One Last Summer Adventure—Right in Your Backyard: A Staycation at Washington Crossing
Looking for one last family trip before school starts? Skip the airport lines and trade in your highway travels for history, nature, and hands-on discovery right in your own backyard. We invite Bucks County locals and nearby neighbors to take an end-of-summer staycation at Washington Crossing Historic Park. From Revolutionary War stories to scenic views, it’s the perfect mix of fun and learning for all ages. Whether you spend the day with us, or just a few hours, here’s how to make the most of your visit. Recommended Day Trip Itinerary Lower Park 10:00 AM ~ Visitor Center and Gallery Exhibits Read More
Building for the Future: Celebrating Staff Promotions Ahead of the 250th Anniversary
As The Friends of Washington Crossing Park continue to expand educational opportunities and enhance the visitor experience in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the Crossing, we’re excited to announce the promotion of two exceptional team members into newly established director-level roles: Michelle Flanagan as Director of Operations and Ross Heutmaker as Director of Education. These roles reflect our deep commitment to creating unforgettable experiences for every visitor, expanding access to engaging and meaningful educational programs, and building the organizational capacity needed to serve our community now and through the 250th anniversary and beyond. Michelle Flanagan – Director of Operations Read More
The Durham Boat Project: A Historic Collaboration for America’s 250th Anniversary – August 2025 Update
The team at the Independence Seaport Museum has been working diligently on the Durham Boat Project. The effort began with an in-depth review of the lines plans and construction drawings, each crucial to the reconstruction of this historic vessel. The lines plan is used to study, understand, and recreate the boat’s shape. This orthographic drawing provides the foundation for understanding the three-dimensional form of the Durham boat. Using this drawing, along with a table of offsets (a set of measurements), the team recreated the boat at full scale—a process known as lofting. Once the lines plan had been lofted, Read More
Small Battles Loomed Large in the Revolution
In the Series Editors’ Introduction to each book in Westholme Publishing’s Small Battles Series, coeditors Mark Edward Lender and the late James Kirby Martin contend that the too-often ignored, smaller military actions impacted the course of the war for independence as much as, if not more than, the celebrated engagements that retain their indelible grip on our collective historical consciousness—Trenton, Saratoga, and Yorktown, being foremost among the latter. These more obscure encounters were typically fought at what Lender and Martin term the “grassroots level,” usually without the direct involvement of regular troops on either side and without the presence Read More
Staff Spotlight: Corinne Kauermann
Corinne earned her bachelor’s degree in history from Moravian University in Bethlehem, PA in 2019. A passionate educator and reenactor, she first joined the park in 2020 as a Historical Interpreter, working on the front line with our Visitor Services Team. Her enthusiasm for program development and commitment to delivering high-quality, immersive educational experiences quickly led her to become a lead interpreter for school programs and public events, making her an invaluable member of the educational programming team. In her new role, Corinne will play a vital part in planning and coordinating educational programs, as well as recruiting and Read More
Community Partner Spotlight: Makefield Painting Gives Back to the Park
We’re proud to recognize Stephen von Hohen, owner of Makefield Painting, for his continued generosity and dedication to preserving the historic character of Washington Crossing Historic Park. Most recently, Stephen donated his time, materials, and expertise to restore the cannon at the Visitor Center and complete painting work at the Thompson-Neely Mill—helping to ensure these iconic features are well-maintained and ready to welcome visitors as we prepare the park for the 250th anniversary in 2026. Stephen is no stranger to the park. In addition to being a reenactor in our annual Christmas Day Crossing since 1990, he also supported the Read More
Staff Spotlight: Bryanna Galvan
In preparation for the park’s 250th anniversary in 2026, the Friends of Washington Crossing Park (FWCP) are excited to welcome Bryanna Galvan as its new Director of Development. In this role, Bryanna will lead the FWCP development team in expanding fundraising efforts with a focus on long-term sustainability and deepening community engagement. She is responsible for implementing a comprehensive development strategy that includes individual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, grants, and partnerships with private foundations. Bryanna joined FWCP in April 2025, bringing a proven track record in nonprofit fundraising and corporate engagement. Prior to this role, she served as Read More
Kenneth A. Gavin, Senior Consultant for Living History Initiatives
In preparation for the park’s 250th anniversary in 2026, the Friends of Washington Crossing Park is thrilled to welcome Kenneth A. Gavin as Senior Consultant for Living History Initiatives. In this role, Ken will help develop and expand educational programs that showcase the park’s rich military history. He will play a vital part in enhancing living history programming and special events at the park including the park’s signature event, the Annual Christmas Crossing Reenactments. Ken is a seasoned professional with nearly 25 years of experience in the fields of history, public relations, and senior management in the non-profit sector. He has Read More
