The Interns Who Shaped Summer 2024
This summer, Washington Crossing Historic Park (WCHP) had the privilege of welcoming three dedicated interns who contributed significantly to our interpretive and educational efforts. These interns immersed themselves in a variety of tasks, from assisting with program implementation and conducting research to working on projects behind-the-scenes. Read on to learn more about Mark, Tyler, Lorenzo, and Ashton’s unique contributions to the park. Mark D’Angelo Mark D’Angelo joined us from Delaware Valley University with an insatiable curiosity for all things history. Balancing his internship with summer courses at DelVal, Mark demonstrated a remarkable commitment to expanding his historical knowledge and Read More
Staff Spotlight: Michelle Flanagan
Michelle Flanagan’s appreciation for history began with her family. Her son attended an elementary school that is believed to be the only educational institution that stands on grounds where a historic battle was fought during the Revolutionary War. Every year the staff and students dress in colonial attire and pay tribute to the heroes who fought and died for our freedom. One winter day, her family was taking a drive when they suddenly stumbled upon George Washington’s Birthday Celebration at Washington Crossing Historic Park. She said, “I had no clue it was happening and so much was going on! Read More
History and Beauty at London Purchase Farm
Click the image below to view the full gallery. One would be hard pressed to find a property that exceeds London Purchase Farm in beauty and history! Certainly there are other beautiful historic properties, but London Purchase Farm’s direct connection with the Revolutionary War and the fateful crossing of the Delaware River in the winter of 1776, makes this property unique. London Purchase Farm recently served as the backdrop for a photo shoot as George Washington, Henry Knox and Alexander Hamilton visited the property. As the junior officer, Alexander Hamilton was appropriately the one to knock on the door. A Read More
Albigence Waldo: Surgeon, Soldier, Diarist, Poet
Originally published on Journal of the American Revolution and JAR Podcast Dispatches E259. Albigence Waldo was a man of various talents but, in a Revolutionary context, is best known for the diary he kept before and during the Valley Forge encampment in the winter of 1777-1778. This article reflects the value of that work while also seeking to convey an appreciation of his life and accomplishments, as well as placing his commentary on camp life within the context of the impressions reported by those who were there. Before Valley Forge Albigence Waldo was born on February 27, 1750, in Pomfret, Connecticut, the Read More
Defining Victory in the Revolution
The resilience displayed by the Continental Army was paramount in England’s failure to defeat the American rebellion, especially as that insurrection was supported by weapons and ammunition from France and then subsequently by the armed forces of its monarch, Louis XVI. According to 18th-century military protocol, the side that held the field at the conclusion of battle was regarded as victorious; and, from that perspective, the redcoats won most of the engagements. They achieved unambiguous success (in chronological order) at Long Island, Kip’s Bay, Fort Washington, Brandywine Creek, Paoli, Germantown, Savannah, Charleston, Camden, and Waxhaws, while suffering clear-cut defeats at Read More
Shining the Spotlight on Our 2024 Volunteers
Each April, we take a moment to recognize the hundreds of volunteers who help us provide a truly unique experience to thousands of visitors at Washington Crossing Historic Park. This year, they have contributed more than 4,000 hours to educational and public programs. Volunteers are vital to our operations, providing special event support to tours, education, and reenactments. There are a few volunteers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help us in our mission to preserve our historic site. Our Volunteer Awards will be given out at our volunteer picnic in September. Two of the award recipients have Read More
Laundry: The Primary Occupation of Followers
Introduction “The multitude of women in particular, especially those who are pregnant, or have children, are a clog upon every movement”. When George Washington’s general orders on August 4th of 1777 stated these harsh words, his army had already greatly suffered before the start of the Philadelphia campaign. Arthur St. Clair’s retreat from Fort Ticonderoga in July of 1777 lowered morale as another valuable military defense was lost. Washington was desperate to keep his army together. He followed General Howe’s movements closely, as British warships left New York City and hugged the Atlantic coast. A battle for Philadelphia seemed inevitable. With Read More
Bordentown’s Grenadier: Prince Lewis and His Revolution Experience
Several years ago while researching Count von Donop’s occupation of Burlington County, I came across an interesting note related to the von Minnigerode Grenadier Battalion, who for a brief time was quartered in Bordentown, NJ. It showed that a black man named Prince Lewis had enlisted as a drummer for the Hessian battalion on the 10th of December 1776, during the first day of von Donop’s occupation. Lewis’s background is murky, but it is clear that he was 26 years of age, a capable musician, and from Bordentown. If the Minnigerode records are to be believed at face value, then Read More
