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Mt. Vernon.

The new David Reynolds Center at Mt. Vernon is excellent, really thirteen stars. The full size statues of Washington are so life like and the movie theatres have reset the bar for all museums.

The kids loved Mt. Vernon. The lines were long so the great lawn was a cool place for all to unwind. Going early to get the house tour in first is best and beware of school buses.

EATS- I ate at the Mt. Vernon Inn which was wonderful. Staff was friendly, price reasonable, and food delicious. Try the peanut soup. 

In Morristown N.J., try the Famished Frog. It is located just off the Morristown Square and the food is delightful. The decor is a little quirky, but it is certainly roomy. The spaghetti fries are a must.

Notes: Students, parents and teachers, do you need a fresh subject for women's history? Try Ann Pamela Cunningham who led the movement to save Mt. Vernon and began the modern movement of saving historical sites.

Above is the statue of Washington outside the Ford Mansion in Morristown N.J. Nearby is the National Park for Jockey Hollow where the Continental Army barely survived the winter of 1777-78.

Below is the memorial with Eternal Flame for the troops who served with Washington in the Revolution. It is in Washington Square Park in Philadelphia. It is one block south of the Independence Hall site.

Finding George Washington.

The locations where George Washington has slept, dined and had meetings are often of great interest. Finding them has been fun for me and might be for you too!

Here they are.

 Below is the Hammond House in Valhalla NY. Hammond was a Lt. Colonel in the local militia. He led his men to fight British Regulars, Hessians, Loyalists, and local "Cowboys", who were mercenaries. This is a private home, not open to the public.

 Below is the Wynkopf house in Stone Ridge. This is a

 private home, not open to the public.

In Tappan NY, Washington visited the DeWint House numerous times. Not just for strategy planning, but for Major Andre's trial and hanging and the surrender of New York City. The house was restored and is maintained by the Masons. It is dedicated not only to Washington and other Masons who fought for the Revolution, but to the British Masons who fought for the other side. A wonderful surprise.

In Warwick NY, is Baird Tavern, above. Washington absoulutely dined here on July 27th 1782. Warwick celebrates this every year with a grand festival. Huzzah! We can't be sure if George stayed overnight here, but we are sure Martha did as she came and went from visiting her husband in Newburgh NY.

 Above is Ringwood Manor in Ringwood NJ. The house you see was built in the 19th century and it is beautiful, but the Erskin house that Washington slept in burned down in 1807.

The Beekman Tavern in Rhinebeck NY. From the window of this tavern, Washington watched the troops from this area of NY drill. He also planned, ate, slept and met with Generals Montgomery, Schuyler and Alexander Hamilton among others. FDR celebrated his election victories here as Governor and President.

It is still operating as a tavern. The food is good, prices fair and staff friendly and quick. The landscaping is lovely, but the real deal is the old tavern interior!

Manhattan- The Morris-Jumel Mansion at 160th St. and Jumel Place was Washington's headquarters in 1776. The Battle of Brooklyn was lost and from the front steps, Washington could see the British and Hessian camp fires across the East River.

Washington had saved his army by evacuating at night in a fog to lower Manhattan. There they had to retreat north because the British Marines landed at Kip's Bay and almost trapped the Continental Army.

The army dug in around the Morris-Jumel area and fought like tigers, surprising the British advance with their resolve.

Below is the Ford Mansion in Morristown N.J. where in 1779-80, Washington and his staff were quartered.

Below is the Douglass House in Trenton N.J. Here, during the second Battle of Trenton, Washington gathered his officers for a meeting to plan the Battle of Princeton. The house has been moved numerous times to save it, but now it needs major help.

Below is the Newburgh New York house, the Hasbrouck Mansion.

 Above is a view from the Mansion to the Hudson River and Mt. Beacon in the distance. Washington remained concerned about the British in NYC coming up the Hudson. He posted lookouts on top of Mt. Beacon and other sites to start fires as a warning of this possible move.

Above is the 100 year Anniversary Tower of the Revolution on the grounds of the Hasbrouck Mansion.

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Below is the Wallace House of Sommerville N.J., Washington's quarters during the Middle-Brook Winter encampment in 1778-79. Von Stueben continued to drill the army and just before camp broke, new uniforms arrived from france. Huzzah!

This house is so original, you feel George, Martha and the rest are waiting for you in the next room. This is a must see.

Boxwood Hall in Elizabeth N.J. Washington had a luncheon thrown for him at this home and then took a barge to NYC for his swearing in as the nations first President.

The Dey Mansion in Totowa N.J. was used in the Summer-Fall of 1778. It is easy to see how the terrain looked 225 years ago. The house is now surrounded by a golf course and can be reached by taking Minisink Rd. north from Rt. 46 west. Washington positioned his army here just west of the Watchung Mountains. Close enough to NYC to keep an eye on the British troops, but far enough away to keep from being surprised.

 Below is the Rockingham House in Kingston N.J. just north of Princeton N.J. Washington quartered here with Martha as the war ended and the Peace Treaty was negotiated in Paris in 1783. Jefferson, Madison, Paine and Hamilton were all guests.

 The Hermitage in Ho-Ho-Kus New Jersey. Washington and his staff stayed here at the request of owner,    . She eventually married Aaron Burr on this property. The wife of benedict Arnold also fled WQest Point and stayed here as she traveled to Philadelphia. The house was modernized and looks nothing like the one Washington visited, however it is a Victorian gem.

 Above is the Tavern where Washington stayed during the court martial of General Charles Lee following the Battle of Monmoth in Englishtown. Lee used it prior to the battle for his headquarters.

In Montville NJ, the Doremus house was used by Washington after the Battle of Springfield and by Rochembeau as the French Army marched south to Yorktown Virginia in 1781.

The Doremus house is being restored. The exterior is beautiful, but the interior needs help!

 HELP!

 In Plainfield NJ is the Drake House. It too is being

restored, but it is a muddle of styles. I took a picture from this angle to hopefully show the most original lines.

Pennsylvannia

In Philadelphia, find the Morris House. It is now a B&B.

 The City Tavern above is where Washington dined and stayed frequently.

Washington's HQ at Valley Forge.

 Below is the house at Brandywine where Washington planned the battle.