History

Even though the weather outside may be chilly at Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site the atmosphere inside is quite warm, welcoming and delightful. Come to the annual Open House and “Warm Up at the Washingtons” on Sunday, December 9th, 12:00 PM until 4:00 PM and see for yourself.

See the same rooms the Washingtons saw decorated in 18th Century seasonal style. Hear the sounds of 18th Century music performed by the Salmagundi Consort. Touch the floors upon which the General and Mrs. Washington trod. Taste the cookies. Smell the hot mulled cider brewing over an outdoor fire. The whole experience is a delight for the senses and a charming way to begin the season.

Historic interpreters will be present in each room explaining how the Washingtons observed this season of 1782, their final winter headquarters during the Revolutionary War. The ambiance will propel you back into a simpler time devoid of holiday shopping, crowded stores and heavy traffic.

When you leave, consider visiting some of the other houses that are part of the Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Hudson Highlands Candlelight Tour.

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.

Each March, Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site recognizes a woman who has distinguished herself in the field of Hudson Valley history by bestowing upon her the “Martha Washington Woman of History Award.” Appropriately, the award emanates from where Martha Washington resided with her husband, General George Washington, during the last months of the Revolutionary War. That the ceremony takes place in March, during Women’s History Month, is indeed fitting.

Perhaps you know of a woman who shares her love of history with children by taking them to historic places during her free time? Is there a woman who has done research about the Hudson Valley and has shared her findings to encourage others to do the same? Do you know a woman who has used her private time or resources to preserve a landmark of historic significance? These are just a few examples of what could qualify a woman to be a recipient of the award. As you can perceive, the nomination field is open to any woman who has cultivated interest and awareness of Hudson Valley history, either locally or nationally.

Nominations may be completed and submitted by January 4, 2013.

To receive a nomination form, please go to the website at www.palisadesparksconservancy.org, www.nysparks.com, or call (845) 562-1195. The award will be given during a ceremony in March.

ELIGIBILITY and CRITERIA

Any woman who has made a contribution towards Hudson Valley history through education, promotion, or preservation is eligible to be nominated for this award.

The nominee’s service to the historic community shall be taken into consideration. The nominee can be someone who was involved in a project dealing with history and/or historic preservation. This individual must be, in some way, influential in promoting the study of history, and in so doing, encouraging further interest, inquiry, enthusiasm, awareness and exploration into Hudson River Valley history even if at its most basic, or grassroots, level.

All of this should be elaborated upon by way of example in the nomination form. Completed forms will be reviewed by a Selection Committee including the Staff at Washington’s Headquarters, volunteers, and previous “Woman of History Award” recipients. Nominees will be notified within one month after the submission deadline.

“Unpacked and Rediscovered: Selections from Washington’s Headquarters’ Collection,” the new exhibit opening at the recently renovated Museum, features rare, curious, and important collections not seen by the public for many years. Displayed in two galleries of open storage, this selection of amazing objects was amassed over 160 years and represents the very roots of the preservation movement in American history.

One of the artifacts on view in the new exhibit is a set of U.S. Army officer’s epaulets worn by Augustus van Horne Ellis of New Windsor, New York.  He wore these during the Civil War when he was the Captain of Company M of the 71st NYS Militia.  These would have been worn as part of the “full dress” uniform.

“Unpacked and Rediscovered” will be unveiled on December 1, 2012, at Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site in Newburgh.  Keep watching for more sneak peeks into this innovative new exhibit.  For more information, call 845-562-1195 or visit on Facebook.