A Day Spent at the Dey Mansion 6.7.26
/Friends there is so much history right in my own backyard; after watching Washington on Netflix my husband suggested we visit the Dey Mansion in Wayne, NJ. because the Continental Army was headquartered there in 1780.
What a wonderful structure. The home dates back to 1770 with a large central hall running the length of the home.
Theunis and Hester Dey stayed in the house with 8 family members during July, October and November 1780 while the mansion and grounds served as General George Washington’s headquarters. Unlike most who vacated their properties when the Continental Army took up residence Theunis Dey being a Colonel in the Bergen County Militia needed to remain on site for that reason.
The family split the house offering General Washington, his 6 Aide de Camps and offices one side, while they remained on the other half. There were 3000 enlisted men in tents on the grounds.
General WAshington’s office and dining room
General Washington’s office and dining room are in the front of the house off the large central hall. The family used this room across from the General’s.
The Ladies Parlor
General Washington’s 6 Aides-de-Camp worked and lived in the first room shown adjacent to General Washington’s office and they also utilized Colonel Dey’s office.
the extra room for the Aides-de-camp
The Kitchen was not originally connected to the Mansion. The original burned down and was rebuilt in the 1930’s. You can see the view back into the house is the Aides-de-Camp room.
washington’s bedroom during his time at the mansion.
General Washington slept in Mr. and Mrs. Dey’s bedroom. The Dey’s moved across the hall and shared a bedroom with their two daughter-in-laws. The six grandchildren of varying ages shared a single bedroom.
the back entrance of the mansion and gardens
the blacksmith at work
Outbuildings and walled garden.
