Morristown National Historical Park in Morristown, New Jersey, was the first national historical park in the United States, established on March 2, 1933. The park preserves sites associated with two critical winter encampments of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. During the winter of 1779–1780, General George Washington quartered his army of approximately 10,000 soldiers at Jockey Hollow, where they endured what was recorded as the coldest winter of the 18th century — with 28 snowstorms and temperatures colder than at Valley Forge. Washington used the nearby Ford Mansion as his headquarters. The park also preserves Fort Nonsense and the New Jersey Brigade encampment area.
📚 Learn More at NPSHistory.com →During the brutal winter of 1779-1780, General George Washington and 10,000 Continental Army soldiers encamped at Morristown, New Jersey, enduring what soldiers called the worst winter of the 18th century — colder even than Valley Forge.
Washington's army survived 28 snowstorms during the Morristown encampment, with snow drifts reaching six feet. Morristown was established as the first National Historical Park in 1933. The park preserves Washington's headquarters at the Ford Mansion and the Jockey Hollow encampment site.
Among the content targeted: “Revised Text:” — language that the administration has flagged for review under its directive to review historically accurate interpretive materials.
Why this matters: Morristown NHP preserves the story of the Continental Army's most desperate hour — when the Revolution nearly ended not from British bullets but from cold, hunger, and despair. The interpretive materials here tell a story of survival that is central to understanding how American independence was won. Over 350,000 people visit this site each year.
This is for a new wayside exhibit panel that has yet to be fabricated. To ensure the sign conforms to SO3431, the following text changes are suggested:
Existing Text: "It took a lot of paid servants and enslaved people to support a large household in the 1700s. The Ford family enslaved at least three people to provide labor for them on this farm. An unknown number of enslaved people worked in the Continental Army’s headquarters. Hannah and Isaac Till were two of them.
Their enslavers were Reverend John Mason and Captain John Johnson. General George Washington rented the couple from these men to work at the Ford Mansion.“
Revised Text: ”It took a number of paid servants and individuals held in slavery to support a large household in the 1700s. The Ford family relied on at least three such individuals to provide labor on this farm. An unknown number of people in bondage also worked at the Continental Army’s headquarters. Hannah and Isaac Till were among them.
They were owned by Reverend John Mason and Captain John Johnson. General George Washington arranged to rent the couple from these men to work at the Ford Mansion."
During the brutal winter of 1779-1780, General George Washington and 10,000 Continental Army soldiers encamped at Morristown, New Jersey, enduring what soldiers called the worst winter of the 18th century — colder even than Valley Forge.
Washington's army survived 28 snowstorms during the Morristown encampment, with snow drifts reaching six feet. Morristown was established as the first National Historical Park in 1933. The park preserves Washington's headquarters at the Ford Mansion and the Jockey Hollow encampment site.
The administration has flagged for review content that includes the language: “This was a spacious house for the widow Ford, her four children, and at least three enslaved servants.”, and “This was a spacious house for the widow Ford, her four children, and at least three servants held in slavery.”.
Why this matters: Morristown NHP preserves the story of the Continental Army's most desperate hour — when the Revolution nearly ended not from British bullets but from cold, hunger, and despair. The interpretive materials here tell a story of survival that is central to understanding how American independence was won. Over 350,000 people visit this site each year.
New wayside exhibit yet to be fabricated. To ensure comformity with SO3431, suggesting revised text as follows:
Original Text: “This was a spacious house for the widow Ford, her four children, and at least three enslaved servants.”
Revised Text: “This was a spacious house for the widow Ford, her four children, and at least three servants held in slavery.”
During the brutal winter of 1779-1780, General George Washington and 10,000 Continental Army soldiers encamped at Morristown, New Jersey, enduring what soldiers called the worst winter of the 18th century — colder even than Valley Forge.
Washington's army survived 28 snowstorms during the Morristown encampment, with snow drifts reaching six feet. Morristown was established as the first National Historical Park in 1933. The park preserves Washington's headquarters at the Ford Mansion and the Jockey Hollow encampment site.
Among the content targeted: “Town-Destroyer” — language that the administration has flagged for review under its directive to review historically accurate interpretive materials.
Why this matters: Morristown NHP preserves the story of the Continental Army's most desperate hour — when the Revolution nearly ended not from British bullets but from cold, hunger, and despair. The interpretive materials here tell a story of survival that is central to understanding how American independence was won. Over 350,000 people visit this site each year.
New wayside exhibit yet to be fabricated. To ensure compliance with SO3431, suggested text changes for inset sign text as follows:
Original Text:
A STATUE WITH MANY STORIES
One statue can tell many different stories. It all depends on your personal perspective.
The English might see it as praising a traitor who turned his back on his homeland and caused the loss of British territory in North America.
African Americans could see this statute as honoring a man who owned 123 enslaved people and controlled the lives of an additional 153 dower slaves from the Custis estate. A man whose wealth was created by the work of enslaved people.
Native Americans could look at the statute as a tribute to a man they called “Town-Destroyer” who ordered the destruction of the homes and crops of the Iroquois Nation during the American Revolution. A President who was responsible for the loss of Indigenous land in Ohio.
Miss Clark wanted to remind people of George Washington’s connection to Morristown. Many people admire George Washington as a Patriot. Many see him as a Founding Father who helped create the United States of America.
What do you see in this statue?
Revised Text:
THE MEANING O...
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