Rockingham Historic Site

In the final months of the American Revolution, Rockingham served as General George Washington’s last wartime headquarters from late August to early November 1783. With Congress forced to relocate to Princeton due to unrest in Philadelphia, Washington was summoned to provide military support and oversee the transition to peacetime. During his stay, he frequently hosted key figures of the Revolution, including James Madison, Elias Boudinot, and Thomas Paine, while also maintaining correspondence with military leaders. It was at Rockingham that Washington composed his Farewell Orders to the Armies of the United States, a heartfelt address formally announcing his retirement from military service.

The most significant moment of Washington’s stay came on October 31, when he and Congress received word that the Treaty of Paris had been signed, officially ending the war. This marked the final step in securing American independence, and within days, Washington departed Rockingham to oversee the disbandment of the Continental Army. His journey from Rockingham led him to New York for the British evacuation and then to Annapolis, where he resigned his commission—one of the most pivotal acts in establishing the new republic. Today, Rockingham stands as a testament to this crucial period, preserving the legacy of Washington’s leadership at the close of the Revolution.