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

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.

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Morristown NHP includes the Washington's Headquarters unit, Fort Nonsense, Jockey Hollow, and the New Jersey Brigade area. There are approximately 27 miles of walking trails in the Jockey Hollow unit. All park areas are open year round, seven days a week; park buildings are closed Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1.

Morristown NHP’s Washington's Headquarters entrance fee is $4 for individuals age 16 and older. There is no admission fee charged at Jockey Hollow. For additional information on Morristown NHP and other national park sites across the country, visit the website www.nps.gov.

Posted 6/2011