Morris County Re-Dedicates Cannon to Launch America250 Celebrations

MORRISTOWN, NJ - Soggy weather on Sunday didn't deter Morris County officials from launching the county's “America250” celebrations in Morristown, an event that included the re-dedication of the restored replica Revolutionary War replica cannon outside Acorn Hall.

Honored at the ribbon-cutting, which took place at 11 a.m. before the Morristown Festival on the Green, was longtime philanthropist Richard “Dick” Deskovick.

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He “played a pivotal role in installing the cannon in the early 2000s through the Greater Morristown Historic Foundation, which he and his late wife, Louise, founded,” noted the county. It said the couple's dedication to preserving Morris County history “is evident across the area, with a similar cannon standing at Morris Township’s town hall and The Patriots’ Farewell Fountain gracing Morristown Green.”

At the re-dedication event, Morris County Commissioners Tayfun Selen and Thomas Mastrangelo presented a Resolution of Honor to Deskovick.

“As we kick off the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, this cannon is more than a monument," Selen said. "It’s a powerful symbol of where we have been and where we are going. On behalf of the Morris County Board of County Commissioners, we commend you, Dick Deskovick, for your service, generosity and leadership in keeping our county’s history alive and booming.”

Mastrangelo also thanked Deskovick as well as the others who helped restore the cannon, which he described as being "a symbol of the strength of our country, the strength of our freedom and the strength of who we are as Americans.”

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The restored cannon is situated between Morris and Lafayette avenues. The county considers it “a key historical marker in a county deeply tied to the Revolutionary War,” noting that the nearby Ford Mansion, Fort Nonsense and Jockey Hollow “are among the nationally recognized landmarks associated with two winter encampments by General George Washington and his troops.”

The restoration of the cannon took two years. It was led by Morristown Partnership President Ryan Dawson who worked with the county Historical Society and the Washington Association of New Jersey, said the county. It said the “community-driven project raised more than $12,000 from 55 donors, ensuring the cannon’s continued role as a symbol of Morris County’s revolutionary heritage.”

“When the historical society received calls about the cannon’s deteriorating condition, no one knew whose responsibility it was initially, but we all came together to restore it,” said Dawson. “Between community members and civic organizations, we managed to raise the necessary funds. This was a group effort, and I was confident Morris County residents would step up.”

Morris County Historical Society President Amy Curry also thanked the Deskovicks for bringing the cannon to the town.

“Today, we celebrate not only the community philanthropy that started two decades ago, but also the kickoff to the 250th celebration of our nation’s birth," she told those at the event. “The speed at which the funds were raised reflects the spirit of Morristown and Morris County.”

America250 will include a number of events leading up to the nation's 250th anniversary in 2026, said the county, which has earmarked $100,000 for the effort. It said anyone interested in participating or learning more about ways to get involved with Morris County’s America250 events can do so by emailing 250@morriscountyalliance.org .

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