On Saturday, September 10, 2011, Rockingham hosted Outwater's Militia Encampment and Trade Fair. Despite Mother Nature's throwing monkey wrenches into the mix, with flooding north of us causing road closures and a torrential downpour later in the afternoon, the day turned out very well.

There were many things to see. An 18th-century medical display included period booklets, tooth-pulling instruments, bloodletting bowl and other ghoulish tools of the trade. There was an herb display and demonstrations of spinning and carding wool. A meal was prepared over a charcoal fire and the sharp crack of a musket firing broke the air every now and then. Children could drill with wooden muskets and cartridge cases and some other period weapons could be examined up close. ouse tours were bustling and the Rockingham Association, who also helped staff the museum store, provided tasty refreshments.

We thank the visitors who expressed their support and interest by making their way past the daunting road barriers to get to us and we thank the members of Outwater's Militia who shared and demonstrated excellent and engaging information to those visitors. And a big THANK YOU to our volunteers who make such programming possible in many ways!

George Washington's Birthday Well-Attended

George Washington's 279th birthday, held Sunday, February 20, 2011, was a wonderful success. Many citizens came to Rockingham to wish the venerable gentleman well for his special day. The general was there, in full uniform, to greet his guests in the upstairs study. Outside, guests were greeted by George Luck, local scholar, who kept those waiting informed about Rockingham, early American and local history. To end the tour, filled with tidbits of information about Washington's life, we celebrated by sharing a cup of punch and a piece of cake with our guests.

While reservations were requested, we tried to accommodate as many guests as possible and we apologize to those who were unable to join us for the trivia and refreshments. Please remember in the future--especially for special events, check this website or call the site to see if reservations are required, due to size of the tours and staff available.

Did you know that David Humphreys, one of General Washington's aides-de-camp at Rockingham, later was known as the father of the American wool industry for introducing Merino sheep into the U.S. from Spain (he was our ambassador)? Or that Thomas Paine, a visitor at Rockingham during Washington's occupancy, later was declared outlaw in England for his support of the French Revolution and anti-monarchist beliefs and, when he fled to France in consequence, the French threw him in jail because he was not extreme enough for them (he was against the killing of King Louis XVI)? Where you aware that James Madison, a member of Congress staying in Princeton in 1783 and another visitor to Rockingham, was the shortest U.S. President at 5'4"?

Visitors to Rockingham for the 2010 Candlelight tours, offered Sunday, December 12, were treated to learning more about the visitors and occupants of Rockingham during the months of August to November 1783 when General and Mrs. Washington were in residence. Students from the Montgomery High School Live Historians club were clothed in period attire and told of the different personages, some more well-known than others.

The house was decorated by the Stony Brook Garden Club in appropriate minimal 18th century-style greens, nuts and fruit, with interspersed candlelight. There were cookies and cider and the opportunity to visit the Museum Store, staffed by the Rockingham Association, which also provided assistance in the house. Volunteer and local historian George Luck greeted visitors outdoors and John Burkhalter provided period music in the tea room to round out the day. An illuminating day, indeed!

Attaining the rank of Eagle Scout takes a lot of dedication, organization and perseverance. Many Boy Scouts don't stick with it long enough to achieve this special designation. Part of the long process involves a service project. Two local scouts received their Eagle Scout award by doing projects at Rockingham, adding important and much appreciated features to the site.

Sheel Sanghvi, a recent graduate of South Brunswick High School who will be attending Rutgers Engineering in the fall, designed and laid paths to the kitchen garden and house. There had been an earlier path that had become overgrown and no longer visible. With Sheel's oversight, his group of fellow scouts dug the paths out, laid gray stone and then plastic tarp to impede weed growth. On top they put down small red stones, resembling material used in the colonial era for walkways.

Now, even when the grass is not freshly mowed, visitors can get easily to the garden and house from the sand path that bring them from the parking lot. It looks neat and orderly as it would have in the 18th century. Sheel also built three donation boxes that are appropriate to the State specifications, for use in the house, museum store and for special events. And finally, he built a box for the outside of the house that can be used for storage.

Alex Savadelis, a student at Montgomery Township High School, built and installed shelving in the basement for collection pieces that are in storage. Many items are still in cardboard boxes from the time of the house's moving in 2001. These pieces would more appropriately be stored on padded shelves. While the site owned several metal shelves, there was not an adequate number for the whole collection. Alex and crew built fine, sturdy pieces that will enable us to unpack a great deal more for proper professional storage. Much of the shelving was built off-site and then installed in one afternoon with the help of several other scouts and parents, under the guidance of Alex.

Both scouts did a wonderful job, working with the site director to get specifications and materials just right, adding their own craftsmanship and attention to detail. The completed projects are great assets to the site and will be beneficial for many years to come. We wish Sheel and Alex much success in future endeavors!

Rockingham's Annual Children's Day was held on Saturday, May 22, 2010.

Rockingham, with support and participation from the Montgomery High School Live Historians Club, the Rockingham Association and the Stony Brook Garden Club, offered activities and demonstrations of 18th century life. Children played the Game of Goose, tried toys such as buzzsaw, dressed in 18th century style clothing, learned to write with quill and ink, to marble paper, make paper tri-corn hats and lace pinners, they toured the kitchen garden and house and watched 18th century activities. A great day was had by all!

Premiere Viewing of New Rockingham DVD was held April 22, 2010 at Princeton University. Peter Field and Darren Staloff, two of the James Madison Program's 2009-10 Visiting Fellows, acted as Discussants after the screening.

Porch Repair Begins
Anyone who visited Rockingham in the latter part of 2009 would have noticed the underside of the long two-story porch on the front (south side) of the house. There was a gaping hole and boards hanging down. The wood of the porch was rotting and needed repair. Luckily, State monies were available and repair work began on Tuesday, January 19.

Most of the wood of the porch has been taken down and will be reconstructed over the next several weeks. Dave Larkin Builders, Inc. from Avon-by-the-Sea, NJ is doing the work. There will also be porch under construction

some repairs to the interior stairs and various other spots as well, which may cause disruption to second-story access during the house tours, so be prepared when visiting.

The original porch was added in the first half of the 19th century, by the Cruser family. It later was removed, but after the house was first relocated and opened to the public at the end of the 19th century by the Washington Headquarters Association, it was restored to the house. The earliest known depiction of the house came from a book on the Revolutionary War, written in the 1850s. It was therefore erroneously thought that this was how the house appeared when General Washington used it as his final wartime headquarters in 1783. Over the years, the porch has become part of the shifting of the house structure and cannot be removed completely without damage to the front of the house itself.

So, if you come by, we are still open for tours, though we will be using the kitchen door for entrance to the house. Please be careful of the construction area for your own safety.

2009 Holiday Candlelight Tours
Despite the cats and dogs (and sheep and pigs) raining outside and icy conditions earlier in the day, the 2009 Candlelight Holiday Tours at Rockingham on December 13 were quite successful. Over 150 visitors attended to see the modest 18th-century decorations, supplemented by a Christmas feast, eggnog fixings, a kissing ball, refreshments, a wool spinning demonstration, candlelight and an 18th-century country dance. The decorations were courtesy of the Stony Brook Garden Club and the Montgomery Township High School Live Historians club provided personnel for leading tours, giving information on colonial Christmas in the rooms, the dancing and cookies. The Rockingham Association provided the hot cider and support in the museum store and the house to make sure all ran smoothly.

James Kurzenberger of Wallace House/Old Dutch Parsonage in Somerville taught the 18th-century country dance, "The Morning Gazette," to the history club. The students picked up the steps quickly and did an admirable job in a small space of bringing the past to life. John Burkhalter of Practitioners of Musick accompanied them on English flute.

There was a new DVD and Rockingham t-shirts available in the museum store. The DVD is called "Rockingham: The Road to Peace" and is hot off the presses. The t-shirt is a new design using an old etching of Rockingham and is available in blue or buff, General Washington's uniform colors.

We wish to thank everyone who gave of their time that day and everyone who braved the elements to visit and join in the holiday festivities! Have a great New Year!

Eagle Scout Completes Project for Rockingham
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America. To earn the Eagle Scout rank, a Boy Scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills including an extensive service project that the Scout plans, organizes, leads and manages.

Boy Scout Patrick Bluem, an 11th grader at South Brunswick High School, became an Eagle Scout in 2008. He chose to do his service project at Rockingham. Patrick designed, organized and sought supplies for an enclosure fence to be built around the dumpster at the historic site. The dumpster, though a necessary fixture, detracted from the historic atmosphere. The new wooden fence with period hardware completely hides the 21st century dumpster, adding fine craftsmanship as well. Supplies were provided by local merchants and other scouts provided assistance in the construction. Younger scouts completed a beautification project in the parking area with the addition of native-species plants around the flagpole and information kiosk and made an improvement to the kiosk as well.

We wish Patrick much success in his future endeavors and thank him for the wonderful addition to Rockingham Historic Site!

In celebration of the 225th Anniversary of Washington's Residence at Rockingham in 1783, the following events took place:

August through November 2008
Representatives from the Kingston and Rocky Hill Post Offices attended four of the events to hand cancel mail containing commemorative stamps.

November 2008 - "The Curtain of Separation Will Soon be Drawn" General George Washington

The General Takes His Leave, Rockingham 1783 the weekend of November 8 & 9

Von Heer's Marechausee encamped once more, guarding General Washington in his final days at Rockingham. On Sunday, the General took his leave of those assembled with a review of the major events during his tenure at the site, including the official word of the signing of the Treaty of Paris to formally end the American Revolution and the Farewell Orders to the Armies, penned during his stay.

Princeton 1783
In addition to Rockingham's 2008 celebration, many other events were planned for the Princeton area. Further information can be found at www.revolutionaryprinceton.org, the Princeton 1783 web site.

New Jersey State Archives
November 3, 2008
In celebration of the 225th Anniversary of Congress in Princeton, the State Archives placed New Jersey's original Treaty of Paris (preliminary articles, ratified by the Continental Congress), online. The date marks the news arriving in Princeton 225 years ago signifying the end of the Revolutionary War.

October 2008 - The Practitioners of Musick performed Music for the Washingtons. Practitioners of Musick are not just musicians, they are scholars who meticulously research the music and the instruments they play. During this performance, they presented music played and listened to by General and Mrs. Washington, using instruments of the 18th century, including harpsichord, violin, cello, English flute (recorder) and voice.

September 2008 - George Luck, local resident, portrayed the Rev. John Witherspoon in a program titled "Never Rise to Speak Till You Have Something to Say" Meet Rev. John Witherspoon. The Reverend Doctor John Witherspoon was a delegate to the Continental Congress from New Jersey and signer of the Declaration of Independence. George Luck recited excerpts from one of Rev. Witherspoon's sermons and talked about his life as a Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) minister, president of the College of New Jersey (Princeton University) and NJ legislator.

September 2008 - Pat Jordan, of the American Historical Theatre presented a program titled "In Whatever Situation I May Be" Martha Washington, General's Wife at Rockingham. Martha Washington, wife of the General, accompanied him throughout much of the Revolutionary War and came with him to Rockingham. Pat Jordan portrayed Mrs. Washington, the General's closest confidant and helpmate and talked about being the wife of the Commander-in-Chief.

August 2008 - "Receiving the Commander in Chief"
General Washington Arrives "Near Rocky Hill," 1783 was held over a two day period at Rockingham Historic Site, Kingston, NJ
General George Washington and entourage arrived at Rockingham on Saturday, August 24, the 225th anniversary of the day he originally arrived, and was greeted by Mrs. Berrien, owner of the property, and local citizens in a formal arrival ceremony. His accompanying guard of dragoons, von Heers' Marechausee encamped for the weekend while the General was in residence at the house.

Arrival Ceremony - General Washington along with von Heer mounted escorts arrived at Rockingham house, greeted by Mrs. Berrien. The General greeted the public and made brief remarks outside the house.
Demonstration by von Heer's dragoons
Reenactment of an officers' dinner under the marquee (tent). Discussion of current affairs engaged the public.
General Washington was in residence in the upstairs study.

June 2008 - Creating Washington Military Reproductions at Rockingham Presenters: Richard & Regina Toone, Living History Shop Craftsmen Dick and Regina Toone discussed how they turned Mount Vernon- and Smithsonian-owned General Washington military equipage originals, including his camp bed, mess kit and shaving box, into useable reproductions for Rockingham display. They showed how their skills were developed to re-create the originals with early American tools and materials, and showed historical reproductions including an up-close look at those created for Rockingham.

On December 9, the Museum Store and Visitor Center opened for the first time. The photo to the right shows a few of the people (Nancy Allen, committee member, Peggi Carlsen, former site director, Lisa Flick, current site director, and Mary Kay Muckenhoupt, committee chairperson) behind the vision for the Visitor Center and Museum Store. Missing from the photo are Jim Farrell, current Association president, Eric Holtermann, site architect and current board member, Gordon Griffin, past Association president, Sharon Wheeden, committee member, and others who saw the possibilities for the sweet little stone building. It opened to rousing praise after more than 10 years of planning.

October 2007 - Renovation and Construction Update - Phase 3 Comes to a Close

The construction at Rockingham, begun in March, is drawing to a close. The stone building that served as a kitchen for hearth-cooking demonstrations at Rockingham's previous site on Rte. 518 will soon open as the Museum Store and Visitor Center. This building has been painted, and new lighting and heating have been added. Also, a section with two bathrooms has been added for the public to use.

The store committee, headed by Rockingham Association member Mary Kay Muckenhoupt, is working on plans for the interior set-up and inventory. The group hopes to open the store on November 11. Its grand opening, however, will be on December 9 during the Holiday Candlelight Tours.

Other additions to the Rockingham property include a new fence along the path from the Museum Store to the main house, with unobtrusive modern lighting for the path at night. Lighting has also been added from the parking lot to the store.

The Children's Museum building, however, is on hold for now, while siding replacement issues are worked out. Its chimney will eventually be relined, so that hearth-cooking demonstrations can resume at the site in the future.

A few minor things need to be completed and the new museum store and visitor center (and public bathrooms) will be declared open for business, hopefully by December.

You never can have too much publicity! An article about Rockingham recently appeared in "From House to Home", a glossy magazine inserted into many newspapers. The article outlines the history of the house and features several lovely pictures of Rockingham.

2008 marks 225 years since George Washington made Rockingham his final war-time headquarters. A committee is already working on activities and programs to be held from August through November 2008, the months Washington was in residence. The committee is also working with representatives from Morven Museum, Princeton University, the Historical Society of Princeton and the Chamber of Commerce to bring first rate artisans and dignitaries to the area for the celebration of Washington's stay and the meeting of the Continental Congress. Watch for more information.

Articles by Dawn Fairchild, former Association Vice President and creator of the Washington replica uniform and most of our reproduction wardrobe, have been printed in the DAR publication, American Spirit (Nov.-Dec. 2006) and the The Mayflower Quarterly (Dec. 2006). The articles document the hundreds of hours of research and hand work required to reproduce the fine replica uniform on display on a likeness of the General.

And congratulations also are in order to former site curator, Peggi Carlsen and Board member, Dr. Mary Rizzo, for the future publication of an article, "Foodways without Fire: Using Food to Teach about Gender and Labor at an Eighteenth Century House Museum", in the AHLFAM (Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums) Bulletin. The piece discusses the foodways program that Peggi and Mary developed at Rockingham.

After several years of anticipation, construction began in March on several improvements at the site.

The 150-year old stone building is about to be come the Museum Store and Visitor Center. While not original to Rockingham's Colonial period, the charming historic structure was used for open-hearth cooking at the former site and was moved with the Rockingham mansion and Children's Museum in 2001. There will be public bathrooms attached to the building which also will house the Museum Store.

Master craftsman Richard Toone delivered the final pieces to Rockingham's unique collection of reproduction Washington military artifacts. Added to the shaving kit, liquor boxes and other extraordinary pieces is an elaborate mess kit. Mr. Toone was given access to the original at the Smithsonian in order to replicate it in every detail for use in educational programs. Also newly on display are a leather portmanteau, elegant trunks and a charming writing kit.

In addition, the Mount Vernon Ladies Association gave permission to Mr. Toone to replicate, solely for Rockingham, Washington's shaving kit and a heavy wooden crate, which are part of the Mount Vernon collection.