Washington Crossing Park NJ Awarded Semiquincentennial Grant

TITUSVILLE, NJ — The National Park Service has awarded the Washington Crossing Park Association of New Jersey a $75,000 Semiquincentennial Grant to update the boundary of the National Historic Landmark.

The image of “Washington Crossing the Delaware” is engraved into the national soul thanks to the famous painting by Emmanuel Leutze. Some know that the site of the Crossing is marked by two state parks: Washington Crossing State Park in New Jersey and Washington Crossing Historic Park in Pennsylvania. However, few are aware that the National Historic Landmark designation straddles two states.

"We are pleased to announce that we will be undertaking this National Historic Landmark update in collaboration with colleagues at its Pennsylvania sister park, who have received a similar grant," said New Jersey park officials.

The original 1961 NHL listing for both parks was incomplete, according to park officials. Thanks to this funding, the two parks will undertake an update to the current boundary delineation of the bi-state National Historic Landmark.

The update will include an analysis of existing NHL boundaries of both parks’ state and national register nominations, along with updating descriptions for all the Landmark’s cultural/historic resources to incorporate current research and present a more inclusive interpretation of the site.

This National Historic Landmark update is being supported in whole by a Semiquincentennial grant from the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

The update will make the park eligible for much-needed future funding as it prepares for a restoration which will include a new Visitor Museum, new roadways and signage, and the installation of a stunning mural of Washington Crossing the Delaware, painted in 1921 by military artist George Matthew Harding.

The Washington Crossing Park Association (WCPA), which is the officially recognized Friends organization of New Jersey’s Washington Crossing State Park, has also received funding to renovate the Park’s charming Nelson House, near the Delaware River.