Washington Crossing Historic Park enthusiasts will celebrate the 250th anniversary signing of the Declaration of Independence in style, officially observed July 4, 2026, thanks in part to a recent grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The $25,000 grant is part of the Celebrate America! Public Impact Project, which provides financial assistance for projects that focus on the founding of the American nation, key historical figures and milestones that reflect the exceptional achievements of the United States.
The funds will allow the park to expand and upgrade its living history programs across the 500-acre site, which give a glimpse into 18th century life through interactive experiences with actors. In addition to thousands of families and history lovers, the park hosts 10,000-plus students and chaperones each year through their Colonial Days field trip program.
“It’s all about bringing history to life,” says Jennifer Martin, executive director of the Friends of Washington Crossing Historic Park, the organization that oversees the park’s activities. “We want to immerse visitors in our history and allow them to see what really happened here and understand our community that has a unique and direct tie to the founding of our nation.”
Upgraded 2026 living history projects, which take place at the Thompson-Neely House and the Lower Park Village, include a soldier’s encampment and an officer’s quarters built in partnership with Americana Corner. The park also receives funding for its projects from the National Park Service and private foundations and individual donors.
“When you come to the park, you can actually sit around the campfire, climb into the brush huts, interact with soldiers, and really see what life was like back then,” Jennifer explains.
During the 2026 semiquincentennial year, the park's team members will focus on recognizing the contributions of a wide range of Americans to the Revolutionary War effort.
“We want everyone to see themselves in the history,” Jennifer says. “To that end, we’ve enhanced our interpretation to be more inclusive, sharing the contributions of women, Black soldiers and average civilians, in addition to people like General Washington.”
Jennifer also wants to spotlight the stories of specific Americans to foster a deeper understanding of the people involved in historical events. “With our site-specific interpretations, visitors can connect directly with the people that were part of the Crossing story,” she says. “Rather than saying what soldiers in general did, we’re really looking at specific accounts of individuals that were involved in the campaign to humanize the story a bit more.”
The living history programs, which will take place weekly from April to September, are part of a larger list of celebratory activities occurring at the park throughout 2026. There will be a celebration of Washington’s Birthday in February, an enhanced Fourth of July celebration and the yearly Christmas Day reenactment of Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River.
This year, the organization is building a Durham boat, the type used in the crossing, in partnership with the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia to allow visitor immersion in the crossing experience.
“We want people to know they can celebrate with us all year long, not just at the major holidays,” Jennifer says. “This 250th anniversary is an opportunity for us to reflect on the events that made us a young nation. If you hear about the 250th and want to know what that means to you, come out to these sites. Don’t just go to Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., even though they’re going to have lots to offer, but get out the sites right in your community that allow you to create memories right in your own backyard," Jennifer encourages.
“If you’ve heard about the crossing or about the park but haven’t been there, make 2026 your year. It’s a special place right here in our community.”
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