A new era is taking shape at Washington Crossing State Park.
On Thursday afternoon, more than 40 people from across New Jersey — and as far away as Tennessee — joined a virtual presentation hosted by the Pennington Public Library and the Washington Crossing Park Association to preview sweeping upgrades underway at one of the state’s most storied historic sites.
At the heart of the transformation is a brand-new museum, currently under construction, that promises to immerse visitors in the drama, danger and determination of General George Washington’s daring Delaware River crossing on Christmas night, 1776. The project is part of a broader $27 million investment in the park — and in public history — ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
Spanning more than 800 acres along the Delaware River, the park commemorates the pivotal moment when Washington launched a surprise attack on Trenton’s Hessian garrison. The crossing and subsequent victories at Trenton and Princeton helped turn the tide of the American Revolution and remain foundational to our nation’s story.
“This is a really special structure, and it will bring thousands of people to this area,” said Annette C. Earling, executive director of the Washington Crossing Park Association. “Even the construction crews told me how proud and excited they are to work on something with this kind of meaning and design.”
The museum is being designed not just as a showcase for Revolutionary War artifacts — including the nationally significant collection of the Swan Historical Foundation — but as an interactive learning space for all ages. On loan since the Bicentennial, the Swan collection includes more than 500 original items from the Revolutionary War era: weapons, maps, personal effects, uniforms, and military gear.
“We are thrilled that our partners in the State of New Jersey are creating a new home with fresh exhibits that will show off this unique collection,” said Robert Fanelli, a trustee of the Swan Historical Foundation. “It will help future generations better understand our nation’s founding.”
Inside the museum, visitors will find exhibit galleries, flexible education space, and a multiuse auditorium. A reproduction of a Ferry boat will anchor the “Crossing Experience,” surrounding guests with video screens to help feel the excitement and chaos of that fateful night.
“I like to joke that Mel and I will be there with a snow and wind machine to make it a full ‘4-D’ experience,” Earling said, referring to the association’s new development director, Mel Gardner.
Another highlight: a terrazzo tile floor map of the Delaware River, designed as a hands-on teaching tool. “I like to imagine students thronging around the map with model ferries, Durham boats, horses and artillery — planning their own crossing and march to Trenton,” Earling said.
Historians Mark Sirak and Clay Craighead, who have served at Washington Crossing for a combined 60 years, led the presentation and emphasized that while construction continues, the park’s public programming hasn’t slowed. Thousands of students, scouts, and military units still visit the park each year for guided, age-tailored tours — all offered free of charge.
The park’s capital improvements go well beyond the museum: a restored Nature Center, new roofs and heating systems, window repairs, renovated picnic areas, repaired signage and trails, and improvements at many of the historic buildings are all underway.
Looking ahead to celebrating the 250th anniversary in 2026, Sirak previewed the park’s popular reenactment schedule and the updates expected for the special year. The 2026 events will run Dec. 24–27, including the Johnson Ferry skirmish, the Christmas Day crossing, and battles at Trenton and Princeton — coordinated across multiple historic sites to reflect the original 1776 campaign timeline.
For 2025 the reenactments are expected to follow the same Dec. schedule that we’ve come to expect including the Christmas crossing.
The webinar — moderated by Pennington Library Director Kim T. Ha — marked the most comprehensive public update yet.
“This kind of community connection is exactly what the Park Association is here to foster,” Earling said. “We finally get to share the vision — and bring people with us on this incredible journey.”
