The Dey (pronounced “dye”) Mansion, located in Wayne, New Jersey, was built in the 1770s and was the home of Colonel Theunis Dey and his wife Hester. Twice it served as General George Washington’s headquarters during the American Revolution, once from July 1 through July 28, 1780 and again from October 8 through November 27, 1780.
Although it was not open for touring when I was in the area, I had to see the building and the surrounding grounds. Dey Mansion has an interesting tie to British intelligence officer Major John Andre whom I wrote about in the story, “I Spy John Andre.” During Washington’s time away from the Dey Mansion, General Benedict Arnold’s treason became known and his conspirator, Major Andre, was hanged in Tappan, New York on October 2nd. Fearing that the British would seek revenge, Washington moved his army once again to the Dey Mansion, arriving on October 8, 1780.
Even though I could not go inside the mansion and see where the General and his officers planned and strategized to defeat the British, their living quarters, or the kitchen, I knew that behind that blue door, history was made.
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