Memorial Day

There’s no better place to spend Memorial Day Weekend than Washington Crossing Historic Park! As we welcome in the beginning of summer, we also take time to honor the soldiers – past and present – who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. We hope to see you at one or more of the events we have planned.

Jazz Concert on the Riverbank

Looking for an excuse to get outside on a beautiful spring evening? The Friends of Washington Crossing Park (PA) and the historic Newtown Theatre are teaming up to present a free outdoor jazz concert on Saturday, May 24 from 6 to 8 PM. The concert will be held on the banks of the Delaware River near the park’s Visitor Center.

The Council Rock South Concert Jazz Band will be playing 5:30-6:00 PM, opening for the main event. The Triple Ts, a Philadelphia jazz-fusion trio, will play a mix of original music and jazz standards from 6:00-8:00 PM.

Rita’s Ice will be available onsite. Attendees are welcome to bring their own picnic dinner, chairs, and blankets. Alcohol is not permitted in the state park. Four-legged friends are welcome but must be leashed and under control at all times.  No registration is required for this free concert. Rain date is Monday, May 26 at the same time.

Memorial Day Ceremony

Washington Crossing Historic Park will hold its annual Memorial Day ceremony on Sunday, May 25 at 1 PM. The event will be held at The Revolutionary War Soldiers Gravesite behind the Thompson Neely House located at 1638 River Rd, New Hope, PA 18938. The observation will include a colonial color guard, fife and drum music, Revolutionary War reenactors, veterans, and other honored guests.

Our narrator this year will be Col. Jeffrey R. McGeary, Chief of Military Programs at the US Army Center of Military History, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C. Colonel Jeff McGeary is a life-long Bucks County native, and a resident of Doylestown. A graduate of Council Rock High School, COL McGeary began his Army service as a cadet at Valley Forge Military Academy & College, where he served as Class President and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. COL McGeary received his BA from West Chester University and MBA from LaSalle University. During his years of service, he deployed to Germany, Kuwait and Afghanistan. He is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, and his past awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, NATO Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. COL McGeary currently serves as the Chief of Military Programs for the U.S. Army Center of Military History. He is an Eagle Scout and a proud husband and father.

American flags will be placed on the graves. The gravesite marks the resting place of soldiers who died during the Continental army’s December 1776 encampment in Bucks County. Although no Americans were killed during the Delaware River crossing and the First Battle of Trenton, some soldiers succumbed to exposure, disease or previous injuries. Captain-Lieutenant Moore is the only veteran buried in this plot whose identity is known.