Gardens

Historical Kitchen Gardens & Orchard

The historic 505 acre landscape of Washington Crossing is an ideal location to step back in history and feel immersed in Revolutionary life. Our 18th century gardens and orchard create outdoor living classrooms, providing an opportunity to disconnect from our modern lives and reconnect with an authentic 1776 experience.
The landscape provides a new lens through which to view the past, and a glimpse at the importance of plants for survival and the everyday domestic activities of a household; very different from our lives today.
These landscapes are unique, because they are research based, curated spaces that reflect a sliver of our American timeline when humans relied heavily on the fruits of the land for health and comfort.
The story of America can be told through its landscapes: the geographical formations over millenia, as First Peoples transversed the land, as Colonists brought non-indigenous plants, as farms reshape forests, and highways divide unbound lands.
The story of the Revolution can be told through survival: medicine, food, shelter and clothes; each item derived from plants.

Hibbs House Kitchen Garden

This educational garden, created in 2020 by the Friends of Washington Crossing, brings history to life through research to design the garden and curate the plants of a 1776 Kitchen Garden.

Not only educational, but also beautiful, this garden offers natural respite while viewing the Delaware River. This 5,000 square foot kitchen garden displays eighteenth century garden design, timber framed garden structures, and medicinal, culinary, and ornamental plants. Made Accessible to All through generous donations and private funding, this historical 1776 Kitchen Garden provides a picture perfect backdrop to 18th Century domestic life and plants.

Our curated plant selection holds over 250 diverse historical species and allows the opportunity for discussions and education related to 18th century plant medicine and domestic activities, such as hearth and outdoor cooking, cleaning, and textile production.

Thompson – Neely Kitchen Garden

A truly dynamic part of the Thompson – Neely Home and Farmstead where you can step into the past by descending into the recessed 2,700 square foot kitchen garden.
Sensibly placed off of the basement kitchen and beehive oven of the historic home, this garden grows many of the necessities required by the 18thC households of the Thompson and the Neely families. The household garden would have fed not only the family members and immediate staff, but also the various laborers of the Mill and Farmstead as well as provided medicine for their well being and care.
As a documented site of a revolutionary encampment, this farmstead provides an opportunity to delve deeper into the lives of soldiers and civilians and how they may have intertwined. The needs of this small army encampment would have created a dire drain on household supplies and medicine, during a winter frought with nor’easters and ice, hunger and danger.
Visit our historic grounds where history and natural beauty combine for an outstanding outdoor classroom experience! Please join us for our Upper Park events including daily tours of the Home and Mill and open exploration of our Garden and Orchard.

Thompson – Neely Orchard

Planted in 2024, the Thompson-Neely Orchard recreates a historic landscape feature that is known to have existed somewhere on the Thompson-Neely Property. It features heritage fruit varieties that can be documented in our region in 1776. Walk along the rows to find apples like the Esopus Spitzenberg, a favorite of Thomas Jefferson, or the Harrison, known as the backbone of New Jersey cider. Growing alongside are Pears like the Seckel, a tree found as a wild seedling in 1760’s Philadelphia, and propagated for its lovely, tiny fruits.

The orchard is partially bound by a living hedgerow, another historic landscape feature that was common to 18th Century Bucks County. A dense planting of shrubby species maintained as a living barrier, hedgerows were used to mark property lines and contain livestock. This hedge features native fruit producing species – American Plum, American Hazelnut, and Red Chokeberry – that would have been present in the county since pre-colonial times.

Garden Events & Programming

Below are some of the varied events and programs that we offer throughout the year in our gardens!
Keep an eye on our Events: Calender for upcoming gardening programming.

Garden Tours:

Join one of our staff or volunteer gardeners for a guided tour to learn more about what’s growing and the history and lore associated with the various plants!

McConkey’s Market:

Browse our selection of “Hibbs Apothecary” goods, all made with plants grown in the park’s gardens. From soaps and personal care products to candles, home decor, and even tasty treats, all proceeds go back to support the garden and related educational programs.

You Point, We Pick:

Seasonal donation based program where guests can take home produce from our gardens. You point to what you want…and our garden guides will pick it for you.

Picnic Under the Stars:

A catered dinner among the flower beds and a tour of the garden as the sun sets over the Delaware River.

18th Century Tea Experience:

An intimate gathering devoted to the history and experience of tea. Guests enjoy the experience of wearing their finest hats and attire, dining on delightful treats, and enjoying the company of fellow tea enthusiasts.

Flower Press Workshop:

A relaxing and creative workshop that teaches how to press and preserve and how to display and create with flowers and leaves.

Seasonal Wreath Workshop:

A great way to ease into the holiday season by learning how to create beautiful natural wreaths for your home or gifts.

Living History:

Visit the garden during our living history events to see a variety of demonstrations such as wheat threshing and winnowing, laundry, gardening techniques, colonial medicine, textile dyeing, spinning, and wool processing.