Washington’s Headquarters in Newburgh Hosts Free Presidents Day Weekend with Reenactors

Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site in Newburgh staged a three-day Presidents’ Day Weekend of living history and family programming as the city marked George Washington’s 294th birthday and the nation’s 250th anniversary. The event brought costumed interpreters and reenactor demonstrations to the site’s museum and grounds while the Hasbrouck House remains closed for restoration.

NYS Parks promoted the schedule and access for the public, saying, “The three-day event will be held February 14th, 15th and 16th, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm each day. Admission is free for all three days.” The site sits at the corner of Liberty and Washington Streets in Newburgh’s East End Historic District and is designated a registered National Historic Landmark.

Organizers noted the Hasbrouck House closure for restoration and confirmed alternate locations on site for programming: “While the Hasbrouck House, which Gen. Washington used as his headquarters, is closed for restoration, celebrations will be held in the site’s museum and on its grounds.” Washington’s Headquarters is administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and is one of 35 historic sites the agency oversees; it is also among 28 facilities administered by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission in New York and New Jersey.

Programming emphasized 18th-century military and domestic life. NYS Parks described the offerings plainly: “There will be reenactor demonstrations of 18th century military and camp life.” Visitors encountered named interpreters including John Koopman III portraying George Washington, Sandy Spector portraying Martha Washington, and Quinton Castle portraying Washington’s enslaved valet William Lee. The parks release said visitors could wish Washington a happy birthday and “talk about the war and domestic life” with those costumed interpreters.

Family activities ran each day during the noon-to-3 p.m. window. NYS Parks outlined the children’s crafts and play: “On Saturday and Sunday, kids can make a popsicle stick bird feeder to bring home, and on Monday there will be antique toys and games for kids to play with and learn about how children had fun during the 18th century.” The museum’s interpretive text highlights the site’s long stewardship, noting it opened as the nation’s first publicly-owned historic site on July 4, 1850 and that Washington used the house as headquarters for seventeen months, during which he declared the cessation of hostilities, rejected the idea of an American monarchy, ended the Newburgh Conspiracy, created the Badge of Military Merit, and circulated an influential letter to state governors.

On-site coverage was documented in a photo gallery published on February 14, which recorded remarks and reenactor activity during the first day of programming. Event information and public contacts remain available through New York State Parks and the Washington’s Headquarters Facebook page, and the event phone listed by organizers is (845) 562-1195 for further inquiries.