Celebrating 250 Years of History

Published on January 15, 2026

Morris County is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in 2026! Our county played a central role in America’s founding and throughout the year, we're honoring the people, places and ideals that shaped the nation. Support the Semiquincentennial by sharing your events and updates-- email 250@morriscountyalliance.org and tag @morriscounty250 on social media.

Watch all Morris County 250 videos on the official Morris County YouTube Channel.

Check out the American Revolution StoryMap presented by the Office of Planning and Preservation!

America’s 250th Birthday Celebrated with Lake Hopatcong Flotilla

Patriotism was on full display on Lake Hopatcong this past Saturday as more than 130 star-spangled boats and vessels carrying hundreds of flag-waving passengers joined a flotilla that cruised around New Jersey’s largest lake to celebrate America's 250th birthday during a day of festivities.

Jockey Hollow Encampment Endured the Revolution’s Worst Winter

Nearly 100 history enthusiasts gathered at Morris Museum this week to watch “The Worst Winter of the Revolution: 1779-80,” an episode of the acclaimed PBS series Drive By History that argues the case the Continental Army's most grueling winter encampment was at Morristown's Jockey Hollow, not the better-known Valley Forge.

Courthouse Exhibit Celebrates 250 Years of Justice and Independence

The Morris/Sussex Vicinage of New Jersey Courts recently opened a special 250th Anniversary exhibit inside the historic Morris County Courthouse and adjoining Administration and Records Building, commemorating America's semiquincentennial and launching a 200th anniversary celebration of the historic courthouse, which was built in 1827.

Public Invited to Screening of “Worst Winter of the Revolution”

The Morris County 250th Anniversary Celebrations Committee invites the public to a special screening of the acclaimed PBS series Drive By History: The Worst Winter of the Revolution: 1779-80 on Tuesday, July 14, at the Morris Museum.

Independence Rings Out Across Morris County & Nation

At 5:59 p.m., the bell atop the historic Morris County Courthouse rang 13 times as about 70 people stood on the lawn outside to witness a recreation of one of the nation's defining moments: A public reading of the Declaration of Independence exactly 250 years after Americans first heard its words read publicly in Philadelphia.

Morris County Awards Nearly $5 Million in Historic Preservation Grants

The Morris County Board of County Commissioners tonight approved $4.92 million in grants from the county’s Preservation Trust Fund to support the restoration and protection of 35 historic projects in 20 municipalities across Morris County.

Morris County's Declaration of Independence Reading is July 8

Morris County will join communities across the nation on Wednesday, July 8, for a synchronized public reading of the Declaration of Independence, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the document's first public reading in Philadelphia and concluding the county's weeklong "Light to Unite" celebration of America's Semiquincentennial.

Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday on Lake Hopatcong July 11

The Morris County 250th Anniversary Celebrations Committee, in partnership with the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, invites residents and visitors to celebrate America’s 250th birthday this Saturday, July 11, with a free day of patriotic festivities on Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey’s largest freshwater lake.

Let’s “Light to Unite” Red, White and Blue in Morris County

Beginning tomorrow, July 2, Morris County is inviting residents, businesses, schools, places of worship, community organizations and local governments to join the nationwide "Light to Unite" campaign in celebration of America's 250th anniversary.

Celebrate America's Founding Moments July 2 - 8

Morris County invites everyone to participate in events organized to commemorate a week of milestones that unfolded in July 1776 and gave birth to the United States of America.

Commissioners Tour Picatinny Arsenal’s Revolutionary Roots

The Morris County Board of County Commissioners recently visited Picatinny Arsenal for a tour highlighting the military installation’s rich history, modern technological mission and longstanding ties to Morris County dating back to the American Revolution and the nation’s founding 250 years ago.

Historical Society Launches African American History Driving Tour

Morris County Historical Society (MCHS) is extremely pleased to announce the launch of another self-guided driving tour, this one highlighting African American history across Morris County in recognition of Juneteenth.

Morris County Highlights Revolutionary History at State Conference

Hundreds of historians, preservation professionals, educators, museum leaders, planners and volunteers from across New Jersey gathered in Morris County last week as the 2026 New Jersey History and Historic Preservation Conference was held at Saint Elizabeth University during the nation's Semiquincentennial celebration.

Morris County Launches Traveling Mural for 250th Anniversary

The Morris County 250th Celebrations Committee, in partnership with the Morris County Tourism Bureau and the Morris County Board of County Commissioners, announced this week the launch of the Morris County 250th Traveling Mural, an interactive public art initiative designed to celebrate the people, places and events that have shaped Morris County over the past 250 years.

PBS to Feature Jockey Hollow in Season 8 Premiere on June 3

Jockey Hollow and the Continental Army’s brutal winter encampment of 1779–1780 in Morristown will be featured on Wednesday, June 3, in the eighth season premiere of “Drive By History,” the acclaimed PBS series hosted by storyteller Ken Magos.

Morris County Holds Memorial Day Observance in Nation’s 250th Year

Nine local veterans were presented Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medals by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners at the county’s annual Memorial Day Observance yesterday outside the historic Morris County Courthouse in Morristown.
The ceremony included a special tribute to Continental Army soldiers who lost their lives at Jockey Hollow nearly 250 years ago.

Mount Vernon School Restoration Completed in Chatham Township

Restoration of the historic Mount Vernon School, also known as the Red Brick Schoolhouse Museum in Chatham Township, has been completed following several years of preservation work supported by more than $305,000 through the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund.

Morris County Celebrates Law Day 2026

The West Morris Mendham High School mock trial team, winners of the Morris County Mock Trial Competition for a 21st consecutive year, were honored May 1 during the 2026 Law Day celebration in Courtroom No. 1 of the historic Morris County Courthouse.

Phineas Farrand – the Friend of Man

An examination of the life of one man, solider Phineas Farrand, can reveal a great deal about the history of Morris County during the American Revolution.

Morris County Marks Women's History Month for America's 250th

The Morris County Board of County Commissioners declared March 2026 Women’s History Month during its public meeting in Morristown this evening, presenting an official proclamation and recognizing the contributions women have made to the nation over 250 years, as part of the county’s celebrates of America’s 250th anniversary.