Navigation menu

Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site

Skip Navigation LinksHome / Historic Sites / Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site

Current Hours (through October 27th): Wednesdays through Saturdays, 11am – 5pm and Sundays, 1pm – 5pm

DUE TO AN EVENT WITH THE NEWBURGH SCHOOLS, THE SITE WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH. WE APOLOGIZE FOR THIS INCONVENIENCE. Call 845-562-1195 for more information or to schedule a group visit. Please note that some services may be unavailable due to weather or staffing.

Address
84 Liberty St.
Newburgh, NY 12551
  Palisades Region
Latitude 41.497120
Longitude -74.009140
  Directions

Visit the nation's first publicly owned historic site and tour the rooms where American history was made. In the critical months that General George Washington spent at Newburgh, he made some of his most important contributions to shaping the American republic. It was here that Washington rejected the idea of an American monarchy; ended the Newburgh Conspiracy, preventing potential military control of the government; created the Badge of Military Merit, forerunner of the Purple Heart; and circulated an influential letter to State Governors outlining the key principals he felt necessary for the new republic.

While visiting Washington's Headquarters explore the Museum, which houses the award-winning exhibit, Unpacked & Rediscovered: Selections from Washington's Headquarters' Collection. The exhibit features over 1,300 objects highlighting Washington's Headquarters diverse collections and is navigated by an electronic catalog system. Also, take a tour of the Tower of Victory and climb the steps to the newly restored belvedere. (Access to the Tower may be limited based on staffing and weather conditions.)

First Oval Office Project & NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation's Launch of The 250TH Anniversary of The Revolutionary War

Washington's Revolutionary War Tent, his office and sleeping quarters, served as his mobile command center for the Continental Army. On September 21 and 22, Washington's Headquarters Historic Site in Newburgh will welcome the Museum of the American Revolution's full-scale replica sleeping marquee and baggage tents as part of a recreated Revolutionary War encampment called the First Oval Office Project. This program launches the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation's commemoration of the Semiquincentennial (250th) of the Revolutionary War. Staff from the Museum of the American Revolution will welcome visitors to tour the tents while explaining how the original artifact, which is on permanent display at the Museum in historic Philadelphia, was used by Washington.

Washington's Headquarters will offer additional programming including: professional reenactors General George Washington and Martha Washington as portrayed by John Koopman III and Sandy Spector; Hasbrouck house tours to see how this family home was transformed into the longest headquarters of the war; and exhibits about "General Washington's Life and Legacy," the "Defense of the Hudson," the preservation of the site and a display of over 1,300 museum objects. View military drills and learn about camp life with reenactment regiments including the experiences of Revolutionary War soldiers of African descent as portrayed by the Living History Company. Speak with historic site staff from across the state to learn about their plans for the Semiquincentennial.

The First Oval Office Project event is free and open to the public on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 11am to 5pm and Sunday, Sept. 22 from 1pm to 5pm. Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site is located at 84 Liberty St. in Newburgh, NY. For more information call 845-562-1195 or visit www.parks.ny.gov.

This program is possible due to the support from our partners: the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Museum of the American Revolution, Palisades Interstate Park Commission, G.A. Doering Foundation, New York State Daughters of the American Revolution, Friends of the State Historic Sites of the Hudson Highlands, Hudson River Valley Greenway, and the Palisades Parks Conservancy. Download a flyer from the bottom of this page.

Volunteer at Washington's Headquarters

Interested in HISTORY? Like working with PEOPLE? Enjoy working OUTDOORS? You may be interested in volunteering at Washington's Headquarters! For more information, please see the volunteer information document at the bottom of the page, or call (845) 562-1195.

Who Will Be the 2025 Martha Washington Woman of History? 
Each year, Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site selects a recipient for the Martha Washington Woman of History Award. This award is given to a woman who has distinguished herself in the field of Hudson Valley history. The award is presented at the Site's annual program, "The General's Lady," held in the spring, during Women's History Month.  Is there a woman from the local Hudson Valley area you feel deserves to be the 2025 recipient of this honor? If so, then nominate her!  Please download the Guidelines and Nomination Form at the bottom of the page, or call 845-562-1195 for more information.

Hours of Operation

  • Spring/Summer/Fall Hours: mid-April - October

    Wednesday - Saturday: 11 am - 5 pm
    Sunday: 1 pm -  5 pm

    School and group tours are welcome by appointment year round. For more information on our program offerings, please visit the "Education tab.

    Washington's Headquarters also offers special events and programs all year round. Keep an eye on the NYS Parks Event Calendar, or "like" us on Facebook.

  • Fall/Winter Hours: November - Mid-April

    Fridays and Saturdays, 11AM - 3PM.

    Tuesdays - Saturday by appointment


Fees & Rates

Most New York State Parks charge a vehicle use fee to enter the facility. Fees vary by location and season. A list of entry fees and other park use fees is available below. For fees not listed or to verify information, please contact the park directly.

The easy-to-use Empire Pass card is $80- and your key to all-season enjoyment with unlimited day-use entry at most facilities operated by State Parks and the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation including forests, beaches, trails and more. Purchase online or contact your favorite park for more information. Learn more about our Admission Programs including the Empire Pass.

Only Cash and Checks (payable to NYS Parks) Accepted

  • Tour Admission

  • Adult - $7
    Senior/Student - $5
    12 and under - Free

  • School Group and Prescheduled Group Admission
  • $5 per person (min. 10)
    Additional Talk - $2 each
    Talk ONLY - $5 per person (min. 10)
  • Outreach Programs (Off-site)
  • $5 per person
    (Note: May include additional travel fee depending on distance)


    For more information on special program offerings for both school and adult groups, please see the "Education" tab.
    For more information on tour offerings, please see the "Tours" tab.

Washington's Headquarters provides a variety of special program offerings appropriate for children to adults. These programs can be delivered on-site or can come to you as outreach programs. To learn more about what the site has to offer, and how to schedule your group, please click the links below

School Programs

Adult Programs

Acquired and opened by the State of New York in 1850, Washington's Headquarters, State Historic Site, is the first publicly owned and operated historic site in the Nation, a National Landmark, and a contributing property within Newburgh's 445-acre East End Historic District. From April 1782 to August 1783 General George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, made his headquarters and residence at Jonathan and Tryntje Hasbrouck family's fieldstone farmhouse in Newburgh. It was the longest he stayed at any headquarters throughout the 8 1/2 years of the Revolution. The Hasbrouck house is furnished to reflect Washington's stay and is open for guided tours. Here, the General, his wife Martha, officers, servants, and slaves lived and worked in close quarters, while a steady stream of guests met with the Washington's.

In the critical months that General George Washington spent at Newburgh, he made some of his most important contributions to shaping the American republic.

It was here that Washington:

  • Rejected the suggestion of an American monarchy.
  • Ended the Newburgh Conspiracy, preventing potential military control of the government.
  • Created the Badge of Military Merit, forerunner of the Purple Heart.
  • Circulated an influential letter to State Governors outlining the key principals he felt necessary for the new republic.
  • Announced the Cessation of Hostilities, which ended the fighting of the Revolutionary War.

Tours

Admission to Washington's Headquarters includes a guided tour of the historic Hasbrouck House, furnished to reflect its use as General Washington's Headquarters from April of 1782 to August of 1783, as well as self-guided access to the museum building, which includes two floors of exhibits.

Washington's Headquarters also offers group tours, school programs, and adult programs. For information on those offerings and how to schedule a group, visit the "Education" tab, or contact the site.

Tours are available by reservation. Please see the "Hours of Operation" tab for details. Please see the "Fees and Rates" Tab for admission information.

Reservations

Reservations are made by calling the site at (845) 562-1195 and speaking with a staff member who will assist you.


Sat 21 Sep
250th Anniversary the Revolutionary War
Saturday, September 21, 2024 11:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site
Join us for a special commemoraton of the Semiquincentennial (250th) of the American Revolution including: Museum of the American Revolution's First Oval Office Project. View replicas of the tents which served as General Washington's field office, sleeping quarters and mobile command center of the Continental Army between 1778 and 1783. Explore the tents and learn about different people of the time, and what their lives were like during this struggle for independence. Visit with General George Washington & Martha Washington, as portrayed by John Koopman III and Sandy Spector. View military drills and learn about camp life with reenactment regiments including the experiences of Revolutionary War soldiers of African descent as portrayed by the Living History Company. Speak with historic site staff from across the state to learn about their plans for the Semiquincentennial. FOR MORE INFORMATION : CALL (845) 562-1195
Sun 22 Sep
250th Anniversary the Revolutionary War
Sunday, September 22, 2024 01:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site
Join us for a special commemoraton of the Semiquincentennial (250th) of the American Revolution including: Museum of the American Revolution's First Oval Office Project. View replicas of the tents which served as General Washington's field office, sleeping quarters and mobile command center of the Continental Army between 1778 and 1783. Explore the tents and learn about different people of the time, and what their lives were like during this struggle for independence. Visit with General George Washington & Martha Washington, as portrayed by John Koopman III and Sandy Spector. View military drills and learn about camp life with reenactment regiments including the experiences of Revolutionary War soldiers of African descent as portrayed by the Living History Company. Speak with historic site staff from across the state to learn about their plans for the Semiquincentennial. FOR MORE INFORMATION : CALL (845) 562-1195
Sat 28 Sep
Kites Over the Hudson
Saturday, September 28, 2024 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site
FREE KITES to first 150 children 15 or under (Courtesy of Friends of the State Historic Sites of the Hudson Highlands.) Get a kite or bring your own, and fly it on the grand east lawn overlooking the Hudson River. Site Open 11 a.m. — 5 p.m. Explore the Museum's exhibits. Take a guided tour of historic Hasbrouck House, Washington's Newburgh Headquarters. (Tours of the Tower of Victory unavailable due to this event.) FREE ADMISSION ALL DAY thanks to Friends of the State Historic Sites of the Hudson Highlands. For more information call: (845) 562-1195
Sat 05 Oct
Inside the Army Kitchen
Saturday, October 5, 2024 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site
18th Century Cooking Demonstration! 2:00 P.M.—4:00 P.M. Stop by to learn about what the Continental Army soldiers ate and watch how it was prepared. While General Washington employed a cook, the average soldier had to cook for himself. With supplies limited and food seasonally based, meal preparation faced challenges. Staff will discuss foodways for both the military and civilians in 18th century New York, the difficulties the army faced in procurement of food, as well as demonstrate cooking techniques from the time period. Visit the Museum & Historic House Explore the Museum, with over 1,300 objects on display. Take a tour of the Hasbrouck house, the historic farmhouse used by General and Mrs. Washington, several of his aides, guards, and free and enslaved servants during the last 16 ½ months of the Revolutionary War. Museum open 11:00am—5:00pm Admission: Adults: $7, Seniors/Students: $5, Ages 12 or under: Free For information call (845) 562-1195.

Amenities Information

  • Amenities
  • Costumed Interpreters
  • Picnic Area (Accessible)
  • Tours (Accessible)
  • Visitor Center (Accessible)

Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Inside our Agency

Resources

News

Quick Links

Language Access