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Washington Crossing➤
Washington Crossing Historic Park marks the site of the famous crossing of the Delaware during the Revolutionary War. On the night of December 25, 1776, General Washington and his troops embarked on a daring and pivotal mission to launch a surprise attack on the Hessian forces stationed in Trenton, New Jersey. The successful crossing and subsequent Battle of Trenton provided a much-needed morale boost for the American forces during a challenging time in the war.
Our group met in the nature center lot on the New Jersey side. We made our way through the park via snow covered trails. We visited the Johnson Ferry House and, down by the river, saw a replica of one of the ferries used to transport Washington near the Nelson House. Then, we crossed the bridge over the Delaware to Pennsylvania’s Washington Crossing Historic Site and explored some more.
On the Pennsylvania Side➤
Washington Crossing Historic Park spans 500 acres in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources manages it with the Friends of Washington Crossing Park.
The park has two sections. The lower park is in the village of Washington Crossing in Upper Makefield Township. It marks the spot where George Washington crossed the Delaware River during the Revolutionary War.
The lower park includes 13 historic buildings. One is McConkey’s Ferry Inn, where Washington and his aides ate and planned the crossing. A 20th-century barn holds five replica Durham Boats. These large, open boats once carried pig iron on the Delaware River. On December 25–26, 1776, soldiers used boats like these to cross the river with horses and equipment. Each year, reenactors use the replicas during the annual nighttime crossing.
The lower park features a visitor center, renovated from 2011 to 2013. It reopened on March 10, 2013. Inside is a small exhibit with Revolutionary War artifacts. One highlight is an original letter from Washington, written at McConkey’s Ferry Inn. The center also displays a full-size digital copy of Emanuel Leutze’s 1851 painting Washington Crossing the Delaware.
Washington crossed the Delaware River at McConkey’s Ferry on the Pennsylvania side with 2,400 troops on Christmas night, 1776. Henry Baker first established the ferry in 1684. His grandson, Samuel Baker Jr., sold it to Samuel McConkey in 1774. McConkey sold it to Benjamin Taylor in 1777. Across the river, the New Jersey ferry was called Johnson’s Ferry.
Washington Crossing Posts➤
- Johnson Ferry House
- Washington Crossing State Park
- Nelson House
- Washington Crossing Historic Site
Location: 1112 River Rd, Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania
Designation: State Park, National Landmark
Date designated/established: 1917, 1961
Date of my visit: February 20, 2021
