Morris County To Return To 1780 For Weekend Reenactment Camp

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Most residents in Morris County know the historical significance the area had on the founding of our country. But this weekend, with the 250th Anniversary of the U.S.'s founding just months away, residents will be able to see that historical significance in real time.

On Saturday and Sunday, the Friends of Jockey Hollow and the Morristown National Historical Park will be presenting their “America 250 Spring Encampment Weekend.”

“Experience life in a Revolutionary War encampment through military drills, musket demonstrations, and immersive camp life,” an announcement read. “This family-friendly event highlights the daily experiences of soldiers and civilians during the winter encampment of 1779–1780.”

Held at the Morristown National Historical Park’s Jockey Hollow, in Harding, the free event will give history buffs a blast from the past, featuring demonstrations, presentations, and lessons about what life was like in the Continental Army during our nation’s founding.

See the weekend schedule below:

Saturday, April 18

• 10:00 a.m. – Camp Opens
• 10:30 a.m. – Guided Hike to the Bettin Monument
• 11:00 a.m. – Inspection of the Troops & Military Drill
• 1:00 p.m. – Firing Demonstration & Drill
• 1:00-2:30 p.m. – Baroque Orchestra of NJ plays "Jockey Hollow Suite" (inside visitor's center)
• 1:30 p.m. – Children’s Muster
• 3:00 p.m. – General Washington’s Grand Review & Firing Demonstration
• 4:00 p.m. – Visitor Center Closes (Park grounds open until sunset)

Sunday, April 19

• 9:15 a.m. – 18th-Century Divine Service
• 10:00 a.m. – Camp Opens
• 10:00 a.m. – Hike to the Soldiers’ Huts (meets behind the Wick House)
• 10 -11:30 a.m. - Baroque Orchestra of NJ plays "Jockey Hollow Suite" (inside visitor's center)
• 12:30 p.m. – Inspection of the Troops & Military Drill
• 1:00 p.m. – Firing Demonstration & Drill
• 1:30 p.m. – Children’s Muster
• 3:00 p.m. – Firing Demonstration & Drill
• 4:00 p.m. – Camp Closes

Throughout the scheduled events will be ongoing demonstrations reflecting daily life in a Continental Army encampment. Visitors can learn how laundry was done, medicine and surgery were performed, and more. Lucky visitors may even get to chat with George and Martha Washington.