The Morris County Historical Society has launched a self-guided driving tour highlighting African American history across Morris County, giving Rockaway residents a new way to explore the region’s past this summer.
The African American History Driving Tour features 19 historic locations countywide and was released in recognition of Juneteenth. It is the third route in the Historical Society’s “Revolution to Revolutionary” series, which encourages residents and visitors to discover Morris County history while honoring the people and organizations working to preserve it.
The tour stops at sites tied to generations of African American community members, telling stories of what the Historical Society describes as Black joy, resilience, struggle and achievement. It was funded by a grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and supports the county’s first-ever countywide survey of African American history and historic sites.
The project carries a local connection for Rockaway. The Historical Society’s announcement spotlighted Picatinny Arsenal, which sits within Rockaway and Jefferson townships and employed thousands of Black workers during World War II, many of whom pushed for what the Black press called a “Double Victory”: equal opportunity at home and peace abroad.
“It’s not simply about visiting historic sites; it is about recognizing the people, places, and communities that shaped Morris County,” said Dr. Denise Rompilla, project historian for the countywide survey.
A downloadable tour map is available through the Morris County Historical Society.
