Welcome back to National Parks and other public lands with T!
Washington’s Final Headquarters➤
Rockingham State Historic Site is located in Somerset County, New Jersey. Built around 1710 as a modest saltbox-style home, it was expanded in the 1760s by the Berrien family, an influential Dutch family in colonial NJ. They named the estate in honor of the Marquess of Rockingham, a British aristocrat who sympathized with the colonists. To preserve it over the years, the house was moved several times. Today, it stands near Kingston and is a designated stop along the Millstone River Valley Scenic Byway.
Rockingham holds national significance for its role in the final chapter of the Revolutionary War. From August 23 to November 10, 1783, General George Washington used the house as his last wartime headquarters while waiting for the official end of the conflict. His wife, Martha, stayed with him until early October. Three aides-de-camp, a troop of life guards, and personal staff also accompanied him. During his stay, Washington exchanged letters with Congress, which was meeting nearby in Princeton, and welcomed visiting dignitaries. On November 2, he issued his Farewell Orders to the Armies of the United States from Rockingham. This message of gratitude and disbandment marked his retirement from military service.
Rockingham was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. Since then, restoration efforts have helped preserve this important link to the nation’s founding era. After a seven-month closure in 2023 for exterior renovations, the house reopened to the public in September, ushering in a festive return.
A Double Celebration at Rockingham➤
I had the pleasure of attending a special event at Rockingham on February 24, 2024. The afternoon combined the grand reopening of the newly restored house with a celebration of George Washington’s 292nd birthday. It was a history-filled day that brought the 18th century to life.
The event began with a ceremony held on the second-floor porch—a space usually off-limits to visitors. Staff and preservationists shared updates on the completed renovations and outlined future projects, especially as the 250th anniversary of the United States approaches. For once, the porch wasn’t just a backdrop. It became a stage where history felt vivid and alive.
Next, the house opened for self-guided tours. Each room was thoughtfully curated to reflect Washington’s many roles: Virginia planter, Commander in Chief, and President. One standout moment was stepping into the upstairs military office. There, a life-sized figure of Washington stood near a writing desk, evoking the scene where he drafted his farewell orders.
Throughout the house and grounds, costumed interpreters added to the immersive experience. A highlight of the afternoon was the fife-and-drum corps from the Friends of Washington Crossing Park. Dressed in full Revolutionary attire, they performed period music. I captured a short video of their performance—see below.
Location: 84 Laurel Ave, Kingston, New Jersey
Designation: State Historic Site
Date designated/established: 1935
Date of my visit: February 24, 2024
As always, your coverage and appreciation of America’s history, T, is well done. FYI, Peggy and I have now made it across the US and are in Arizona and the beginning of our Southwest tour. Yesterday, we visited the Chiricahua National Monument, which focuses on some very unusual rocks and early pioneer history. I was quite impressed with the monument, and embarrassed to say, I had never heard of it until we arrived in Willcox. I’ll do a post on it as part of my series urging Americans to stand up for our parks, monuments and wilderness areas. Next up is Death Valley. Chiricahua will be after that, –Curt
Hope you are enjoying your Southwest tour!
What a wonderful and unique experience for you!
🙂