Thursday, April 26, 2024: I have been to this place a few times before: Washington Crossing Historic Park, 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing (Bucks County), Pennsylvania (215-493-4076). Then, back in 2022, I visited and wrote about the New Jersey side: Washington Crossing State Park (Mercer County, NJ), in my blog. Nevertheless, I have never written about my past visits on the PA side until the date above. Of course, some very important historical events happened here: During the American Revolutionary War, George Washington and his troops crossed from here to NJ on Christmas night in 1776. This event became known as the “Ten Crucial Days” from the 25th of December, 1776, to the 3rd of January, 1777. It gave Washington and his troops three very much needed victories during those days. I learned about this and more at the Visitors’ Center. Inside, I glanced at the gift shop, and I looked at the exhibits in a small museum. Then, I saw a video presentation that gave more details about those times. Once outside, as I noticed the peaceful, natural setting (except for the busy traffic on some nearby roads), I realized most people would never know that at one time, troops prepared for battle here if it wasn’t for the signs and the Visitors’ Center. Many of the quaint buildings that I could see close by, other people built between 1817 to 1830—long after Washington’s time. One building from Washington’s time, McConkey’s Ferry Inn, was where Washington and his aids ate at before the crossing (and is in the picture above). When this inn was opened during an earlier visit, I viewed a display of an 18th-century kitchen. Another place I saw was the barn where replicas of the Durham boats that Washington used to cross the river were on display. Nowadays, those boats are used on Christmas Day (weather allowing) for a re-enactment of the crossing. Meanwhile, between learning the history around here and observing the flora & fauna surrounding the area, this place could keep me interested for most of the day!
