Washington Crossing State Park facts for kids
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Washington Crossing State Park
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| Location | Hopewell Township, Mercer County, New Jersey |
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| Nearest city | Titusville, New Jersey |
| Area | 3,575 acres (1,447 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000650 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | January 20, 1961 |
Washington Crossing State Park is a very large park in New Jersey. It covers about 3,575 acres (14.5 square kilometers). This park is part of a special historical area called Washington's Crossing. This area is a U.S. National Historic Landmark, meaning it's a place important to the history of the United States.
The park is located near the Delaware River, north of Trenton. It's found in the Washington Crossing and Titusville areas of Hopewell Township. The park is managed by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry. A group called the Washington Crossing Park Association also helps take care of the park.
This park works together with Washington Crossing Historic Park in Pennsylvania. Together, they form the Washington's Crossing National Historic Landmark. This landmark was recognized on January 20, 1961. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966.
The park has 140 acres (0.57 square kilometers) of natural areas. These areas include forests and open fields. They are great for hiking, picnics, nature walks, and even cross-country skiing in winter. The park's Nature Center has exhibits and programs. These programs are for kids, families, and school groups. During warmer months, you can enjoy concerts and plays. These events happen at the Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre, an outdoor theater.
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Johnson's Ferry: A Historic Crossing Point
The park is home to the famous Johnson's Ferry site. This is where George Washington and his army crossed the Delaware River. On December 25, 1776, Washington led about 2,400 soldiers. They crossed the river overnight into December 26, 1776. Their goal was to make a surprise attack on Trenton. This brave move was a major turning point in the American Revolutionary War. The ferry on the Pennsylvania side was known as McConkey's Ferry.
The Johnson Ferry House is an old farmhouse and tavern. It's from the 1700s and is close to the Delaware River. Garret Johnson owned this house and a large farm. He also ran a ferry service across the river. General Washington and his officers likely used this house during the crossing. Today, you can see rooms furnished with old items. There's also an 18th-century kitchen garden. On weekends, you can often see people dressed in old clothes. They show what life was like back then.
Nelson House: A Glimpse into the Past
The Nelson House was built around 1850. It's also called the Alexander Nelson Tavern. This house is near the river where the army landed. Today, it's used for park history demonstrations. Inside, you can see old furniture. There are also old photos of trains and canal boats. These photos show how people traveled long ago.
Washington Crossing Visitor Center Museum
The Washington Crossing Visitor Center Museum tells the story of the American Revolution. It focuses on a special time called the "Ten Crucial Days." These days were from December 25, 1776, to January 3, 1777. During this time, George Washington and his army crossed the Delaware River. They then fought important battles. These included the Battle of Trenton, the Battle of the Assunpink Creek, and the Battle of Princeton.
The museum has the Harry Kels Swan Collection. This collection has over 700 military items. These items are from both the American and British armies. The museum also has exhibits that explain the Revolutionary War. They cover the war from 1758 until the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783.
Nature Center and Observatory
The Washington Crossing State Park Nature Center offers fun nature programs. These programs are for schools, youth groups, and visitors. The center is open from Wednesday to Sunday all year.
Close by is the John W. H. Simpson Observatory. This observatory is run by the Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton. It has two telescopes. One is a 6.25-inch Hastings-Byrne refractor. The other is a 14-inch SCT. You can visit the observatory on Friday nights. From April through October, it's open from 8 to 11 pm. Volunteers from the association lead public viewing sessions. This depends on good weather.
Goat Hill Overlook: Scenic Views and History
Goat Hill Overlook is a beautiful natural area. It covers about 213 acres (0.86 square kilometers). It's managed as part of Washington Crossing State Park. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection bought this land in 2009. They paid $4.5 million for it. The company that owned it before wanted to mine the land. Later, they planned to build houses there.
From Goat Hill Overlook, you can see amazing views of the Delaware River. There's also a famous rock called Washington Rock. A local story says that General Washington used this spot. He supposedly looked out from here to check on battle conditions during the American Revolutionary War. The site also has many hiking trails. You can see different types of wildlife and plants there.
Images for kids
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Johnson Ferry House
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Stone barn by the Johnson Ferry House
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Nelson House
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Ferry boat reproduction
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Sign marking Continental Army route.
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Monument near the crossing site
