Historical Restoration of the Thompson-Neely House
The Friends of Washington Crossing Park recently received a $536,000 grant from the National Park Service’s Semiquincentennial Grant Program to support the historical restoration of the Thompson-Neely House, one of the park’s most significant Revolutionary War-era structures.
The Thompson-Neely House and surrounding grounds served as an encampment site for a portion of the Continental Army in December 1776. Though never officially designated a hospital, the house became a place where sick and wounded soldiers could convalesce while awaiting further orders. As the Army moved through the area, it was common practice for troops to occupy private homes and farmland. Houses like the Thompson-Neely residence were used to lodge officers, while nearby fields became campsites and, in many cases, burial grounds for soldiers and officers alike.
This grant will fund a comprehensive interior restoration of the house, ensuring its long-term preservation and enhancing its interpretive potential for future generations. Planned upgrades include structural stabilization, interior rehabilitation, climate control improvements, and expanded exhibit capabilities to support the site’s use in school programs, tours, and public events.
As part of this project, the park will undertake a KOCOA analysis, a military terrain assessment tool used by historians and the U.S. Army to examine how landscape features influence tactical decisions. KOCOA stands for Key terrain, Observation and fields of fire, Cover and concealment, Obstacles, and Avenues of approach. This analysis will provide valuable insight into the strategic importance of the Thompson-Neely property within the larger 10 Crucial Days campaign, enriching both interpretation and educational programming. The findings will also inform updated documentation for the site’s listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
This project helps to ensure that the Thompson-Neely House receives the same level of care and attention as other landmark sites across Washington Crossing Historic Park.
Completed: Fall 2026
In support of 2026 projects enhancements like this!