New Walking Tour To Trace Washington's Footsteps Through New Hope

NEW HOPE, PA — The New Hope Historical Society will mark the 291st birthday of George Washington by tracing his paths through New Hope during the War of the American Revolution.

On Sunday, February 19 beginning at 2 p.m., the society will inaugurate a new walking tour in honor of George Washington’s Birthday. The tour will trace the footsteps of the nation’s first Commander-in-Chief and his army through New Hope.

Led by Historical Society past-president and current board member, Roy Ziegler, the new tour will offer a colorful picture of George Washington’s movements in New Hope, and the town’s role in the American Revolutionary War.

General Washington visited New Hope, then named Coryell’s Ferry, several times in 1776 during the Revolutionary War to prepare his generals for the imminent battles that would change the world forever. About 800 soldiers encamped in Coryell’s Ferry for two weeks prior to George Washington’s legendary crossing of the Delaware River and marched to the decisive Battle of Trenton on December 25, 1776. Two days later the troops returned to Coryell’s Ferry to prepare for their second crossing of the Delaware to wage the Battle of Assunpink Creek, the Second Battle of Trenton.

About 18 months later, from June 19 to June 21, Washington and the entire Continental Army — 14,000 strong, with about 500 wives who followed their husbands into battle, marched along Old York Road, encamped in Coryell’s Ferry, and crossed the Delaware River at New Hope’s historic Ferry Landing as they prepared for the important Battle of Monmouth.

Tickets are limited, so the New Hope Historical Society suggests making reservations now at newhopehistory.org.