MORRISTOWN, New Jersey (PIX11) – Come for the history, stay for, well, everything else. That’s what New Jersey lawmakers have in mind.
“Whether it’s number 250 or not, Morristown is a great place to go to get that dose of history of how our country really came to be,” said Assemblywoman Marisa Sweeney (D-NJ 25th District).
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On Monday, the State Assembly’s Tourism Committee came to Morristown to hear testimony about how the state is preparing to welcome tourists celebrating America’s semi-quincentennial.
Lawmakers learned about apps like Liberty Trail NJ that help you navigate historic areas, as well as the state’s effort to get local municipalities involved in the celebrations.
Morristown is a place rich in history, especially when it comes to the American Revolution.
“At one point, there were 6,000 soldiers who crossed Morristown Green as they literally traveled from state to state on foot,” Sweeney said. “I live just two blocks away, and I honestly didn’t know half the history of the Revolutionary War.”
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Sweeney, who represents Morristown, hopes each city can find ways to take advantage of America’s big birthday. “I think it all comes down to awareness, making people aware that this is number 250. I still think there is a lack of awareness about it.”
America’s number 250 will come and go. That’s why New Jersey seeks to capitalize on the entire eight-year period of the American Revolution.
“We need to celebrate everything the state has,” said Assemblyman Antwan McClellan (R-NJ 1street District). “We are a tourist state and people need to understand that. We have beaches, we have boardwalks, we have great counties, we have great bay areas and we offer a lot of history here.”
“It’s an exciting time for Morristown and the community,” said Diane Bowser, owner of Learning Express Toys and Gifts in Morristown.
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Between the semi-quincentennial and the next FIFA World Cup, business owners like Bowser expect an influx of customers.
“There’s always a chance,” Bowser said. “If people are walking around town, visit everyone who’s in town. You can always come and pick something up, whether it’s small or big, meet us and then you’ll come back in the future too.”
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