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Overview
Beginning on Christmas night 1776 and continuing into the morning of December 26, 1776, General George Washington led the Continental Army, which included a young Alexander Hamilton, across the Delaware River to a surprise attack against the Hessian garrison at Trenton, New Jersey. They won the battle swiftly and captured about 900 Hessian soldiers.
Every year on Christmas Day about 200 reenactors take part in the Christmas crossing commemorating the brave leadership of General Washington. 2019 marked the 67th anniversary of the modern day reenactment that has become a Philadelphia area holiday tradition.
The reenactors cross in Durham boats, and each boat weights about 4,600 pounds without any reenactors or equipment
Insider Information
- In July 2005, contestants on CBS’s “The Amazing Race” (Amazing Race 8, Leg 1, Fall 2005) arrived at Washington Crossing as part of their competition, and they had to row across the Delaware River with a George Washington impersonator in their boats.
- Two Olympic torches have made the journey across the Delaware River in a Durham boat: on February 3, 1980 en route to the Lake Placid 1980 Winter Olympics and on December 23, 2001 for the Salt Lake 2002 Winter Olympics.
- John B. Kelly, Jr., Grace Kelly’s brother, played the role of George Washington from 1978-1984.
Washington's Christmas Crossing served as the catalyst for the Battle of Trenton. The Museum of the American Revolution features a 3D diorama of the Battle of Trenton that was created by Thomas Temple Allan and is on display in the Museum's rotunda.
Washington Crossing Historic Park is about 40 minutes by car (about 33 miles) from the National Constitution Center where The Constitutional Walking Tour starts its amazing tour of Independence National Historical Park, which includes many tributes to George Washington. In addition to serving as the General of the Continental Army, Washington served as President of the Constitutional Convention and the first President of the United States of America.
Additional Information
Washington Crossing Historic Park
1112 River Road
Washington Crossing, PA 18977
215.493.4076
