This website (
visit link) has a brief history of the building, informing us:
"The Staats House is important as a fine example of architecture and for its role in the American Revolution as the headquarters of General von Steuben during the second Middlebrook Encampment (1779). It is one of the finest surviving buildings from the Dutch Settlement of the Raritan Valley in the 18th century. Over the centuries the house grew and also includes a fine late Federal/Greek Revival two story addition.
The Borough of South Bound Brook acquired the Staats House in 1999 and gave the previous owner life tenancy. With foresight and through thoughtful negotiation, the Borough has insured that this important site will remain in the public domain.
HBA was retained to prepare a Historic Structure Report. In addition, a National Register nomination was proposed as part of the project."
This website (
visit link) has a more complete history including that the
"...home served as
headquarters for the Baron Frederick William von Steuben,
a Prussian officer who was known as the “Drillmaster of
the American Revolution.” He and his military entourage
stayed in the Staats’ home from March to June when
General George Washington quartered his troops at second
time at Middlebrook, during the cantonment of 1778-79.
While at the Staats, von Steuben continued to drill the
American troops, furthering his goal to transform them
into a more disciplined fighting force.
Around May 1, 1779, von Steuben hosted a military
review for General George Washington and the visiting
French minister to America, Conrad Gerard, as well as the
Spanish emissary, Don Juan de Miralles. Afterwards, about
60 American officers joined von Steuben for “a banquet
under the trees,” served in a large tent in a grove near the
Staats house. Among those present were Generals
Washington and Knox, Nathaniel Greene, the army’s
quartermaster; Lord Stirling; and Washington’s aides
Alexander Hamilton and Tench Tilghman.
Also in the Staats household at that time was Jack, one of
the slaves owned by the Staats. Today, Jack is remembered as
“Tory Jack,” as part of a local legend that he may have
helped gather information about British troops quartered in
nearby New Brunswick."
South Bound Brook does an annual reenactment at the home. See (
visit link)
The date of construction listed below is an estimate.