Walking tours will explain Morris County history

A walking tour exploring the behind-the-scenes history of the Morristown Green on Saturday will kick off the Morris County Tourism Bureau’s “Historic Walking Tours –Summer 2015.’’

Saturday’s event is the first in a series of walking tours of county history planned by the Tourism Bureau this summer, according to a press release from the county.

“These tours highlight the great history of our county, providing an entertaining insight into our past for county residents and visitors, while helping to make Morris County a tourist attraction,’’ said Morris County Freeholder Director Kathy DeFillippo.

The Morristown Green began appearing on maps of the area beginning in 1715. Considered Morristown’s “jewel,” the Green has been at the center of life in Morristown since its founding and throughout its history.

The 2.5 acre Green has been the stage for many political, military, penal, cultural, celebratory, and public entertainment events through the years, according to author Richard C. Simon, in his book, “The Green, A History of the Morristown Green.’’

Of particular importance in the history of the Green is its role in various aspects of the American Revolutionary War period, linking local history to the history of the United States as a whole.

Gen. George Washington was headquartered at the Green in Arnold's Tavern during his first encampment in Morristown in 1777 and was in town again during the winter of 1779-80. As a result, the Green was frequently the center for military and political activities related to the period, and was visited by many of the national military leaders, according to Simon.

In addition, the Green was the site of the Morris County Courthouse and jail for nearly 75 years (until 1827) and was the stage for many penal activities, including the incarceration of Tories and Hessian soldiers during the Revolutionary period, the release said.

The walking tour of The Green is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. Participants should meet in the center of the Green at the stone bench. Tour size is limited to 30, so reservations are suggested. Metered parking available is available on streets and in downtown garages.

Future tours planned by the Tourism Bureau on various Saturday mornings in July and August include the following:

•Historic Speedwell Gets a Makeover on July 25 at 10 a.m. A custom tour of the Vail Homestead will be given. On display will be the historic preservation plans and a 3D model of how the home, built in the early 1800s, will be restored for the 21st century. Meet at the Historic Speedwell Visitors Center, 333 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown. Cost: $15.

•Researching Local History and the “Morris Township at 275 Exhibit” on Aug. 1 at 10 a.m. Morris Township was founded 275 years ago in 1740 and celebrates the milestone this year. An exhibit at the library features highlights from its history, its significant institutions and residents. After the exhibit, library staff will introduce participants the North Jersey History and Genealogy Center, the archive used to create the exhibit. There will also be a behind-the-scenes tour of the archives. Meet at the library, 1 Miller Road at South Street. Cost: $15.

•Morristown’s Sacred Spaces: The Church Architecture Tour on Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. The tour will visit the exteriors of the First Baptist Church, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, The Church of the Assumption, The Presbyterian Church of Morristown, the Church of the Redeemer, and the United Methodist Church. Some of the churches will be open so that the interiors can be viewed. Meet at the Tourism Bureau office located at 6 Court St. Cost: $15.

•Morristown National Historical Park’s Curator’s Tour on Aug. 15 at 10 a.m. at Morristown National Historical Park, 30 Washington Place. An opportunity to explore the treasures of the National Park’s archives which span the years 15,000 B.C. to the 20th century and include 500,000 objects. A behind-the-ropes, curator-led tour of the archives has been created with a twist. If a tour participant has a particular interest, and lets the Tourism Bureau know by Aug. 8, the curator will comb the archives to see if there’s something relevant which will be shown to the group. Meet in the foyer of the museum building. Cost: $20 and includes admission to the park for the day.

All tours begin at 10 a.m. and last 60 to 90 minutes. Tickets are $15 or $20 depending on the program length. You can register and pre-pay online at morristourism.org.

For more information contact the Morris County Tourism Bureau at 973-631-5151 or email cbarkin@morristourism.org