Morristown, town, seat of Morris County, northern New Jersey, on the Whippany River; incorporated 1865. It is primarily a residential and commercial center and contains some manufacturing concerns and research facilities. Points of interest in the area include the Morris Museum of Arts and Sciences, with exhibits on Native North Americans and natural history; the Environmental Education Center, located adjacent to Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge; the Morris County Historical Society Museum, housed in Acorn Hall (1853); Speedwell Village, containing the building in which Samuel F. B. Morse and Alfred Vail perfected the telegraph; the Fosterfields Historical Farm, a turn-of-the-century living-history farm; and the Schuyler-Hamilton House (1760), with a museum of the American Revolution period. The Rabbinical College of America (1956) is here. Of particular interest is Morristown National Historical Park (established 1933), which encompasses George Washington's headquarters (Ford Mansion) and the campsite (in Jockey Hollow) of the Continental Army during the winters of 1777 and 1779-80.
The community, settled in 1710, was initially called West Hanover. It was renamed in 1740 for Lewis Morris, the first governor of New Jersey. During the winter of 1779-80, General Benedict Arnold was court-martialed here. Population 16,614 (1980); 16,189 (1990); 18,544 (2000).Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001 http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Morristown Information info Find out your Home's Value - Homes for Half Price
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