Morris County commissioners tour Picatinny Arsenal’s Revolutionary War history, modern mission
MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. — Members of the Morris County Board of County Commissioners recently toured Picatinny Arsenal to learn about the military installation’s Revolutionary War history, modern defense mission and longstanding ties to Morris County as the nation prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw and Commissioners Thomas Mastrangelo and Christine Myers met with Garrison Commander Lt. Col. Craig A. Bonham II and toured the installation with Picatinny historians and cultural resource specialists. The visit highlighted both the arsenal’s role in developing military technology and its historical significance dating back to the American Revolution.
“Our visit to Picatinny Arsenal was an opportunity to recognize both the remarkable military innovation taking place there today and the extraordinary history preserved on the installation,” said Director Shaw. “As Morris County and the nation commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence, it is especially meaningful to reflect not only on the area’s role in supporting Gen. George Washington’s Army during the Revolutionary War, but also on the generations of servicemembers and civilians who have served our country and helped protect our nation for more than two centuries.”
The tour began with a historical overview led by Bonham, Picatinny Historian Jeff Ranu, Environmental Affairs Division Chief Jason Huggan and Cultural Resources Manager Rachael Winston.
Commissioners viewed historical artifacts and learned about the arsenal’s transformation from the Picatinny Powder Depot, established in 1880, into today’s Joint Center of Excellence for Guns and Ammunition, which oversees the research, development, acquisition and lifecycle management of conventional weapon systems and ammunition.
“When it comes to conventional weapons systems as well as other munition systems, those are all research developed, tested and evaluated here,” Bonham said.
Bonham also noted that parts of the installation are open to the public.
“This is an open installation. We welcome those from outside to come on the installation. We have a wonderful water park; we’ve got a golf course,” Bonham noted.
The commissioners also visited two sites connected to Morris County’s Revolutionary War history: the Walton Burial Ground and the Middle Forge monument.
According to Ranu, the monument marks the remains of the Revolutionary War-era Middle Forge, part of the historic Mount Hope Iron Works.
“When the government purchased the property in 1880, they found the remnant of the hammer and the tools that were used at the Middle Forge,” he explained.
During the Revolutionary War, the forge produced munitions that supported Gen. George Washington’s Army while troops were encamped in Morris County.
At the Walton Burial Ground, commissioners learned about ongoing preservation efforts at the historic family cemetery, which predates the military installation.
“From its inception, this mission of Picatinny Arsenal was to defend and support the United States of America. Preserving its past is critical to ensuring we, the citizens of Morris County, always remember the sacrifice our military has and continues to make to protect our country and our freedom,” said Commissioner Myers.
Additional stops included the World War II Monument, memorials honoring Marines who served in the Korean War, a memorial recognizing those killed in the 1926 explosion caused by a lightning strike that ignited 2.5 million pounds of TNT, environmental stewardship projects at Picatinny Lake, the Project Manager Soldier Lethality and Capabilities Building, and the historic Cannon Gates, constructed in 1884 and 1885 using 8-inch Columbiad cannons.
The tour concluded with discussions about Picatinny Arsenal’s continuing role in national defense, military innovation and the preservation of its historic landscape.
