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Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania facts for kids

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Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania
Unincorporated community
McConkey's Ferry Inn in 2014
McConkey's Ferry Inn in 2014
Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania is located in Pennsylvania
Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania
Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania is located in the United States
Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania
Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
County Bucks
Township Upper Makefield
Elevation
56 ft (17 m)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Code
18977
Area code(s) 215, 267, and 445
GNIS feature ID 1190624

Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania is a small community located in Upper Makefield Township, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known for a very important event during the Revolutionary War. This village was the starting point for George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River. This famous event happened on the night of December 25–26, 1776.

The main office for Washington Crossing Historic Park is also found here. The village is connected to Washington Crossing, New Jersey by the Washington Crossing Bridge. This bridge crosses the Delaware River.

Exploring Washington Crossing

Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, was once called "Taylorsville." Its name changed because of the brave actions of General George Washington. On that cold Christmas night in 1776, Washington and his soldiers secretly crossed the icy Delaware River from this spot. Their goal was to surprise the Hessian soldiers (German troops fighting for the British) in Trenton, New Jersey. This daring plan led to a big victory for the American forces. It greatly boosted their spirits and was a key moment in the fight for independence.

Today, the Washington Crossing Historic Park helps people learn about this amazing part of history. You can visit the park to see where the crossing happened and learn more about the Revolutionary War.

The Delaware Canal

The Delaware Canal runs right through Washington Crossing Historic Park. This canal is a long path, about 60 miles (97 km) in length. It stretches from Easton to Bristol. The canal was once used to transport goods. Today, it's a great place for walking, biking, and enjoying nature.

Special Events and Reenactments

Washington Crossing is a lively place that hosts special events throughout the year. The most famous event is the yearly reenactment of Washington's nighttime crossing. During this event, people dress up in historical costumes. They recreate the famous journey across the Delaware River. It's a wonderful way to experience history firsthand and understand what the soldiers went through. The village's ZIP Code is 18977.

Places to Visit

If you visit Washington Crossing, there are a few interesting places you might want to see:

  • Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve: This is a beautiful place to explore nature. It has many different kinds of wildflowers and plants.
  • Washington Crossing Historic Park: This park is dedicated to the famous crossing. You can learn about the history and see important landmarks from the Revolutionary War.

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