Knox's Headquarters State Historic Site facts for kids
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Knox Headquarters
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The Ellison House at Knox's Headquarter's State Historic Site in New Windsor, NY
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| Location | Vails Gate, NY |
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| Nearest city | Newburgh |
| Built | 1755 |
| Architect | William Bull |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000901 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 9, 1972 |
| Designated NHL | November 28, 1972 |
Knox's Headquarters State Historic Site is a special place in New Windsor, Orange County, New York. It features the old Ellison family house, built in 1754. This house is a great example of Georgian architecture, a popular style back then.
The site is on Old Forge Hill Road, near Vails Gate. It's most famous for being the headquarters of Henry Knox. He was an important general during the American Revolutionary War.
But General Knox wasn't the only one to use this house. Other generals like Nathanael Greene and Horatio Gates also stayed here. They used it as their headquarters for much of the war.
In 1972, this site was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a very important place in American history. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation owns the site. The Palisades Interstate Park Commission helps manage it.
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What Can You Do at Knox's Headquarters?
Today, you can visit the Ellison House when the site is open. Tours teach visitors about life in the 1700s. You can learn how families like the Ellisons lived every day.
Special Events and Reenactments
On holidays and special days, staff dress up in old-fashioned clothes. They show what life was like long ago. Staff dressed as soldiers from the 2nd Continental Artillery often show how cannons were used. This is because General Knox was famous for leading the army's cannons.
A Storybook Setting
The house and its grounds were even part of a children's book! The book is called Buried Treasure (1919). It's a haunted-house story written by Henry Everett McNeil. He was a very popular children's author. The book even has pictures taken by McNeil himself around 1911 or 1912. These pictures show the buildings and a bridge at the site.
The Jane Colden Plant Sanctuary
Near the headquarters, you can find the Jane Colden Plant Sanctuary. It's along some trails in the nearby woods. This area honors America's first female botanist. She was a scientist who studied plants. Jane Colden also lived in this area a long time ago.
See also
