Celebrate George Washington’s birthday at his final wartime headquarters
"Rockingham House, front" by original Wikipedia uploader Richard Arthur Norton
It’s George Washington’s 283rd birthday on Sunday, Feb. 22 and one of the many sites in New Jersey which lay claim to “Washington slept here” is throwing a party in his honor.
The estate of John Berrien I, known as Rockingham House in Kingston (3 miles NE of Princeton) served as Washington’s headquarters during the final months of the Revolutionary War in 1783. At Rockingham, he drafted his Farewell Orders to the Armies of the United States, resigning his commission as commander-in-chief.
The birthday celebration features a special tour focusing on Washington’s life and times instead of the regularly offered house tour.
There’s even a life-sized Gen. Washington (mannequin) dressed in uniform, but forget grabbing a selfie with the birthday boy… photography is prohibited.
After the tour, don a tri-corner hat and enjoy birthday cake and punch in Rockingham’s kitchen.
Bonus: Rockingham is part of the 25-mile Millstone Valley scenic byway – a sure cure for winter cabin-fever.
Tour times are from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., occurring at the top of each hour and half past. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (609) 683-7132. Admission is free.
Sunday, Feb. 22, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
GPS directions: 84 Laurel Ave., Franklin Twp, N.J.
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This post is part of our South Jersey Events Listing
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