Revolutionary Times kicks off July 4th with the Reading of the Declaration of Independence

(Morristown, NJ) For the past several years Morristown has celebrated its revolutionary history with Revolutionary Times. This year the celebration has moved to the fourth of July, a more patriotic time of year when families are on vacation and available to enjoy the celebration. Revolutionary Times has also been combined with an annual tradition by the Morristown National Historical Park – the reading of the Declaration of Independence.  This year the recitation of the Declaration of Independence will be held on the historic Morristown Green at 12:30 p.m. The reading will be by the Morristown National Historical Park staff followed by a few words to acknowledge the 80th Anniversary of the MNHP, the first designated national historic park, which opened to the public on July 4, 1933.

Remarks will be followed by music, family-fun crafts, games and activities and a performance by the Morris Music Men Barbershop Quartet. The National Anthem will be sung by local Morristown resident, 12-year-old Audra Stowers. In addition, later at 7 p.m. that evening, the Town of Morristown will sponsor a dazzling fireworks display for the public to enjoy at Sunrise Lake Beach at Lewis Morris County Park, where there will be picnicking, performances by the Fifes and Drums Corps of the Old Barracks and the Solid Brass Ensemble, with fireworks at nightfall.  The National Anthem will be performed by the award-winning “Whistling Entertainer of the Year,” local resident Joe Sodano.

This family-friendly event supports the “liberty” theme in advance of New Jersey’s 2014 celebration of its 350th Anniversary and is dedicated to raising awareness of the role that the Morristown area played in the Revolutionary War.

All events are free to the public.  Parking is free all day in downtown Morristown garages and at Lewis Morris County Park.  Shuttles will be available to Sunrise Lake Beach from distant Lewis Morris parking lots.  It is advisable to bring a flashlight if attending the fireworks.

The daytime activities and the evening fireworks will be held weather permitting.  For event updates please consult morristourism.org or call 973-631-5151 on July 4th.The partners for this event include: the Washington Association of New Jersey, North Jersey American Revolution Round Table, Daughters of the American Revolution/Schuyler-Hamilton House, Crossroads of the American Revolution Heritage Association, The Town of Morristown, Morris County Park Commission, Morristown National Historical Park, Morris Arts, Swiss Chalet Bakery, Morris County Tourism Bureau and the New Jersey Star-Ledger as media sponsor.

For further information including a complete schedule of events, please go to morristourism.org.


The Morris County Tourism Bureau is a Destination Marketing Organization that positively affects the economy of Morris County by promoting the area’s exceptional historic, cultural and recreational opportunities by providing services to residents, business travelers and tourists.

Contact Information

Deidre Schunk

Information Manager

Morris County Tourism Bureau

(1) 973-631-5151

dschunk@morristourism.org