General Washington’s Crossing Headquarters Preserved

Congratulations to the Washington Crossing Park Association and everyone who participated in the repair and re-staining of the historic Johnson Ferry House at Washington Crossing State Park. The updates were completed in preparation for the December 11 rehearsal and the Christmas Day re-enactment of Washington’s crossing of the Delaware. The project was underwritten by the Washington Crossing Park Association-NJ with the generosity of members and donors as part of the friends’ group’s commitment to the 240th anniversary of the actual crossing.

“Everyone who appreciates the significance of December 25, 1776 to our war of independence,” stated Joe Carney, WCPA president, “can take pride in our restoration efforts to preserve this historic treasure.”

The Johnson Ferry House (above) was built in 1740 and is the only structure surviving the overnight Christmas crossing and eventual march to Trenton to defeat Hessian troops.

The cost of repairs and re-staining was made possible through the Association’s Campaign 240 and the generosity of community friends and businesses. Among them were George Skic of Outwater’s Militia, whose historical re-enacting work drew the support of the Exxon Mobile Foundation of which he is an employee. Also contributing were Whole Earth Center, Hopewell Valley Arts Council, the Swan Historical Foundation, also Lambertville Station, Hopewell Valley Community Bank, NJM Insurance Group, Lakeland Bank, Union Fire Company, Spectrum Screen Printing, “The Old Penster”, Westholme Publishing, Roger Williams Associates, Lambertville Winter Festival, Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space, Princeton Books/Labyrinth Books, Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton, Pennington Quality Market, Garden Club of Trenton, Mercer County Cultural & Heritage Commission, Gravity Hill Farm, Shield’s Business Systems, Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc, and members of the WCPA-NJ. Campaign 240 raised money for specific Park projects. Among them was also updating weather-resistant park maps at visitor kiosks and the work at the Johnson Ferry House. The year-long campaign also responded to the Park’s natural and environmental needs. To counter the increased use of pesticides and the destruction of habitat, WCPA volunteers built and installed birdhouses to bring back Eastern Bluebirds and, to attract Monarch Butterflies, developed new plantings of milkweed, the butterfly’s primary food source.

“We are making a difference for individuals and families who visit the Park,” stated Carney, “because we share a dedication with state residents to its historic, natural, environmental, and recreational values.”

The 3-year-old Washington Crossing Park Association worked with State DEP officials to gain approvals. These included Mark Texel, John Trontis, Joe Winnicki, Neal Ferrari, and Nancy Ceperly. The Association Members worked tirelessly to raise funds for the work.

The Washington Crossing Park Association, a non-profit friend’s organization, works to protect, enhance, advocate and educate on behalf of the State Park. For more information click here.