Washington Crossing State Park facts for kids
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Washington Crossing State Park
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 Washington Crossing State Park
Location in Mercer County, New Jersey
Washington Crossing State Park
Location in New Jersey
Washington Crossing State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Hopewell Township, Mercer County, New Jersey |
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| Nearest city | Titusville, New Jersey and Trenton, 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 huge park in New Jersey, covering about 3,575 acres. It's part of a special historical area called Washington's Crossing, which is a U.S. National Historic Landmark. You can find it in Hopewell Township, near the towns of Washington Crossing and Titusville. The park is located north of Trenton along the Delaware River.
The New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry manages and takes care of the park. A group called the Washington Crossing Park Association also helps to protect and improve it. This park, along with Washington Crossing Historic Park in Pennsylvania, forms the important Washington's Crossing National Historic Landmark. This landmark was recognized on January 20, 1961, and added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966.
Welcome to Washington Crossing State Park!
This park is a fantastic place to learn about history and enjoy nature. It has a large natural area with 140 acres of forests and open fields. You can go hiking, have picnics, take nature walks, or even go cross-country skiing in the winter.
A Park with History and Nature
The park's Nature Center has cool exhibits and programs for kids, families, and school groups. It's a great spot to learn about the local plants and animals. There was once an outdoor theater called the Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre where concerts and plays were held. However, this theater has not been used since 2017.
Goat Hill Overlook, a scenic spot nearby, is also managed by the park. It offers amazing views and hiking trails.
The Famous Johnson's Ferry
The park is home to the historic site of Johnson's Ferry. This is where George Washington and 2,400 soldiers from the Continental Army made a secret crossing of the Delaware River. They crossed overnight on December 25, 1776, and into the morning of December 26, 1776. Their goal was to launch a surprise attack on Trenton, which became known as the Battle of Trenton. This brave move was a major turning point in the American Revolutionary War. The ferry on the Pennsylvania side of the river was called McConkey's Ferry.
The Johnson Ferry House
The Johnson Ferry House is an old farmhouse and tavern from the 1700s. It's located close to the Delaware River. Garret Johnson owned this house and a large 490-acre farm. He also ran the ferry service across the river. It's believed that General Washington and his officers used this house during the famous crossing. Today, you can see several rooms furnished with items from that time. There's also an 18th-century kitchen garden. On weekends, you can often watch people giving living-history demonstrations.
The Nelson House
The Nelson House, also known as the Alexander Nelson Tavern, was built around 1850. It stands near the river where the soldiers landed. This house is now used for park history demonstrations. Inside, you'll find furniture from the past and old photos. These pictures show how people used to travel by railroad and canal.
Explore History at the Visitor Center Museum
The Washington Crossing Visitor Center Museum teaches you all about the American Revolution. It especially focuses on a key period called the "Ten Crucial Days." These days were from December 25, 1776, to January 3, 1777. During this time, George Washington and the Continental Army crossed the Delaware River. They then fought important battles like the Battle of Trenton, the Battle of the Assunpink Creek, and the Battle of Princeton.
The museum features the Harry Kels Swan Collection. This collection includes over 700 military items from both the American and British Armies. The center also has exhibits that explain the Revolutionary War. These exhibits cover everything from the events leading up to the war in 1758 to the peace treaty signed in Paris in 1783.
Discover Nature and Stars
The Nature Center
The Washington Crossing State Park Nature Center offers fun nature education programs. These programs are for schools, youth groups, community organizations, and all park visitors. The center is open from Wednesday through Sunday, all year long.
The John W. H. Simpson Observatory
Close by is the John W. H. Simpson Observatory. The Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton runs this observatory. It has two telescopes: a 6.25-inch Hastings-Byrne refractor and a 14-inch SCT. You can visit the observatory for public viewing sessions. Volunteers from the association lead these sessions on Friday nights. They happen from April through October, from 8 to 11 pm, if the weather is clear.
Amazing Views from Goat Hill Overlook
Goat Hill Overlook is a beautiful 213-acre scenic preserve. It is managed as part of Washington Crossing State Park. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection bought this land in 2009 for $4.5 million. They bought it from a company that once planned to use the land for digging for minerals. Later, the company wanted to build homes there.
Besides amazing views of the Delaware River, the property has a famous rock called Washington Rock. A local story says that General Washington used this spot. He supposedly looked out from Goat Hill Overlook to see what was happening in battles during the American Revolutionary War. The site also has miles of hiking trails. You can find many different kinds of wildlife and plants there.
Gallery
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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
See also
