28. Rockingham Historic Site Washington's HQ Traditional Cache

Rockingham served as General George Washington's final wartime headquarters Revolutionary War headquarters for over two and one-half months in 1783. On October 31, 1783. General George Washington was accompanied by his wife Martha, three Aides-de-Camp, a small guard and domestics. While the Continental Congress was meeting in Princeton.

Treaty of Paris had been signed on September 3, formally ending the Revolutionary War. 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.

Newburgh Aug. 18th. 1783... "...I shall set off for Princeton tomorrow...I carry my baggage with me, it being the desire of Congress that I should remain till the arrival of the Definitive Treaty...which...is every day expected." -George Washington to George A. Washington

For eight years Washington had served his country in the American Revolution and, as one of his last official acts, wrote the Farewell Orders to the Armies of the United States at Rockingham in late October, which were then delivered to the remaining Continental Army at West Point, New York on November 2, 1783..

The original two-story, two rooms and lean-to of the farmhouse house was known as the Berrien Mansion was built about 1710. Enlarged into a grander home in the 1760's by Judge John Berrien, NJ Supreme Court Justice. Physically relocated three times since 1896, the house is now preserved and interpreted as the temporary residence of George and Martha Washington. Rockingham State Historic Site offers a fine collection of 18th-century furnishings and Washington military & personal reproductions, a children's museum, a Colonial kitchen garden and a Dutch barn.

At its peak, the property comprised over 350 acres and served as a gentleman's farm. Final touches of a second-story porch and attic were added in the early 1800s by the Cruser family. The house was moved three times to save it from an encroaching quarry, beginning in 1897. The original site was about one-mile NNE from its present location.

Today, New Jersey State operates the house, is preserved and interpreted as the temporary residence of George and Martha Washington. The house contains period furnishings, reproductions of Washington military equipment and a life-size figure of Washington. An 18th-century-style kitchen garden is on site. Physically relocated threes times since 1896, Rockingham Historic Site maintains a fine collection of 18th-century furnishings and Washington military reproductions, a children's museum and a Colonial kitchen garden.

Plan your geocaching visit to the Day and hourly tour times for an amazing free house tour

Open for guided tours only: Wed-Sat 10 & 11 am, 1, 2, & 3 pm and Sunday 1, 2, & 3 pm. Tour size limited to 10 individuals and it is recommended to call and check with staff as to tour availability. Group tours by appointment only.

OPEN FOR GUIDED TOURS ONLY, CALL AHEAD TO CONFIRM AVAILABILITY WEDNESDAY - SATURDAY: 10 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM, AND 3 PM SUNDAY: 1 PM, 2 PM, AND 3 PM CLOSED STATE HOLIDAYS AND USUALLY THE WEDNESDAY FOLLOWING A HOLIDAY

This cache is one of "The American Revolution Geo~Trail" caches throughout New Jersey. These program geocaches are hidden at historic locations which have a connection to important New Jersey's American Revolutionary War history. To participate in the optional Geo-Trail, after you find the geocache, locate the secret code and record it into your passport which you will print from the Geo~Trail website. Information at njpatriots.org

The Northern New Jersey Cachers, NNJC is about promoting a quality caching experience in New Jersey. For information on The Northern New Jersey Cachers group you can visit: www.nnjc.org.