Frequently overlooked in the great sweep of history as being the central battleground of the American Revolution, the Hudson Valley determined the success or failure of the Colonial States in their quest for independence from Great Britain. Strategically, the Hudson River was the only navigable river into the interior of the continent and its location empowered whoever controlled it to either allow or prevent commerce between the northern Colonies and those in the south. Should the British have been able to gain control of the Hudson, the outcome of the war would surely have been different.

And the British spent great time, effort and resources attempting to gain control of the mighty Hudson River just so they could control the commercial trade routes between north and south. Their first act in the war was to take Manhattan and drive General Washington and his continental troups north chasing them up to White Plains and forcing them across the river. In a massive effort, they then descended south from Canada under the command of Gen. Burguoyne, down through Lake Champlain, down the Hudson battling the colonists at every turn. Finally at Saratoga, Burguoyne lost his momentum and was defeated and captured, bringing the battle over the northern Hudson to a close.

Throughout the war, various fortifications and sites in Orange County were pivotal in the efforts of Washington and his troops to stay the British and prevent them from coming up into the Hudson Valley. Chief among these locations was West Point, site of the major fortifications along the Hudson and commanded by Benedict Arnold. Washington himself spent more time in the Hudson Valley and Orange County than any other location in the colonies during the war years. And as the war drew to a close, it was Orange County that Washington chose as his last staging ground for his troops and his entorage to insure the British didn't attempt a run up the Hudson before the final treaties could be signed.

Orange County is rich in Revolutionary sites ranging from the mundane of camp life for enlisted men right up Washington's final residence prior to his resigning from the Continental Army. As individual places, they do not overwhelm the visitor with their grandeur or the role they played in the struggle for independence. Collectively, they should overwhelm the visitor in significance to their daily lives and how different America would be today were it not for the foresight, diligence and sacrifice made to hold and defend these places in Orange County.

Washington's Headquarters

In this modest even then antique stone Dutch farmhouse overlooking the Hudson River, General George Washington established his final Field Command Headquarters after his glorious campaign defeating Cornwallis. He quickly returned to the Hudson Valley after Yorktown because the primary British stronghold in America, Manhattan, still contained tens of thousands of British troops and a harbor full of British Frigates and Battleships.

The central command of the British Forces was housed and maintained in Manhattan, making the necessity of keeping them trapped in Manhattan vital in forcing the final resolution to the war. The defeat of Cornwallis may have been the final turning point of the war making the defeat of the British inevitable, but it was General Washington and his campaign of containment and pressure exerted from Orange County and his headquarters in Newburgh that finally brought the war to its conclusion.

Washington brought his armies along with him back to Orange County and there they and he encamped for 18 long months while the Treaty of Paris was crafted and finally signed. From here, Washington left for New Windsor to address his troops and bid them farewell, and it was from here that he left for Manhattain where he resigned his commission and retired back into private life as a plain citizen.

Located at Washington's Headquarters is a museum filled with artifacts and information about Washington, his stay in Orange County and the course of the Revolution through the Hudson Valley. Events are held regularily to commemorate Washington and his wife Martha. Birthdays are celebrated and historical moments are commemorated in fun filled family friendly entertainments.

Washington's Headquarters is now located in a fairly tough section of Newburgh, so a certain amount of care is required when you plan your visit. Park close and make sure to lock your car not leaving anything of value obviously visible. The neighborhood is safe enough, but its general run down appearance might cause you some alarm. Common sense precautions are sufficient.