Volunteer Spotlight: Joan Lindenau
Park volunteer Joan Lindenau grew up only blocks away from Independence Mall. She and her family used to walk their dogs past the Liberty Bell most nights. That’s why volunteering for the Friends of Washington Crossing Park was like reaching for a touchstone after Joan and her husband moved back to Bucks County following five years in Hawaii. Both Joan and her husband like to volunteer for all the major events at the park, including Washington’s birthday party in February, Autumn Market and Encampment in October, and the crossing reenactment in December, among others. In between, Joan also volunteers as Read More
Volunteer Spotlight: Mary Ryan
Mary Ryan jokes that her colonial outfits are beginning to overwhelm her closet. She started making them at the suggestion of a manager at the park, who thought that it would enhance the visitors’ experience to see her and some of the Friends of Washington Crossing Park gardening in period clothing. Mary, who holds a degree in fashion design, began researching. “We wanted to look authentic, so it was very basic, plain clothing,” she says. That modest undertaking has evolved into a full-fledged sewing circle that includes other Friends volunteers of all abilities. Mary estimates that she’s been volunteering Read More
New Visitor Center Exhibit to Open in March
“With this exhibit, we’re hoping to bond that generation of heroes with our visitors today on this common ground.” A new exhibit will open at the Washington Crossing Historic Park Visitor Center on Saturday, March 2. Titled “A Glorious Enterprise—Washington’s Crossing of the Delaware,” the free long-term exhibit will explore the Christmas night crossing in 1776 and the Continental Army’s encampment at the Thompson-Neely House before the crossing. Objects from the Past The exhibit’s authentic and reproduction objects shape a family-oriented, tactile experience, says park curator Kimberly McCarty. “We will have reproduction wedge tents for children to experience army life Read More
Join us for “10 for the 10th”
The non-profit Friends of Washington Crossing Park was formed in 2009 to save the Christmas crossing reenactment in the wake of state budget cuts. This year, that hastily assembled group is celebrating its 10th anniversary. “Over the last decade, that relatively small volunteer committee has evolved into a fully-functioning organization with 12 board members and a 15-person staff that helps support visitor services at the park, educational programs, and fundraising,” says Jennifer Martin, executive director of the Friends of Washington Crossing Park. “To celebrate just how far we’ve come, we’re inviting our community to enjoy all the park has to Read More
Send George Washington a Birthday Card
Every year, the Friends of Washington Crossing Park help George Washington celebrate his birthday in February. This year, kids (and kids at heart) can help George have an extra-special celebration by sending him a homemade birthday card! Prior to George’s birthday party on February 17, invite your kids to create a special birthday card for George’s 287th birthday. Then drop it in the mail to: P.O. Box 1776 Washington Crossing, PA 18977 Everybody who sends George a birthday card prior to his party will receive a reply from the General himself! George Washington’s 287th birthday party will be held from 10 AM to 2 PM at Read More
Friends Group Welcomes Development Coordinator
Danielle Gress recently joined the Friends of Washington Crossing Park as a development coordinator. In this position, she will oversee a variety of areas, including program development, volunteer management, grant writing, and membership administration. Gress, a Yardley native, was a curatorial intern at the park six years ago. She earned her master’s degree in museum studies from the University of Oklahoma and undergraduate degrees in history, archaeology, and anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh. At Pitt, she wrote her undergraduate thesis on George Washington’s 1776 crossing of the Delaware River. “Growing up just down the river, Washington Crossing Historic Park Read More
Celebrate George Washington’s 287th Birthday
Bring the whole family to help us celebrate George Washington’s 287th birthday on Sunday, February 17, from 10 AM to 2 PM at Washington Crossing Historic Park. At 2 PM, we’ll sing “Happy Birthday” to General Washington and enjoy a cake from Newtown’s “The Caketeria” that he’ll cut with his sword. Kids are encouraged to bring homemade birthday cards to present to General Washington. Thanks to the support of The Philadelphia Contributionship, admission to the birthday party is free for the first time. “I never cease to be amazed at the excitement of the children, how they admire George Washington, and the creativity Read More
Park Interpreter’s Book Reframes Revolutionary War
Before Washington Crossing Historic Park historical interpreter David Price retired from his full-time position in the New Jersey state government several years ago, he’d occasionally stroll along the Assunpink Creek outside his Trenton office. From the small bridge that spans the narrow stream, he’d look down and marvel at the fact that it was once all that stood between two armies. The more Price read up on the Battle of Assunpink Creek, the more he came to consider it to be an unappreciated but pivotal turning point of the American Revolution. That idea became the thesis of his new book, Read More