Commissioners Tour Picatinny Arsenal’s Revolutionary Roots
The Morris County Board of County Commissioners recently visited Picatinny Arsenal for a tour highlighting the military installation’s rich history, modern technological mission and longstanding ties to Morris County dating back to the American Revolution and the nation’s founding 250 years ago.
Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw and Commissioners Thomas Mastrangelo and Christine Myers met with Garrison Commander Lt. Col. Craig A. Bonham II and toured significant locations across the installation with Picatinny historians and cultural resource specialists. They learned about the arsenal’s evolving role in supporting the U.S. military as they also visited monuments honoring generations of servicemembers and civilians whose dedication and sacrifice are commemorated throughout the installation.
“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 visit began with a welcome and historical overview led by Lt. Col. Bonham and subject matter experts including Picatinny Historian Jeff Ranu, Environmental Affairs Division Chief Jason Huggan and Cultural Resources Manager Rachael Winston.
The commissioners viewed historical artifacts and learned about Picatinny’s evolution from its official establishment in 1880 as the Picatinny Powder Depot into today’s Joint Center of Excellence for Guns and Ammunition, leading research, development, acquisition and lifecycle management of advanced 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, although adding that some areas of the installation are more visitor friendly.
“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.
View a Photo Gallery of the Picatinny Arsenal Tour.
Particular attention was given to two sites on the post connected to Morris County’s Revolutionary War-era history: the Walton Burial Ground and Middle Forge.
The commissioners visited the Middle Forge monument, paying tribute to the forge that once operated as part of the historic Mount Hope Iron Works.