News and Events

The National Park Service recently awarded $61,995 to the Friends of Washington Crossing Park as part of the Historic Preservation Fund’s African American Civil Rights grant program. This program funds preservation projects and efforts of sites tied to the struggle of African Americans to gain equal rights. The Friends were one of only 37 projects nationally to be funded. The Friends’ grant will support in-depth research by a dedicated research fellow on African Americans who participated in and supported the Continental Army’s crossing of the Delaware River on December 25, 1776. This research will examine the “Ten Crucial Days” campaign, Read More

Washington Crossing Historic Park has seven new, reproduction tavern tables thanks to students in the Fine Woodworking program at the Bucks County Technical High School. The replica tables were delivered in late April and will be used in several of the park’s historic buildings. Scott Ribarchik, Fine Woodworking Instructor at the school, says the Friends of Washington Crossing Park approached him with the proposed project early in the New Year. “The tables we made were based on a replica table the park brought us,” he says. “Close to 50 students in our Fine Woodworking program worked on this project over a Read More

Volunteers are vital to the day-to-day operations of Washington Crossing Historic Park. From special event support to tours, education and reenactments, volunteers help us provide thousands of visitors each year with a truly special experience. Every April, in honor of National Volunteer Month, we recognize several individuals and organizations who have helped us deliver upon our mission over the past year. Please join us in celebrating our 2023 honorees: Volunteer of the Year – Mary Jane Beck Mary Jane Beck is an integral part of the park’s volunteer program, and her contributions are many. Throughout 2019, she ran the Toys Read More

  Colin Zimmerman recently started a new job as a Military Historian for the Friends of Washington Crossing Park, but he’s a familiar face around the park.   “I worked here from 2016 to 2018 as an historical interpreter, and I’m thrilled to be back in this newly created role,” Zimmerman says. “History started out as an interest for me, then turned into a hobby, and eventually became a passion. To me, history is the most fascinating thing in the world and this park is a national treasure.”       Zimmerman is currently in the final year of completing his doctoral degree Read More

  Fans of the park have been closely following the progress of the $8.7 million Capital Project to preserve 17 historic buildings and structures throughout the park. The year-and-a-half-long undertaking is now 99% complete and in mid-December the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the PA Department of General Services held a ribbon cutting to celebrate. The rehabilitation included the refurbishment of historically accurate roofs and new windows, plastering and painting exteriors, and internal plumbing and electrical work. The project also included renovating and reopening restrooms near the Washington Pavilion and Thompson-Neely House and repaving the road to Read More

Washington Crossing Historic Park’s 2022 Challenge Coin is now available in the gift shop or in our online store. This year’s coin features Colonel John Cadwalader, a senior officer of the Philadelphia Association – a volunteer militia founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1747. Each year through 2026, the park will release a new challenge coin to commemorate the lead-up to the 250th anniversary of Washington’s crossing. Each coin features an important figure from the crossing on one side and a rendition of the famous Leutze painting on the other. Each year features a different person. Cost is $17.76 + shipping. Read More

  Washington Crossing Historic Park’s gift shop is chock full of items that commemorate both the events that took place here in 1776 as well as Colonial America more broadly. From serious to lighthearted, there is something for everyone. Here are a few of the gift shop’s most popular items, all of which are available for purchase at WashingtonCrossingPark.org/shop.      Stuffed Felt Ornaments  Add a Colonial touch to your Christmas tree with one or all of these stuffed felt ornaments. Imported from England (how ironic!), these ornaments depict George Washington, Martha Washington, a Colonial fifer, a Colonial drummer, and Nelson Read More

  Everyone knows about George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River and subsequent victory in Trenton, but less well known is the Battle of Harlem Heights, which took place in September 1776 on upper Manhattan Island.  Now, new light is now being shone on this important battle thanks to David Price, a historical interpreter at Washington Crossing Historic Park. Price’s new book, The Battle of Harlem Heights, 1776, will be released in December and will be available in the park’s gift shop or for pre-order online.   “The Battle of Harlem Heights is an underappreciated milestone in American military history,” Price Read More