Friends of Washington Crossing Park
Preserving and Teaching the Story of the “Ten Crucial Days” Campaign
DETAILS
Project: Rescuing the Revolution Field Trip
Term: Five Years
Commitment: $250,000
DESCRIPTION
In partnership with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Friends of Washington Crossing Park shares the powerful story of General George Washington’s daring crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Night 1776 and interprets its ongoing impact on world history for both today’s citizens and future generations.
The purpose of this Preserving America Partners project is to expand on what Washington Crossing Historic Park already offers and contextualize local sites into the larger story of the American Revolution – making historical education more fun, engaging, and accessible to locals and visitors across the country. During the “Rescuing the Revolution” field trip, students will spend the day retracing the December 25 crossing of the Delaware and the December 26, 1776 through January 3, 1777 American and British military engagements (also known as the “Ten Crucial Days” campaign). Students will visit Washington Crossing Historic Park, Washington Crossing Park in New Jersey, and the Princeton Battlefield with each stop featuring educational content tailored to the historical significance of the location and its relevance to the Revolutionary War.
OBJECTIVES
Expand interpretive capabilities for students of all ages and other park visitors by adding new interpretive locations in the park and building up stock of historically-accurate materials.
Build a more impactful educational experience for students by creating a program with connections to educational standards in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Build a comprehensive program that will be appealing to audiences outside of our immediate area through partnerships with organizations like Freedoms Foundation, which brings student groups from across the country each year.
Create a lasting partnership with other established, reputable historic sites and with more schools, non-profits, and civic groups.
Increase our marketability to area educational institutions beyond our usual elementary school visitors.
Foster civic engagement by encouraging audiences to be active in historic sites, continuing education, volunteering, and internships.
Create partnerships that will allow us to offer programs for students from underserved schools and communities.
Create a new introductory film that will be more focused on the “Ten Crucial Days.”
Inspire students to re-visit our partner sites and other sites to learn more about the Revolutionary War and local history.
Design new interpretations that can also be used to enhance the visitor experiences at larger events and programs already established.
Tie together the three disparate events (Washington’s Crossing, Battle of Trenton, and Battle of Princeton) into one common historical thread and demonstrate that these three events comprise one campaign.
Teach students how this one campaign was pivotal to the winning of the American Revolution.
