Construction of the new Washington Crossing State Park Visitor Center reached a major milestone this week with the installation of the museum’s main roof deck — a complex, 8,500-square-foot concrete structure that builders say captures the distinctive architectural character of the project and signals the start of its final phase.
Project Manager Phil Kamaratos, with Kappa Construction Corp., who has overseen the build since groundbreaking, called the roof pour one of the most technically challenging achievements on the site to date.
“Today’s concrete placement for the main roof deck marks a major milestone for the new Washington Crossing State Park Visitor Center — it’s the last of the major concrete components and the single most challenging activity on the project,” Kamaratos said. “Between all of us involved in the effort, we have more than a thousand combined years of field experience, and we have never come across something as unique and representative of the American spirit of craftsmanship, resilience, and pride in building something lasting for future generations.”
The massive single pour — nearly 250 cubic yards of concrete — was shaped across a sloped and cambered deck that follows the arc of the museum’s curved exterior wall. Crews from multiple trades worked in continuous coordination to complete the placement, which Kamaratos described as the moment the museum “truly takes its final form” ahead of its planned opening in Spring 2026.
“Let’s build a piece of history”
On site earlier this fall, General Foreman Anthony Maffia said the team has felt the significance of the work every day.
“This is beautiful, right? We’ve got a great thing going on here,” Maffia said during a walkthrough. “Everybody here cares about this job.”
The project carried enough meaning that, he said, one longtime colleague came out of retirement for it. “One of our guys even came out of retirement just to work on this project,” Maffia said. “I told him, ‘Let’s build a piece of history.’ He looked at it and said, ‘I’m coming.’”
For Maffia, the emotional connection is personal, too. “This one I’ll be here for when they cut the ribbon,” he said. “My little one told me, ‘Dad, I’m cutting the ribbon.’ It makes you feel like you’re part of something that lasts.”
Work advancing across the entire park
The roof installation is just one element of the broader $27 million investment underway across Washington Crossing State Park as New Jersey prepares for the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. Alongside the new museum, improvements are in progress at the Nature Center, Nelson House, Stone Barn, Bear Tavern, and other historic structures throughout the site.
For Annette C. Earling, Executive Director of the Washington Crossing Park Association, seeing each project come to life has brought a sense of renewed energy.
“Even though we knew these changes were coming, many of us at the WCPA can’t help but feel a sense of awe as the projects throughout the park finally take shape,” Earling said. “The sketches of the new museum are coming to life before our eyes, and the Nelson House, Stone Barn, and Bear Tavern have been transformed into stunning spaces that are worthy of this historic treasure. Even the simple things — like the newly restored restrooms at the updated Nature Center — give me a thrill.”
Earling credited the collaboration among state staff, contractors, volunteers, and the WCPA community for the rapid progress. “Thanks to the dedication of DEP staff, volunteers, and WCPA members, we’ve come so far… and it’s incredible to think we’re almost there.”
Next steps
With the roof installed, construction will shift toward finishing the museum’s exterior and beginning detailed interior work.
“Next up on the schedule for the building is exterior finishes like landscaping, sandblasting, railing installations, windows, and interior framing systems,” Kamaratos said.
The new visitor center will house immersive exhibits, educational spaces, a multiuse auditorium, and the long-awaited permanent home of the Swan Historical Foundation’s Revolutionary War collection.
Meanwhile, some public programming continues across the park’s 800 acres — including preparations for the annual December reenactments, which will follow their traditional schedule this year before a larger, expanded four-day series in 2026. The first crossing event is Dec. 14 ahead of the annual Christmas crossing.
