MORRIS COUNTY — This Sunday, a rededication ceremony for a restored Revolutionary War replica cannon will mark the unofficial start of Morris County’s celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary. The event will feature a ribbon-cutting at 11:00 a.m. in front of Acorn Hall in Morristown, just ahead of the Morristown Festival on the Green, which kicks off at noon.
The public is invited to visit and view the newly restored cannon, which stands on an island between Morris and Lafayette avenues, in front of Acorn Hall. The cannon has served as a symbol of Morris County’s rich Revolutionary War history for the past 20 years. Morris County played a crucial role in America’s fight for independence, hosting two winter encampments of General George Washington and his troops, and housing historically significant sites like the Ford Mansion, Fort Nonsense, and Jockey Hollow.
Event Details:
- What: Rededication of the Replica Revolutionary War Cannon
- Where: In front of Acorn Hall, between Morris & Lafayette Avenues, Morristown
- When: Sunday, September 29, 11:00 a.m., one hour before the Morristown Festival on the Green
This cannon rededication marks one of the first events in a series that will celebrate the upcoming Semiquincentennial. Earlier this year, the Morris County Board of County Commissioners committed $100,000 to the Morris County Economic Development Alliance and the Morris County Tourism Bureau to coordinate the 250th-anniversary celebrations.
“Our 250th is a great opportunity for our county. We invite everyone who wants to learn about the American Revolution to visit, explore, and discover how Morris County played a pivotal role in establishing the best nation in the world,” said Commissioner Director Christine Myers.
The replica cannon was originally installed outside Acorn Hall, home to the Morris County Historical Society, in the early 2000s by the Greater Morristown Historic Foundation. The installation aimed to raise awareness of Morris County’s role in the Revolutionary War. Over the years, exposure to the elements caused the cannon’s wooden structure to deteriorate, requiring extensive restoration.
The Greater Morristown Historic Foundation, founded by philanthropist Richard “Dick” Deskovick, made significant contributions to the area, including the Patriots’ Farewell fountain on the Morristown Green. Though the foundation has since disbanded, its legacy lives on through projects like the Cannon. In 2023, Ryan Dawson led a group of local citizens to restore the cannon, continuing the tradition of community-driven preservation.
“The cannon’s condition was brought to my attention by Jennifer Wehring of the Morristown Partnership,” said Dawson. “She and I knew the community would step in once someone took ownership of the project. Between members of the community and civic organizations, we raised the funds to bring the cannon back to life. It was a true group effort, and I knew Morristown’s residents would rise to the occasion.”
For more information, contact the Morristown Partnership at (973) 455-1133, or the Morris County Historical Society at (973) 267-3465.
