Spend an Appetizing Afternoon with George Washington at the Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage - June 4, 2017

Spend an Appetizing Afternoon with George Washington at the Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage
Sunday, June 4, 2017

On Sunday, June 4, from 1:00 – 4:00 pm, George Washington re-enactor Dave Emerson will speak at the Old Dutch Parsonage while Susan Plaisted gives a hands-on ice cream-making demonstration in the kitchen wing of the Wallace House historic site.

 Dave Emerson. Photo by Tim Griscom

In early June of 1789, George Washington took his leave of “Hope Farm,” home of the Wallace family, to resume his spring campaign against the British army. Step back in time, and come hear him speak at the Old Dutch Parsonage, where he goes to say goodbye to his good friend, the Reverend Jacob Hardenbergh. At the same time, in the kitchen of the Wallace House, historic foodways expert Susan Plaisted will give a hands-on demonstration of how ice cream – one of Washington’s favorite desserts – was made in the eighteenth century. Samples available for visitors. This event is suitable to all ages.

There is a $10 per-person fee to attend this program for adults, $5 dollars for children ages ten and under. Advance registration is recommended. Seatings to hear George Washington are at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 pm. To register, call 908-725-1015 or e-mail whouse3@verizon.net. Please register early, as seating is limited.

The Wallace House, built in 1776, served as George Washington’s winter headquarters during the Middlebrook Cantonment of 1778-1779. The house was the country residence of retired Philadelphia merchant John Wallace; Washington rented the use of half the house for himself and his staff and paid Wallace $1,000 for the use of his house and furniture. During his stay, the General hosted foreign dignitaries and planned strategies for the spring military campaign. The house is fully restored and furnished with period furniture.

The Old Dutch Parsonage was constructed in 1751, by the congregations of three local Dutch Reform Churches. The house was occupied by the Reverend John Frelinghuysen and his family until his death in 1754. His successor, the Reverend Jacob Hardenberg was the principal founder and first president of Queens College in New Brunswick, now Rutgers University.

Both sites are administered by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry, and are open to visitors Wednesday through Sunday. The Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage are both listed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places.

The parking lot entrance and interpretive center for the sites is located at 71 Somerset Street, Somerville, NJ. For directions and more information about the sites, visit www.wallacehouseassociation.org or call 908-725-1015.

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