“First Crossing” at Washington Crossing Historic Park
This annual event held the second Sunday in December is a public commemoration of the events at McConkey’s Ferry on the night of December 25th, 1776 when Washington launched the daring plan to attack the Hessian Garrison at Trenton. Pennsylvania Society Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard Commander Fred Fonseca, with New Jersey Society Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard Commander Jay Hershey as his second-in-command, led the combined color guard units from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware. SAR Secretary General Michael Elston brought greetings from SAR President General Darryl Addington. The attending representatives were Pennsylvania Society Daughters American Revolution Treasurer Judi Beiderman, who offered greetings from State Regent Margarite Fritsch, PASSAR President Kurt Winter, Jennifer Viscusi, Washington Crossing Chapter DAR, Bob Reiser, Washington Crossing SAR, John Mitchell, Past President, Philadelphia Continental Chapter SAR, Vittoria Flick, Senior State President, New Jersey Children of the American Revolution, Adalade Slack, NJCAR Chaplain, Jennifer Brasko, PASCAR, Reinhard Brasko, PASCAR 1st VP., NJSSAR Chaplain, Gary Englestad was on hand for the invocation and benediction. NJSSAR State Historian Roger S. Williams was the Master of Ceremonies.
Conditions permitting, living historians drill and prepare to cross the Delaware River at the site of the original event. This year, even though the weather was beautiful, due to drought conditions, the Durham boats could not be moved to the river. Regardless, thousands of visitors watched as the Reenactors prepared to demonstrate the famous crossing. Other living historians join the soldiers to demonstrate 18th-century life, including printing, blacksmithing, cooking, and other activities.
The Friends of Washington Crossing Park hosted the entire program.
The photographs included below were taken by Bill Hampton (PASSAR), Al Pochek, Anthony Fiore
