Portfolio
All items on this website, whether from the Living History Shop catalog or reproduced with cooperation from the Smithsonian and Mt. Vernon, are part of the extensive collection of Washington's field furnishings created for Rockingham Historic Site in 2005-2006.
The Princeton homestead named Rockingham served as General George Washington's final headquarters during the American Revolution. It was here he awaited the Treaty of Paris, the official paperwork that would end the war and give America formal sovereignty.
The State of New Jersey commissioned the Living History Shop, in cooperation with the Smithsonian and Mt. Vernon, to reproduce many of Washington's personal campaign furnishings for Rockingham.
Click images to enlarge.
Washington Writing Case on folding walnut Chippendale style table with drawer. Washington's writing case carried letter writing supplies. Duplicated from original at Smithsonian. Leather work by Frank Willis, brass locks and case by Richard S. Toone.
Washington Mess Kit (canteen) duplicated from original in the Smithsonian. Intricate and detailed construction including hand-blocked wallpaper, green felt lining, and intricate system of precisely fitted compartments.
Washington's four nested cooking pots with detachable handles. Mess kit (canteen) tinware by tinsmith, Carl Giordano.
George Washington's folding gridiron with telescoping handle. Forge work by blacksmith, Jeff Miller.
Mid 18th Century Delaware Valley design "Sawbuck" table. Dovetailed center drawer. Sturdy construction, featuring 1.25" thick pine top and poplar legs.
Washington's travel trunk in black leather duplicated by Steve Freede from original at Mt. Vernon with brass cartouche engraved "Genl Washington No.3".
Washington's travel trunk in black leather duplicated by Steve Freede from original at Mt. Vernon with brass cartouche engraved "Genl Washington No.3".
Geo Washington large faux grain shipping chest from original at Mt. Vernon.
Wood joints and assembly are individually fitted. Fit and finish are appropriate to the piece and its use today. Jackplane smoothing marks and scribe lines are visible on exposed surfaces. Hand-forged iron fastenings and handles are used. Authenticated period colors cover painted pieces.
One of two walnut Chippendale Side Chairs duplicated from original set of four at Rockingham site.
Plunket Fleeson of Philadelphia supplied Washington with 18 walnut camp stools as part of a large order, including his tentage, in 1776. Duplicated from original in the Smithsonian.
George Washington's folding field bedstead in walnut wood, with hand sewn hemp canvas foundation, interpreted from multiple researched sources including observation of the original at Mt. Vernon.
Shaving Box used by George Washington that carried seven daily straight razors in mahogany wood, silk lined. Duplicated from original in Mt. Vernon.
A portion of the duplicated George Washington collection: Folding Stools, Sawbuck Table, Chippendale Table, and Dovetailed Shipping Crates with hand-blown glass bottles.
The FINAL HEADQUARTERS: ROCKINGHAM project by the LIVING HISTORY SHOP, 2006, installed at Rockingham in Kingston New Jersey, was made possible by the Public Buildings Arts Inclusion Act of 1978.
The Arts Inclusion program is administered by the NEW JERSEY STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS.
Funding for this project was provided by the NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION and admisistered by the NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & CONSTRUCTION.
Organizations involved in this project include:
Rockingham Historic Site
Smithsonian
Mt. Vernon
Artisans:
Carl Giordano, Tinsmith
Steve & Katie Freede, The Trunk Shoppe
Jeff Miller, Flintlock Forge
John Pierce & Dave Byerly, P&B Glassworks
Frank Willis
Tricia & Rick Toone, Art
