Arnold’s Tavern once stood overlooking Morristown Green and served as General George Washington’s headquarters during the winter of 1777. From there, Washington directed the war effort and wrote urgent letters pleading for reinforcements as his army faced illness, hardship, and desertion. The tavern was a center of planning during a critical time in the Revolutionary War. Its location remains an important part of Morristown’s history.
In early 1777, Morristown Green was alive with Continental soldiers drilling and marching under General George Washington’s command. Arnold’s Tavern, then Washington’s headquarters, stood at the edge of the Green, surrounded by 18th-century homes and public buildings that shaped the town’s center. The Green served as both a military space and the heart of Morristown’s civic life during the Revolution. This area played a vital role in the community and the war effort alike.
The Presbyterian Church site in Morristown marks where the third church now stands, though the original church and adjacent burial ground were here during the 1777 winter encampment. More than 130 buried here were casualties or veterans of the American Revolution, reminding us of the war’s heavy human cost. From nearby Arnold’s Tavern, General Washington ordered the Continental Army’s smallpox inoculation, using the original church as a hospital and quarantine site.
The Ford Mansion, built in 1774 by iron manufacturer Jacob Ford Jr., served as General George Washington’s headquarters during the harsh winter of 1779–1780. Located in Morristown, New Jersey, the mansion is now part of Morristown National Historical Park. Visitors can explore the mansion, which is fully furnished in 18th-century style, including several original pieces. Guided tours are available, providing insight into Washington's time there and the mansion's role in the Revolutionary War.