A New Jersey mansion served as George Washington's headquarters during the Revolutionary War. Take a look inside.

George Washington used the Dey mansion as his headquarters during the Revolutionary War.

James LaForge/Business Insider

When Americans picture the Revolutionary War, they might conjure up heroic images of George Washington and his troops crossing the Delaware or fighting on the battlefield.For much of the war, however, Washington and his officers were unceremoniously holed up in people's living rooms, parlors, and libraries.Washington's camps in private homes proved to be crucial to the war effort, allowing him to conduct business and develop strategy in safety and privacy.In the summer of 1780, five years into the war, the Continental Army was struggling. Looking for a place to set up a base camp, Washington sent a letter to Theunis Dey, a wealthy New Jersey landowner and militiaman, asking for permission to use his 600-acre-property.Dey granted Washington's request, and the Dey family hosted Washington and his men for a total of three months — first in July 1780, and then again in October and November.The property, known as the Dey Mansion, is located in Wayne, New Jersey, and still stands today, under county ownership. While the furniture and decor aren't original to the mansion, visitors can see the exact rooms where Washington and his officers stayed.In May, I toured the mansion and stood where Washington commanded the Continental Army and held meetings that would decide the fate of the Revolution.See inside the 18th-century mansion.