“Revolutionary Times” Celebration Set for July 4th Weekend in and Around Morristown

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 24, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — A Fourth of July weekend-long historic celebration, focusing on the vital role the Morristown area played in the American Revolution, and including music, historic tours, traditional crafts and the annual July 4th public reading of the Declaration of Independence, will be held throughout Morristown on July 3, 4, and 5.

The patriotic celebration, which is mostly free of charge, is co-sponsored by the Morris County Tourism Bureau and the Morristown National Historical Park and its partners.

This annual tradition provides residents and visitors an authentic way to celebrate American independence and to remind us that the Founding Fathers urged citizens to commemorate the day with “pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more.”

“It is important to celebrate our nation’s founding and remember the key events and sacrifices that occurred right here in Morris County,’’ said Morris County Freeholder Director Kathy DeFillippo. “We encourage residents from throughout the county to participate in these historic and entertaining events.’’

Weekend activities kick off on Friday, July 3, with a free concert at 2 p.m. on the shaded lawn at the Ford Mansion at Morristown National Historical Park. In case of rain, the concert will be held inside Washington’s Headquarters Museum. Music will be provided by the Fifes and Drums of the Old Barracks from Trenton. Bring lawn chairs and blankets.

On July 4th, the festivities at the Presbyterian Church in Morristown will begin at 11 a.m. with patriotic music provided by The Four Old Parts barbershop quartet. Audience warm-up activities, led by costumed NPS ranger and interpreter, Eric Olsen, will begin at 11:30 a.m.
At noon, the Declaration of Independence will be read by NPS ranger, Tom Winslow, followed by a musket salute.

Guest participants will include Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty; Eileen Cameron, President of the Washington Association of New Jersey; the 2nd New Jersey Regiment, Helms’ Company; and Patricia Sanftner of the Morristown Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Free tours of the Presbyterian Church and its graveyard will be available after the reading. General George Washington visited the church in 1777 and the site boasts connections to Morristown’s Revolutionary War past. This event will highlight the critical role the Morristown area played in the Revolutionary War.

Meanwhile, activities will continue on the Morristown Green, to include family crafts, patriotic music, and a special ceremony honoring war veterans to be held around the Gold Star Mothers Tree. The program will conclude at 2 p.m. All activities on July 4th are free to the public.
On Sunday, July 5, many local historic sites will be open to the public and will feature special holiday programming.

• The Morristown National Historical Park will be open and free on Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The Morris County Historical Society at Acorn Hall will present a special 18th century exhibit, and also conduct walking tours to the Revolutionary-era Powder Mill that once operated nearby, from1-4 p.m.
• The Schuyler-Hamilton House (c.1760) will be open for tours from 2-4 p.m.
• Macculloch Hall Historical Museum and Gardens will be open for tours at 1 p.m. and will present a concert of bluegrass music at 4 p.m.

 Next Freeholder Meeting is June 24 in Chatham Township

Monday, June 22, 2015

The Morris County Freeholders’ next public meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 24, 7:30 p.m., in the Chatham Township municipal building, at 58 Meyersville Road in Chatham Township.
For directions, please visit: http://www.chathamtownship-nj.gov/maps.html or call 973-635-4600.

The freeholders’ June 24 work session will open at 4 p.m. with an executive session. The work session will reopen to the public at 5:30 p.m.

The public is invited to attend the open portion of the work session, but there is no public comment. The public may comment at the freeholders’ public meeting at 7:30 p.m.