Morristown National Park Head: I Want to Change 'Sleepy' Image

The new superintendent of the told the Morris County freeholders this week that she aims to change the image of her park.

“I was told that Morristown was sleepy park,“ said Jill A. Hawk, who was appointed in January. “The idea is put the park on the map. I don’t do well with 'sleepy.'"

The Morristown National Historical Park includes Morristown’s , which was the headquarters for Gen. George Washington during the Continental Army’s stay in the county; Fort Nonsense, a lookout perched above the town behind the county complex; and Jockey Hollow, the site of army’s encampment.

Hawk said she is working with Leslie Bensley, director of the Morris County Tourism Bureau, to promote ways for visitors to enjoy the historical park and the other aspects of 18th Century life in Morris County.

The pair are planning a media day in early May, Hawk said, that will include tours of the sites for the region’s media outlets.

Bensley said promoting the county’s cultural heritage is a collaborative effort, especially when government funding for tourism support is dropping.

Freeholder Margaret Nordstrom said the board’s economic development subcommittee has invited Bensley and Hawk to attend the next quarterly meeting to speak with representatives of the county’s business community.

The business development subcommittee includes representatives from the county, the Morris County Chamber of Commerce, business leaders and educators from the county’s school of technology and County College of Morris.

Nordstrom said the goal is to get visitors to the historic sites to also lodge and dine in local establishments.

“People who come here for the historic sites want to stay in historic buildings,” she said. “This is a chance for local bed-and-breakfasts.”

Freeholder Director William Chegwidden said his brother-in-law from Texas understood the draw of the county’s historic sites.

"We were at Fort Nonsense and he said, 'This is cool. I’m standing where George Washington walked.'"

Hawk said among the program she has already implemented is opening Jockey Hollow for dog walks.

“It promotes healthy pets and healthy people,” she said.