New Visitors Center Coming To Washington Crossing State Park, N.J.

WASHINGTON CROSSING, NJ — Site preparation work for the construction of a new visitor center is underway at Washington Crossing State Park in New Jersey.

The new visitor center is one of several projects the State Park Service in New Jersey is undertaking ahead of the nation's Semiquincentennial Anniversary, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026.

The commemoration of the 250th anniversary will happen in 2026, although events marking the celebration will begin as early as 2024 and continue through 2033.

A rendering showing the proposed visitor center at Washington Crossing State Park.

The new visitor center is designed to be built into the landscape, featuring a green roof, a multipurpose theater, and immersive exhibits.

The first stage of work will include site preparation, including tree removal, to prepare the grounds for construction.

None of the trees being removed were witness to Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River in 1776, state park officials said. And trees that are removed will be replaced with new trees in the area of the new visitor center and in other areas throughout the park.

Funding for the project is made possible through Corporate Business Tax revenue in accordance with the Preserve New Jersey Act. Additional support is provided by the American Rescue Plan made available by Governor Phil Murphy for projects supporting improvements to the state’s Revolutionary War historic sites in anticipation of the nation’s Semiquincentennial Anniversary.

Another rendering showing how the visitor center would fit into the surrounding landscape.

A rendering showing the entrance into the visitor center.