Built in 1774, the Ford Mansion served as George Washington’s headquarters in Morristown, New Jersey from December 1779 to June 1780 during the American Revolutionary War. Washington’s army was stationed at Jockey Hollow, five miles south. Its proximity allowed General Washington to keep apprised of activities in the American capital of Philadelphia and the British counterpart in Manhattan. He was able to easily send letters to the Continental Congress describing the terrible condition of his troops.
We went on a private tour of the mansion with a wonderful Ranger. Today the mansion is fully furnished in eighteenth-century style, including several original pieces. One of our first stops was General Washington’s private study, located on the first floor of the house. Here he carried out much of his daily business and correspondence that enabled the army to survive the harsh winter of 1779-1780. In the mornings, Washington washed and shaved in this room.
Since there was little fighting during the winter, many officers would take a furlough and return home to take care of personal business. However, during the eight years of the war, Washington never took a furlough. Once the army went into winter quarters, Mrs. Washington would leave Virginia to spend the winter with the General. She spent much of her day here entertaining guests, knitting and reading in their bedroom.
Washington’s aides-de-camp, including Alexander Hamilton, worked in the parlor, which became the military office.
The room where the officers slept in canopied cots reminded me of a summer camp bunkhouse. There were, I am sure, no crafts made or ghost stories told.
Meals were taken beneath wooden beams. There was a large fireplace where some of the cooking was done. I wondered if the General and his officers allowed themselves to laugh, to relax, if even for just a minute despite the responsibility and burden they carried.
Don’t get me wrong. I soak up all the facts, all the stories a historical site has to share like a giant red, white and blue sponge. The thing I love most, however, is walking through a door, standing in a room or on a field, my feet on the floor, on the ground, where boots once walked. This is the ultimate historical experience for me. It connects me to those who were here. Here. Perhaps my favorite word in all of US history.
#sisterrain #alittlesightalotofheart #legallyblindwriter #writer #writersofinstagram #ushistory #history #americanhistory #usa #america #unitedstates #americanrevolution #morristownnj #morristownNPS #fordmansion #washingtonsheadquarters #here #washingtonsheadquartersmorristownnewjersey
