WASHINGTON, DC – On Friday, July 14, 2023, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) announced that the Friends of Washington Crossing Park received a grant from the National Park Service (NPS) for $502,768 to be used for the Rehabilitation of the McConkey’s Ferry Inn at Washington Crossing. The McConkey’s Ferry Inn at Washington Crossing was selected to receive funding by the NPS for the Semiquincentennial Grant Program to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Created by Congress in 2020 and funded through the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), this round of grants will support 20 cultural resource preservation projects across 14 states.?
The Rehabilitation of the McConkey’s Ferry Inn at Washington Crossing is part of a larger project titled, Ferrying an Army to Victory: Restoring the Site of Washington’s Legendary Crossing. The mission of the project is to share the powerful story of General George Washington’s daring crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Night 1776 and to interpret its ongoing impact on world history, for both today’s citizens and future generations. The McConkey’s Ferry Inn at Washington Crossing, which sits on the banks of the Delaware River, was selected because of its significance in the crossing as it is where General Washington oversaw the grueling operation of crossing the Delaware. While sitting at the inn, General Washington wrote to General John Cadwalader to inform him of the plans to cross and attack the Hessian troops stationed in Trenton. The success of this campaign and the battles that followed turned the tide of the American Revolution.
“The actions that took place at Washington Crossing on Christmas night of 1776 was a defining moment in American History,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “There is no doubt that this crossing and the surprise attack on the Hessians lead to our independence and forever changed world history. The site of the crossing serves as a memorial to the heroic actions of General Washington and the brave men of the Continental Army, and as the hallowed ground that led to our freedom. As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, I am glad that the NPS has selected the McConkey’s Ferry Inn at Washington Crossing as a recipient of the Semiquincentennial Grant Program and I am proud to have advocated for this project.”
After budget cuts to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission forced the closure of Washington Crossing Historic Park to the public, a group of residents determined to save the crossing mobilized to form the non-profit Friends of Washington Crossing Park. In partnership with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Friends offer guided interpretive tours and educational programming in the park. The group also holds a number of annual events, including the Crossing dress rehearsal and Christmas Day Crossing, General Washington’s birthday celebration, sheep shearing at the Thompson-Neely House, Memorial Day and Independence Day commemorations, a fall harvest day, several fundraisers and more.
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