Welcome to the Jacobus Vanderveer House & Museum, host to General Knox's Winter Headquarters during the Winter of 1778-1779.
Like Valley Forge (1777) and Morristown (1779), the Bedminster/Pluckemin area is rich in revolutionary war history. The Vanderveer House is the only remaining structure from the famed 1778/1779 winter Cantonment.
Supported by the non-profit organization, the Friends of the Vanderveer House welcome you to plan a visit, join our online communities, and enjoy the history of this treasured and historic venue.
Annual Report:
2012 Was A Great Year for the Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House
The past year brought unusual challenges and opportunities to the Jacobus Vanderveer House and the team of dedicated volunteers who work so hard to preserve and share the heritage of this special landmark. Just four weeks before our tenth anniversary Colonial Christmas celebration, Hurricane Sandy swept across New Jersey, causing enormous damage and disrupting our lives with power outages, blocked roadways and closed businesses.
Yet, thanks to your amazing efforts, generosity and commitment, our Colonial Christmas events opened, as planned, on November 30. Expanding this year to a second full weekend, the celebration included house tours, family activities, wonderful holiday decorations and a magnificent exhibition of paintings by noted American landscape artist John Phillip Osborne.
Commissioned Painting of General Henry Knox Unveiled at Vanderveer House's 10th Annual Colonial Christmas
A specially commissioned painting of General Henry Knox in command at the Pluckemin military cantonment – “General Knox at the Pluckemin Artillery Barracks, 1779” -- will be unveiled during the 10th Annual Colonial Christmas at Bedminster’s historic Jacobus Vanderveer House.
The painting, by noted American landscape artist John Phillip Osborne, will be among several Osborne paintings on exhibition during the annual show house and tour, which has been expanded to two weekends and will be open to the public 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday – November 30-December 2 and December 7-9.
Guests at this year’s “Savor the Season” Gala at Trump National Golf Course will raise their glasses to honorees Grania Allport, Ellen Vreeland, and Laurie Brueckner – the dream team who helped mastermind the preservation and rehabilitation of the Jacobus Vanderveer House, as well as its signature fundraising event, Colonial Christmas.
New Trails, Parking, And Entrance for Vanderveer House
It's been a change a long time in the making. Bedminster Township has worked to improve the area and make it safer by making parking more accessible when traveling to visit the Jacobus Vanderveer House.
Effective immediately, visitors now should pass by the Jacobus Vanderveer House and turn onto River Road entering River Road Park.
Virtual 3D Computer Model Showcases the Lost Pluckemin Artillery Academy
History Meets High Technology - As part of our ongoing charter, the Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House have leveraged research and technology to create the first virtual representation of the 1778-1779 Winter Encampment of the Revolutionary War colonial artillery, known as the Pluckemin Artillery Cantonment.
Take a virtual ariel tour of one of America's greatest revolutionary war sites - America's First military academy.
IMAGE: The Pluckemin Academy of 1779 - The initial Pluckemin 3D Virtual Model was unveiled at the JVH in April 2012.
The Pluckemin Artillery Park &
America's First Military Academy
The
Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House have been undertaking a
monumental task alongside the Bedminster Township
with recognizing the Pluckemin Artillery
Cantonment as a National Historical Site.
Before West Point ....there
was Pluckemin; America's first artillery training facility.
Learn more about what's happening with this historic effort. For additional news and press releases
please Click Here
The Jacobus Vanderveer House & Museum is now open to the public every month on the 2nd Sunday, from 1-4pm.
Visit our new YouTube Channel
Click the cannon to learn about one of the greatest little known revolutionary war stories - The Artillery Park at Pluckemin ...more
Tale of Vanderveer Niece
Recaptures Tragic Story ...more
The Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House (JVH) is a 501 c3 non profit organization.
Located on the Southbound side of Route 202/206 in Bedminster Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, the Jacobus Vanderveer house is situated on part of the 218 acres that make up River Road Park.
The Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House received
an operating support grant from the New
Jersey Historical Commission, division of the Department
of State.
American Revolutionary War General
Henry Knox and his family resided at the Jacobus Vanderveer
House during the winter of 1778-1779 while the general
commanded the Continental Artillery that was encamped nearby
in Pluckemin.
The Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House welcome everyone to visit the Vanderveer House and participate in our programs and activities, regardless of race, color, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, national origin, or religious or political affiliation. We encourage individuals who have special needs due to a disability to contact us for assistance in arranging reasonable accommodations for participation in our programming.
The past year brought unusual challenges and opportunities to the Jacobus Vanderveer House and the team of dedicated volunteers who work so hard to preserve and share the heritage of this special landmark. Just four weeks before our tenth anniversary Colonial Christmas celebration, Hurricane Sandy swept across New Jersey, causing enormous damage and disrupting our lives with power outages, blocked roadways and closed businesses.
Guests at this year’s “Savor the Season” Gala at Trump National Golf Course will raise their glasses to honorees Grania Allport, Ellen Vreeland, and Laurie Brueckner – the dream team who helped mastermind the preservation and rehabilitation of the Jacobus Vanderveer House, as well as its signature fundraising event, 
New Trails, Parking, And Entrance for Vanderveer House 
American Revolutionary War General
Henry Knox and his family resided at the Jacobus Vanderveer
House during the winter of 1778-1779 while the general
commanded the Continental Artillery that was encamped nearby
in Pluckemin. 
Jacobus
Vanderveer House
