Monuments and mansions. Legends and ghosts.
The Morristown National Historical Park will celebrate both this weekend, unveiling the restored Stark’s Brigade Monument and presenting paranormal findings from the Ford Mansion.
National Park Service officials will unveil the restored monument and new Wayside exhibits at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 14, 2016, in Jockey Hollow, in Harding.
According to the inscription on a marker in the park:
John Stark, a New Hampshire frontiersman, fought at Bunker Hill, Trenton, and Princeton. His brigade of New Englanders defeated part of Burgoyne’s army at Bennington, the first of a series of blows which ended when Burgoyne surrendered at Saratoga two months later. Many black Americans fought for the cause of independence as soldiers in this brigade.
Stark, a father of 11, lived to age 94, making him the last surviving general from the Revolutionary War.
A half-hour talk about General Stark, his brigade, and the monument will follow the ceremony. Visitors should park at either Jockey Hollow’s New York Brigade parking lot or Trail Center parking lot, and follow the blue trail to the Stark’s Brigade encampment site.
The event is one of many around the country marking the centennial of the National Park Service.
“As the National Park Service emerges into its second century of stewardship of America’s national treasures, we are reminded that each generation assumes the responsibility to protect these resources. Through the restoration of this monument, we are following through with that important responsibility,” Morristown Park Superintendent Thomas Ross said in a statement.
The hike is about 25 minutes and offers scenic views of the Watching Mountains and the New York City skyline. The monument stands where the original encampment was in 1779-80; this site protected troops behind the Watchung Mountains from the British Army, 30 miles east in New York.
(In case of bad weather, call 973-539-2016 x-210 to confirm if the program will proceed.)
So that’s the legend of General Stark But ghosts? In George Washington’s Headquarters?
On Saturday, Oct. 15, at 10 a.m., Gordon Thomas Ward will present results of his paranormal study at the Ford Mansion in Morristown.
Ward will share new photos, audio recordings, developing theories and information collected from Ward’s investigation of the other plane.
He will speak in the auditorium of the Washington’s Headquarters Museum, at 30 Washington Place. The $15 fee includes all-day admission to the museum and mansion. Pre-register and pre-pay by contacting the Morris County Tourism Bureau, 973-631-5151.
