Connecting With History as a Park Volunteer
Living in Washington Crossing means having history right in your backyard. Gift Shop Volunteer Marilyn Konicky shares how volunteering at the park has helped her connect with the past. “I’ve lived in Washington Crossing for 25 years and when I retired in 2019, I knew I wanted to be involved in volunteering, particularly at the park. I’ve always enjoyed history and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve become even more interested in the history of our country. I joined the Washington Crossing Daughters of the American Revolution in 2015 and learned so much about the huge encampment in Washington Crossing. Read More
Staff Bio: Jennifer Martin
In her position as Executive Director, Jennifer Martin oversees a variety of areas, including daily operations, program development, fundraising, policies and procedures, volunteer management and human resources. “My favorite thing about my job is providing the community with opportunities to experience our history in a fun and engaging way. When people are able to connect with the park, it encourages park stewardship and ensures that our story is shared for years to come”. Martin has been an integral part of the Friends since 2013, formerly working as Assistant Director of Education and Public Programs. Prior to joining the Friends, she Read More
Summer Intern Draws on Personal Experience to Create Programming
Adam Mohn, a recent graduate of The Solebury School, spent the summer organizing this year’s Colonial Days Summer Camp as part of an internship sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Washington Crossing-Yardley. Adam spent most of the summer updating the program by developing activities that would be both fun and educational for a wide range of ages and abilities. As a former camper and camp counselor at Pennsbury Manor, Adam was able to draw from his own experiences to create the programming. “I’ve always been interested in history but wasn’t very familiar with the time period of the park,” Read More
Park Volunteer Blossoms at Hibbs House Garden
It takes some helping hands to maintain the historical plants at the Hibbs House Kitchen Garden and share its harvest with the community. Joanna McClintock shares her experience as a garden volunteer. “My husband and I wanted to retire in a Bucks County town near the Delaware and be closer to our grandkids who live in Pennington, NJ, so we chose Washington Crossing. I always admired the view of the park as I drove back across ‘the skinny bridge’ and thought maybe there was something I could do there to volunteer and get involved in the community. I Read More
Park Horticulturalist Named Harrison Fellow
Washington Crossing Park Historical Horticulturalist, Anna Davis, was recently named a Harrison Fellow of the Historic Landscape Institute after attending a weeklong immersive learning program in Charlottesville, VA. The program was presented by the Historic Landscape Institute at Monticello and the University of Virginia, two sites where Thomas Jefferson used his knowledge and love of gardening to create culturally and historically relevant landscapes. Both sites are also on the elite UNESCO World Heritage List. “The program was a combination of lectures, workshops, and hands-on experiences where we learned how the landscapes were used, how they changed over time Read More
Pennington Resident Donates Revolutionary War Era Sword
On July 4, 2022, Lisa Thorndike of Pennington, NJ, and her sons Alden and Michael Thorndike presented an American small sword to Washington Crossing Historic Park (PA). Named the “Thorndike sword,” the blade had been in the Thorndike family since the Revolutionary War and dates to between 1730 and 1760. “It’s the continuing mission of the Friends of Washington Crossing Park to preserve and present Revolutionary War history to our visitors and guests.” says John Godzieba, President of the Friends of Washington Crossing Park and the reenactor who portrays General Washington. “Artifacts, such as this sword, are tangible connections Read More
Lifelong Musician Finds Community in Fife & Drum Corps
The musicians in Washington Crossing Fife & Drum Corps come from a variety of backgrounds, but they join together to share the music of our nation’s history with the community of today. Volunteer Mary Jane Beck shares how the Fife & Drum Corps uses music to bring people together. “I started helping at the park with school groups during Colonial Days about five years ago. We’ve lived in the area for 40 years and I’ve always enjoyed history and being active. Volunteering gave me a hands-on way to be involved. When Stacy put out a flier in 2018 Read More
Staff Spotlight: Guy Sava
A dedicated history buff, our Visitor Services Coordinator Gaetano “Guy” Sava III has been lending his knowledge and skills to Washington Crossing Park for over 12 years. It all began when he chose renovations on Bowman’s Hill Tower for his Eagle Scout Project after extensive research. Unfortunately, Hurricane Sandy put a damper on things and he took up working in the gift shop instead. Here, Guy was inspired by the tours and eventually became a tour guide for the renovated Visitor Center. After time at Bucks County Community College, Guy transferred to Temple and earned his bachelor’s in business Read More
