Wallace House (Somerville, New Jersey) facts for kids
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Wallace House
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Wallace House, 2018
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 Wallace House
Location in Somerset County, New Jersey
Wallace House
Location in New Jersey
Wallace House
Location in the United States
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| Location | 38 Washington Place Parking: 71 Somerset Street Somerville, New Jersey |
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| Area | 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) |
| Built | 1776 |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000395 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 2, 1970 |
The Wallace House is a very old and important house in Somerville, New Jersey. It is built in a beautiful style called Georgian. This historic house became famous because General George Washington used it as his main office. This was during the American Revolutionary War, specifically in the winter of 1778-1779. At that time, Washington's army was camped nearby. The Wallace House is located in Somerset County, New Jersey. It was added to a special list of historic places, the National Register of Historic Places, on December 2, 1970.
The Story of Wallace House
The land where the Wallace House stands was once owned by a minister named Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh. He sold a small farmhouse and about 95 acres of land to a man named John Wallace. John Wallace was a merchant who imported fabrics in Philadelphia.
In 1775 and 1776, John Wallace bought 12 more acres of land. Then, in 1776, he built a large, eight-room mansion next to the farmhouse. This new house was built in the Georgian style. Wallace named his new home "Hope Farm." He planned to retire there and live a peaceful life.
Washington's Headquarters
During the winter of 1778-1779, the Continental Army set up camp in the Watchung Mountains. This camp, known as the second Middlebrook encampment, was about 3 miles from Hope Farm. Because of its good location, the Wallace House became George Washington's headquarters.
Washington first stayed there for only 11 days. He then left to attend the Continental Congress in Philadelphia for six weeks. He returned in February 1779, bringing his wife, Martha Washington, with him. The Washingtons used half of the house during their stay.
General Washington used the house for many important activities. He hosted important visitors from other countries. He also held official dinners and planned military strategies there. One major plan he made at the Wallace House was for the 1779 campaign. This campaign was against the Iroquois League, and it is known as the Sullivan Expedition. Many important people visited Washington at the Wallace House. These guests included Benedict Arnold, Nathanael Greene, Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox, and Baron Steuben.
Washington left the Wallace House on June 3, 1779. He paid John Wallace $1,000 for using his home. After Washington left, the Wallace family and the enslaved people who lived with them returned to their normal lives in the house.
Later Owners
John Wallace, his wife, and his mother-in-law all passed away between 1783 and 1784. His youngest son, William, inherited Hope Farm. William lived in the house until he died at age 33 in 1796. He left behind three children who were orphans.
William's brother, Joshua, took care of the children. In 1801, Joshua sold Hope Farm to Dickinson Miller.
Much later, in 1896, a group called the Revolutionary Memorial Society bought the house. They took care of it until 1947. In that year, they gave the Wallace House to the State of New Jersey. Today, it is a historic site that people can visit.
Other Cool Places to See
If you are interested in the Wallace House, you might also like to learn about these places:
- List of museums in New Jersey
- List of Washington's Headquarters during the Revolutionary War
- Other houses used as headquarters during the second Middlebrook encampment (1778–79):
- Van Veghten House – This was General Nathanael Greene's headquarters.
- Van Horne House – This was General William Alexander, Lord Stirling's headquarters.
- Staats House – This was General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben's headquarters.
- Jacobus Vanderveer House – This was General Henry Knox's headquarters.
