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Major work was needed to restore the Dey Mansion. Overall approximately $1.5 million was spent to bring the mansion to its former glory.
The Dey Mansion was designated as a historical landmark as it was the location of General George Washington's military headquarters during the Revolutionary War in 1780. The Mansion is also noted as being the place where the investigation of Benedict Arnold took place, and was the location where George Washington first learned of his betrayal.
The restoration of the Dey Mansion included repairs to the roof, rot treatment and reinforcement of the roof and floors, repairs to the shutters and window replacement, and installation of a retaining wall to preserve the archaeologically sensitive ground.
The Dey Mansion is now conducting tours and is open to the public. For more information about it, including the tour schedule, click here.
The award from the Historic Trusts comes on the heels of a tourism impact study from VisitNJ that shows Passaic County has the fastest growing tourism industry in the state. The study also led the Freeholders to create the Department of Cultural and Historic Affairs, in order to maintain this growth.
"We have been investing in historical and other attractions in Passaic County," said Freeholder Director Theodore "T.J." Best. "The Board decided to create the Department of Cultural and Historic Affairs in order to preserve the county's growing tourism industry. Receiving this award affirms the historic and economic value of the Dey Mansion."
The duties of the Department of Cultural and Historic Affairs include oversight of all county historic landmarks, development of a yearly schedule of events that promote tourism, marketing for these sites, and service as a liaison to state and federal government.
In June, the Passaic County Improvement Authority plans to launch a website dedicated to Passaic County tourism. It will focus both on the tourist attractions in Passaic County, as well as surrounding businesses such as hotels and restaurants.
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