Posted on 02/19/2007 1:56:51 PM PST by Coleus
Reenactors offering food to hungry "soldiers" and visitors at Dey mansion during re-creation of Colonial times. The mansion originally was home to Col. Theunis Dey, commander of the Bergen County Militia. |
No one seemed to care that George Washington slept here, but visitors walking through the Dey Mansion in Wayne on Sunday were impressed with the living-history display. More than a dozen volunteers were scattered throughout the three-story building, offering demonstrations of needlework, dancing, cooking over an open flame, woodcutting and even a doctor's duties in Revolutionary War days. The special programs were in celebration of Presidents' Day, and workers were expecting about 250 people to tour the original house of Col. Theunis Dey, who commanded the Bergen County Militia during the 1770s.
Steve Wolff, from Wayne, was one of the dozens who was at the house, on Totowa Road, Sunday morning. "This is an original and it's still here," Wolff said. "This house is as good as anything they have in Williamsburg, and it's terribly important we remember our history." Dey allowed Washington to use a section of the house for his headquarters in 1780. In recognition of the site's historical significance, militia reenactments were conducted throughout the day on the snow-covered lawn.
Fast facts The Dey Mansion, owned by the Passaic County Parks Commission, is surrounded by the county's golf course. Tours are available several days a week. Call 973-696-1776. |
Paul Doll, of Wayne, is a reenactor and is considered by many locals to be an expert on the Dey Mansion. He took two years to build a diorama of what the house and the hundreds of surrounding acres might have looked like when the army marched through the area. The sprawling display includes tents, where the soldiers most likely slept, as well as the pink brick main house and plantation office. It sits in the attic of the house, which also is open to the public. "I've been reenacting for over 25 years, and this is keeping up the legacy of what our forefathers did 225 years ago," Doll said as he pointed to the diorama. "It's celebrating our country's birthday -- it's our history."
Athenia Kiriakoulis, 4, was starting early on her history lesson. Her parents, Bill and Loreena, said the Totowa youngster learned a bit about Presidents' Day in preschool and was showing an interest in the subject. Both avid history buffs, they said they took the opportunity to teach her more about the subject. "We love to go to museums and want her to love it also," Bill Kiriakoulis said. "She got a kick out of the soldiers out front, watching the dancing and the simple dishes they have on display."
Those are my boys !!! I was going to fall in with them yesterday up at Dey Mansion but had to work on my house instead.
New Jersey Militia - Heard's Brigade HUZZZZZAH !!!!
Thanks Coleus.
I bet Alexander Hamilton was there too. Wayne borders Paterson to the North.
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