Commemorating 250 Years at Washington Crossing Park

With troop morale quickly waning and critical supplies running out, George Washington made the first of several complicated and surprising military campaigns that would shift the Revolutionary War into the Americans’ favor on the bitterly cold Christmas night in 1776. Under the cover of darkness, Washington and his troops crossed the icy Delaware River from Pennsylvania into New Jersey. Quietly traversing through blizzard conditions, the Americans marched south into Trenton, catching the Hessian regiments off guard and securing a much-needed victory.

Now designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark, Washington Crossing Historical Park encompasses approximately 500 acres featuring restored colonial buildings, memorials, and more. With the support of an NEH Celebrate America! grant, the Friends of Washington Crossing Park are expanding their public programming throughout the Semiquincentennial to include a reenactment of Washington’s famed trek across the Delaware River in December 2026.