July 4th Festivities at Morristown National Historical Park Historical Balladeer Linda Russell Highlights Warm-Up for the Declaration and Reading of the Declaration of Independence

General Public Contact: 973-539-2016, x 210 or 973-543-4030

MORRISTOWN, NJ -- Morristown National Historical Park's (NHP) July 4th activities begin at noon on the park's Washington's Headquarters grounds, 30 Washington Place, with a "Warm-Up for the Declaration." The "Warm-Up" will feature a park ranger in period clothing entertaining the crowd and giving a "kids level" explanation of the Declaration. Stories, jokes, riddles, and an inspection of the troops will all be included.

At 1 p.m. the "Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence" will commence. Attendees will be given a copy of the Declaration, and encouraged to cheer along with park rangers and re-enactors as they denounce tyranny and praise liberty. At the conclusion of the reading, members of the 2nd New Jersey Regiment, Helms' Company, a volunteer re-enactment group, will fire a feu de joie (musket salute).

Following the reading of the Declaration, historical balladeer Linda Russell will perform Revolutionary-era music. Through ballads, broadsides, love songs, marches, drinking songs, dance tunes and Revolutionary War anthems, Ms. Russell will bring the eighteenth century to life.

Visitors are asked to bring water to drink and a chair or a blanket to sit on the ground, and are reminded to dress appropriately for the weather including wearing a hat and sunscreen. Due to limited parking, guests are encouraged to carpool or walk to the event.

There is no admission fee on July 4th.

All July 4th events are scheduled "rain-or-shine." Any updated information will be available on Sunday, July 4th after 9:00 a.m. by calling 973-539-2016 ext. 210.

Annual Luncheon will be held
Presidents' Day, Monday, February 15

Scheduled speaker is former New Jersey Governor Tom Kean
For further details or to make reservations call 973-292-1874 or email wanj@verizon.net.


Revolutionary Times Weekend Schedule April 16, 17 & 18, 2010

Breakfast with General Washington on Saturday, April 17, 2010

Revolutionary Tea Party with Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Hamilton on Sunday, April 18, 2010