Dey Mansion
199 Totowa Road
Wayne, NJ 07470
(973) 696-1776
Official Website

This stately Georgian manor house was built in the 1740s by Dirck Dey, whose son, Theunis, went on to become a Colonel of the Bergen County Militia during the Revolutionary War.

With New York City in British hands, General George Washington chose the strategic Preakness Valley as the encampment for his army from July 1 to July 29, 1780 and established his headquarters at Dey Mansion.

Many famous men passed through the doors of this house, including Nathaniel Greene, Alexander Hamilton, Marquis de Lafeyette, Lord Stirling, and Anthony Wayne.

Today the house is owned and operated as a museum by Passaic County. The two-acre site includes several replica outbuildings, including a Blacksmith Shop and Plantation House which are open for special programming. A formal garden and herb and vegetable gardens add to the beauty of the place, providing a pleasant visit for individuals, families and groups.

Several distinguished Revolutionary War organizations meet here, and the site is also the home of the Bergen County Militia, a re-enactment group dedicated to the recreation of the military life of the War.

To tour the house is to step back in time. Period furnishings give visitors a glimpse of life during this most important era. It's an interesting visit for people of all ages.

While there are no formal school programs, the Museum does offer pre- and post-visit materials to help teachers and students get the most out of a guided tour.