The Jacobus Vanderveer House is situated on part of the 218 acres (0.88 km2) that make up River Road Park.

The house is notable as being the headquarters for General Henry Knox during the second Middlebrook encampment during the Revolutionary War (1778–79).

[3] Knox was in command of the Continental Army Artillery Cantonment, what is now known as America's first military training academy, the forerunner to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Each year, the Jacobus Vanderveer House hosts a "colonial christmas" event to raise funds for the ongoing maintenance and preservation of the historic site.

The event includes tree-lighting ceremony, traditional christmas decorations and other festivities.