John Haslet: Service and Sacrifice in the Revolution
From The Journal of America’s Military Past By David Price About the Author In addition to John Haslet’s World, David Price has authored a trilogy about the “Ten Crucial Days” of the American War of Independence—Winning the Ten Crucial Days, The Road to Assunpink Creek, and Rescuing the Revolution—as well as The Battle of Harlem Heights, 1776. The latter is part of the Westholme Small Battle series and was accepted into the permanent collection of the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History. David has been awarded the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Bronze Good Citizenship Medal and Read More
A Brand New Interpretive Trail is Taking Shape at Washington
Visitors to Washington Crossing Historic Park may notice construction along the Delaware riverbank. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is funding and leading the effort to create a brand new interpretive trail, with interpretive panels designed by the award-winning 106 Group. The trail is scheduled to open in early 2026 for the 250th anniversary of Washington’s daring Delaware River crossing. The trail will feature eight interpretive panels, each stop will tell the story of General Washington and the Continental Army’s Christmas night crossing in 1776 through original artwork, historical accounts, and Washington’s Watch, a timeline that links Read More
The Faces of Summer 2025: Our Interns at Work
Each summer, the Friends of Washington Crossing Park welcome interns who bring energy, curiosity, and passion to their work. From helping with daily operations to supporting educational programs, our interns play an important role in keeping history alive. Meet our 2025 summer interns and learn about their experiences. Tyler Danemark Tyler, a freshman studying History at Bucks County Community College, spent his summer immersed in our educational programs. He assisted with our free Monthly Living History Programs, helped enhance our Thompson-Neely Farm, and supported major event preparations. He also assisted daily operations by serving as a historical interpreter at Read More
Learning from the Past, Teaching for the Future: Alex Robb at the Teacher Institute
This summer, Alex Robb, Interpretive Programs Specialist for the Friends of Washington Crossing Park, was selected to attend the 2025 National Teacher Institute, a prestigious and competitive four-day program hosted by the American Battlefield Trust. Held this year in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the Institute brings together 100 top educators, historians, and museum professionals from across the country to explore innovative strategies for making history education more engaging, inclusive, and relevant. Throughout the weekend, participants dove into forward-thinking approaches to public history. “The Teacher Institute was incredibly engaging and thought-provoking,” Alex shared. “Sessions explored how pop culture and storytelling can be used Read More
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