Free Crossing Lecture Explores British Occupation of Philadelphia

WASHINGTON CROSSING, PA — Washington Crossing Historic Park (PA) will hold a free lecture about the British occupation of Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War. The lecture will take place on Sunday, Sept. 18 at 1:30 p.m. in person at the park’s visitor center and live streamed on Zoom.

Aaron Sullivan, author of "The Disaffected," will discuss the experiences of Philadelphians who were pursued, pressured, and at times persecuted, not because they chose the wrong side of the Revolution but because they tried not to choose a side at all. For these people, the war was neither a glorious cause to be won nor an unnatural rebellion to be suppressed, but a dangerous and costly calamity to be navigated with care. Both the Patriots and the British referred to this group as “the disaffected,” denouncing them as opportunistic, apathetic, or even treasonous.

Sullivan earned his doctorate degree from Temple University. He has served as a history instructor at Temple, Holy Family University, and Rider University.

The lecture is free, but registration is required at WashingtonCrossingPark.org/events. Registration is required for both in-person and virtual attendance as space is limited. Those watching on Zoom will receive login information when they register. If you do not receive an email confirmation after you register, please call 215-493-4076.

The park’s visitor center is located at 1112 River Road in Washington Crossing, Pa.