From the National Park Service:
Morristown NHP Eliminates Entrance Fees
at Washington’s Headquarters Museum
Beginning Jan. 1, 2018, Morristown National Historical Park will no longer charge an entrance fee to visit the park’s Washington’s Headquarters Museum.
After analyzing the costs and benefits of the recreational fee program, park leadership determined that it is in the best interest of both Morristown National Historical Park and the public to eliminate the entrance charge at the museum (which also includes a guided tour of the Ford Mansion).
The current museum entrance fee of $7 for individuals age 16 and older is in effect through Dec. 31, 2017.
“Our cost-benefit analysis revealed that the administrative burden of maintaining our fee program is not sustainable,” explained Park Superintendent, Tom Ross.
He noted that, “This decision is the right thing to do for both visitors and our staff members, who now can focus their time and talents on the core missions of the National Park Service.”
The remaining revenue from the entrance fees will be used to achieve many mission-critical projects, including developing an accessibility book for the Ford Mansion, conserving historic paintings in the park’s collection, and installing new audio-visual equipment in the Washington’s Headquarters Museum auditorium.
“Morristown National Historical Park has, and always will, welcome donations from park visitors, supporters, and advocates,” Ross added. “Donations will continue to sustain visitor programs and support the park mission.”
Through Dec. 31, 2017, Morristown NHP also will continue to sell the various America the Beautiful passes for entrance to the National Parks and other Federal Recreational Lands (the annual $20 Senior Pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over, the $80 lifetime Senior Pass, and the $80 Annual Pass).
The free passes for active-duty military, for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities; and for the 4th-grade Every Kid in a Park program will continue to be available at Morristown NHP after Dec. 31, 2017.
All America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes can still be purchased at most federal recreation sites that collect entrance fees, including at Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange, New Jersey or by applying at http://store.usgs.gov/pass/index.html.
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Morristown National Historical Park preserves, protects, and commemorates the landscapes, structures, features, and museum collections of the Continental Army winter encampments, the headquarters of General George Washington, and related Revolutionary War sites at Morristown, New Jersey for the benefit and inspiration of the public. Morristown NHP also represents a continuum of our nation’s efforts to protect our common heritage: as the very first “national historical park,” the park was also established to commemorate, preserve, and memorialize American history and heritage. Morristown NHP is the primary NPS site in the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area. Established by the U.S. Congress in 2006, the Crossroads promotes a greater understanding of Revolutionary-era historical sites and landscapes in New Jersey.
For more information about Morristown NHP, please visit our website at www.nps.gov/morr.
You can also check out our Museum Blog at http://morristownnhpmuseum.blogspot.com/.
