Rev War  |  Historic Site

Wallace House

38 Washington Place
Somerville, NJ 08876
United States

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Exterior of the Wallace House

 

The Wallace House is an eight-room Georgian-style residence constructed in 1776 by John Wallace, a prosperous Philadelphia fabric merchant. Originally called “Hope Farm,” the home was selected by General George Washington as his headquarters during the second Middlebrook encampment, from December 1778 to June 1779. Washington briefly departed for the Continental Congress in Philadelphia but returned in February 1779 with his wife, Martha. It was during this period that Washington planned the Sullivan Campaign, a critical military effort against the Iroquois Confederacy, aimed at dismantling their alliance with the British. The house served as a hub of activity, hosting notable guests such as General Henry Knox, Baron von Steuben, Alexander Hamilton, Benedict Arnold, and Lord and Lady Stirling.

Today, the Wallace House is owned by the State of New Jersey and has been preserved as a historic house museum for more than a century. The building has undergone restoration to maintain its 18th-century appearance and interpret its significance during the Revolutionary War. Operated in cooperation with the Friends of the Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage Association, the site offers visitors a glimpse into the wartime and domestic life of General Washington and his inner circle. Through tours and exhibits, the house highlights its role as both a military headquarters and a social center during a pivotal chapter of the Revolution.