July 4th Festivities at Morristown National Historical Park



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


At 1 p.m. a rousing reading of the Declaration of Independence was presented by Park Ranger Tom Winslow. Attendees were given a copy of the Declaration, and encouraged to cheer along with the park rangers and re-enactors as they denounced tyranny and praised liberty. At the conclusion of the reading, members of the 2nd New Jersey Regiment, Helms' Company, a volunteer re-enactment group, fired a feu de joie (musket salute).