later became known as Fort Nonsense as legend had it that Washington ordered the fortification solely to keep the soldiers busy. There is not much here and it can be skipped if time is limited. Ford Mansion served as Washington’s headquarters during the winter of 1779-80 and adjacent to it is a museum with Washington artifacts and a park visitor center. The Ford Mansion is well preserved and beautifully maintained with frequent tours 7 days a week and is the must see part of the park for history buffs. Jockey Hollow is located several miles away is the actual site of the army’s encampment during the winter of 1779-80. While there are a few historical items here, the main attraction is the over 20 miles (32k) of hiking trails through beautifully wooded terrain.

We first stopped at the museum and visited it. You have to pay to tour the Ford House which was his headquarters during part of the Revolutionary War. We passed on that as we have toured a lot of houses of this vintage and would have had to wait for 90 minutes for the next tour. We did tour the two room museum. The highlight from my standpoint was the painting of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart and a link of the chain that stretched across the Hudson River to prevent the British from going up river with bigger ships. There is a small collection of Washington artifacts, but considering they are downstairs, but there is an elevator. We then drove down to the Wick Farm and winter headquarters for the troops. It is here that the troops spent the coldest winter on record mostly outdoors. There was never a mention of how Farmer Wick felt about 10,000 people camped on his large farm. However, my criticism of this park and the reason for the rating is the personnel. The young lady at the visitor center never smiled, greeted us or in any way showed any enthusiasm. When we arrived she was using the computer to check out the local grocery ads for the weekend and even when I mentioned it she acted totally unconcerned. The gentleman at the Wick Farm visitor center must have been her brother in personality although he did get a bit more animated when we commented on the large cicada carcasses littering the walkways. So, it's five for the park and one for the personnel, average three.

This museum displays the sword which Washington wore on his inaugural day as our first president. Has other original artifacts as well. Short film which runs every 15 mins re:the winter encampment at Jockey Hollow for the soldiers, persevering thru another harsh winter. Small gift shop inside. Museum only takes about an hr including the film & gift shop. But do be sure to tour the house nearby in which Washington used as headquarters. That is the highlight! Great bronze statue of the general on his horse across the street from Washingtons Headquarters home.

Washington Headquaters at Morristown, NJ, is the place where George Washington slept, ate and fought in 1779-1780. While you there, you will go to Ford Mansion and Revolutionary Museum to see details of military life, display of 18th century weaponry, dioramas, sketches, audio-visuals and watch 15 minute movies that was shot at this location and at Jockey Hollow, where 10,000 American troops were encamped. You will be exposed to history of survival and courage at the coldest winter of the century.
Ford's mansion was offered by the owner to George Washington and became his headquarters. Ford's family stayed in 2 rooms and the rest of the house was occupied by General Washington and his staff. You will see authentic to the period furnishing, original beds and more items, many of those are true Ford's family pieces.
Many famous people were visiting General Washington Headquarters including Marquis de Lafayette and Alexander Hamilton. You also enjoy walking around and relax in premises. I live closely, visited the Headquarters many times, and can tell this place is one of my favorite parks in the area.

We visited the Ford Mansion during a day trip from NYC. We visited for the history, but we spent much of our time taking pictures of the fall foliage. The tour of the house was great, of course, but the mansion grounds are worth some time as well. Plus, it's all free!

This park is really interesting and worth seeing. The museum is not all that extensive, but it does a great job of telling the story of the people who were encamped at Morristown during that frigid winter. If you do decide to go, check the website TWICE...it contained a bit of incorrect information. It said that they were open at 9:00 AM, when in actuality they open at 9:30 AM in the "off months" of winter. Make sure you make time to see the video in the auditorium, and also find the tour leader who will take you through the Ford Mansion. It really is worth the time! Great tour from people who really know their stuff!

A tour should begin at the Visitor's Center which has exhibits, a reenactment film, restrooms, and the National Parks Passport Cancellation Station in the bookstore/gift shop. It is where to buy a ticket for a ranger-led tour of Ford Mansion & Museum which became Washington’s Headquarters in Morristown.
The reenactment film demonstrated the hardships the Continental Army endured during their encampment from December 1779 to June 1780. Valley Forge gets all the press as the place for enduring adversities; but, in reality it was at Jockey Hollow in Morristown. The film “Morristown: Where America Survived” showed military life through what would be the coldest winter on record. They got about 4 feet of snow. The troops were poorly fed. Their uniforms/clothes were in tatters. Their shoes were worn. There was little money. The starvation was complicated by extreme inflation of money and lack of pay for the army. Yet, they drilled daily. The troops persevered. They were driven to survive by the desire to win freedom from England.
The tour of the Ford Mansion was informative and well done.

We are big fans of the National Parks and urge others to visit as many as they can. This one like all the others we have seen is well maintained, beautiful and educational. George Washington would be proud of the way this park depicts this period of our history.

Morristown NHP is actually split between two sights about 15 minutes from each other. Washington's HQTRS is right off I-287 and very well marked with large signs on and off the highway. The other site is known as Jolly Creek. Both offer very interesting exhibits on the Revolutionary War.

Extremely interesting whether you are into American History or not. We had a great guide who knew some amazing things about the period.

Our volunteer docent, Gwen, gave us a wonderful tour of the Ford Mansion, which is set up as if Washington is still living there and planning the war. The museum has a lot of information and the rangers are knowledgeable. You need to take the car to Jockey Hollow, where you can visit Wick House and then walk through the woods (or take the paved road) to the soldier's huts. (All free of charge.) So glad this national treasure has been preserved. Morristown is a beautiful area to visit.

Great history and the staff was excellent -the ground are beautifully maintain ed-also went to SchulyerHamilton house

Interesting museum with some great artifacts. I enjoyed seeing things I've seen before only in photos (Washings bust and portrait). Having read about the revolutionary war I found it interesting to see the writings that sparked the revolution. Surprisingly there are only 3 parts open and a video on tv explaining the history. It's clearly a work in progress and has much more potential. When mixed with the Ford Mansion tour (included and close) it's definitely worth the money and interesting. It's not as huge as some other NPS locations, and without the mansion tour it would be a little light, but both together is a great experience.

I brought my kids (6 & 5). They enjoyed some things but had a hard time slowing down enough to appreciate it (no surprise there). Kids can enjoy it but it takes a bit of help from the parent (not problem). I printed and brought the Jr Ranger workbook. They were engaged for most of it (puzzles and making a park) and had fun finding how many George Washingtons were in the museum. At the end they both really lit up to get a real certificate and badge to be a Jr Ranger. Worth my time printing it by far. I'd recommend this and the walking trails of the soldiers encampment (a few miles away) I'm sure the kids would love the mix (I did nto make the trails part). Overall the museum and Ford tour were worthwhile for kids and they did say they had fun. I sure enjoyed it.

After years of wanting to visit George Washington's headquarters in Morristown, I finally made it a point to stop on my way home from visiting family in Pennsylvania. We started out in the museum which has interactive activities, so if you have children, they will definitely enjoy this. Since tours begin at specified times, be sure to call ahead if you have limited time to spend here.
We walked across the grassy area to the Ford Mansion which is where Gen. Washington set up his headquarters. Our guide Jill was very thorough and knowledgeable. I only wish we had been able to spend a little more time in the Mansion.
Wear comfortable shoes as there are stairs to climb, and you'll be standing while the tour guide speaks.
There was no entrance fee when we visited yesterday so don't know why some reviews mention a fee. Donations ARE accepted in the Mansion, however.

I grew up within a few miles of this park and have visited it a number of times in the past, but since these days am a volunteer for the National Park Service in Arizona, I really become enthused visiting other parks. The young ranger, John Hazel, who gave a tour of the Ford Mansion where Washington had his headquarters during the severe winter of 1779-80, gave an eloquent presentation. The two exhibitions areas in the museum in the back are full of interesting insights into American history. Later I stopped at Fort Nonsense ( allegedly created for busy work ) and there is not much up there, but was intended as a lookout point and fortification, but never saw any combat. There is a nice picnic area at this location. The next day I visited the Jockey Hollow area where the troops were encamped and spent a delightful couple of hours on the trails through the thick greenery of the northern New Jersey forest.

Some interesting displays and nice small store. Grounds are beautiful, take a tour of the Ford house. A must if you are into history and Washington.

My daughter and I are both history buffs and we really enjoyed touring this museum. We drove past it so many times without stopping and were so happy when we finally did. The most interesting fact of the day: colonists used whatever was available for toilet tissue, and if nothing was available, they used their hands!!!

We came here to take pictures as part of our wedding photoshoot and it was great especially in the fall time when the leaves change color. And of course its also great to see due its historical significance.

Signs to find the actual visitor center were not seen by us. Parked in the parking lot and looked around. No buildings, no signs. Then the visitor center was not staffed when we were there, even though the website indicated it would be open...

Dust off those American history lessons of long ago with a visit to this compact, but illuminating historical park. We toured (for free) the adjacent house where Gen. George Washington lived during the "hard winter" of 1777 then took in the museum. Many original artifacts bring to life the challenges our revolutionary ancestors dealt with plus several videos illustrate the period during which the revolutionary army camped in Morristown. Well worth a visit. We spent slightly less than 2 hours total at the house and museum.

Took a tour of Ford Mansion. Our guide was very knowledgeable and engaging. It took a little under an hour for the tour. Give yourself at least another hour to go through the museum. There is also a 20 minute movie however was told it was very similar to the one at Jockey Hollow visitor center which we already saw so did not watch here. Small store to purchase souvenirs.

Amazing Amercian history can be found at Morrisotwn. It's simply incredible to walk in these areas knowing who walked before you. The museum is well maintained with a nice little shop. The introducotry video was well done. I enjoyed the short tour loop. Be sure to leave your car and make the short walk up to see the soldier's huts. Our country began with these patriots who suffered so much.

Great place to visit. Outstanding history and Rangers and guides are very knowledgable. Totally worth it. One of the coolest experiences.

This place was the White House of the American Revolution. Why Morristown? Geography mattered. It was about two-day journey from New York, so it was close enough for Americans to keep abreast of the development there, and distant enough to avoid a surprise attack. The Watchung Mountain had one pass near Springfield, and it would be hard to walk up from New York. This place was not too far from Philadelphia, and the woods in the area facilitated the building of encampments. At one point, the population of 200 increased so much that it became the fifth largest cities in the 13 colonies.

Washington, Hamilton and their helpers shared this house with the Ford family. For a while, about two dozen people shared one fire in the kitchen. The documentary was very informative, and the guide presented well. One thing interested me. People barely bathed themselves those days. They only washed the areas not covered by their cloths, since water, especially hot water, was hard to come by. They even justified their hygiene practice by saying that washing would remove body oil so as to make humans easy to be penetrated by germs.

This place is must visit place, may not look attractive from outside but will not be sorry to visit, you will enjoy

The Jockey Hollow Unit requires a car to get to. Fort Nonsense has a great view (you can see Freedom Tower in NY) and you really understand why Washington was there. It's a 3-4 mile roundtrip from town--very walkable although uphill. Washington's HQ is in town itself and has a museum and tours of the house.

There was a guided tour on July 3rd and it was for free in honor of the country's birthday. The tour included the Ford Mansion and Washington's Headquarters Museum. The drum and fife corps played on the grounds of the museum on this particular day. The musicians were dressed in replica uniforms. The event was extremely enjoyable.

A historic location in New Jersey that is well worth visiting. The Washington Headquarter Museum has many artifacts on display representing upper class life in 18th century America. There is the original portrait of Gilbert Stuart's portrait of President Washington. This is an excellent experience for preteen and teens to learn about America's fight for independence and the Revolutionary War.

For a short trip for family that is both educational and scenic this is the place to go. You can view military items in Washington"s headquarters and then drive thru the battlefield walking among the encampments. The view from Fort Nonsense is spectacular.

First of all, check all the pages on the website for alerts about opening hours, as the main page doesn't always have the correct info. The guided tours of the Ford Mansion go on the hour every hour and are free, but you need timed tickets and the tours do fill up. We got there right after a tour had started and had to get tickets for the next hour, but the museum has so much information and there is so much to see, you can easily fill an hour waiting for the tour. The top floor can take an hour if you watch the video and read all the information and look at the exhibits. The downstairs of the museum could take another hour, as there are so many interactive options and plenty to keep everyone, kids and adults, occupied. It was all beautifully done with a great mix of artifacts, maps, objects, and descriptions. Then, you have an hour-long tour of the Ford Mansion. The docent was very knowledgeable and the tour is really interesting and there is a lot to learn about George Washington's time in Morristown in the winter of 1779-80.

We've been to this National Historical Park--the first so designated by the U S Government (note that this is a different designation than a National Park like Yellowstone)--on many occasions over the past three decades. First of all its historical significance is critical--George Washington and senior staff spent two of the most critical winter years of the Revolutionary War in the Ford mansion. Defeated in battles in and around N Y City, re retreated behind the "mountains" of the Morristown area where he could watch the British fleet and army. He preserved the army, despite the terrible weather one year that was as bad as Valley Forge.

I wasn't aware of this place till I found it in my book. I was very nicely surprised! The park is very large. Lots of areas to walk in with replica log cabins and information stands. The mansion where Washington headquartered was amazing! I had been to Valley Forge so I was very happy to have come here. If you like history, this is a place for you.

Very interesting tour of the house where Washington spent the winters while his troops camped nearby. You need a the guide to tell the story otherwise you are just looking at old stuff. Well worth the $7 charge for the tour, museum is free. Allow 1 - 2 hours.

Beautiful hikes, ranging from a simple mile up to the teens. The trails are well marked and maintained. This park needs to be on a history buffs "can not miss list". I just wish the cars zipping through kept to the speed limit, as we have almost been hit a couple of times. I don't understand why the rangers are not on top of this as they would make a fortune in "donations" for the park!

Our recent visit to this site was very enjoyable. Make sure you arrive plenty of time before the scheduled hourly tour you want to take to be sure there are enough tickets left for that tour. The group size is small. If you miss the scheduled tour you wanted to take, spend time first in the museum watching the very interesting and informative short movie about George Washington's time with his troops at this location. There are also very interesting things to see on display. Make sure to see the Hudson River chain link!

Still glad I went in to this place because of its historical place in the history of Washimgton's stay in Morris County but there wasn't a whole pile to see. I also found the informative plaques to be too far away sometimes to read?? Not the greatest planning. I didn't have time to visit the residence which I think would have a lot more.

I was driving on the interstate when I saw a sign for this attraction and decided to visit. It was late in the afternoon so I did not see the actual headquarters but did visit the museum. Very interesting part of history of which the East Coast has thousands. There are artifacts in the museum from Washington's time in the military which I find extraordinary. Very informative and if I am back in the area some day, I will get there earlier to take a guided tour.

The hiking trails are well maintained and marked. The info center has a great film about the Revolutionary war encampment. There are reinactors most days in the buildings. Worth the visit.

Did you know that during one of the Morristown encampments, the soldiers experienced the worst winter of the century? Morristown Historical Park was the first park to gain the "national historical park" designation.

The tour incudes the Ford mansion where Washington and some of his key officers resided and a modest museum. Although it is a smaller museum compared to some other historical parks, there are some real gems there.

My recommendation is to watch the movie first, even for those familiar with history will learn something new. It is well done and captivated not only my family but a family with youngsters. Be sure to go a guided tour of the mansion and walk all around the house after your tour is completed. Be sure to check out the museum as well. And if you have enough time plan to go to Jockey Hollow (about 15 minutes down the road) to see the Wick House and the soldiers encampments.

Only caution is to check ahead on the times. Because of budget cutbacks, they do have reduced hours.

We visited in August and really enjoyed our time exploring both the winter quarters of George Washington (Ford Mansion) and Jockey Hollow (where the Continental Army was housed during the very cold winter of 1779-80.)
The Site is situated in several areas in Morristown, so one has to drive between areas of interest. There is an excellent film which explains the situation in this area during this part of the Revolutionary War. It is shown in both Visitors Centers.
At Jockey Hollow there is a loop road which takes the driver past several important places which figured into the unique housing of the soldiers here.

The visitor center/museum was small but the exhibits were interesting, and I'd recommend watching the video about the winter of 1779-80 encampment at Jockey Hollow, and visiting that location as well. The tour of the Ford Mansion was fascinating and would interest children and adults.

While not as dramatic as Valley Forge, this Revolutionary War encampment is well worth the visit. The park lands are beautiful, a great place to walk. The small museum adjacent to Washington's Headquarters is interesting and a small architectural gem itself (built in 1935, CCCs perhaps?). The 18th century mansion where Washington headquartered during the winter encampment is nicely preserved. The volunteer guide was knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

Sometimes they are short staffed and all of the buildings are open. But that didn't stop us from learning more about the history of the Civil War and George Washington. The park ranger here was really sweet and the junior Ranger booklets, although tough, he kind of helped us a little bit because a lot of the buildings were unavailable. I would definitely not miss this one. It is a beautiful part with some great picnic places! Great salt!

A brand new museum was unveiled at Washington's Headquarters over Presidents Day Weekend. In addition to the Ford Mansion, just a few steps away, there is now a museum which has a film and War Gallery. along with another room containing artifacts, the new Discovery Center focuses on what life was like during the Revolution for people living in NJ. Exhibits cover musket firing, desertions, food scarcity, loyalty oaths, to name a few. Many of the exhibits are interactive, which appeal to kids and adults alike, there are costumes to try on and there is even an authentic door from an 18th century Morristown jail. Add a visit to Jockey Hollow (approximately 3 miles south), site of the winter encampment of 1779-1780, and you can experience the Revolutionary War as never before. Good for school-age children & adults and it's free.

We got there early and the guide asked us if we wanted to join on the first tour which had only 2 other people. The tour was amazing and the guide was very informative. The visitor's center was awesome as well.

A must for fans of American history! Make sure you get on the free tour of the Ford Mansion, which Washington used as headquarters. The Park Rangers were wonderful! Their enthusiasm for history was infectious and their knowledge encyclopedic.

We recently spent a weekend in Morristown in order to see the Morristown National Historical Park (plus a few more sites). Having been born near Morristown and growing up in central NJ (before moving to PA at age 30), a visit to this historic site was long overdue for me—an American history buff!

We arrived just as the museum opened at 10:00am and secured our free tickets to tour the nearby Ford Mansion (see separate review). Since the first house tour wasn’t until 11:00am, we had sufficient time before then to tour the galleries and to view the orientation video shown here (also shown at the Jockey Hollow Visitor’s Center and at their website).

The two galleries on the main floor were very good. “Exploring the Revolution” featured military artifacts and described the activities and challenges associated with a winter encampment such as Morristown. An interactive display I liked was a separate touch screen for each of the 8 years of the War for Independence, which provided information about encampments and battles during that particular year. “Defining American Style” displayed period furniture, decorative items, apparel & accessories typically owned by the “genteel” members of society of the 18th century.

The second floor of the museum contained the Rare Book & Manuscript Gallery, a collection of items donated by Lloyd W. Smith; on display were various historic printed items, i.e., pamphlets, essays, sermons, government papers, discourses, etc.

The Discovery Center on the bottom floor contained nice exhibits about enduring a winter encampment. Youth especially will like the many hands-on and interactive features here.

We spent just over 2 hours at this part of the park before moving on to Jockey Hollow (see separate review); it was time well spent. We came away with a greater appreciation of what the soldiers and officers endured the winter of 1779-80.

Plentiful free onsite parking and restrooms are available here but no café.

The Headquarters tour was a short walk through history, and a reality check on the 'luxurious' quarters that were shared! Great way to make history come alive!

We hadn't planned this stop but with some time to spare the Interstate "brown" sign caught our attention and we're glad we stopped. We watched the visitor center movie of the Morristown encampment and toured the exhibits as we waited the "on the hour" tour. On the hour the park ranger escorted the gathered tourists and we walked the short distance to the Ford home. This home, probably the largest most prominent home of its time in the area, was requested by Washington to serve as his winter headquarters. The home is well preserved an has a number of original furniture pieces Washington used during his six month stay here. The Ford family shared the space with Washington and his staff.

After our tour we headed to the actual encampment site for the enlisted men. There are many stories of amazing courage and perseverance as these brave patriots weathered the worst winter ever recorded.

35 miles west of Times Square lies Morristown New Jersey, where Washington's Continentals wintered over on three occasions (actually 2 1/2, but that's Another story). This was a strategic place where Washington was well positioned to observe British movements into and out of their main base - NYC. The park contains three general areas (1) the "Downtown Morristown" areas such as Washington's HQ, the Ford Mansion where he lived, and (2) Fort Nonsense {real name! don't ask} which was a stronghold in case of British forays as well as an excellent lookout vantage point to record movements around NYC (even today on a clear day you can see the skyline from this vantage point), and (3) the soldiers encampments in the Jockey Hollow area southwest of Morristown proper. My advice is to go on a weekday, and arrive shortly after 9:30. The buildings are relatively small, and parking is limited. There is a small fee, and you can walk to and through all three areas. I chose to drive, exiting I-287 at exit 36 (Morris Ave. for areas 1 and 2) and later exiting I-287 at exit 30-B Bernardsville (for area 3, then encampments). Disabled access is relatively limited at the houses. Bathroom facilities are only so-so. The guides are super however, and so are all the displays in both the museum and houses. The sword Washington wore to his inauguration in April 1789 is here. So to is a chain-link from the "Great Chain" barrier put across the Hudson River at West Point, preventing the British from sailing north from NYC during the crucial years of 1776-1778. Take any highway out of the City west to I-287, and I-287 to exit 36. When you arrive sign up immediately for the tour of Ford's Home (or you will have a wait). If you do have a wait, view the film and if you have time before Ford's tour, go through the museum (not very big, but lots of interesting items and documents). You should definitely visit area (1) and area (3), though there is not much remaining at Ft. Nonsense (I would ago anyway, just for the view if it is a clear day). By the way, Mrs. Washington stayed here too, it was safer than at Mt. Vernon. There's not much left at Fort Nonsense, but the encampment area has restored cabins and the homes where other high ranking officers were billeted. Valley Forge is rightfully famous as the Winter Quarters where the Continentals barely escaped with their lives and lived to fight another day, crossing the Delaware and beating the Hessians at Trenton and Germantown while reorganising. Certainly more rebels died in Valley Forge, largely due to disease and malnutrition. Relatively few died in Morristown, because by then the army was trained, organised and aware of the need for sanitation, and because the supply situation - though never completely solved - was substantially better. Food is not offered at this small park, but you Are in Morristown after all, and this city is both friendly and loaded with good places to Eat! Enjoy.

I am the person who loves old things. As it was my first visit there, I want to spend one more weekend there.

This park takes you back to 1779-80, when the Rebel Army spent the Winter behind the Watchung Mountains, in order to be close enough to the British forces while being safe from attack.
You can visit the Jockey Hollow Visitor Center, soldier and officer log huts and Washington's headquarters at the Ford Mansion.
This park is well put together and well worth a visit.

Started at the museum and interesting to learn about Washingtons encampment here. Okay sites but probably takes about 30 minutes. Actually liked the room with old books and pamphlets from hundreds of years ago. Took tour of house and okay to see but probably can do it in 10 minutes. Fort Nonsense well wasn't a fort, but the top of a mountain as fort is not there anymore. Went to Henry Wick house and not much to that either. We only went there because kids needed junior ranger clues. Okay place to stop

We took a guided tour and enjoyed everything! We didn't spend much time in the main building, so went back to look at some of the displays. There's too much to read for just a one or two hour visit. You must have a guide to go into the historic house, and the stairways are steep and narrow. Definitely not ADA approved! Lots of original beds, paperwork, kitchen appliances and more. Well worth the time.

NJ was pivotal in the American Revolution. The Ford Mansion HQ is a cornerstone of the country's first national historical park.

The Morristown NHP helps further one's knowledge of what the US Continental Army went through during the Revolution's winters, especially the brutal 1779 - '80 one. You have to allow a fair amount of time to drive the different sections of the park.

Morristown NHP is more than just the Washington Headquarters and Museum located in historic Morristown, NJ. You certainly should start your visit here at the main Visitors' Center - it has some excellent displays explaining the importance of the area and the Patriots' encampment together with a relatively short film. Also on the grounds is Ford Mansion which served as Washington's headquarters. Tours are available (there is a nominal charge). Your next stop should be Jockey Hollow where the troops stayed during three different winters. There are many trails for hiking, another Visitors' Center and replica log cabins built by the troops.

If you are interested in early American history, this museum is dense with information. We started at the visitor center, which had a broad sample of books, colonial artifacts, clothing, paintings, maps, videos and interactive displays. It is easy to become absorbed if you want to learn more about George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Lafayette, Van Steuben and many other participants from the American Revolution. We also toured the Ford Mansion with an enthusiastic guide eager to share her knowledge.

The only negative is how tricky it is to reach this site, despite the signage, because of the one way streets and the sudden left turn to the museum. Also, you have to be attentive when exiting to reach the highway. It was a good thing the streets weren't crowded the day of our visit.

We love visiting historic homes and this was a great one. The tour guide was fun, informative, and engaged with all ages. She was able to answer questions and tailor the tour to the group. We especially enjoyed seeing the old kitchen and the architectural elements in the house. I think the tour lasted about 45 minutes.

The museum is fine. There are some interactive things for kids, but it isn't a kids museum. There is a lot of reading plaques alongside historic items and artifacts (clothing, weapons, kitchen items, etc.) The museum is better than most because the items are varied and interesting to look at. But it is still a lot of plaque reading, especially for an adult who already knows the basic history. We spent about 1 hour in the museum, but we skipped a couple of the video exhibits and we did not read every plaque.

Friends were visiting the area and I took them here. It is interesting to visit. We had a very good guide- Nicholas from Edison, New Jersey.

This is a great stop for history buffs. Right close to town with lots of parking yet very peaceful. I can't comment on the inside as it was closed so check the hours befor you visit. Lots to see from the outside.

- but hill work is speed work, so we get fast. Love walking my dogs here, there are bears in the woods, historic placards and soldiers hunts, and trails upon trails for exploring, but what I love most of all is that people use this park, all year round, in this glorious appreciation of nature, young and old, couples, solo exercisers, families, it's a gem in this area.

Sandcastle of George Washington is on the lawn next to Morris county Court house for short time. It was sculpted yesterday during the Annual Morristown Fall Festival. Morris Twp Destination Stop with a football of course for Football Season.

On view for only 3 to 4 weeks depending on weather conditions of course., Worth a view for locals. Enjoy

The museum is fairly small with not a whole lot of artifacts, but has some pretty good ones which is the kind of museum I like. The museum is free with a fee for looking through the Ford House which was Washington's HQ. It is worth taking the tour to see some of the artifacts. Our guide wasn't the best and it sounds like other people have had a better tour from other guides.

I like to state that I'm a big fan of revolutionary war history and I was excited to visit Washington's Headquarters, but I just expected more from this place. The museum and video presentation was interesting. The Ford Mansion was OK. What I would say is go and see it if you can, because it is an interesting part of this countries history. I'm happy I went and crossed it off my list but I would probably not go back.

The visitor's center is extremely interactive (definitely a good way to capture children's attention). Although I was definitely expecting more from the house tour, it is great for those into history.

This is park that has 2 parts, one the headquarters and the other where the troops stayed at Jockey Hollow. This is about the HQ (I also recommend Jockey Hollow). The Ford Mansion is worth the visit - to see it you must take a tour. But if you do not have time, the Museum is there as well and is top notch. The artifacts are worthy of the best museums and the display is elegant as well.

Found it very informative and highly recommend it. A great thing to do with children or adults. They have a cute gift shop too.

I visited this place with our family when the kids were little, and realized that was 20 years ago. I'm into doing history visits this summer so went on my own for the 10 a.m. tour. There when they opened at 9, I watched most of the interesting 30 minute film and also saw lots of great artifacts in a couple of rooms. The ranger (who reads the Declaration of Independence every July 4th on the Morristown Green!) was the guide and I toured with a local woman and her grandchild & spouse visiting from Alaska. Plan your visit as they only allow 20 people at a time on the Ford Mansion tour. You have to get a ticket in the 'gift' shop. 4 bucks or you can purchase a lifetime pass for those over 62 for only 10 bucks and visit all the government run park areas throughout the U.S. A great deal!

This is a beautiful property so easy to get to off of Route 287. The house where Gen. Washington & staff (and the visiting Mrs. Washington) as well as the widow Ford & her children is large but not massive. It has a beautiful big old-fashioned kitchen. Interesting stories about every space.

Morristown is so very close you can go there afterwards to eat lunch or dinner.

This is a national park and thus free with the National Park Pass. Jockey Hollow was the sight of the Continental Army's winter encampment of 1788-1789. A brutel winter tested the army's endurance. Center has an excellent short film describing the soldier's experience along with a reconstructed typical soldier's hut. Beautiful walking paths available as well as drive through roads.

A short distance away in Morristown, New Jersey is the house that served as Washington' headquarters during that winter encampment. Excellent learning experience for both children and adults.

See the Ford Mansion, home where Washington and Martha with his aides lived during the turning point Winter of 1777 when the army was in danger of rebelling. The house if fitted out like it was when Washington and the army were present. Authentic, not reconstructed, American history surrounds you. Well versed guides lead you through the mansion. A museum is located in a building behind the house. A DO NOT MISS!

If you are a NJ history buff you should add this place to your list, nice grounds and buildings. just geared toward teens and adults.

A beautiful walking area.Pleasant people to assist you. A lovely gift shop. The opportunity to purchase passes to all National Parks at a mall fee.

May 2017, on a driving tour of national parks sites, took in Morristown NHP. Downside to our visit was hitting the site on the curtailed hours of the pre-Memorial Day, non-tourist season. If you are travelling outside the summer season, pay particular attention to hitting open hours. Still, a driving/walking tour took us past several interesting sites & points of interest - the NPS interpretive signs were descriptive and appropriate. ON this trip we were more fortunate at many locations to see the site when ranger-conducted tours were available.

We look forward to returning when the "busy" season permits us the benefit of knowledgeable rangers and access to tours and museum exhibits.'

There are so many trails, it's incredible. There are different hikes for different types.
You can learn a lot by just wandering the property or taking the tour road. Going on a weekday there are still people around, but absolutely peaceful and quiet. Pet friendly.

We visited Washington Headquarters and Museum with our grandchildren. The museum itself wass very small, but rather interesting. Don't miss their 30-min film. It was very informative and emotional. We had an excellent tour in the Ford House. Our guide made us feel as if we were there with Washington himself. We also learned interesting facts about Alexander Hamilton. We supplemented our trip to Washington Headquarters with a trip to Wick farm and museum at Jockey Hollow (12-min drive). We spent some time exploring the model of soldiers' hut. After that, we drove approximately 3 miles to see Soldier's Field with soldiers' huts. We like our trip and recommend it to everyone who happened to be in this area.

Wonderful place to go to find out more about American history. The museum is very good. The grounds are beautiful.

I was born and raised in Morristown, but didn't go to Washington Headquarters and Museum, until I was 12 years old; after that, you couldn't keep me away! I must have visited here, more than a dozen times, as a teen and as an adult. Locals refer to the house, as Jacob Ford's Mansion, because it was the home of Jacob Ford, who let General Washington use the house for his Headquarters, which was near Jockey Hollow, where the troops were billeted, and it had a view of British troop movements, in New York from a hill near Fort Nonsense, which is also a part of the National Park, near the Court House in Morristown.

Most of the rooms in the Mansion are readily available for viewing, and the Park Rangers have a wealth of knowledge, regarding the history of he home, and the part Morristown played during the War; including a story of the trial of Benedict Arnold, which also took place in town, with the assistance of Alexander Hamilton, Washington's secretary, who married a local girl, Betsy Schuyler; whose house is nearby, and also open for viewing.

Don't miss going to the Museum, which is behind the Mansion; many items are on display, but my favorites are the Colonial dioramas!

When you're in the area, you should also visit Jockey Hollow, which I have also reviewed, and Fort Nonsense, and see how it got it's name. Enjoy all that the
Morristown National Historical Park has to offer!

If going here, the first lot may have more spaces than the second, which is closer to the museum, but you'll walk uphill (there is a handicap ramp.) If you're pressed for time, the tours cost money but the museum itself is free. Men's room does not have changing table. NPS passport stamps are at counter near where one would pay for tours. Informative, and they're adding another section on the lower level near the bathrooms, so this may be worth a second look. Benches along walkway and in front of museum provided a nice shady spot to feed infant. Recommend.

Outstanding experience. Walked away thinking why don't they teach things like this in the history books and classes.
Rangers are professional and knowledgeable. While this is not a National PARK, a la Yellowstone or Glacier, it does convey the message Americas Best Idea.
Must Visit and hike Jockey Hollow as well (in early Summer the raspberries are the freshest anyplace, in the fall you can see the Empire State Building and Freedom Tower in NYC).

Where was this when I was learning out the Revolutionary War in school? Great place for history buffs and even for casual interest. The place has plenty of artifacts and interactive displays to keep your interest. (Please leave your little kids at home, but maybe for highschoolers with some interest in history and those with a little more maturity, this may be good. There are many items that can be damaged, so parents be warned. You know the level of maturity of your own kids best, but if you take them here, please please watch them for the sake of the historical items and for other patrons.)

Morristown National Historical Park is a multi-building experience. There is a fantastic museum, learning center that makes a piece of history from over two hundred years ago come alive. I was very familiar with the winter at Valley Forge during the revolutionary war but didn't really know much about what happened in Morristown. A tour of a home that was used as Washington's headquarters and a splendid 16 minute movie round out a great way to spend 2-4 hours. Entry is now free. Great parking and easy access.

We started at Jockey Hollow and drove the loop road. If we had had more time, it would've been nice to visit the trails. The park is beautifully maintained and I recommend early Spring. It was a beautifully green visit. We then drove up to Fort Nonsense. There you can see great views of the surrounding area. We ended at Washington's HQ.

I took a friend from overseas to see the house and Morristown. The house was beautiful, the park magnificent and a very pleasant and informative tour. The guided tour is really worth while.

Visit the home of the widow Theodosia Ford who gave hospitality to George and eventually Martha(who originally got stuck in the snow at Philadelphia) during the hard Winter of 1780 at Morristown. Much to learn about what we owe the patriots.

Visited Headquarters for the second time over President's Day. They opened a new interactive exhibit which added a lot. The kids loved trying on the army clothes and testing their skills on the computer interfaces.

Of course you must have the tour from the well-versed guide, and visit the small museum afterwards (and watch the short movie). Before your visit, read Uncertain Revolution by John Cunningham, a brilliant book. Take some time to gaze into Washington's study, and the dining room where Congress met.

Then head out to Jockey Hollow, the Visitor Center has an excellent production of the soldiers' lives. On the way to Jockey Hollow, climb the hill to Fort Nonsense. Fort Nonsense is well laid-out with markings where the fort was built, and signage posts highlighting information.

I suggest doing it all in the winter for the best perspective of what it was like during Washington's tenure in Morristown, appreciating how cold it was for the poorly clothed young soldiers, and the great view from Fort Nonsense.

If you are 62 or older, you can obtain (for $10) your National Parks admission card, good for life at all National Parks for yourself and 3 companions at your visit. I got mine at the Ford Mansion, a very worthwhile souvenir!

Thoroughly enjoyed the museum, with many good exhibits, as well as the tour of the Ford Mansion and Washington's stay there. Seniors can get in free with the national park pass you can get at the museum.

This is an amazing trip. There is a little movie to watch. There is so much history in just this little place. The gift shop is cute. This is a great place for the whole family. There are two places on the site. It is very quiet so you can have a great picnic lunch.

I changed my 17 month old in the car. Bathrooms are what you would expect for an outdoor park area, not the nicest. Directions were a bit confusing too, as we went in one way and had to drive on a very long road to get to the museum part. it was nice though once we got there and the grounds are beautiful!

I visited the Washington's Headquarter in Morristown, NJ over the President's Day Weekend. Everything was free. The site mainly has two buildings: one is the museum and the other is called Ford Mansion in which President Washington actually spent winters.
They offered free tours of the mansion every hour, which started in the museum. The volunteer/leader Jill gave a brief introduction and led the group outside and into the Ford Mansion. She is very knowledgeable and pointed out all the pieces that were original. The 30-min tour in the mansion went through all the rooms and even stopped at the kitchen in the basement. I highly recommend the tour to everybody.

The museum itself has a documentary film and displays some artifacts and documents of the revolutionary era. It shouldn't take long to check out the museum.

The site has free parking and the whole visit could be completed within an hour if you arrived around :55s.

This trip was just ok. Long way from home for so-so experience. History buffs, Revolutionary War fans would be interested. More at Valley Forge and not as far for us.

Guided tours of the main house are conducted hourly and are a Must See: Walk the path of General George Washington through the "Ford Mansion." Tour the small, but very well done museum building. Walk the beautiful grounds. Visit the small gift shop and visit with the National Park Rangers. If you're nearby on special occasions such as July 4th, you're in for a special treat!

General George Washington spent more time in NJ than any other state. He made Morristown, NJ his winter camp in 1779 - 1780. The original house owned by the Fords and a Visitor Center dating back to the 1930's are on this National Parks site.

The tour of where General Washington stayed for his winter base-camp in Morristown, and what acted as his HQ will cost you $7 per adult. The tour is led by a volunteer and must be reserved upon arrival. The max group size is 20, so reserve your time slot once you arrive before checking out the museum and movie.

This National Park site is fairly small and has only three buildings (only two are used for tours and viewing). The site is surrounded by local residential developments and busy streets.

On some of our trips and outings we visit historical locations, but also cultural and just fun as well. This is a sample of the locations of where we visit as A Hike Through Life out of New York travels to in providing our community the most inspiring and memorable trips.

The Ford house has been updated with heating as well as air conditioning. Hours are up through 5:00 PM but check their site for specifics. The house comprises two floors which represent where the widow lived with her two children. Husband was deceased by the time Washington arrived. The other rooms show where General Washington's staff slept (very crowed conditions), and his office. Visiting the house and receiving a narrated tour gives you a journey through American history at a location that was one of the most brutal host sites for his troops due to weather.

At the 1930's Visitor Center are:

-Gift shop;
-National Park Passes for sale (as well as National Park Passports)
-Very small room where a running video of what it was like staying in area during the troop's winter stay in the area;
-Restrooms in basement (two levels down);
-Two rooms with museum piece on display
-A large meeting space downstairs

I do not believe the lower level is handicap accessible.

*See my review and photos about Jockey Hollow, NJ where General Washington's troops stayed during their winter in the area (about 6 miles away from where General Washington stayed). No visit would be complete without the other. No admission is charged for access to Jockey Hollow, and no guided tours of the Wick house (circa 1750) are available but there are two period characters in the actual building where one of the other Generals stayed who will give you an accounting of life at the homestead for the troops, the family and General Arthur St. Clair of the Continental Army.

One of my favorite things about our Spring vacation. Lots of interesting information about General Washington’s encampment in the area. There were some interesting displays and a few things for the kids to entertain themselves.

We knew going that the Visitor Center & Museum were closed. National Park site & it's closed 3 days out of the week!

There's not much to see outside. There's a statue of George Washington in the median of a busy street. I got a shot of it from the sidewalk.

I took a shot of the building that's the headquarters - closed anyway for restoration.
There isn't even bathrooms that are open.
We moved on...

I had a few extra hours in northern New Jersey before a family event, and stopped in at Morristown to check out the Revolutionary War headquarters of General George Washington. Although my time was limited and I was not able to tour the house, I did check out with pleasure the exhibits in the small museum on the site. The exhibits were limited to a few areas of interest, and the objects were well-chosen. The narration was good, inclusive and comprehensive. There was a display of objects that upper-class Americans used to display their status (including some very fine gowns for Martha Washington, plus tableware, furniture and knicknacks, and another display of guns, maps, strategy and other war-related memorabilia. Perhaps my favorite item in the museum was a 3 foot long link from the chain that the Americans forged and stretched across the Hudson to keep British ships from capturing the Hudson Valley. Very nice, engagaing and enjoyable hour or two. I would recommend it to business travellers with some time on their hands, as well as to families and to fans of the colonial period's history. Be sure to save enough time (as I did not) to tour the house as well.

When we visited, we were completely unaware that the Ford House and Washington Headquarters were linked. (See my Ford House review for details)

The headquarters building, while not brand new, is not a location where “Washington slept”. He slept in the Ford House. The HQ building and exhibition was created to tell the story of that winter in NJ.

The exhibits, artifacts and especially the movie told the tale of that terrible winter, for Washington enthusiasts, but maybe to factual for younger patrons.

The real story seems to be at Jockey Hollow, which we did not have time to visit, but I wish we had.

This is an excellent venue to bone up on American colonial history. Volunteer docent gave the tour of Washington's headquarters. The NPS museum hosts a handful of galleries. They have a driving tour of the remainder of the park. The Wick House and farm is very informative and a nice walk about. The Cross Garden Estate is worth the amble through a very pretty and bountiful flower garden. Enjoy all the trails too and there are replicas of the soldiers' huts to tour too.

Great when a visit to a national park includes a historic tour with a knowledgeable guide. Ranger Pam is the best! Super tour of the house! Very interactive with participants. And super knowledgeable about the areas! In fact she helped us figure out our next stop. We were confused about the Edison sites and she clarified that the Edison National Park is in West Orange (not Menlo Park). We were delighted to hear they were open and ran over there after touring the Ford mansion and Washington Headquarters.

The museum is under renovation so there is not a lot to see. There is a tour to the Ford home which leaves from the museum. The walk to the Ford home has a steep incline so Seniors beware.
We peeked into the renovation & it appears to be very nice.

Appreciated the reenactment movie to demonstrate how difficult life was for the soldiers in the winter months. Visiting the Ford Mansion is part of this tour, so be certain to include time to do that guided tour.

The museum is well curated. Many hand-written documents on displayed depicted the history and story behind. Due to COVID-19, computerized devices and some sections were closed or unavailable, but we had a great time taking in what was going on back then. This is where you obtain free tour tickets to Ford Mansion, which is a must.

Worth visiting. If in a hurry don't do the house tour as you more or less get "trapped" in anecdotes and storied - or let them know you will have to leave in 10 minutes - but still worth visiting in general.

Passed by this site many times. Stopped in and was amazed. I learned so much about the civil war, General Washington. They had a movie, that made me feel I was in the war. Great museum. Worth the trip.

We were visiting with family in New Jersey so we decided to stop by at the Morristown National Museum. It was a fun tour since our guide has lived in the area for many decades. We enjoyed seeing the film after the tour. We also looked at the exhibits where they have the everyday items and the military equipment. All in all, it was an enjoyable afternoon together.

I was glad my wife discovered a small and well preserved national treasure. The park ranger shared with us (a group of visitors ) an excellent historical information about George Washington encampment in Moristown during American Revolution. We have learned a lot about our first president. We were especially impressed with a way GW was treating Mrs.Ford - the house owner- with respect to private property and human dignity. It's sad that our modern society getting more distant from the ways our founding father had envisioned for our country.

I was traveling through New Jersey over the Thanksgiving weekend and happened to be on I 287. Did not realize that the National Park Service had an Historical Park in this area. I found the museum and film very interesting. Time did not allow me to tour the Mansion but I was able to walk around the grounds and found it very interesting. I have visited Revolutionary War sites from Massachusetts to North Carolina and am amazed at what the colonists were able to accomplish. They endured many hardships and then less than 100 years later Americans again fought a war on their own soil. We are a remarkable people.

Everyone should experience some of the history of this great Country of ours. If you live anywhere near Morristown, this is a perfect place to visit. We started in the museum itself where there are many Revolutionary War Relics. There is a 25 minute self starting movie to watch before following Tom, the guide on the walk to Washington's headquarters which he made his home during the horrible Winter of 1779. This tour is not to be missed!

I visited the Morristown National Historical Park and Washington Headquarters and Museum in May 2022. Ranger Tom and Ranger Kim were very helpful and knowledgeable. I watched a 15-minute film on the winter of 1779-1780 in Morristown, NJ. Most people know about Valley Forge and the winter that General George Washington and his soldiers spent in 1777-1778 but the winter of 1779-1780 was even more severe and difficult. The museum is excellent and also does a good job of covering the timeline for the entire American Revolutionary War and the key battles. The events before and after the winter of 1779-1780 in Morristown help to put everything in perspective. There is a special exhibit on documents and a nice bookstore and gift shop. If you are interested in history, this is a very worthwhile museum.

This park really brings into perspective how much Washingtons army learned from the first winter encampment in Pennsylvania! A must see visit for history and nature buff