Forget Valley Forge. In the frigid months spanning 1779-1780, General George Washington made his winter headquarters at the Ford Mansion on what was then the edge of Morristown, while his Continental Army built its winter encampment in Jockey Hollow, a few miles to the south. By all accounts it was the bitterest winter of the war. The historic sites are now operated by the National Park Service and offer a great opportunity to mix foliage with patriotic inspiration.
Visitors to the Ford Mansion should head first to the Washington Headquarters Museum. Built in the 1930s and designed by the architect John Russell Pope (whose works include the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C.), the building is undergoing a significant restoration, largely supported by private funding.
Currently, you can visit one newly restored gallery filled with eighteenth-century objects, including Washington’s wooden cane and a pair of white dress slippers believed to have belonged to his wife, Martha, who wintered here with the general. A separate gallery has an engaging display of rare books and documents, such as a 1767 pamphlet on “the Calamitous State of the Enslaved Negroes.” (“Are they not men as well as we?” the author asks.) The written artifacts on display are but a taste of the museum’s collection of 50,000 books and 300,000 documents—most gifted to the institution by the late collector Lloyd W. Smith.
In the museum, you can sign on for a 40-minute guided tour of the Ford Mansion, the well-preserved, eighteenth-century home used by Washington and his staff. The 9,000-square-foot home is filled with period furniture, some original to the house and perhaps present during Washington’s stay. Next, take the short drive on Route 202 to Jockey Hollow, where you will find re-creations of the huts used during the encampment, plus 20 miles of hiking trails through the wooded surroundings.
(973-539-2085; nps.gov/morr)
More Historic Sites:
9th Annual Lighthouse Challenge
On October 18 and 19, the New Jersey Light-house Society is challenging people to visit the state’s eleven lighthouses and two museums with lighthouse lenses in seven counties. Visitors will receive a souvenir token of a lighthouse or lens at each site and an additional souvenir for visiting all 13 locations. “It makes people aware of the historical significance of lighthouses we have in New Jersey,” says Doreen Berson, co-chairwoman of the challenge, adding that the Sandy Hook Lighthouse is the nation’s oldest operating lighthouse (njlhs.org/challenge/challenge.html).
Fosterfields Living Historic Farm
Restored eighteenth-century farm offers hands-on educational activities (churn the butter, feed the chickens) for kids. You can also tour the Willows, a Gothic Revival mansion built in 1854 by General Joseph Revere, grandson of Paul Revere. 73 Kahdena Rd, Morristown (973-326-7645; morrisparks.net).
Millbrook Village
Located in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, this re-creation of a nineteenth-century village features period reenactments on select dates. Fall events include Millbrook Days (October 4-5) and “Octivities!” (October 25). Old Mine Rd, Millbrook (millbrooknj.com).
Key Ingredients: America By Food
This traveling Smithsonian exhibition, presented by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, traces the history of the Garden State food and culture and will be in Tuckerton Seaport through October 19, then in Woodbury from October 25 through December 6. Event locations and times vary (njch.org/keyingredients).
Ringwood Manor
This rambling 200-year-old mansion was the summer estate of the wealthy Cooper-Hewitt family, which operated the nearby iron forges. It is filled with antiques and fine art and surrounded by formal gardens. Enchanted Evening Tours are offered on a limited basis on select nights in October. Reservations are required. Sloatsburg Rd, Ringwood (973-962-2240; ringwoodmanor.com).
Sterling Hill Mining Museum
The state’s last underground mine closed in 1986, but reopened just a few years later as a museum. Tour the quarter-mile tunnel where zinc was mined (dress warm—it’s 56 degrees in the mine) as well as a museum and historical buildings. Also check out the nearby Franklin Mineral Museum. 30 Plant St, Ogdensburg (973-209-7212; sterlinghillminingmuseum.org).
Ulysses S. Grant House
The home of General Grant’s family during the Civil War is one of more than 40 historic sites in the Delaware River town of Burlington. A three-hour walking tour of the town covers about three miles and includes a 1685 house where Benjamin Franklin supposedly supped on “a dinner of ox-cheek.” 309 Wood St, Burlington (609-386-0200; tourburlington.org).
Weekend Journey Through The Past
More than 27 historic sites throughout Somerset County will feature free history interpretations, exhibitions, programs, arts, and more. October 11, 10 am to 5 pm; October 12, noon–5 pm. Somerset County (908-231-7110; schistoryweekend.com).
Twin Maples Centennial Showhouse
Built in 1908, Twin Maples is listed on the National and New Jersey Registers of Historic Places. Tours will be held Friday through Sunday, October 1 to November 2. Proceeds benefit the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center at Overlook Hospital and the Twin Maples Historic Preservation Fund. 214 Springfield Ave, Summit (908-522-9108; historictwinmaples.org).
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