Amit is a huge American history buff.  He majored in history in college. He's watched countless hours of black and white American history documentaries (some more than once). The apartment Amit and Puja live in is filled with mid-century modern furniture. I mean it seriously looks like a scene out of Mad Men. Amit even proposed to Puja during President's Day weekend. So it's only fitting that the wedding is in historic Morristown, a town in Morris County, New Jersey. Both the town, county, and even the hotel where the wedding will be held is named after the first governor of New Jersey, Lewis Morris. He was kind of a badass, but an effective and honest badass who got the job done. Enough about him though. 

Morristown's most important contribution to American history was that it served as a strategic hub during a crucial part of the American Revolution. During the brutal winters of the late 1700s, the area in and around Morristown was where the Continental Army would put up encampments and it was also the winter headquarters for General George Washington (who would later become the nation's first President). With strength that was regained at the winter encampments along with leadership provided by General Washington, the Continental Army was able to make significant progress in winning battles all along the Northeast and eventually prevail in the war.

Ford Mansion

This classic 18th-century American home built by Jacob Ford, Jr. in 1774 and now owned by the National Park Service as a part of the Morristown National Historical Park. General Washington arrived at Ford Mansion in December 1779. The mansion was one of the biggest houses in town at that time. The location was perfect for General Washington because the American capital was in Philadelphia and the British Army capital was in Manhattan. It allowed Washington to keep a close eye on the British and enabled him to send letters successfully to the Continental congress.

Guided tours of the Ford Mansion are offered daily. The historic house has limited accessibility to individuals with mobility impairments. Tour times for the Ford Mansion are 10 and 11 a.m. and 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m.

OTHER PLACES TO SEE...

Schuyler-Hamilton House

The Schulyer-Hamilton House is the colonial home of Dr. Jabez Campfield, a surgeon embedded within Colonel Oliver Spencer's regiment. Upon returning to Morristown he opened his home to General George Washington’s personal physician, Dr. John Cochran. Cochran's wife was the sister of General Philip Schuyler and in 1780, his niece Betsy Schuyler, came to Morristown for a visit. Houseguest Betsy Schuyler met her future husband, Colonel Alexander Hamilton, Washington's aide-de-camp in Morristown, when he delivered papers to Dr. Cochran. They married a year later in Albany.

The Schulyer-Hamilton House is open Sundays from 2 to 4 pm and by appointment.

Historic Speedwell

Discover the "birthplace of the Telegraph" and experience life during the early years of the Industrial Revolution and the dawn of a new era in communications. This site preserves the estate of Stephen Vail, proprietor of the Speedwell Iron Works from the early to mid-1830s. Also on site is the national historic landmark factory building where Alfred Vail and Samuel F.B. Morse demonstrated a perfected telegraph to the public for the first time in January 1838.

Historic Speedwell is open Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm and Sundays 12 to 5 pm. 

Acorn Hall

Located next to The Westin Governor Morris, the Morris County Historical Society at Acorn Hall was built as a private residence in 1853 in the Victorian Italianate Villa style, complete with an unusual octagonal tower. Now a house museum, it is decorated with original furnishings, carpeting and wall coverings. Acorn Hall serves as an authentic representation of early upper-middle class suburban life in Morris County. The museum hosts changing exhibits on local history or nineteenth century life, a formal Victorian garden and a gift shop called the Oak Leaf.

Acorn Hall is open Sundays from 1 to 4 pm.  

The Willows at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm

The Willows is the former mansion of Paul Revere's grandson, Captain Joseph Revere. Revere ran away at age 14 to join the Navy, where he served for many years. He was later a commissioned officer in the Mexican Army, then became the US Government Timber Agent for the forests of Sonoma, California. In 1852 he moved to Morris Township's Washington Valley, purchasing an 88 acre farm, locally believed to have been the home of General Henry Knox during the Continental Army's encampment of 1779-1780. This site today captures the spirit of the turn of the 20th century through weekly activities on the farm, in the 1920s farmhouse and at the Willows. The staff is dressed in period attire and interprets the lives and roles of farm laborers, domestic workers and Foster family members and friends. The resident farm animals include chickens, pigs, roosters and more.  

The Willows at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm and Sundays 12 to 5 pm.

The Thomas Nast Collection

Thomas Nast, the preeminent nineteenth century political cartoonist, lived in Morristown for 30 years. Nast's work transcended the political field into the area of children's literature, social commentary and historical painting, embodying much of American history from the Civil War to the turn of the century. Nast is credited for creating the modern day image of Santa Claus.

The Thomas Nast Collection is available at the Morristown and Morris Township Library.

The Mall at Short Hills

The Mall at Short Hills, more commonly known as Short Hills Mall, includes 150 specialty stores and restaurants including Cartier, Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Hermes, and Louis Vuitton.  It is notable for being one of only two malls in America that is anchored by Bloomingdale's, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue under one roof.

The Mall at Short Hills is open on Fridays from 10 am to 9 pm, Saturdays from 10 am to 8 pm, and Sundays 11 am to 6 pm.