The Long Room

“With a heart full of love and gratitude I now take leave of you.”

 

On the second floor of 54 Pearl Street is the Long Room. It is the site of General George Washington’s famous farewell to his officers at the end of the Revolution. This period room is a re-creation of an 18th century public dining room based on extensive research of inventories and estates of tavern keepers during this period.

Washington’s farewell to his generals who survived the war was an emotionally charged address. In attendance was Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge, who described the event many years later in his memoirs, “With a heart full of love and gratitude I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable.” The memoir is currently on view in McEntee Gallery.

Thanks to support from our generous donors including the John Ben Snow Memorial Trust, the Long Room has been made more immersive, historically accurate and accessible to the public in recent years.

SEE THE EXHIBITION: Included in regular admission price. Become a Museum Member and visit this exhibition for free!

EXPLORE: The Long Room Archive and the Long Room Digital Collection.