Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site
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Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site is in Newburgh, New York, USA. It consists of the Hasbrouck House, the longest-serving headquarters of George Washington during the American Revolutionary War, and three other structures.
It is also the oldest house in the city of Newburgh, and the first property acquired and preserved by any U.S. state for historic reasons.
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[edit] History of the house
The first fieldstone farmhouse on the site was built in 1750 by the Huguenot couple Jonathan and Tryntje Hasbrouck, who operated a gristmill among other activities such as farming and commerce. The house was surrounded by a large stock farm. It underwent two significant enlargements before it served as a headquarters. In order to do so, an additional separate kitchen building was added, leaving the house in its present eight-room state. Existing buildings such as stables and barns were also enlarged and improved on the site. Most Army buildings were removed by the Quartermaster-General's Office at the end of the war, with the exception of a "Ho:(use) in the garden", which was given to Mrs. Hasbrouck. It is no longer extant.
In 1850, it was acquired by the State of New York and became the first publicly operated historic site in the country. Today, it is a museum furnished to recreate its condition during the Revolutionary War. It covers an area of about seven acres (2.8 ha) with three buildings: Hasbrouck House, a museum (built in 1910) a monument named the "Tower of Victory", which was completed in 1890 after 4 years of construction in order to commemorate the centennial of Washington's stay, and a maintenance shed/garage built in the Colonial Revival style in 1942.
Also on the property is the grave of Uzal Knapp, one of the longest-lived veterans of the Continental Army. For many years it was believed that he had served as one of Washington's personal guards, but more recently historians have come to doubt this. The gravestone, though simple, is the work of the Studio of Henry Kirke Brown.
There is a statue entitled "The Minuteman" by Henry Hudson Kitson erected on the grounds on November 11, 1924.
[edit] Washington's headquarters
Hasbrouck House served as Washington's headquarters during the Revolutionary War from April 1782 until August 1783. It was chosen for its comparatively safe location north of the strategically important West Point. The 7,000 troops of the Continental Army were encamped near what is today known as Vails Gate, a few miles to the southwest.
In the headquarters at Hasbrouck House, Washington rejected a suggestion to institute an American monarchy and defused the threat of a mutiny among his officers over pay and pensions. He also created and first awarded the Badge of Military Merit which became the forerunner of the Purple Heart. On April 19th, 1783, he issued an order for the "cessation of hostilities"', which formally ended the the fighting of the Revolutionary War.
[edit] Location
The Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site is located on Liberty Street in downtown Newburgh. It is several blocks from the Hudson River and enjoys a commanding view of it and Beacon Mountain beyond.
[edit] Management
Although owned by New York's Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the site, like all other NYSOPRHP properties on the west side of the mid-Hudson region, is operated by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Official site
- Site Report by Save America's Treasures
- Story on Washington in Newburgh
- Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area
