History & Points of Interest

The Morristown Green 

The Morristown Green is a keystone-shaped 2.62-acre park at the center of town and is one of only two greens in New Jersey to have survived until the present day; the other can be found in Newark. It began appearing on maps in 1715.  Typical of a town with a Green, the buildings necessary to the community's everyday life were built around it.  The first were the First Presbyterian Church and the First Baptist Church, where religious, social, and political events occurred. In addition, the courthouse and jail were here, plus two taverns where travelers could get lodging and meals.  The townspeople pastured their livestock on the Green, and there was a well for people and animals.    

Today it remains central to the town's life, hosting political and cultural events yearly.  The privately-owned public park underwent a major renovation in 2007.  At that time, historic signage was added to explain Green's history.  If you take a stroll around, you will see these plaques as well as some important statues.  There is the "Soldier at Rest," erected in 1871, the "Patriot's Farewell," erected in 2001, and "The Alliance," a statue of Washington, Hamilton, and Lafayette, erected in 2007.

Other places of note in and around the Green include the granite "E Pluribus Unum" medallion in the central plaza, the Liberty Flag Pole, the stone marker for the first courthouse, the time capsule, the Methodist Church, the Post Office, and the plaques that tell the stories of the Alexander Carmichael House and Continental Storehouse.  Relax near the Patriot's Farewell fountain, the central plaza's puddingstone bench, or by the game tables.

(1779 Erskine Map) 

The Revolutionary War Years 

During the American Revolution, General George Washington lived at Arnold’s Tavern, originally located to your left on North Park Place, in the winter of 1777 and many of his generals visited him there.  From the tavern, Washington could supervise his troops drilling on the Green which served as a military parade ground.  That same winter, our two churches became hospitals for soldiers with smallpox. 

(1819 Louisa Macculloch Map) 

19th Century Green 

After the American Revolution, Morristown began to grow in population and homes and businesses were built near the Green.  The Green was the site of town celebrations and meetings.  The Green, once owned by the First Presbyterian Church, was sold for $1,600 to a private group of thirteen trustees on April 1, 1816 who have maintained the park for the enjoyment of the public for over 200 years.  In 1827 the courthouse and jail moved to Court Street. 

(1830 Jail Limits Map) 

Our Nation’s Guest

Well into the 19th century, there were periodic displays of military activity on the Green.  This took the form of training exercises for militia groups, which used the Green as a marshaling point and sometimes as a parade ground.  General Lafayette returned to Morristown and was honored here in 1825 when he toured as the “nation’s guest.” Note that roads intersected the Green until 1830.  In October 1833 the Green was the site of the public hanging of Antoine LeBlanc, who committed a triple murder in Morris County.   

(1850 Marcus Smith Map) 

The Green Defined

By 1850 the Green had its borders defined into the keystone shape you see today with straight, diagonal paths and extensive tree plantings noted on the 1850 map.  Homes, stores, inns and other commercial enterprises were built adjacent to the Green. 

(1868 Beers Atlas Map) 

20th Century to the Present 

During the American Civil War, soldiers shipping out would muster on the Green before boarding trains to go off to fight.  After the Civil War, the properties adjacent to the Green rose in value and businesses moved in.  The Green was the scene of many celebrations and events including summer concerts, circus performances and political speeches.  The Civil War monument, “Soldiers at Rest,” was added in 1871. 

(Brinley Plan – 1908)