Discover the Character
Summer Tour Series Run Saturdays from June to August
Below is a recap of Past tours.
Historical Walking Tours
Walk with us and experience the rich history Morris County has to offer. Through June, July and August tours will be offered Saturday morning at 10:00 am and will last approximately 1 ½ hours. Tickets are $12, children 6 and under are free.
Historic Churches of Morristown
Morristown is a town of towers and spires, home to several churches with varied and unique architectural features. Join us as we visit Morristown’s historic churches including the First Baptist Church, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, The Church of the Assumption, The Presbyterian Church of Morristown, the Church of the Redeemer, and the United Methodist Church. Some of the churches will be open so that the interiors can be viewed.
The Seeing Eye’s Training Ground
North America’s first guide dog training school, The Seeing Eye of Morris Township was founded in 1929 by Morris Frank. You’ve noticed the statue of Morris and his dog, Buddy, off the Morristown Green, maybe even toured The Seeing Eye’s campus. During this tour you’ll learn about the history of The Seeing Eye, walk the streets where the dogs train, and see how Seeing Eye® dogs respond to their owners. As we walk from the in-town training center of The Seeing Eye, we’ll pass sites important to the history of the organization and cross the historic Morristown Green; you can even take your picture with Morris and Buddy.
The Seeing Eye provides specially bred and trained dogs to guide people who are blind. Seeing Eye-dog users experience greatly enhanced mobility and independence, allowing them to retain their active lifestyles. The Seeing Eye is a philanthropy supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, bequests, and other planned gifts.
George Vail’s Willow Hall
Be among the first members of the public to visit the former home of George Vail of the Speedwell Iron Works. In January 2011 this handsome puddingstone villa, based on a design by Andrew Jackson Downing, was placed National Registry of Historic Places. Recently restored and open to the public for the first time in 163 years, it is now home to the Passaic River Coalition. We will tour the home, outbuildings and gardens which sit beside picturesque Speedwell Lake, learn about the Vail family’s contributions to the Industrial Revolution and the telegraph, and the rescue and restoration of this important local historic treasure.
Discover Dover’s Past
The Town of Dover is nearing the 300th anniversary of its founding, a perfect time to reflect on its importance to the growth of Morris County. Dover has always played a key role in American history – from its iron forges that provided ammunition to the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, to its world-class factories and mills that helped fuel the Industrial Revolution, from its involvement along the Morris Canal, to its status as a mecca for entertainment, vaudeville, and shopping. As you walk through Dover’s vibrant downtown, with its historic churches and buildings, you'll hear the stories of the immigrants, the entrepreneurs, and the celebrities that have left their mark on Dover.
Morristown in Three Centuries –
This historic Morristown walking tour covers nearly a mile within Morristown’s historic district. Over three hundred years of Morristown history is covered from its earliest beginnings at the Presbyterian Church of Morristown through the Industrial Revolution and to the flamboyant Gilded Age. The Vail Mansion, Macculloch Hall, and the Thomas Nast House are among the sites that are discussed. Carol Barkin is a docent for the Morris County Tourism Bureau and a member of the Morris Township Historic Preservation Commission.
Trial of the (19th) Century: Antoine LeBlanc –
Learn all about Morristown’s most famous murder trial as you sit in the actual courtroom where Antoine LeBlanc was tried in 1833 for the murder of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Sayre and their servant Phoebe. The triple murder trial shocked the entire state and resulted in LeBlanc’s execution by hanging on the Morristown Green. The tour is conducted by Honorable Kenneth C. MacKenzie, retired Judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey, historian, and member of the Board of Trustees of Historic Speedwell.
Green to the Green
The past, present and future of “green space” will be discussed as we visit two sites important to Morristown. The Green, the most distinguishing feature of Morristown, has been central to the town’s life since 1715. This will be an in-depth look at how it developed, from its beginning as common pasture ground to its 2007 million-dollar renovation. The tour will then move to 14 Maple Avenue, the greenest office building in Morristown according to LEED standards. Learn about Morristown’s future and sustainable building practices, an area of intense interest by the Dodge Foundation. This is a unique opportunity to tour the building which features solar panels, a rooftop vegetative garden, geothermal wells, recycled building materials and the largest “bio-wall” in North America.
Legends of Mendham’s Past –
An insightful tour of Mendham Borough, with Charles Topping, president of the Mendham Historical Society. Topics to be covered include the commercial and residential buildings of the downtown area, some of which date back to the 18th century, famous settlers and residents of Mendham including Abner Doubleday, and a recounting of a notorious bank robbery.
Secrets & Lore of Historic Morristown –
Grand homes, wealthy builders, and some annoying neighbors are part of the Historic District of Morristown. As two farms became a prestigious residential area, mansions made Morristown’s landscape and social scene change Walk in a neighborhood of fabulous Victorian homes with David Breslauer, former director of Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, and hear the stories of wayward chickens and pigs, brick walls against car traffic, week-long parties, tycoons and backyard views. The tour will end in Morristown’s ‘secret garden.’
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.
6 Court Street • Morristown, NJ 07960
Tel: 973-631-5151 • Fax: 973-631-515
