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
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