The Crossing Reenactment

Witness the Crossing that saved the Revolution

Each December, thousands of people gather on the banks of the Delaware River to watch the reenactment of George Washington’s daring 1776 Christmas night river crossing. During the event, several hundred reenactors in Continental military dress listen to an inspiring speech by General Washington and then row across the river in replica Durham boats.

The public has two opportunities to view the reenactment at Washington Crossing Historic Park.

First Crossing: Sunday, December 8, 2024

TIME: 10 AM to 3 PM (actual crossing at 1 PM)
COST: $9 for adults, $5 for children ages 5-11, free for children younger than 5. Family rate (2 adults and 2 children) is $25.
DETAILS: In addition to the crossing reenactment, special colonial-era activities and demonstrations in the Historic Village will offer a full day of family fun and learning.

Note: Online tickets for the First Crossing Close before the event however, you can still purchase tickets in person at the event.

Book Now

 

Guest Narrator: Charles R. Bowry, JR., Executive Director, U.S. Army Center of Military History

Charles R. Bowery, Jr., Executive Director, U.S. Army Center of Military History, Department of the Army, poses for his official portrait in the Army portrait studio at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, Mar. 28, 2017. (U.S. Army photo by Monica King/Released)

Executive Director, United States Army Center of Military History and Chief of Military History. Mr. Bowery is responsible for the overall direction of historical matters throughout the Department of the Army, which includes management of twenty-nine Army museums, including the National Museum of the United States Army, and proponency for the Army’s operational and deployed military historians and military history detachments. As the Chief of Military History, Mr. Bowery plans, formulates, and executes the Army Historical Program, and supervises the production of Army historical works and studies that support the Army’s development of plans, policies, doctrine, force structure, and equipment. The CMH advises the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Army and other Army Senior Leaders on historical background relevant to events and projected actions affecting the Army.

Mr. Bowery is also a published author and staff ride leader specializing in the American Civil War.

Career Chronology:

                                  • December 2015:  Appointed to the Senior Executive Service.
                                  • June 2013-December 2015:  Joint Staff, J-8, and Officer in Charge, Joint Staff Robotic and Autonomous Systems Team, Pentagon.
                                  • September 2011-June 2013: Chief, Doctrine Division, Directorate of Training and Doctrine, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, TRADOC.
                                  • July 2009-September 2011:  Commander, 1st Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, FORSCOM.
                                  • December 2008-July 2009: Chief of Operations, G3, III Armored Corps, FORSCOM.
                                  • July 2004-December 2008: Battalion Operations Officer, Brigade Operations Officer, and Brigade Executive Officer, 1st Infantry Division and 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, USAREUR.
                                  • April 1999-July 2003:  Advanced Civil Schooling and Assistant Professor, Department of History, U.S. Military Academy.
                                  • July 1997-April 1999: Logistics Officer and Troop Commander, 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry Brigade, Eighth U.S. Army / Korea.
                                  • August 1993-October 1996: Executive Officer, Platoon Leader, and Adjutant, 82nd Aviation Brigade and 229th Attack Helicopter Regiment, FORSCOM.

 

Featured Author & Book Signing: Jason A. Cherry, William Trent: The Factor of Ambition

On December 1st, 1784, along a cold and wintry Fourth Street in Philadelphia, Major William Trent sputtered his last breath surrounded by friends and family and soon became forgotten in history.

The son of a Philadelphia shipping merchant and the namesake for the capital of New Jersey, Trent’s own legacy as a gentleman, throughout the latter half of the eighteenth century was always remembered for his controversial role at Fort Pitt in “gifting” smallpox blankets to the Indians that early summer of 1763. The truth is, however, over the course of his life Trent was always given an unfair depiction as a scapegoat and blamed for villainy that was not his own creation.

A seasoned veteran officer of three different conflicts, he was praised for his “frame of speech to the Indians, in their style”. He was also the factor for one of the most powerful land speculating companies in the world because of his notorious reputation of excellent penmanship and ledger keeping. By the eve of the American Revolution, Trent became the courageous face of westward expansion that began diligently alongside his friend and “king of the traders” George Croghan.

From the author of Pittsburgh’s Lost Outpost: Captain Trent’s Fort, comes a new definitive look through the eyes of a misunderstood backcountry merchant who not only overcame obstacles and suffered loss, but whose strong quill and rebellious interactions with future founding fathers Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington, ambitiously helped shape and form the future United States of America.

Jason A. Cherry is a 2002 graduate of the University of Massachusetts. Jason is an independent historian, research consultant for the William Trent House in Trenton, NJ and works as an Assistant Teacher for Stepping Stones Children’s Center in Gibsonia, PA.  Jason has reenacted the French and Indian War and Revolutionary War for over thirty years. Jason portrays a member of the group of volunteers hired under William Trent Jr in 1754, a unit known as Captain William Trent’s Company. He also portrays the German Regiment, a group that crossed the Delaware with General Washington’s army on Christmas night and fought at the first and second battles of Trenton. This year is his fifth year as a participant in the First Crossing Reenactment. Jason lives in Butler, Pennsylvania with his wife, Emily, and his two beautiful daughters Penny and Charlotte.

 

 

Christmas Day Crossing: Wednesday, December 25, 2024

TIME: Noon to 3 PM (actual crossing at 1 PM)
COST: Free

Additional Details

  • Washington Crossing Historic Park is located at the intersection of Routes 532 and 32 (River Road) in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania.
  • Directions to the park can be found here. Parking will be clearly marked.
  • Individuals with disabilities who need special assistance or accommodations to attend should call the Visitor Center at 215-493-4076.
  • River crossings are contingent upon safe conditions for participants. However, even if conditions do not allow for crossing, ceremonies, speeches and commemorative activities still occur.
  • For more Ten Crucial Days related activities, the Trenton Downtown Association hosts several events during its annual Patriots Week festivities, Dec 26th – 31st. In addition, Princeton Battlefield Society will be hosting their annual “Experience the Battle of Princeton Event”, January 7th, 9:30am – 1:00pm
  • Drones are not permitted at these events.

Crossing Video

A special crossing video was filmed at Washington Crossing Historic Park in 2020. Thank you to the numerous members and donors whose support made this video possible.