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Originally published in 1939
Some of this information may no longer be current and in that case is presented for historical interest only.
Edited by GET NJ, COPYRIGHT 2003
FORD HOUSE (open 9-5 weekdays), 230 Morris Ave., ranks second only to Mount Vernon as a storehouse of Washington relics and associations, although it was looked upon for almost a century as just another place where Washington had slept. But in 1873 it was acquired by a group who organized the Washington Association of New Jersey and the house was transformed into a Revolutionary museum.
When in the winter of 1779-8o Morristown became again the military capital of the United States, Mrs. Theodosia Ford, widow of Col. Jacob Ford Jr., Revolutionary powdermaker, offered her home to General Washington, his wife and his staff.
Built by Ford in 1774 and quickly acknowledged as one of the finest residences in Morristown, the symmetrical facade of the house is designed in the Georgian style, with strong horizontal lines accentuated by a heavy cornice and hip roof. Wide boards placed horizontally simulate a surface of dressed stone. Especially notable is the entrance motif-the arched doorway and the window above. The entrance leads to a great central hall with authentic period furniture. In the mansion are household furnishings, and pieces of the china and silver used by Washington, Lafayette, and other Revolutionary generals.
THE HISTORICAL MUSEUM, a fireproof building directly behind the mansion, recently built by the National Park Service of the Department of the Interior, was opened February 22, 1938. Exhibits include valuable Washingtoniana, notably a number of the General's letters, a Gilbert Stuart portrait, the suit Washington wore on the evening of his inauguration, one of his swords, a cane, and his camp chest. Typical Kentucky rifles used by American troops are displayed, as well as British arms, and other accoutrements. A 104-pound link of the great iron chain, stretched across the Hudson to prevent the British fleet from reaching West Point, is part of the collection. Two dioramas depict the mutiny of the Pennsylvania Line, and Washington's meeting with Lafayette on the steps of the Ford House after the latter's return from his mission to France in 1780. The museum library has 2,000 volumes, chiefly on early American history.
A bronze STATUE OF GENERAL WASHINGTON on a giant stallion stands on a granite pedestal opposite the Ford House at the intersection of Morris and Washington Aves. Cast at Florence, Italy, it is the work of Frederick Roth of Englewood and the gift of E. Mabel Clark of Morristown.
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