As America celebrates its Semiquincentennial, Washington Crossing Historic Park and the region are the epicenter for Revolutionary War history.
The coming months will be filled with reenactments, historic events, and cultural exhibitions.
At the heart of it all is Washington Crossing Historic Park, the landmark site where General George Washington and his troops began their efforts to turn the tide of the American Revolution on Christmas night in 1776.
Whether you’re looking to walk in the footsteps of Continental soldiers, explore local Loyalist outlaw lore, or experience world-class 250th-anniversary art exhibitions, the region has some of the country’s top historical experiences.
A look at some upcoming Washington Crossing Historic Park Events:
Fall Lantern Tours (Fridays & Saturdays through Oct. 31): Immersive guided walks lead visitors through the Historic Village by candlelight at twilight at the exact time of day George Washington’s troops prepared for their crossing. Event Details
Washington Crossing Historic Park Introductory Film Premiere (Nov. 11, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.): To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, Friends of Washington Crossing Park is proud to unveil a brand-new orientation film that will bring this remarkable chapter of American history to life for generations to come. Event Details
Free Tours for Veterans (Nov. 11): On Veterans Day, Washington Crossing Historic Park offers complimentary guided historical tours to all active-duty military personnel and veterans. Event Details
Lecture: River of Victory: The Daily Delaware Crossings (Dec. 6, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.): Author and historian William “Larry” Kidder breaks down the complex logistics of the 1776 river maneuvers. Event Details
Traversing the Ten Crucial Days Bus Tour (Dec. 18, Jan. 2., Jan. 15, and Jan. 30): The Traversing the Ten Crucial Days Bus Tour begins and ends at Washington Crossing, PA. Guests spend the day retracing the December 25 crossing of the Delaware and the December 26, 1776 through January 3, 1777 American and British military engagements at Trenton, Princeton and areas in-between. Historical interpreters Roger Williams and Larry Kidder will tell the remarkable story of these ten days that breathed crucial new life into the apparently expiring American Revolution. Event Details
First Crossing Reenactment (Dec. 13, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.): Reenactors assemble for military drills, colonial demonstrations, and the full-scale rehearsal crossing of the Delaware River in replica Durham boats. Event Details
74th Annual Christmas Day Crossing Reenactment (Dec. 25, Noon – 2 p.m.): Hundreds of Continental Army reenactors gather to hear General Washington’s address before rowing across the freezing Delaware River to mark the anniversary of one of the nation’s most momentous events on the road to freedom. Event Details
Washington Crossing Historic Park, located along the Delaware River, is hosting many more events and offers numerous experiences for visitors. For more information, visit the Friends of Washington Crossing Park’s website.
Elsewhere Bucks County, the Philadelphia region, and Lehigh Valley:
The Doan Gang: Outlaws of the Revolution (Through Dec. 31): Mercer Museum in Doylestown hosts a comprehensive exhibition detailing Bucks County’s notorious Loyalist outlaw group. Event Details
Radical Americana Exhibition (Through Nov. 13): Andalusia Historic House & Gardens features contemporary artistic interpretations of early American craftsmanship and politics. Event Details
Threads of a Dream: Grundy Story (Through Dec. 21): The Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Museum showcases textile history linked to early Pennsylvania settlement and industry. Event Details
America on Wheels 250 Showcase (Through Dec. 31): Allentown’s transportation museum highlights early American industrial innovation, carriage building, and motor transit history. Event Details
Gather Place Underground Railroad & 250th Gallery (Fridays & Saturdays through Oct. 31): Yardley’s African American museum presents historic artifacts detailing the region’s early abolitionist movement. Event Details
The Declaration’s Journey Exhibition (Through Jan. 3): Museum of the American Revolution in Center City explores the global impact and changing interpretations of America’s founding document over 250 years. Event Details
This Land: Reimagining the Union (Through Dec. 4): Lehigh University Art Galleries in Bethlehem hosts a contemporary art exhibition reflecting on land ownership, national identity, and democracy. Event Details
A Nation of Artists Exhibition (Through Dec. 31): Jointly presented by the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, featuring over 1,000 historic works spanning three centuries of American art. Event Details
1777 Whitemarsh Encampment Reenactment (Nov. 7): The encampment reenactment in Fort Washington marks the period where General George Washington and the Continental Army stopped at the Battle of Germantown. Event Details
Historic Moravian Bethlehem Walking Tours (Saturdays & Sundays through Oct. 31, 2:30 p.m.): Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites leads guided walks through the 18th-century industrial quarter and colonial settlements departing from the Goundie House. Event Details
Lehigh Valley 250 has many more events to celebrate the birthplace of the nation throughout the rest of the year. For more information, visit the Lehigh Valley 250 website or explore Lehigh Valley’s Passport to History.