While the Continental Congress was meeting in Princeton, Rockingham, home of the prominent Berrien family, served as General George Washington’s final Revolutionary War headquarters for over two-and-one-half months in 1783. On October 31, 1783, Washington and Congress received the long awaited news—the final version of the Treaty of Paris had been signed and the thirteen colonies were indeed independent of Great Britain.

For eight years Washington had served his country in the Revolutionary War and as one of his last official acts wrote the Farewell Orders to the Armies at Rockingham in late October, in which he expressed his deep admiration and appreciation for the American army and announced his return to civilian life—renouncing any thought of kingship and ensuring the newly-minted country was headed in the direction envisioned in the Declaration of Independence seven years before.

Join us for a tour of Rockingham and its 18th-century period-furnished rooms, with a special focus on General Washington’s stay, including who accompanied him and what occurred at that time in the house’s history!

Reservations must be made at least 24 hours before tour time. Face masks are no longer required inside the house at this time, but up to each visitor’s discretion.

Be advised that the only lighting in the house (with the exception of the stairs) is through daylight and that there is no outdoor lighting, so at this time of year (later autumn into winter), with the sun setting so early, the rooms can be dimmer in the late afternoon, with the nearby trees creating shadow on the house and the property. If this may be an issue for you, please choose an earlier tour!

NB: Parking is available in the lot to the north of the historic property, approximately 250 yards from the house. Should accommodation be needed for handicap accessibility, please call, 609-683-7132, or email the site, rockingham1783@yahoo.com, to make arrangements. From the lot, proceed across the bridge, through the small wooded area, past the stone building (where restrooms are available), on the path past the barn down to the large gray building (the main house–you will be approaching the back side) and around to the front, which faces the fenced-in kitchen garden. Please wait on the stone piazza on the south/front of the big gray house, outside the door by the blue flag (there is no inside waiting area). Staff will be out to greet you and bring you inside at tour time. Please call the site, 609-683-7132, to leave a message if you will be late or need to cancel.

FYI, the house has air-conditioning and heat!

Friends and/or family groups of 11 – 24 people (and, preferably, organized groups of any size) must contact us directly to inquire about arrangements for a tour, preferably at least one month before desired date.