Morristown National Historical Park preserves one of the most important winter encampments of the American Revolutionary War and is often called the “military capital of the Revolution.” The park is made up of several separate sites including Jockey Hollow, the Ford Mansion, the Washington’s Headquarters Museum and Fort Nonsense. In the midst of the DOGE purge of federal employees, the Resistance Rangers organized protests at parks across the nation. I attended the rally at Ford Mansion. After the rally, I headed up to Fort Nonsense.
Fort Nonsense is one of the smaller sites within Morristown National Historical Park. Perched on a hill overlooking Morristown, the fort was built in 1777 during the American Revolutionary War under the direction of George Washington. Its main purpose was to serve as a lookout and defensive position, protecting the town and nearby military encampments from British attack. From this high vantage point, soldiers could monitor movement through the surrounding countryside and signal any approaching threats.
The name “Fort Nonsense” comes from a story that Washington ordered the fort built to keep idle soldiers busy—essentially to prevent boredom and maintain discipline. Whether or not that story is true, the location did have real strategic value, and fortifications were constructed on the hill.
Today, no original structures remain, but the site has been reconstructed to give visitors a sense of its layout. You’ll find earthworks, interpretive signs, and a flag marking the spot. It’s also one of the best viewpoints in the park, offering a wide view over Morristown and the surrounding hills.
A short, moderately steep walk leads up to the fort, making it a quick but worthwhile stop—especially if you’re already visiting nearby sites like Washington’s Headquarters Museum or Jockey Hollow. I stopped here after attending a rally for the parks at Ford Mansion.
Morristown Posts➢
- Jockey Hollow
- Ford Mansion
- Rally
- Fort Nonsense
Location: Fort Nonsense Access Rd, Morristown, New Jersey
Designation: National Historical Park
Date designated/established: March 2, 1933
Date of my visit: March 22, 2025
