Washington’s Headquarters Announces the Opening of the New Museum Exhibit

On Saturday, December 1st,  from 10 AM until 3 PM, the long awaited day will finally arrive when over 1,300 artifacts, many which have not been seen in decades, will be on display once again in the Museum.

Come and browse through our exhibit featuring military weapons, domestic implements, dolls, souvenirs of past wars, local Newburgh history, memorabilia, and so much more. We guarantee you’ll come back again and again to see these examples of the grass roots of the American preservation movement.

On view in the new exhibit are a silver-hilt hunting sword and scabbard made by John Bailey.  Bailey made this while he was working in Verplank’s Point, New York.  This sword was made between 1775 and 1778, and has a lion or dog head on the pommel. One of George Washington’s favorite swords was a similar one also made by Bailey.

The exhibit utilizes an “open storage” format, where a large number of objects, will be on display. An electronic catalog will maximize a visitor’s self-directed learning experience. This will afford visitors a plethora of knowledge about every object on view, including images, details, curatorial information, and related object references.

Along with the opening of “Unpacked & Rediscovered: Selections from Washington’s Headquarters’ Collections,” the revitalized first floor exhibits will be opened to visitors. In the East Gallery, a segment of the Boom and Chevaux de Frise used by General Washington will be on display in “Defense of the Hudson.” In the West Gallery, distinguished portraits of George and Martha Washington will be featured, along with panels describing the history and importance of this site.

To herald in this event on December 1st, the 5th New York Regiment, 5th Connecticut Regiment and Lamb’s Artillery will be performing drills, firing muskets, and shooting off cannons throughout the day. Also, the historic Hasbrouck House, used by General and Mrs. Washington as headquarters during the last 16 ½ months of the Revolutionary War, will be open for touring. While residing at the stone farmhouse, General Washington rejected a monarchy, announced the cease fire, and created and awarded the Badge of Military Merit, forerunner of the Purple Heart.