Rockingham offers a wide variety of programs throughout the year. Our largest annual events are the Holiday Candlelight Tour in early December and Children's Day in early May, both presented with the help of the volunteers from The Rockingham Association and the Montgomery High School Live Historians.

CELEBRATE THE 225TH ANNIVERSARY OF GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON'S RESIDENCE AT ROCKINGHAM IN 1783. Mark your calendars now!!!

August through November 2008
Representatives from the Kingston and Rocky Hill Post Offices will attend four of the events to  hand cancel mail containing commemorative stamps. Following the four programs, stamp cancellations will continue at the respective post offices for about one month.  To learn more, download and print the Custom Stamp Cancellations flyer.

 


"Receiving the Commander in Chief"
General Washington Arrives "Near Rocky Hill," 1783
Saturday & Sunday, August 23 & 24, 2008, all day.
Rockingham Historic Site, Kingston, NJ

General George Washington and entourage arrives at Rockingham on Saturday, the 225th anniversary of the day he originally arrived, greeted by Mrs. Berrien, owner of the property, and local citizens in a formal arrival ceremony. His accompanying guard of dragoons, von Heers’ Marechausee will be encamping for the weekend while the General is in residence at the house, with various activities presented throughout the two days. $5.00 donation appreciated.

Saturday Events

  • 10 AM to 5 PM - Rockingham grounds will be open
  • 11 AM - Arrival Ceremony followed by refreshments
    General Washington along with von Heer mounted escorts arrive at Rockingham house and will be greeted by Mrs. Berrien.  The General will greet the public and make brief remarks outside the house.
  • Early afternoon - Demonstration by von Heer's dragoons
  • Mid-afternoon - Reenactment of an officers' dinner under the marquee (tent).
    Discussion of current affairs will engage the public.
  • 12 Noon to 2 PM and 3:30 PM to 4:45 PM - General Washington will be in residence in the upstairs study.
  • 1 PM to 3 PM Custom Stamp Cancellations, and continues at the Rocky Hill Post Office until September 22. 
    Regular tours will be suspended, however, the public may visit with the general on an ongoing basis (subject to tour size limitations). 

Sunday Events

  • 12 PM to 4 PM - Rockingham grounds will be open
  • Early afternoon - Demonstration by von Heer's dragoons
  • Mid-afternoon - Reenactment of an officers' dinner under the marquee (tent).
    Discussion of current affairs will engage the public.
  • 12 Noon to 2 PM - General Washington will be in residence in the upstairs study. 
    Regular tours will be suspended, however, the public may visit with the general on an ongoing basis (subject to tour size limitations). 

 



"In Whatever Situation I May Be"
Martha Washington, General’s Wife at Rockingham
Presenter: Pat Jordan, American Historical Theatre
Sunday, September 7, 2008, 3:00 pm.
Rocky Hill First Reformed Church, Rocky Hill, NJ

Custom Stamp Cancellations available by the Kingston Post Office, 2 PM to 3 PM and continues at the post office until October 7.

Martha Washington, wife of the General, accompanied him throughout much of the Revolutionary War and came with him to Rockingham. Pat Jordan portrays Mrs. Washington, the General’s closest confidant and helpmate and talks about being the wife of the Commander-in-Chief.  $5.00 entrance fee.



"Never Rise to Speak Till You Have Something to Say"
Meet Rev. John Witherspoon
Presenter: George Luck
Saturday, September 20, 2008, 2:00 pm.
Kingston Presbyterian Church, Kingston, NJ
 

The Reverend Doctor John Witherspoon was a delegate to the Continental Congress from New Jersey and signer of the Declaration of Independence. George Luck, local resident, portrays him, reciting excerpts from one of his sermons and talking about his life as a Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) minister, president of the College of New Jersey (Princeton University) and NJ legislator. $5.00 donation appreciated.



Music for the Washingtons
Performers: Practitioners of Musick
Saturday, October 18, 2008, 2:00 pm.
Rocky Hill First Reformed Church, Rocky Hill, NJ

Custom Stamp Cancellations by the Kingston Post Office available 1 PM to 2 PM and continues at the post office until November 17. 

Practitioners of Musick are not just musicians, they are scholars who meticulously research the music and the instruments they play. During this performance, they will be presenting 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.  $5.00 entrance fee.



"The Curtain of Separation Will Soon be Drawn"
The General Takes His Leave, Rockingham 1783
Saturday & Sunday, November 8 & 9, 2008
All day
Rockingham, Kingston, NJ


Von Heer's Marechausee is encamped once more, guarding General Washington in his final days at Rockingham. On Sunday, the General will take 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. $5.00 donation appreciated.

Sunday, November 9, Custom Stamp Cancellations available by the Rocky Hill Post Office from 11 AM to 1 PM and continues at the post office until December 9.

Princeton 1783

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




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Other programs focus on various aspects of Colonial life and may be more appropriate for adults only or may be of interest to children as well. Recent events have included:

    a workshop "From Fleece to Wool and Flax to Linen",  explaining harvesting, preparing and spinning sheep's wool and flax in the 18th century; attendees were given the chance to card wool and spin yarn on a drop spindle.

    a celebration of George Washington's 275th birthday.  Director Lisa Flick designed an afternoon of special Washington themed tours and trivia questions for which visitors--adult and children alike--could win prizes.  Special birthday tri-corner hats, Washington cake and punch were provided to all those who attended.

    "Anatomy of a Death: Death and Dying in the 18th Century", held twice in six months because of its popularity. Volunteer actors re-enacted the activities which occurred after a death in the colonial period. Participants then followed a trail along the Delaware and Raritan Canal to the Kingston Presbyterian Church Cemetery for a tour of the gravestones there.

    entertainment by The Practioners in Musick with English flute and harpsichord.

    reenactments of the Berrien family and Revolutionary War artillery units

Please check the website regularly for announcements of future events and programs.

 

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History to Go!  

The Children's Museum at Rockingham sponsors an outreach history project: History to Go!. This program is an opportunity for your groups to prepare to come to Rockingham, or to have Rockingham come to them! This program enables groups to see and use some of the most popular items from our Children's Museum in the convenience of their own classroom, living room or civic center.

How did this program begin?

Rockingham, with the support of the New Jersey State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, realized that many people of all walks are interested in learning about American History. The most effective way of teaching is a "hands-on" approach where one can touch items, play games, and try on clothing from Colonial times. Rockingham wanted a program that would be available to all, regardless of their ability to come to our historic site. The program has been extremely beneficial during the site's closing.

Who can use this program?

Anyone who wants to learn! Classroom groups that are planning to come to Rockingham while studying the Revolutionary War may use History to Go! In preparation for their visit. Other schools who are unable to come to Rockingham may want to use this project to supplement textbook explanations of the Colonial period. Scout troops, church groups, community centers, clubs, families, or home school organizations and all interested parties are encouraged to contact the site office for further information.

What is included in the project?

That depends on your group. The basic program consists of lesson plans, a video about George Washington and Rockingham, recipes, four complete children's costumes, accessories, hats, personal items, games, and craft projects all housed in three baskets. Optional features that require a charge include sugar loaves ($3.00 per loaf), quill pens with ink ($2.00 per pen), sealing wax and stamps. These items must be ordered in advance..

What is the fee for?

There is a $35 fee for this program, to be paid at the time the baskets are picked up.

To Reserve the Program:

Call the Office (609) 683-7132 when the site is open to arrange a time to see the baskets and contents. We will help you to tailor the program to the needs of your group!

Or write:

Rockingham State Historic Site
P.O. Box 496
Kingston, NJ 08528

This program was made possible by a generous donation of the New Jersey State Society of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Children of the American Revolution, Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission, and Forbes Newspapers.