On Christmas night in 1776, General George Washington led a surprise crossing of the ice-choked Delaware River with 2,400 troops, launching a bold attack that shifted the momentum of the American Revolution.
By then, his army was exhausted, having had to retreat from New York, while the British held Rhode Island and much of New Jersey.
The ensuing victory revived a faltering cause. Morale was boosted, soldiers reenlisted, and new recruits joined the ranks. The revolution wasn’t over after all.
Today, Washington Crossing Historic Park preserves this hallowed ground through more than 500 acres of historic sites. Visitors can step inside the McConkey Ferry Inn, where Washington planned the attack, or walk through the Thompson-Neely Farmstead, once the encampment of the Continental Army. For sweeping views of the river valley, guests can climb up Bowman’s Hill Tower.
Each December, thousands gather to watch reenactors retrace the legendary crossing, and throughout the year, visitors can explore colonial demonstrations, gardens, trails, and the still-operating 19th-century grist mill.
The park offers a rare chance to walk in the footsteps of Washington and his soldiers at the very place where hope for American independence was revived.