Rescuing the Revolution Field Trip Program

 

 

Explore the Ten Crucial Days of the American Revolution!

Our new Rescuing the Revolution Field Trip Program, presented in partnership with Americana Corner’s Preserving America Partners program, puts students at the center of one of the most pivotal periods of American history, one where the very future of the Revolution was at stake. 

Throughout the day, students will travel back through time to retrace the crucial events of The Ten Crucial Days–December 25, 1776, to January 3, 1777. 

During that brief span, General George Washington’s patriot forces crossed the Delaware River in the throes of a severe winter storm and secured three improbable victories at the First and Second Battles of Trenton and the Battle of Princeton. The events of these ten days breathed new life into a Revolutionary effort on the verge of collapse.

This program provides students with opportunities to explore and learn, as they encounter the people of the past who took part in these events and experience these moments in time with them! They will converse with living historians, learn the basics of military maneuvers, man the boats that crossed the river, and view an extensive collection of 18th century artifacts. 

It starts with a hands-on program at Washington Crossing Historic Park (Pennsylvania), and then heads to Washington Crossing State Park (New Jersey), and/or Princeton Battlefield State Park.

  • At Washington Crossing, PA students will learn about life in a Continental Army encampment and Washington’s daring crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Night 1776!
  • At Washington Crossing State Park, NJ students will learn about Washington’s landing, the battles at Trenton, and get up close to real artifacts from the Swan Revolutionary War Collection. Plus, they’ll experience an exciting musket firing demonstration!
  • At Princeton Battlefield State Park, students will join the American or British side and learn about the battle from different perspectives!

The cost is $11 per person, with funding available for Title I schools.

Reserve your spot or learn more by contacting our Volunteer and Educational Programs Coordinator, Corinne Kauermann, at CKauermann@FriendsWCP.org.

Sample Itineraries (Customizable to Fit Your School’s Needs):

STOPS AND LOCATIONS (3 stops)

10:00 AM-11:00 AM: WASHINGTON CROSSING HISTORIC PARK, PA
11:00 AM-11:30 AM: TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON CROSSING STATE PARK, NJ
11:30 AM-12:00 PM: LUNCH AT WASHINGTON CROSSING STATE PARK, NJ
12:00 PM-12:45 PM: WASHINGTON CROSSING STATE PARK, NJ
12:45 PM-1:15 PM: TRAVEL TO PRINCETON BATTLEFIELD
1:15 PM-2:15 PM: PRINCETON BATTLEFIELD

STOPS AND LOCATIONS (2 stops)

10:00 AM-11:30 AM: WASHINGTON CROSSING HISTORIC PARK, PA
11:30 AM-12:00 PM: TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON CROSSING STATE PARK, NJ/OR PRINCETON BATTLEFIELD STATE PARK
12:00 PM-12:30 PM: LUNCH AT WASHINGTON CROSSING STATE PARK, NJ/OR PRINCETON BATTLEFIELD STATE PARK
12:30 PM-1:45 PM: WASHINGTON CROSSING STATE PARK, NJ/OR PRINCETON BATTLEFIELD STATE PARK

Times and locations can be adjusted to fit the school’s needs.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: 

Americana Corner is an online resource dedicated to sharing the incredible story of our country’s founding era through its formative first century. By fostering collaborative partnerships through the Preserving America Partners program, Americana Corner aims to reinforce the legacy of our nation’s past while inspiring future generations to engage with history in meaningful ways.

We are grateful to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Office of State Historic Sites, for their collaboration on this program.