From 1776 to 1783, the site of the Northern Department Supply Depot at Fishkill, New York, was a place where brave souls passed through, served, and died. In adjoining fields, barracks were built by Gen. Gates under orders of George Washington to accommodate an encampment of over 2000 soldiers. The Van Wyck home served as Army Headquarters for Gen. Gates, Gen. Putnam, and Col. Hay, and frequent meetings were held there by Lafayette, Von Steuben, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and other patriots.