GEORGE WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
The Johnson Ferry House at Washington Crossing State Park, New Jersey, cordially invites all interested public to a Washington’s Birthday Celebration, Saturday, February 22 from 1 to 4 pm to commemorate the birthday of our nation’s first president.
In the parlor, find out some well-known and not so well-known “Facts, Quotes and Anecdotes” about our first Commander in Chief and Founding Father. Listen to familiar Colonial and Revolutionary War tunes played on the fife and Baroque flute.
The history of gingerbread, one of Washington’s favorite treats, will be presented while a 1740 recipe is prepared and baked on the winter kitchen hearth. Historians will be interpreting the house and ferry service as it related to the Crossing while textile crafts are demonstrated and explained.
Quill pen writing and education in the 18th century will be ongoing in the upstairs bedchamber.
Refreshment of “1740” ginger snaps with hot and cold cider will be available to all. This is a great family event for school-age children and above. Come and go as you like, as activities are ongoing.
Parking and admission are free, but a $5 donation is suggested to defray costs.
For more information, please call 609-737-2515.
DIRECTIONS
From the North: Take I-95 heading south and follow to the very last exit in NJ before crossing the Delaware River. Exit and head north to Lambertville on route #29. Proceed for 2.5 miles. At the first traffic light, turn right onto Washington Crossing-Pennington Road. The Park entrance will be on your left in ¾ mile. Make a left into the Park Entrance and follow the signs to the Johnson Ferry House.
From the South: Take I-95 heading north. Cross the river into New Jersey and take the first exit immediately after the bridge. Follow the same directions as above.
Bearing witness to General Washington’s daring move across the Delaware River on Christmas Eve 1776, this dwelling was also home to followers of the 18th century religious movement, The Great Awakening.
This circa-1740 gambrel-roof farmhouse and ordinary located in Washington Crossing State Park, near the Delaware River was built by Garret Johnson on his 490-acre tract. James Slack operated the ferry service in 1776. In addition to using the ferry service, General Washington and other officers probably used the house at the time of the Christmas night crossing of the Delaware. The site also includes an 18th-century kitchen garden.
The keeping room, parlor, pantry and bedchambers of the Johnson Ferry House are furnished with local period pieces and reproductions similar to the furniture used by the Johnson and Slack families from 1740 to 1780. Interpretive tours focus on the impact of the Ten Crucial Days upon the local civilians and the crucial role they played in the unexpected success of the Crossing and the Battles of Trenton. James, Richard, and Uriah Slack, who lived in the ferry house, were front-line rescue workers for Patriots in danger, and for the Continental Army as they operated the ferry boats across the river either to safety, or to do battle. Living history demonstrations are frequently held on weekends. The interpretive programs emphasize the domestic and cultural aspects of colonial life with frequent special events and demonstrations of foodways, textiles, wood joinery and homelife.
Facilities for People with Disabilities
We encourage people with disabilities who require special considerations to contact the historic site / park at the phone number listed in the general information on the home page of the historic site / park. The staff will assist with arrangements. Text telephone (TT) users, please call the NJ Relay Services at (800) 852-7899.
For the Comfort and Enjoyment of All
This historic site / park is part of the NJ State Park system and your cooperation with the following will help ensure the survival of the museum collections, historic structures & features and surrounding property for the enjoyment and education of future generations!
Please contact this historic site / park with specific inquiries about any of these restrictions, as there may be some variations at this specific historic site / park.
Phone Number
609-737-2515
Address
355 Washington Crossing-Pennington Rd.
Titusville, NJ 08560
Email Address
WashingtonCrossing@dep.nj.gov
Grounds Hours 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tour Hours
11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Entrance Fee Washington Crossing State Park entrance fee may apply.
GPS Coordinates
40° 18’ 17.76” N 74° 51' 24.82" W