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Morristown, New Jersey

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Template:Short description Template:About Template:Distinguish Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Morristown (Template:IPAc-en) is a town in and the county seat of Morris County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.<ref name=CountyMap>New Jersey County Map, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed July 10, 2017.</ref> Morristown has been called "the military capital of the American Revolution" because of its strategic role in the war for independence from Great Britain.<ref>About Morristown, Town of Morristown. Accessed April 3, 2013. "Morristown became characterized as 'the military capital of the American Revolution' because of its strategic role in the war for independence from Great Britain."</ref><ref>Weig, Melvin J.; and Craig, Vera B. Morristown: A Military Capital of the American Revolution, National Park Service, 1950, reprinted 1961. Accessed July 19, 2011.</ref> Morristown's history is visible in a variety of locations that collectively make up Morristown National Historical Park, the country's first National Historical Park.<ref name="npshist">Template:Cite web</ref>

Morristown was incorporated as a town by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 6, 1865, within Morris Township, and it was formally set off from the township in 1895.<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 195. Accessed May 30, 2024.</ref> As of the 2020 United States census, the town's population was 20,180,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> its highest decennial census count ever and an increase of 1,769 (+9.6%) from the 2010 census count of 18,411,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn had reflected a decline of 133 (−0.7%) from the 18,544 counted at the 2000 census.<ref>Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref>

According to British colonial records, the first permanent settlement in Morristown was New Hanover, founded in 1715 by colonists from New York and Connecticut. Morris County was created on March 15, 1739, from portions of Hunterdon County. The county, and ultimately Morristown itself, was named for the popular Governor of the Province, Lewis Morris, who championed land ownership rights for colonists.<ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 8, 2015.</ref><ref>Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 215. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed September 8, 2015.</ref>

History

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File:Ford Mansion, Morristown, NJ - looking north.jpg
Ford Mansion, Washington's headquarters from 1779 to 1780 during the Revolutionary War
File:Morristown, New Jersey (1828).jpg
Morristown in 1828
File:United Methodist Church, Morristown, NJ.jpg
Morristown United Methodist Church

Present-day Morristown was initially inhabited by the Lenni Lenape Native Americans for up to 6,000 years prior to exploration of Europeans.<ref>Nye, Melinda. "Panning for Old", Skylands Visitor. Accessed December 19, 2012.</ref> The first European settlements in this portion of New Jersey were established by Sweden and the Netherlands in the early 17th century, when significant trade in furs existed between the natives and the Europeans at temporary posts. It became part New Netherland, a Dutch colony, but the English seized control of the region in 1664, which was granted to Sir George Carteret and John Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley of Stratton, and named the Province of New Jersey.

18th century

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Morristown was settled around 1715 by English Presbyterians from Southold, New York, on Long Island and New Haven, Connecticut, as the village of New Hanover.<ref name=Timeline>Staff. "Morristown Timeline", Daily Record, March 23, 2000. Accessed July 19, 2012. "1715 - The Green is established as the center of the community of Morristown, then known as West Hanover, or New Hanover.... 1740 - Morris County separates from Hunterdon County and about half of the new county becomes the Township of Morris. As the most promising village in the county, West Hanover changes its name to Morristown, in honor of Lewis Morris, the first governor of the colony of New Jersey after it separated from New York."</ref><ref>Cheslow, Jerry. "If You're Thinking of Living In /Morristown, N.J.; Presence of the Past in a Lively Downtown", The New York Times, October 31, 1999. Accessed July 19, 2012. "The downtown radiates from a trapezoidal green that was set aside by the town's first Presbyterian settlers, who arrived from New England in 1715."</ref> The town's central location and road connections led to its selection as the seat of the new Morris County shortly after its separation from Hunterdon County on March 15, 1739.<ref>Karp, Bob. "Arcadia Publishing", Daily Record, January 14, 2003. Accessed July 19, 2012. "Its central location, at the convergence of all the local roads, were one reason Morristown was named the county seat when Morris County was created in 1739, the first courts were held at Jacob Ford's house, and in 1740 he was appointed collector of Morris township."</ref> The village and county were named for Lewis Morris, the first and then sitting royal governor of a united colony of New Jersey.<ref name=Timeline/>

By the middle of the 18th century, Morristown had 250 residents, with two churches, a courthouse, two taverns, two schools, several stores, and numerous mills and farms nearby.

George Washington first came to Morristown in May 1773, two years before the Revolutionary War broke out, and traveled from there to New York City with John Parke Custis, his stepson, and Lord Stirling.<ref>Editorial. "225th Anniversary", Daily Record, January 3, 2002. Accessed February 20, 2011. "He was in Basking Ridge and at Morristown's Mount Kemble with stepson John Parke Custis and patriot Lord Stirling in May of 1773 before the war."</ref>

In 1777, General Washington and the Continental Army marched from the victories at Trenton and Princeton to encamp near Morristown from January to May. Washington's headquarters during that first encampment was at Jacob Arnold's Tavern, located at the Morristown Green in the center of Morristown.<ref>Jacob Arnold's Tavern, The North Jersey History and Genealogy Center. Accessed July 17, 2011.</ref> Morristown was selected for its extremely strategic location.<ref>Why Morristown?, National Park Service Museum Collection, American Revolutionary War, Morristown National Historic Park - map shows the important geographic features that led to the importance of the site and the Hobart Pass.</ref> It was between Philadelphia and New York and near New England while being protected by the Watchung Mountains from the bulk of British troops camped in New York City. It also was chosen for the skills and trades of the residents, local industries and natural resources to provide arms, and what was thought to be the ability of the community to provide enough food to support the army.

The churches were used for inoculations for smallpox. That first headquarters, Arnold's Tavern, was eventually moved Template:Convert south of the green onto Mount Kemble Avenue to become All Souls' Hospital in the late 19th century. It suffered a fire in 1918, and the original structure was demolished, but new buildings for the hospital were built directly across the street.<ref>All Souls Hospital Template:Webarchive, The North Jersey History and Genealogy Center. Accessed July 17, 2011.</ref><ref>Whatever happened to Washington's 1777 HQ in Morristown? Template:Webarchive, accessed May 7, 2006.</ref>

From December 1779 to June 1780, the Continental Army's second encampment at Morristown was at Jockey Hollow. Then, Washington's headquarters in Morristown was located at the Ford Mansion, a large mansion near what was then the edge of town. Ford's widow and children shared the house with Martha Washington and officers of the Continental Army.<ref>Hubbard, Louise. "Home Was Washington's Base", Edmonton Journal, January 3, 1962. Accessed July 19, 2012. "General george Washington accepted Mrs. Theodosia's invitation to make her home his headquarters the winter of 1779-80 and lived there longer than in any other encampment of the Continental army... The widow Ford kept two rooms for her family and Washington expressed the discomfort of the too-many tenants in a letter..."</ref>

The winter of 1780 was the worst winter of the Revolutionary War. The starvation was complicated by extreme inflation of money and lack of pay for the army. The entire Pennsylvania contingent successfully mutinied. Later, 200 New Jersey soldiers also attempted unsuccessfully to mutiny.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Many soldiers died, due to weak health.

During Washington's second stay, in March 1780, he declared St. Patrick's Day a holiday to honor his many Irish troops.<ref>The "Hard" Winter of 1779—80 Template:Webarchive, National Park Service. Accessed March 17, 2006.</ref> Martha Washington traveled from Virginia and remained with her husband each winter throughout the war. The Marquis de Lafayette came to Washington in Morristown to inform him that France would be sending ships and trained soldiers to aid the Continental Army.<ref>Staff. "Continental Army Froze, Starved, at Morristown", Hartford Courant, February 23, 1963. Accessed July 19, 2012. "The Marquis de Lafayette arrived in Morristown to tell Washington that France was sending America six ships and 6,000 well-trained troops."</ref>

Ford Mansion, Jockey Hollow, and Fort Nonsense are all preserved as part of Morristown National Historical Park, managed by the National Park Service, which has the distinction among historic preservationists of being the first National Historical Park established in the United States.<ref>Northwest Skylands: Morristown National Historical Park, New Jersey Skylands. Accessed September 17, 2006.</ref><ref>Fort Nonsense taken from Steeple of the Old First church, not dated, Morristown, NJ, Morristown & Morris Township Public Library, The North Jersey History & Genealogy Center. Accessed August 20, 2011.</ref>

During Washington's stay, Benedict Arnold was court-martialed at Dickerson's Tavern, on Spring Street, for charges related to profiteering from military supplies at Philadelphia. His admonishment was made public, but Washington quietly promised the hero, Arnold, to make it up to him.<ref>Dickerson's Tavern, The North Jersey History and Genealogy Center. Accessed July 17, 2011.</ref>

Alexander Hamilton courted and wed Elizabeth Schuyler at a residence where Washington's personal physician resided. Locally known as the Schuyler-Hamilton House, the Dr. Jabez Campfield House is listed on both the New Jersey and National Register of Historic Places.<ref>New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places - Morris County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Historic Preservation Office, updated January 22, 2015. Accessed September 8, 2015.</ref><ref>Olyphant Place, house, Dr. Jabez Campfield's house, not dated, Morristown, NJ Template:Webarchive, Morristown & Morris Township Public Library, The North Jersey History & Genealogy Center . Accessed August 20, 2011.</ref>

At Morristown Green, there is a statue commemorating the meeting of George Washington, the young Marquis de LaFayette, and young Alexander Hamilton as they discussed forthcoming aid from French ships and troops being sent by King Louis XVI to aid the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War.<ref>Washington, Lafayette and Hamilton Bronzes - Morristown Green - Morristown, NJ, Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area. Accessed August 20, 2011. "One of the main focal points on the central Green in Morristown, New Jersey is the life-sized sculptural grouping of General Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and the Marquis de Lafayette, known as "The Alliance." It commemorates Lafayette's arrival with news of French support for the American cause."</ref>

Morristown's Burnham Park has a statue, "Father of the American Revolution", depicting Thomas Paine, who wrote Common Sense in 1776, which urged a complete break from British rule and helped inspire the American Revolution. The bronze statue by sculptor Georg J. Lober shows Paine in 1776 using a drum as a table during the withdrawal of the army across New Jersey composing Crisis 1. He wrote, "These are the times that try men's souls..." The statue was dedicated on July 4, 1950.<ref>Staff. "Paine Statue Unveiled; 3,000 at Morristown Ceremony in Memory of Patriot", The New York Times, July 5, 1950. Accessed July 24, 2018. "Morristown, N.J., July 4-- While 3,000 persons watched under heavily overcast skies a $75,000 Thomas Paine statue was dedicated this afternoon at Burnham Park."</ref>

19th century

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The idea for constructing the Morris Canal is credited to Morristown businessman George P. Macculloch, who in 1822 convened a group to discuss his concept for a canal. The group included Governor of New Jersey Isaac Halstead Williamson, which led to approval of the proposal by the New Jersey Legislature later that year. The canal was used for a century.<ref>A Brief History, Morris Canal Greenway. Accessed August 20, 2011. "George P. Macculloch, a Morristown businessman, must be given the credit for conceiving the idea for the Morris Canal and ultimately carrying it through to completion. In 1822 he brought a group of interested citizens together at Morristown including Governor Isaac Williamson to discuss his idea with them. His proposal was received favorably."</ref> In July 1825 during his 15 month return tour of the United States, the Marquis de Lafayette returned to Morristown, where a ball was held in his honor at the 1807 Sansay House on DeHart Street (the edifice still stands as of 2011).<ref>Sansay House, The North Jersey History and Genealogy Center. Accessed July 17, 2011.</ref>

In 1827, St. Peter's Episcopal Church was founded at the behest of Bishop George Washington Doane and many prominent Morristown Families, including George P. Macculloch, of the Morris Canal.<ref>Morristown - St Peter's, The New Jersey Churchscape. Accessed April 5, 2021</ref> When the Church was rebuilt by the then-internationally famous architectural firm, McKim, Mead and White, beginning in 1889, the congregation erected one of the United States finest church buildings –a stone, English-gothic church complete with fined stained glass, and a long, decorated interior.

Antoine le Blanc, a French immigrant laborer, murdered the Sayre family and their servant (or possibly slave), Phoebe. He was tried and convicted of murder of the Sayres (but not of Phoebe) on August 13, 1833. On September 6, 1833, Le Blanc became the last person hanged on the Morristown Green. Until late 2006, the house where the murders were committed was known as "Jimmy's Haunt," which is purported to be haunted by Phoebe's ghost because her murder never saw justice. Jimmy's Haunt was torn down to make way for a bank in 2007.

Samuel F. B. Morse and Alfred Vail built the first telegraph at the Speedwell Ironworks in Morristown on January 6, 1838. The first telegraph message was A patient waiter is no loser. The first public demonstration of the invention occurred five days later as an early step toward the Information Age.<ref>Historic Speedwell Template:Webarchive, Morris County, New Jersey Parks Commission. Accessed August 20, 2011. "The most significant building at Historic Speedwell is the Factory, a National Historic Landmark where Stephen Vail's son, Alfred, worked with Samuel F. B. Morse to perfect the telegraph. It was here on January 11, 1838 where the electromagnetic telegraph was first publicly demonstrated - making Historic Speedwell the 'Birthplace of the Telegraph.'"</ref>

Jacob Arnold's Tavern, the first headquarters for Washington in Morristown and site of Benedict Arnold's 1780 trial, was purchased by Morristown historian Julia Keese Nelson Colles (1840-1913) to save it from demolition in 1886. It was moved by horse-power in the winter of 1887 from "the green" (after being stuck on Bank Street for about six weeks) to a site Template:Convert south on Mount Kemble Avenue at what is now a parking lot for the Atlantic RIMM Rehabilitation Hospital. It became a boarding house for four years until it was converted by the Grey Nuns from Montreal into All Souls' Hospital, the first general hospital in Morris County.<ref>All Soul's Hospital Template:Webarchive, North Jersey History and Genealogy Center. Accessed July 17, 2011.</ref> George and Martha Washington's second floor ballroom became a chapel and the first floor tavern became a ward for patients. In 1910, the late Augustus Lefebvre Revere (brother of hospital founder Paul Revere) willed the Hospital $10,000 to be used for the erection of a new building.<ref name=":422">Undated newspaper clipping, “Mr. Revere's Bequests.” Fosterfields cabinet, Subject Research Files: Paul & Augustus Revere.</ref> This fund was used 8 years later when the original Arnold's Tavern building was lost to a fire.<ref name=":03">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>All Soul's Hospital after 1918 fire, North Jersey History and Genealogy Center. Accessed July 17, 2011.</ref> The entire organization, nurses, doctors, and patients of All Souls' Hospital were then moved across Mount Kemble Avenue, U.S. Route 202, to the newly built brick hospital building.<ref name=":422" /> All Souls' was set to close because of financial difficulties in the late 1960s. In 1973, it became Community Medical Center. In 1977, the center became bankrupt and was purchased by the then new and larger Morristown Memorial Hospital, which is now the Morristown Medical Center.<ref>Staff. "'Recycling' a Hospital that was Underused, The New York Times, December 1, 1985. Accessed September 18, 2009.</ref>

On December 18, 1843, the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was incorporated. This was the first congregation established by blacks in Morris County. It is still active. The first site of the Church was located at 13 Spring Street and served as the only schoolhouse for colored children until 1870. The Church relocated to its present site at 59 Spring Street in 1874.<ref>Friedman, Alan. "Church full of 'ordinary people'", Daily Record, October 18, 2006. Accessed December 17, 2012. "According to county records, in 1843 the Bethel Mite Society received a certificate of incorporation for the church, which was recorded under the name of 'The African Methodist Episcopal Church of Morristown."</ref><ref>Staff. "Coming back home again; Morristown High grad will lead choir in concert at Bethel A.M.E. Church", Daily Record, June 17, 2004. Accessed December 17, 2012. "Sandra Singleton Barnhardt, a 1969 graduate of Morristown High School, will come home to Bethel A.M.E. Church, the oldest black church in Morris County, to host a benefit Saturday beginning at 6 p.m."</ref>

The first Jews moved to Morristown in the 1850s, but much larger numbers of Ashkenazi Jews migrated to the region from Eastern Europe in the 1890s, which led to the incorporation of the Morristown Jewish Center in 1899.<ref>"Early Jewish History in Morristown" MJCBY.org (Accessed December 17, 2021)</ref><ref>Garber, Phil "Jewish history in Morris and Sussex is traced" New Jersey Hills Media Group Feb. 12, 2004 Accessed December 3, 2021.</ref> Today there are several Jewish synagogues in Morristown reflecting the diversity of the community.Template:Example needed

In the 1880s, the town's residents were primarily farmers. The small amount of stores in the Morristown Green town center were only open during the evening to accommodate farmers who did not leave their work during the daytime. There were only a few stores in town, including Adams & Fairchild grocers and P. H. Hoffman & Son clothiers, both located in the Arnold's Tavern on the Morristown Green.<ref name=":2">Foster, Caroline. "Oral History Caroline Morristown," November 9, 1967. Interview conducted by Clayton Smith. Available from the Morris County Park Commission archives at Historic Sites\FosterFields\Oral Histories.</ref>

Gilded Age of Morristown

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File:OAK DELL, MORRISTOWN, MORRIS COUNTY.jpg
Oak Dell in Morristown, known as "Millionaries Row"

Starting in the mid-1800s, Morristown became a popular summer retreat for some of New York City's wealthiest residents.<ref>Huhn, Erich Morgan.Power and Prestige: Progressive Membership in Morristown, New Jersey, Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs), 2018. Accessed February 22, 2022.</ref> From the 1870s onwards, immense estates were built up along once rural thoroughfares; Madison Avenue, which runs along Morristown and Madison, New Jersey, became known as "the street of the 100 millionaires" due to the sheer extravagance of the houses that were constructed.<ref>Kaschewski, Marjorie. The Quiet Millionaires (The Morris County That Was) (Morristown, NJ: Morris County’s Daily Record, 1970), pg 4.</ref>

Between 1880 and 1929, the Gilded Age of Morristown occurred, when dozens of "millionaires with large fortunes built their estates" in Morristown and Morris Township.<ref name=":0">Overview: Township of Morris, Morris Township. Accessed December 8, 2022.</ref>

In the 1880 United States census, the town had 5,418 residents, which grew to 8,156 in 1890.<ref name="Census1890" />

In 1889,<ref name=":32">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":22">Template:Cite book</ref> Christian charity organization Market Street Mission was established on 9 Market Street beside the Morristown Green in response to the large number of saloons on Market Street. Beginning on March 18, 1889, the Mission hosted nightly meetings to aid and convert those with alcoholism, opioid use, and homelessness.<ref name=":12">Template:Cite web</ref> As of 2022, the organization continues to operate a homeless shelter, meals, and emergency services, along with men's drug addiction recovery groups, community counseling, a chapel, and a thrift store.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":12" />

Morris Township describes the influx of millionaires to the area:

By 1896, an estimated 54 millionaires lived in the Morristown area, with a total wealth of $289,000,000, which [circa 2009] would be worth billions of dollars. Six years later in 1902, there were at least 91 millionaires.<ref name=":0" />

This included New York warehouse and grain broker Charles Grant Foster, who bought the farm estate and mansion of Union Army general Joseph Warren Revere in 1881.<ref name=":04">Template:Cite book</ref> This became Fosterfields, a Jersey cow farm. It was later managed by Caroline Rose Foster, though most of its herd was sold in a 1927 auction. In 1979 it was donated to the Morris County Park Commission.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":6">Template:Cite web</ref> The site currently houses a living history museum and Revere's historic house.<ref name=":4">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":11">Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1902, the New York Herald described Morristown as "the Millionaire City of the Nation." The Herald claimed it "contains the richest and least known colony of wealthy people in the world." It identified 45 millionaires (15 of whom were worth over $10 million) who had purchased country homes in Morristown to avoid "lavish display" and seek "freedom from notoriety." The newspaper named some of them including lawyer George Griswold Frelinghuysen, carpet-making heir Eugene Higgins, banker Otto Hermann Kahn, Luther Kountze, and Louis A. Thebaud.<ref name=":5">Template:Cite book</ref>

File:Thorne Mansion, Normandy Heights, Morris Township, NJ.jpg
Thorne Mansion, built in 1912, houses the Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Even smaller estates without deer herds, polo fields or private gas plants necessitated "multiple indoor and outdoor employees" such as "butlers, housekeeprs, parlor-maids and upstairs maids; governesses, nannies, and tutors; cooks and kitchen maids, coachmen, grooms, and stable boys; managers, care-takers, watchmen; gardeners and assistants."<ref name=":5" />

The Gilded Age of Morristown ended in 1929, due to the "high cost of maintaining the estates, increasing income taxes, and the stock market crash" that led to the Great Depression. The Morris Township reports, "Many of the mansions were closed or sold, and some burned."<ref name=":0" />

20th century

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File:Morris Frank and Buddy 01.jpg
Morris Frank, the founder of The Seeing Eye, with Buddy

Since 1929, more than 16,000 guide dogs for the blind from The Seeing Eye, Inc., the oldest such school in the U.S., have been trained on the streets of Morristown.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

File:Macculloch Hall, Morristown, NJ.jpg
Macculloch Hall, built 1810 by George P. Macculloch

21st century

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On January 5, 2009, five red lights were spotted in the Morristown area night skies, who gained significant press coverage and 9-1-1 calls.<ref name="strange12">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="dailyrecord1">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref><ref>Template:Citation</ref> On April 1, 2009, the perpetrators revealed their hoax by publicizing footage of its creation, which consisted of helium balloons and flares.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Star Ledger">Template:Cite news</ref> The event became nationally known as the Morristown UFO hoax.<ref>Schillaci, Sarah. "2 reveal UFO hoax, but prosecutor for Morris not smiling" Template:Webarchive, The Star-Ledger, April 3, 2009. Accessed August 20, 2011. "Between early January and late February, Russo and Rudy used Duct tape, fishing line, roadside flares and balloons to pull off a hoax that had many in North Jersey wondering whether UFOs were hovering over Morris County."</ref>

Geography

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File:Speedwell Lake, Morristown, NJ.jpg
Speedwell Lake

According to the United States Census Bureau, Morristown town had a total area of 3.01 square miles (7.79 km2), including 2.91 square miles (7.53 km2) of land and 0.10 square miles (0.25 km2) of water (3.26%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />

Morristown is completely surrounded by Morris Township,<ref>Areas touching Morristown, MapIt. Accessed March 27, 2020.</ref><ref>Morris County Municipalities Map, Morris County, New Jersey Department of Planning and Preservation. Accessed March 27, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref> making it part of 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" in the state, where one municipality entirely surrounds another.<ref>DeMarco, Megan. "Voters to decide whether to merge two Princetons into one", The Star-Ledger, November 3, 2011. Accessed January 8, 2017. "There are 22 sets of 'doughnut towns' in New Jersey, those where one town wraps around the other town". Note that following voter approval of the Princeton merger, 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" remain.</ref>

The downtown shopping and business district of Morristown is centered around a square park, known as the Morristown Green. It is a former market square from Morristown's colonial days.

Climate

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Morristown has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfa) with hot, humid summers and moderately cold winters. The hardiness zone is 7a. Template:Weather box

Demographics

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Template:US Census population

2020 census

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The 2020 United States census<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> counted 20,180 people, 8,391 households, and 4,199 families in Morristown. The population density was 6,934.7 per square mile (2,679.9/kmTemplate:Sup). There were 9,029 housing units at an average density of 3,102.7 per square mile (1,199.1/kmTemplate:Sup). The racial makeup was 49.29% (9,947) white, 10.05% (2,028) black or African-American, 1.71% (345) Native American or Alaska Native, 4.8% (968) Asian, 0.06% (12) Pacific Islander, 20.47% (4,130) from other races, and 13.63% (2,750) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 25.6% (4,882) of the population.

Of the 8,391 households, 19.1% had children under the age of 18; 36.2% were married couples living together; 29.0% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 33.7% were comprised of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 3.0.

13.3% of the population was under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 34.4% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 97.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 99.6 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> estimates show that the median household income was $111,130 (with a margin of error of +/- $13,384) and the median family income was $124,531 (+/- $26,526). Males had a median income of $61,823 (+/- $6,029) versus $55,479 (+/- $7,473) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $58,971 (+/- $3,850). Approximately, 7.5% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under the age of 18 and 13.6% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

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The 2010 United States census counted 18,411 people, 7,417 households, and 3,649 families in the town. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 8,172 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 62.50% (11,507) White, 13.97% (2,572) Black or African American, 0.64% (117) Native American, 4.34% (799) Asian, 0.06% (11) Pacific Islander, 14.84% (2,732) from other races, and 3.66% (673) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 34.09% (6,277) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 7,417 households, 22.7% had children under the age of 18; 31.1% were married couples living together; 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 50.8% were non-families. Of all households, 38.8% were made up of individuals and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.13.<ref name=Census2010/>

17.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 38.4% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 104.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 106.1 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $64,279 (with a margin of error of +/− $5,628) and the median family income was $66,070 (+/− $3,638). Males had a median income of $51,242 (+/− $6,106) versus $44,315 (+/− $5,443) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $37,573 (+/− $2,286). About 10.2% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.1% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Morristown town, Morris County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 19, 2012.</ref>

2000 census

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As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 18,544 people, 7,252 households, and 3,698 families residing in the town. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 7,615 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the town was 67.63% White, 16.95% Black or black, 0.22% Native American, 3.77% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 8.48% from other races, and 3.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 27.15% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Morristown town Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 27, 2011.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Morristown town, Morris County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 19, 2012.</ref>

9.8% of Morristown residents identified themselves as being of Colombian American ancestry in the 2000 Census, the eighth- highest percentage of the population of any municipality in the United States.<ref>Top 101 cities with the most residents born in Colombia (population 500+), City-Data. Accessed February 21, 2011.</ref> 4.5% of Morristown residents identified themselves as being of Honduran American ancestry in the 2000 Census, the sixth-highest percentage of the population of any municipality in the United States.<ref>Top 101 cities with the most residents born in Honduras (population 500+), City-Data. Accessed February 21, 2011.</ref>

There were 7,252 households, out of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.4% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.0% were non-families. 38.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.19.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the town, the population was spread out, with 18.4% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 40.4% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.7 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the town was $57,563, and the median income for a family was $66,419. Males had a median income of $42,363 versus $37,045 for females. The per capita income for the town was $30,086. About 7.1% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 14.3% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

Economy

[edit]
File:Morristown smart growth.jpg
"Smart Growth"Template:Citation needed in Morristown

Companies based in Morristown include Capsugel, Reworld,<ref>Contact Us, Reworld. Accessed October 21, 2024.</ref> Louis Berger Group,<ref>Offices, Louis Berger Group. Accessed March 28, 2020.</ref> Schindler Group and the Morristown & Erie Railway, a local short-line freight railway and Honeywell.

Morristown Medical Center, with 5,500 employees, is Morristown's largest employer. In a ruling issued in June 2015, Tax Court Judge Vito Bianco ruled that the hospital would be required to pay property taxes on nearly all of its campus in the town.<ref>Darragh, Tim. "Morristown hospital loses property tax court case; judge says facility does not meet non-profit status", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, June 26, 2015. Accessed July 25, 2016. "Morristown Medical Center should pay property taxes on virtually all of its 40-acre property in town, a tax court judge ruled Friday in a decision closely watched by other hospitals across New Jersey.... The hospital, which employs 5,500 people, is the largest employer in Morristown."</ref>

Arts and culture

[edit]
File:St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Morristown, NJ - looking northeast.jpg
St. Peter's Episcopal Church
File:Thomas Nast Home.jpg
Home of Thomas Nast, known as Villa Fontana
File:Mayo.Performing.Arts..JPG
Mayo Performing Arts Center

Main sites

[edit]
  • Morristown National Historical Park – Four historic sites around Morristown associated with the American Revolutionary War, including Jockey Hollow, a park that includes a visitor center, the Revolution-era Wick farm, encampment site of George Washington's Continental Army, and around 25 miles of hiking trails, and the Washington's Headquarters & Ford Mansion, a Revolution-era Georgian-style mansion used by George Washington as his headquarters during the Jockey Hollow encampment.
  • Speedwell Lake - Park with an old dam, other ruins, and more. Patriots Path, a footpath that runs through Northern New Jersey winds through this park.
  • Morristown Green – Park at the center of town which was the old town "common" or "green." It is the site of several Revolutionary War and Civil war monuments (including one with George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and the Marquis De Lafayette discussing the arrival of French aid to the colonies), and is surrounded by historic churches, the colonial county-courthouse, and a shopping and restaurant district.
  • St. Peter's Episcopal Church – Large McKim Mead and White church with bell tower, fine stained glass and medieval furnishings.
  • Acorn Hall – 1853 Victorian Italianate mansion and home to the Morris County Historical Society. Donated to the historical society in 1971 by Mary Crane Hone, the mansion retained much of its original furnishings and accouterments as it remained in the same family for over a century. It is currently operated as a museum and is the headquarters of the Morris County Historical Society.<ref>History, Morris County Historical Society. Accessed January 4, 2018. "Mary Crane Hone presented the Society with Acorn Hall and five acres of surrounding property in 1971. Built in 1853, Acorn Hall was the home of several generations of the Crane-Hone family."</ref>
  • Morris Museum – formally incorporated in 1943. The museum's permanent displays include rocks, minerals, fossils, animal mounts, a model railroad, and Native American crafts, pottery, carving, basketry and textiles.<ref>Mission and History, Morris Museum. Accessed July 25, 2016.</ref>
  • Mayo Performing Arts Center – a former Walter Reade movie theater originally constructed in 1937 that has been converted into a 1,302-seat performing arts center.<ref>Theatre History, Mayo Performing Arts Center. Accessed July 25, 2016.</ref>
  • The Seeing Eye – the first school in North America for training and connecting guide dogs with blind and visually impaired students.
  • Speedwell Ironworks – a National Historic Landmark and museum at the site where the electric telegraph was first presented to the public, on January 11, 1838.<ref>Historic Speedwell, Morris County Tourism Bureau. Accessed April 1, 2019. "This eight-acre National Historic Landmark has established its place in world history several times over. It was here in 1838, at the start of the Industrial Revolution, that Samuel F.B. Morse and Alfred Vail demonstrated a perfected electromagnetic telegraph to the public."</ref>

Libraries

[edit]
  • Morristown and Morris Township Public Library - Originating as informal book trading in 1792, the library was officially incorporated in 1866.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref> After growing to 30,000 volumes, a 1914 fire destroyed the lyceum and much of its contents. In 1916, textile merchant Grinnell Willis constructed and paid for a new fireproof building.<ref name=":1" /> Its Modern Mondays Reading Club, an exclusive women's-only book club established in 1921, included prominent community members such as anthropologist Ethel Cutler Freeman; writer Dorothy Kunhardt; local farmer Caroline Rose Foster;<ref name=":13">E2 Project Management LLC. Historic Structures Report: The Willows at Fosterfields: An update to the 1983 Historic Structures Report by Robert P. Guter, 2015. Accessible via the archives of the Morris County Park Commission.</ref> and Elinor Parker, manager of Scribner's Book Store.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Historic sites

[edit]
File:Acorn Hall.jpg
Acorn Hall, headquarters of the Morris County Historical Society

Morristown is home to the following locations on the National Register of Historic Places:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Statues

[edit]
File:George Washington by Frederick Roth, Morristown, NJ.jpg
George Washington by Frederick Roth
File:The Hiker (Kitson) in Morristown New Jersey jeh.jpg
The Hiker by Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson

Sports

[edit]

The New Jersey Stampede (formerly the Minutemen) are a professional inline hockey team that competes in the Professional Inline Hockey Association.<ref>"Hockey", Daily Record, January 30, 2008. Accessed April 5, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "Originally the Morristown Minutemen, they were renamed the New Jersey Minutemen in 2006 and just recently adopted the 'Stampede' nickname."</ref>

The United States Equestrian Team, the international equestrian team for the United States, was founded in 1950 at the Coates estate on Van Beuren Road in Morristown.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Morristown has a cricketing club, the first in North America.<ref>Home Page, Indoor Cricket USA.</ref>

The Morristown 1776 Association Football Club is a soccer club that competes in the North Jersey Soccer League and MCSSA.

Government

[edit]

Local government

[edit]

Morristown is governed within the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, under a Plan F Mayor-Council system of New Jersey municipal government, which went into effect on January 1, 1974.<ref name=DataBook>2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 116.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 10. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref><ref>Morris County Manual 2006: Town of Morristown, Morris County, New Jersey, backed up by the Internet Archive as of April 23, 2007. Accessed June 3, 2020.</ref> The town is one of 71 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government.<ref>Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The Morristown Town Council is comprised of seven members, of which three members are elected at-large representing the entire town and one representative is chosen from each of the town's four wards. Members are elected on a partisan basis to four-year terms of office on a staggered basis in odd-numbered years as part of the November general election, with the four ward seats up for vote together and the at-large and mayoral seats up for vote together two years later. As the legislative arm of the government, the council is responsible for making and setting policy for the town.

Template:As of, the Mayor of Morristown is Democrat Timothy Dougherty, whose term of office ends December 31, 2025.<ref name=Mayor>Mayor Timothy Dougherty, Town of Morristown. Accessed April 26, 2023.</ref> Members of the Morristown Town Council are Council President Nathan Umbriac (D; At Large, 2025), Council Vice President David Silva (D; At Large, 2025), Toshiba Foster (D; At Large, 2025), Robert Iannaccone (I, Ward I, 2027), Tina Lindsey (D, Ward II, 2027), Steven Pylypchuk (D, Ward III, 2027), and Christopher Russo (D; Ward IV, 2027).<ref>Town Council Directory, Town of Morristown. Accessed February 14, 2024</ref><ref>2023 Municipal Data Sheet, Town of Morristown. Accessed February 17, 2024.</ref><ref name=MorrisManual>Morris County Manual 2024, Morris County, New Jersey Clerk. Accessed May 1, 2024.</ref><ref name=MorrisOfficials>Morris County Municipal Elected Officials For The Year 2024, Morris County, New Jersey Clerk, updated March 20, 2024. Accessed May 1, 2024.</ref><ref name=Morris2023>General Election November 7, 2023 Official Results, Morris County, New Jersey, updated December 11, 2203. Accessed January 1, 2024.</ref><ref name=Morris2021>General Election Winners For November 2, 2021, Morris County, New Jersey Clerk. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref>

In 2019, Mary Dougherty, wife of Mayor Tim Dougherty was criminally charged with accepting bribe money from Attorney Matt O'Donnell. Mary had been running for a seat on the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 2018 when O'Donnell offered her $10,000, presumably to help him get awarded more contracts from the county for legal work.<ref name=Mary_Dougherty_Charged>"AG Grewal Announces Criminal Charges Against Five Public Officials and Political Candidates in Major Corruption Investigation", New Jersey Attorney General, December 19, 2019. Accessed July 12, 2022. "Mary Dougherty, a real estate agent from Morristown, allegedly accepted a bribe of $10,000 from the cooperating witness – initially delivered as cash but later converted to checks from 'straw donors' – for her unsuccessful campaign for Morris County Freeholder in 2018. In return, she allegedly promised to support the reappointment of the cooperating witness as counsel for Morris County."</ref><ref name=Morristown_Corruption>Mary Dougherty Criminal Complaint, New Jersey Attorney General, December 19, 2019. Accessed July 12, 2022.</ref> In a plea agreement, Mary pled guilty in February 2021 to a reduced charge of falsifying a campaign finance report in exchange for dropping the bribery charge; she would face probation and a fine of $10,000.<ref>Coughlin, Kevin. "A.G. drops bribery charge; Mary Dougherty pleads to lesser offense", Morristown Green, February 19, 2021.Accessed July 12, 2022. "Mary Dougherty, the fifth defendant in a state political corruption investigation, on Friday pleaded guilty to a fourth-degree charge of falsifying a campaign finance report when she was running for Morris County freeholder in 2018. She will receive probation, for a term to be determined next month by Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor, and pay a $10,000 fine–the amount she was charged with accepting unlawfully."</ref>

Mayors

[edit]

Template:Main

  • Tim Dougherty, 2010 to present
  • Donald Cresitello, 2006 to 2010
  • Jay DeLaney, 1998 to 2006
  • Norman Bloch, 1990 to 1998
  • David Manahan, 1986 to 1989
  • Emilio J. Gervasio 1982 to 1986
  • Donald Cresitello, 1977 to 1981
  • David Manahan, 1974 to 1977
  • John Bickford, 1963.
  • William Parsons Todd, 1953–1954.<ref>Political Graveyard.Morristown mayors. Accessed 21 April 2015.</ref>
  • Clyde W. Potts (1876–1950), 1921 to 1934. He was born on November 1, 1876, in Libertyville, Iowa. He died on May 19, 1950.<ref name=daily>Template:Cite news</ref>
  • Theodore Ayers, 1909 to 1910<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
  • Thomas W. Cauldwell, 1908 to 1909 (Died)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
  • Alexander Bennell, 1906 to 1907<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
  • Rev. Dr. Norman Fox, 1902<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
  • Edward Quayle, 1894, 1896, 1898 (Mayor during Spanish–American War)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
  • James Sullivan (1837–1899), was born about 1837. Democrat. Grocer; mayor of Morristown, N.J.. Baptist. Member, Freemasons. Died May 9, 1899 <ref>Political Graveyard. Sullivan. Accessed 21 April 2015.</ref>
  • George Theodore Werts (1846–1910), 1886 to 1892.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
  • Henry W. Miller, 1880 to 1881
  • Theodore Ayers, 1876 to 1879
  • Alfred Mills, 1874 to 1875
  • Joseph W. Ballentine, 1872 to 1873
  • Samuel S. Halsey, 1870 to 1871
  • George Thomas Cobb (1813–1870), 1865 to 1869
  • John Edwards Taylor (1834 – November 23, 1914).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Federal, state, and county representation

[edit]

Morristown is located in the 11th Congressional District<ref name=PCR2012>Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 25th state legislative district.<ref name=Districts2011>Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref><ref name=LWV2019>2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.</ref><ref>Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.</ref>

Template:NJ Congress 11 Template:NJ Senate

Template:NJ Legislative 25

Template:NJ Morris County Commissioners

Politics

[edit]

As of June 2019, a total of 11,330 voters were registered in Morristown, of which 5,087 (44.9%) were Democrats, 2,208 (19.5%) Republicans, and 4,035 (35.6%) were registered as Unaffiliated.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Template:PresHead Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow |}

In the 2016 presidential election, Democrat Hillary Clinton received 67.4% of the vote (4,984 votes), ahead of Republican Donald Trump with 27.5% (2,033 votes), and other candidates with 5.1% (294 votes), among the 7,470 ballots cast by the town's 11,060 voters, for a turnout of 67.5%.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 67.1% of the vote (4,485 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 31.7% (2,117 votes), and other candidates with 1.2% (79 votes), among the 6,727 ballots cast by the town's 10,212 registered voters (46 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 65.9%.<ref name="2012Elections">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="2012VoterReg">Template:Cite web</ref>

In the 2021 gubernatorial election, Democrat Phil Murphy received 65.6% of the vote (3,126 votes), ahead of Republican Jack Ciattarelli with 33.7% (1,611 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (46 votes), among the 4,854 ballots cast by the town's 12,836 voters, for a turnout of 37.8%.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2017 gubernatorial election, Democrat Phil Murphy received 68.44% of the vote (2,758 votes), ahead of Republican Kim Guadagno with 29.6% (1,194 votes), and other candidates with 1.9% (78 votes), among the 4,164 ballots cast by the town's 10,901 voters, for a turnout of 38.2%.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 52.7% of the vote (1,871 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 45.2% (1,602 votes), and other candidates with 2.1% (75 votes), among the 3,780 ballots cast by the town's 10,124 registered voters (232 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 37.3%.<ref name="2013Elections">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="2013VoterReg">Template:Cite web</ref>

Education

[edit]
File:Front of MBS.JPG
Morristown–Beard School

The Morris School District is a regional public school district that serves students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade from the communities of Morristown and Morris Township, and high school students (grades 9–12) from Morris Plains who attend the high school as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Morris Plains Schools.<ref>Morris Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Morris School District, adopted March 11, 2024. Accessed January 23, 2025. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through twelve in the Morris School District. Composition: The Morris School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of the Township of Morris and Morristown. The Morris School District operates as an all purpose regional Pre-Kindergarten through twelve district. The Morris School District accepts students from grades 9 - 12 from Morris Plains as part of the send-receive agreement."</ref><ref>Westhoven, William. "Morris schools mark 50 years of integration that followed landmark civil rights ruling", Daily Record, September 30, 2022. Accessed January 23, 2025. "The Morris School District now serves all students in Morristown and Morris Township, and high school students from Morris Plains. The district serves a student body of more than 5,700 with one preschool, three primary schools (grades K-2), three intermediate schools (3-5), one multiage magnet school (K-5), one middle school (6-8) and the high school."</ref> Schools in the district (with 2023–24 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics<ref>School Data for the Morris School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 15, 2024.</ref>) are Lafayette Learning Center<ref>Lafayette Learning Center, Morris School District. Accessed January 23, 2025.</ref> (with 108 students in grade PreK), Alexander Hamilton School<ref>Alexander Hamilton School, Morris School District. Accessed January 23, 2025.</ref> (248; 3–5), Hillcrest School<ref>Hillcrest School, Morris School District. Accessed January 23, 2025.</ref> (268; K–2), Thomas Jefferson School<ref>Thomas Jefferson School, Morris School District. Accessed January 23, 2025.</ref> (305; 3–5), Normandy Park School<ref>Normandy Park School, Morris School District. Accessed January 23, 2025.</ref> (361; K–5), Sussex Avenue School<ref>Sussex Avenue School, Morris School District. Accessed January 23, 2025.</ref> (336; 3–5), Alfred Vail School<ref>Alfred Vail School, Morris School District. Accessed January 23, 2025.</ref> (334; K–2), Woodland School<ref>Woodland School, Morris School District. Accessed January 23, 2025.</ref> (293; K–2), Frelinghuysen Middle School<ref>Frelinghuysen Middle School, Morris School District. Accessed January 23, 2025.</ref> (1,026; 6–8) and Morristown High School<ref>Morristown High School, Morris School District. Accessed January 23, 2025.</ref> (1,856; 9–12).<ref>Our Schools, Morris School District. Accessed January 23, 2025.</ref><ref>School Performance Reports for the Morris School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 3, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Morris School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref> The nine elected seats on the district's board of education are allocated based on the population of the constituent municipalities, with four seats assigned to Morristown.<ref>What is the Board of Education?, Morris School District. Accessed January 23, 2025. "The Morris School District Board of Education is an elected, unpaid group of 10 citizens (5 from Morris Township, 4 from Morristown, and one from Morris Plains) who serve as representatives of their community."</ref>

In addition to a public school system, Morristown has several private schools. Primary and elementary schools include The Red Oaks School, an independent private school founded in 1965 and serving pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, that offers both Montessori and International Baccalaureate programs. Assumption Roman Catholic is a grade school (K–8) that operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson<ref>Morris County, Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson Catholic Schools Office. Accessed September 8, 2015.</ref> and was one of 11 schools in the state recognized in 2014 by the United States Department of Education's National Blue Ribbon Schools Program.<ref>Goldman, Jeff. "Which N.J. schools were named to national 'Blue Ribbon' list?", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, October 2, 2014. Accessed December 31, 2014. "Eleven New Jersey schools have been named to the annual National Blue Ribbon list, the U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday."</ref><ref>2014 National Blue Ribbon Schools All Public and Private, United States Department of Education. Accessed December 31, 2014.</ref> The Peck School, a private day school which serves approximately 300 students in kindergarten through grade eight, dates back to 1893 when it was originally established as Miss Sutphen's School.<ref>About Peck Template:Webarchive, The Peck School. Accessed December 19, 2012.</ref> Delbarton School is an all-boys Roman Catholic school with approximately 540 students in grades seven through twelve, that began serving resident students in 1939 after having previously served as a seminary.<ref>Our History Template:Webarchive, Delbarton School. Accessed December 19, 2012.</ref> The Morristown-Beard School, a private co-ed school formed from the merger of two previously existing institutions, Morristown Preparatory School and Miss Beard's School, serves grades 6 through 12.<ref>History Template:Webarchive, Morristown-Beard School. Accessed December 19, 2012.</ref> In addition, Villa Walsh Academy, a private Catholic college preparatory school conducted by the Religious Teachers Filippini, is located in Morristown.<ref>History, Villa Walsh Academy. Accessed December 19, 2012.</ref>

The Academy of Saint Elizabeth was founded at Morristown in 1860 by the Sisters of Charity, however when municipal boundaries were redrawn in 1895,<ref name=Story /> the academy found itself in the Convent Station section of the adjacent Morris Township.

The Rabbinical College of America, one of the largest Chabad Lubavitch Chasidic yeshivas in the world is located in Morristown.<ref>Mindell, Cindy. "The making of a philanthropist – The Jewish community says farewell to David Chase z'l", Connecticut Jewish Ledger, June 8, 2016. Accessed October 19, 2016. "The Chases were among the original founders of the Rabbinical College of America, one of the largest Chabad Lubavitch yeshivas in the world, located in Morristown, N.J."</ref> The Rabbinical College of America has a Baal Teshuva yeshiva for students of diverse Jewish backgrounds, named Yeshiva Tiferes Bachurim.<ref>About Tiferes Bachurim Template:Webarchive, Yeshiva Tiferes Bachurim. Accessed September 8, 2015.</ref> The New Jersey Regional Headquarters for the worldwide Chabad Lubavitch movement is located on the campus.

Transportation

[edit]
File:2021-07-06 09 42 51 View north along Interstate 287 from the overpass for Morris County Route 510 westbound (Lafayette Avenue) in Morristown, Morris County, New Jersey.jpg
Interstate 287 northbound in Morristown
File:Morristown, NJ, train station front entrance.jpg
Morristown station

Roads and highways

[edit]

Template:As of, the town had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality, Template:Convert by Morris County and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.<ref>Morris County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed July 18, 2014.</ref>

Interstate 287 is the main highway providing access to Morristown. Two interchanges, Exit 35 and Exit 36, are located within the town.<ref>Interstate 287 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated May 2017. Accessed July 14, 2022.</ref> Other significant roads serving Morristown include U.S. Route 202, New Jersey Route 124 and County Route 510.

Public transportation

[edit]

Morristown has attempted to implement transit-oriented development. Morristown was designated in 1999 as of one of New Jersey's first five "transit villages".<ref>Transit Village Initiative Frequently Asked Questions, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed September 6, 2014.</ref> In 1999, Morristown changed its zoning code to designate the area around the train station as a "Transit Village Core" for mixed-use. The designation was at least partly responsible for development plans for several mixed-use condominium developments.<ref>Drobness, Tanya. "Transit village units ready for sale in Morristown", The Star-Ledger, July 12, 2009. Accessed February 20, 2011.</ref>

NJ Transit offers rail service at the Morristown station<ref>Morristown station, NJ Transit. Accessed April 26, 2023.</ref> which offers service on the Morristown Line to Newark Broad Street, Secaucus Junction, New York Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal.<ref>Morris and Essex Line schedule, NJ Transit, updated April 23, 2023. Accessed April 26, 2023.</ref> The town benefited from shortened commuting times to New York City due to the "Midtown Direct" service New Jersey Transit instituted in the 1990s.

NJ Transit local bus service is offered from the Morristown rail station, Morristown Medical Center and Headquarters Plaza on the 871, 872, 873, 874, 875 and 880 bus routes,<ref>Riding the Bus, Morris County, New Jersey. Accessed April 26, 2023.</ref><ref>Morris County System Map Template:Webarchive, NJ Transit. Accessed August 8, 2015.</ref> replacing service that had been offered on the MCM1, MCM2, MCM3, MCM4, MCM8 and MCM10 routes until 2010, when subsidies to the local provider were eliminated as part of budget cuts.<ref>Morris County Bus / Rail Connections, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 22, 2009. Accessed August 8, 2015.</ref><ref>"NJ Transit Restructures Morris County Bus Service; Four current 'MCM' routes will be expanded to six new bus routes" Template:Webarchive, NJ Transit, September 13, 2010. Accessed August 8, 2015.</ref>

Community Coach provides daily service between New York City and Morristown on bus route 77.<ref>Schedule Details: Morristown, NJ to New York, NY, Community Coach. Accessed August 24, 2019.</ref>

The town's Department of Public Works operates "Colonial Coach", which provides free transportation within Morristown.<ref>The Colonial Coach, Town of Morristown. Accessed September 6, 2014.</ref>

The Whippany Line of the Morristown and Erie Railway, a small freight line, traverses the township. Established in 1895, the line runs from Morristown and runs through East Hanover Township and Hanover Township to Roseland.<ref>System Map, Morristown & Erie Railway. Accessed August 7, 2015. "The Whippany Line is a 9-mile rail line, owned and operated continuously by the M&E since the railroad's inception in 1895. The line runs east from Morristown through Hanover Township and East Hanover to its end in Roseland."</ref>

Aviation

[edit]

Morristown Municipal Airport is the closest public airport. While owned by the town, the airport is physically located in nearby Hanover Township, 3 miles east of Morristown proper.<ref name= "Morristown Airport New Jersey">Template:Cite web</ref>

Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark / Elizabeth is the closest airport with scheduled passenger service. It is approximately 20 minutes away via Route 24 and Interstate 78.

Media

[edit]

With its proximity to New York City and Newark, daily newspapers serving the community are The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Star-Ledger.

The Morristown Daily Record was published locally, before being renamed the Daily Record and moving to a near-by location. The New Jersey Monthly magazine is published locally.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

WMTR is an AM radio station at 1250 kHz is licensed to Morristown. The station features an oldies format.<ref>WMTR-AM 1250 kHz - Morristown, NJ, Radio-Locator.com. Accessed November 29, 2017.</ref>

WJSV radio (90.5 FM) is the nonprofit radio station of Morristown High School, which also has a television show, Colonial Corner.<ref>WJSV-FM 90.5 MHz - Morristown, NJ, Radio-Locator.com. Accessed November 29, 2017.</ref>

Hometown Tales, a public-access television show and podcast chronicling stories and urban legends from around the world, is loosely based in Morristown.

Notable people

[edit]
File:William Oliver Baker circa 1960.jpg
William O. Baker
File:Steve Forbes by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Steve Forbes
File:Julia Hurlbut suffragist LOC 23544939844 (cropped).jpg
Julia Hurlbut
File:Otto H. Kahn cph.3a36594.jpg
Otto Hermann Kahn
File:Christopher Macsurak Fran Lebowitz.jpg
Fran Lebowitz
File:Thomas H Nast.jpg
Thomas Nast
File:Craig Newmark by Pete Forsyth.jpg
Craig Newmark
File:Geneshalit.JPG
Gene Shalit

Template:Category see also People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Morristown include:

Template:Div col

Groups Born 1941 Morristown, NJ."</ref>

Template:Div col end

References

[edit]

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