New-York tribune., 1875-07-01
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
wAsHINGTON's HEADQUARTERS AT MORRIS
TOWN.

TOWN.
OPENING THE FORD MANSION WITH REVOLUTION
AIRY TEA-PARlY-CONTISENTALC COSTUMES, DECO
RATIONs. AND FURNITURE.
a tea-party of the Olden time was given
yesterday by the ladies Of MorrstOwn N. j.. at the
Washington Headquarters house built by Col. Ford
In 1771 and occupied by Gen. Washington during the
Winter Of l779 and 1880 This house remained In tho
possession Of tho Foris until two years ago, when
1t was offered for sale. and association, In
cuding Senator Randolph, General N. N. Hal
stead. and others, and called the Washington As
sociation OF EewJersey. bought 1t for the purpose
OF preserving it rs q Revolutionary landmark The
shares Of the stock Of the Association sold at $780,
but cannot be sold again. the title being made out to the
male descendant Of the possesso 1t is claimed that the
Ford house sheltered. from time to time. OF the IA
nous men OF the Revolution than any other building In
the United States Mount Vernon not excepted Lafayette
Baron Steuben, Count Pulaski. Gen. Putnam Benedict
Arnold and many others enjoyed, said to have en-
joyed, washlngous hospitality while he at Norris
town. The Association have repancd the house. and the
little repairing that was needed made in accordance
with the original plan and appearance.
TnS house stands on an cmlnence abOut third or n
mile east OF tho railway station and 1t is not weather
boarded frame houses usually bu. the siding Is
ointcd and the calked like those Of steamboat
with Bvonfionary times as the house Itself and has
been presented or loaned by families throughout the
state who had the pieces relies. tall clock, which
struck the hours there hundred years ago stands in the
hall. and marked time correctly yesterday. of
some halfd0zen fntlock mr,kcts, captured from the
British at Trenton and Princeton. also stands in
the hall Gen. washington's sidc-board and he
stand on which he wrote his dispatches
in the to the left OF The hail. and In one of the
stairs IL the bedroom furniture which was there
In 1779 and act OF chairs presented by GEN Fz John
Porter called Lafayette chairs because used by the
French patriot.
One room was hung yesterday with sold and ncom-
prchensblo" pictures, retOuched by Thomas Mast ana
presented BY him These are - in number and ar are nat cat
ware and "Thc Battle Of Trenton the most srik
ing. The former represents Gen. Washington seated on
top Of wagon OF "Delawarc lee" The water rises 80
the horses visible. Tie battle il all smoke and
the explanation given Is that the battle of Trenton
said to be good deal OF smoke and very little fire.
that this Is doubtless truthful representation Of that
event"
The-ca party given yesterday on the occasion OF
the opening OF the Headquarters 10 the public. The
House and grounds crowded visitors being present
from all the prominent towns OF Central Ncw-Jsisy
Mrs Vanatta, Mrs. Randolph; Mrs. whitney Miss
Julia H. Dodge. Miss Emily Ford, aud very
many others were present taking active part
City Chamberlain Tappan OF New York. Senator
Randclp Judge yanatta, and Thomas Mast among
the prominent OF the party The ladies wore their hair
powdered, after the manner OF Martha Washington ana
many them dressed in the style OF century ago
silk Of Old plttcrn, worked with bright t0Ners
were common. Some of the young men present were
maSqucrading in cured powdered wgs coats trimmed
with gold Lace, knccbrcoches and silk stockings,
and Young man was dressed III the continental uni
FORM and sword. The supper was served in the
old Kitchen aud dining rOom while the ice cream and
cakes TAX under tents on TIE grounds Tca cups,
decorated the OCCASION were used ana sold The pro-
of the party to be divided between the Head
quarters and the Moristown Iyccum and Library.
The annual meeting Of the AssOchtlon VIII he hcld July
g. aud the will be formally opened Addresses Will
tnen be made by Senator Randolph and others