Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site

The 1750 stone farmhouse was used by General George Washington as army headquarters, from April 1782 - August 1783, his longest stay of the War for Independence.

This Jonathan Hasbrouck property, acquired and opened by the State of New York in 1850, is the first publicly operated historic site in the United States. Birthplace of the original purple heart award.

Here, the general, his wife, his officers, slaves and servants lived and worked in close quarters. The mixture of utilitarian folding furniture and elegant appointments in the house recreates the furnishings which greeted visitors 200 years ago.

In the critical months spent here, Washington maintained a strong army while planning to disband it.

He negotiated with contentious individuals in the congress and elsewhere and dealt with problems of supply, training, pay and morale affecting his troops.

He rejected a suggestion of an American monarchy, defused a potential mutiny among his officers, and proffered advice on the future of the new republic.

In order to recognize the heroism of enlisted men, the commander-in-chief, at his Newburgh headquarters, created the Badge of Military Merit, the forerunner of the Purple Heart.