William Westhoven

@WWesthoven

Accurately labeled as the military capital of the American Revolution, Morristown can point to more major historic sites and markers per square mile than nearly any town established in the original 13 United States.

"It is indisputable that the activities taking place in Morristown changed the face of the historical landscape in America," said Leslie Bensley, executive director of the Morris County Tourism Bureau.

The establishments of Morristown and Morris County, in fact, predate the Revolution, with the town's formal origins tracing back to 1715. But Morristown also is a rich resource of 19th-century history. Samuel Morse and Morristown native Alfred Vail built and demonstrated the first telegraph at the Speedwell Ironworks in Morristown in 1838, launching a revolution in electronic communication.

The Ironworks are now part of Historic Speedwell Village, which draws thousands of visitors a year to experience a variety of 19th-century culture including a farm, restored residential buildings, a granary and carriage house.

But Morristown is best-known for its strategic role in the Revolutionary war as the location where Gen. George Washington encamped the Continental Army in the winter of 1777, following victories over occupying British forces in Trenton and Princeton. Historians tell the tale of Washington setting up his headquarters at Jacob Arnold's Tavern, located next to the historic Morristown Green.

Washington chose Morristown for its strategic position between New York and Philadelphia, along with a town infrastructure that could feed the soldiers while established local industries could supply other needs, including weapons and ammunition.

The tavern no longer exists, but Morristown National Historical Park includes the Washington's Headquarters Museum, set on the grounds of the Ford Mansion, which Washington used as his headquarters when he encamped his Army in Morristown once again during the famously "hard winter" of 1779-80.

Washington's soldiers rode out that winter at another portion of Morristown National Historic Park, Jockey Hollow, which extends from Morristown into Somerset County and annually lures thousands of history buffs as well as visitors seeking recreation on miles of trails running throughout the site.

"The peace and prosperity that followed the American Revolution really gave birth to the Industrial Revolution, and certainly that is represented in Morrisotwn by historic Speedwell," Bensley said.

Other historic attractions in Morristown include Macculloch Hall, a Federal style mansion built in 1810 offering visitors nine period rooms and three exhibition galleries that change year round; Fort Nonsense, built by Washington on the town's highest elevation and used for signal fires; Schuyler Hamilton House, built in 1760 and now the home of the Morris County Daughters of the American Revolution; and Acorn Hall, which dates back to 1853 and now serves as both a museum and the headquarters of the Morris County Historical Society.

With Morristown built around the Green — where tourists take selfies with ever-present statues of the Founding Fathers — history is integrated into every corner of the thriving town's culture. Diners can enjoy dinner at George and Martha's American Grill, then walk to see a show at the Mayo Performing Arts Center, a restored movie house from the 20th century Walter Reade chain. Next door to the theater is the elegant Vail mansion, built in 1922 and since restored and redeveloped into a a condominium with its own top-shelf restaurant, the Jockey Hollow Bar and and Kitchen.

"Morristown residents take a great deal of pride in our historic legacy," Bensley said.

Staff Writer William Westhoven: 973-917-9242; wwesthoven@GannettNJ.com.