Historic Speedwell

Historic Speedwell is a beautiful 7.5-acre park that includes the former Ironworks and Village, in historic Morristown, NJ.

This is the place where the first electric telegraph was demonstrated.

Before the Internet, before television, before radio, and even before the telephone – the telegraph eventually allowed a way to almost instantly transmit messages across the country and even overseas. This is one of the most critical inventions – ever!

Stephen Vail was the proprietor of the Speedwell Ironworks.

Stephen Vail’s son, Alfred, helped Samuel Morse perfect the telegraph.

Alfred Vail and Morse also developed the Morse Code.

The village included The Granary, Moses Estey House, Ford Cottage, and the Wheel House. Here is a wonderful article about this place from Jersey Through History:

Jersey Through History

A Forgotten History: Alfred Vail and Samuel Morse

You may also wish to read about Fosterfields – A Living Historical Farm, Part 1

And you may want to read about the fight over Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in Morris Plains, where Bob Dylan visited Woody Guthrie.

Thanks for visiting New Jersey Memories!

16 Comments

caite

July 23, 2013 at 8:46 pm Reply

ok, never been there either!
love that red barn in the 5th pic.

New Jersey Memories

July 23, 2013 at 11:26 pm Reply

You should go! It's very interesting!

Debbi

July 24, 2013 at 3:42 am Reply

Loved your interesting tour…I am on the west coast and enjoy reading about these places I would love to visit. Thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog~I am following yours now too:)

New Jersey Memories

July 24, 2013 at 3:50 am Reply

Thank you so much! Perhaps you will visit New Jersey one day!

Travel-PB

July 24, 2013 at 7:36 am Reply

So there is some history in the US after all. 😉
Nice shots and it really looks interesting.

You are welcome to check out a report from a recent trip to Rome at my blog. Have fun and keep blogging!

Anonymous

July 24, 2013 at 11:03 am Reply

nice pics. I find it interesting to read about different places around the world.

Beth F

July 24, 2013 at 11:08 am Reply

Oh wow. Another beautiful place to visit.

Abelle | The Wows! And Oops! Of Life

July 24, 2013 at 11:42 am Reply

That's a beautiful place. I love the last picture. So lovely!

Just bloghopping! ;o)

Unknown

July 24, 2013 at 5:29 pm Reply

A beautiful place to visit

My entry is here.

Estes Family Blog

July 24, 2013 at 8:14 pm Reply

What an amazing looking place! I love to visit historical places! Maybe one day I'll make it to Jersey!!

New Jersey Memories

July 24, 2013 at 8:54 pm Reply

There is plenty of history in the United States 🙂

Thank you so much for visiting my blog!