Historical Society Tour Traces New Hope’s Role In War For Independence

NEW HOPE BOROUGH, PA — During a special walking tour on Sunday, August 13 the New Hope Historical Society will trace the movements of George Washington’s troops through New Hope during two important events in American history.

Led by historical society board member and author, Roy Ziegler, the tour will explore the locations, conditions and events surrounding Washington's march from Valley Forge to New Hope and his encampment in New Hope on the banks of the Delaware River.

Following a series of stinging defeats at the hands of the British in New York and New Jersey, beginning with the Battle of Long Island in August 1776, General George Washington’s depleted army fled across the Delaware River to Bucks County in December 1776.

Seeking to fortify his position along the river, Washington posted garrisons at key ferry crossings
from Bristol to Coryell’s Ferry, now New Hope, where General Matthias Alexis Roche de
Fermoy commanded the German and First Pennsylvania Regiments, with about 600 troops.

Brigadier General Alexis La Rouche de Fermoy (left) and an encampment reenactment (right).

Eighteen months later, after surviving a brutal winter at Valley Forge, General Washington led
his entire Continental Army — more than 10,000 strong — to New Hope, then Coryell’s Ferry,
where they crossed the Delaware again, this time on their way to the important Battle of
Monmouth. The army, once again, encamped in New Hope on the banks of the historic Delaware
River, as they crossed over a period of three days from June 20th to the 22nd.

The tour will begin at the Parry Mansion Museum at 45 South Main Street in New Hope.

Admission to the tour is $10. Tickets may be purchased at newhopehistorical.org.