For Immediate Release
Contact: Morris County Tourism Bureau
(973) 631-5151
Morris County Tourism Bureau Announces Popular Historical Walking Tours for Summer 2013
Two New Tours Added!
The Morris County Tourism Bureau announces the return of its popular Summer Walking Tours with the addition of two NEW tours. They are a 100th Anniversary Celebration of the Town of Denville and a special tour about Thomas Nast who was one of the most famous people who ever lived in Morristown.
NEW! - Happy 100th Birthday, Denville!
Saturday July 27 at 10:00 am
Join Vito Bianco, a Denville native and past-president of the Denville Historical Society for a walking tour through three centuries of local history. Learn how Denville was transformed from a small forge community on the Rockaway River into a chic business district with a popular New York-style nightclub and the first movie theatre in New Jersey built exclusively for sound. Walk in the footsteps of governors, presidents and other renowned figures like Thomas Edison, who came to Denville. Hear about the antics at legendary landmarks such as the Denville Shack, Wayside Innand at numerous street festivals along Denville’s Broadway since 1929.
Group size limited to 25. Tour begins at the Denville Historical Society Museum 109 Diamond Spring Road, Denville.
NEW! - Thomas Nast’s Morristown (1872-1902)
Saturday August 10 at 10:00 am
Thomas Nast was one of America’s most innovative and popular political cartoonist, who designed the Democratic donkey, Republican elephant, Columbia, Uncle Sam and the Tammany Tiger. Nast is most beloved for his image of our modern-day Santa Claus. When Nast’s cartoons brought down New York City’s Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall, death threats forced him to move his family to Morristown.
Led by Carol Barkin, a local historian, we’ll visit the restored Independent Hose firehouse on Market Street where Nast was an honorary member for 30 years. Then, we’ll stop by hisgracious Macculloch Avenue home, a national historic landmark, and conclude at the Morristown library to see examples of Nast’s artwork and artifacts associated with his time in Morristown.
Group size is limited to 25. Tour begins at 6 Court Street.
The Seeing Eye’s Guide Dog Training Program
Saturday July 13 at 10:00 am
North America’s first guide dog training school, The Seeing Eye of Morris Township®, was founded in 1929 by Morris Frank. During this tour you’ll learn about the history of The SeeingEye, walk the streets where the dogs train and see how Seeing Eyedogs respond to their owners. As we walk from their in-town training center, we’ll pass sites important to the history of the organization and visit the J. Seward Johnson statue of Morris and Buddy for a photo op.
Jim and Ginger Kutsch will lead the tour. Jim is the president and CEO of The Seeing Eye; Ginger is a volunteer with the organization.
Group size limited to 28. Tour begins at 14 Maple Avenue, Morristown
Secrets and Lore of Gilded Age Morristown
Saturday July 20 at 10 am
Grand homes, wealthy builders, and some annoying neighbors are part of the story of the development of Morristown’s historic residential district. As two farms developed into one of the nation’s most prestigious summer enclaves during the Gilded Age (1895-1929), the new “summer cottages” changed the character of Morristown’s landscape and local social scene.
Led by Carol Barkin,a local historian and preservationalist,the tour will includewalking past beautifully restored Victorian homes and hearing the stories of wayward livestock, eccentric tycoons and their wacky exploits.
Group size limited to 25. Tour begins at 6 Court Street.
The Trial of the (19th) Century: Antoine LeBlanc
Saturday August 3 at 10:00 am
Learn about Morristown’s most famous murder trial as you sit in the actual courtroom where Antoine LeBlanc was tried in 1833 for the murder of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Sayre and their servant Phoebe. The triple murder shocked the entire state and resulted in LeBlanc’s execution by hanging on the Morristown Green.
The Honorable Kenneth C. MacKenzie, retired Judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey, historian and member of the Board of Trustees of Historic Speedwell, will share his legal insights into Morris County’s most notorious trial.
The program will be in lecture format with no walking involved. Check in at 6 Court Street for the program.
Book Early to Reserve Your Space!
These popular Summer Historic Tours sell out quickly. Therefore we suggest that you reserve early. Tours are offered during July and August on Saturday mornings at 10:00 a.m. and last approximately 90 minutes. Tickets are $12 each. Please mail your pre-payment to MCTB, 6 Court Street, Morristown, New Jersey 07960 to hold your reservation. All tours except Denville and the Seeing Eye begin at 6 Court Street. For more information, call us at973-631-5151or visitmorristourism.org
Tours graciously sponsored by:
Robert LloydCoutts& Sons
Insurorssince 1930
SAVE THE DATE: Free July 4, 2013 Celebration in Morristown:
Reading of the Declaration of Independence on the Morristown Green
Picnic and Fireworks at Sunrise Lake
Morris County Tourism Bureau - New Saturday Summer Hours are 10:00 am to 2:00 pm during June, July and August