The Magic Pen: A Dey Mansion Comic Adventure
The Magic Pen is a vibrant, student-friendly comic book designed for readers ages 8–12. Blending history and imagination, this story follows two curious students who discover a quill pen inside the historic Dey Mansion and are suddenly transported back to 1780; right into the heart of the American Revolution.
As they explore the mansion-turned-headquarters of General George Washington, the children meet the Dey family, observe wartime planning, and encounter Filis, an enslaved girl whose story reveals a deeper truth about liberty and whose voice deserves to be remembered.
Full of adventure, emotional insight, and historically grounded details, The Magic Pen invites young readers to see history not just as a series of dates, but as lived experiences.
Copies of The Magic Pen can be purchased at the Dey Mansion Gift Shop.
Aimed Towards Educators
The Magic Pen is a student-friendly comic book for grades 3–6 that connects New Jersey students to their local Revolutionary War history. Set at the real-life Dey Mansion in Wayne, this engaging story follows two modern kids who time-travel to 1780, where they meet George Washington, the Dey family, and an enslaved girl named Filis. Perfect for classroom use or to pair with field trips, this resource encourages critical thinking about liberty, justice, and New Jersey’s role in the American Revolution.
Download the Educator’s Guide to The Magic PenEducator Tour Ticket
Are you a Teacher, Home School Educator, Scout leader, or a representative of a Parent Teacher Organization interested in learning more about how the Dey Mansion Washington’s Headquarters can enhance your classroom/scout group learning experience? Take a tour on us!
Our Educator Tour Ticket grants individuals one free admission to tour the Dey Mansion and to speak with our staff about the different types of programs we offer. If you are interested in taking advantage of our Educator Tour Ticket, please email deymansion@passaiccountynj.org or call our office at 973-976-6640 to reserve a tour date/time.
Education Resources
Slideshow: Soldiers of the American Revolution