Washington Crossing Explodes With The Sights And Sounds Of 1776

UPPER MAKEFIELD, PA — The banks of the Delaware River exploded with the sights and sounds of 1776 on Tuesday during a step back in time at Washington Crossing Historic Park

Throughout the morning and into the afternoon, a crowd numbering in the hundreds experienced life during the American Revolution.

They watched spinning, weaving, and blacksmith demonstrations, learned about beer brewing and Colonial medicine, and played games from the 1700s.

Marblehead re-enactor Frank Lyons talks about the musket used to fight the American Revolution. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

Make ready! A musket firing demonstration along the banks of the Delaware. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

Artillery demonstrations by the 5th Pennsylvania and Marbleheaders had adults and children cupping their ears as canon fire blasted toward the Delaware River engulfing the banks in a sulfur-ladened smoky fog.

Standing on the steps of McConkey's Ferry Inn, Washington Crossing native Tom Madock of Yardley read the immortal words of the Declaration of Independence penned by Thomas Jefferson that set the stage for the Revolutionary War.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness,” he said as the words fell on the ears of the assembled crowd, much as they did in communities throughout the 13 original Colonies in 1776.

As Madock read the document, the gathering heard a lengthy list of grievances against the king and why the colonies declared their independence from Britain.

In front of the Durham boat house, re-enactor Paul Beck was mustering youngsters into the Colonial Army, equipping each with toy wooden muskets.

Assembled along Embarkation Drive with their muskets in hand, Beck led them through a series of drills before heading to a nearby patch of grass to “charge” the field.

Later they got to see an actual musket drill narrated by Marblehead re-enactor Frank Lyons, proprietor of the Continental Tavern in Yardley.

Lyons and the men led the musket firing drill on the banks of the Delaware River where Washington launched his bold and daring crossing of the Delaware River in 1776, a military maneuver that changed the course of the war.

Michael Carver demonstrates Colonial American beer brewing. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

George Washington (John Godzieba) poses for pictures with park visitors. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

Tom Madock of Yardley reads the immortal words of the Declaration of Independence on the steps of McConkey's Ferry Inn. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

A canon fire demonstration on the banks of the Delaware River. (Editor's Note: This photo by Jeff Werner has not been altered. It is in its original form.)

Throughout the park, the sights and sounds of the American Revolution were everywhere, from a blacksmithing demonstration to the sounds of the park’s Fife and Drum Corps, which played before the reading of the Declaration.

The day also included an encampment by the 5th PA and Marbleheaders, an environmental education activity table, and 18th Century Gardening.

The 4th of July celebration at the park capped off a weekend of Independence Day activities, which included a Rebels and Redcoats Car Show on Sunday and Colonial Toys and Games on Saturday.