About the Friends of Washington Crossing Park

In the fall of 2009, budget cuts to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission forced the closure of Washington Crossing Historic Park to the public. Interpretive tours of the park’s historic buildings ceased. Bowman’s Hill Tower was shuttered. And the reenactment of George Washington’s Christmas Day Crossing of the Delaware River – held without interruption since the 1950s – was threatened with cancellation.

Into this situation stepped a group of Bucks County citizens determined to save the Crossing. Together with others, this group mobilized the community, organized a fundraiser and successfully held the 2009 crossing.

Fortunately, the story didn’t end there.

Today, that initial group of citizens has formalized itself as the non-profit Friends of Washington Crossing Park.

In partnership with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Friends offer guided interpretive tours and educational programming in the park. The group also holds a number of annual events, including the Crossing dress rehearsal and Christmas Day Crossing, General Washington’s birthday celebration, sheep shearing at the Thompson-Neely House, Memorial Day and Independence Day commemorations, a fall harvest day, several fundraisers and more.

Mission

The Friends of Washington Crossing Park shares the powerful story of General George Washington’s daring crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Night 1776 and interprets its ongoing impact on world history for both today’s citizens and future generations. Through the fundraising and the generous support of our donors and members, we are able to maintain and sustain this significant historic site and welcome thousands of schoolchildren, families, individuals and groups every year.

Join the Friends

Become a member of the non-profit Friends of Washington Crossing Park. Memberships are valid from April 1 through March 31 each year and must be renewed annually.