What are the “Ten Crucial Days?”
In December 1776, a mere six months after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, General George Washington's fledgling American Army and the cause of liberty were on the verge of being extinguished. A disastrous New York campaign that fall had resulted in the loss of more than half of Washington’s troops, as well as the confidence of Congress and his fellow citizens. Retreating through “the Jerseys” with the remnants of his ragtag Continentals, Washington and his soldiers sought refuge on the west bank of the Delaware River, having narrowly escaped King George III's British troops and their Hessian auxiliaries. Doubling as peace commissioners, British General William Howe and his brother, Royal Navy Admiral Sir Richard Howe, reasoned that further bloodshed was unnecessary. They assumed that the rebellious American soldiers—many of whose enlistments were scheduled to expire at year's end—would no longer be able to offer any significant resistance. Settling into winter quarters, General Howe ordered his regiments to set up a string of cantonments posted through the Jerseys.
George Washington saw something very different... Taking stock of his army’s desperate situation, the rebel commander-in-chief would launch his forces into a series of victorious engagements, of which British historian Sir George Otto Trevelyan later wrote, “It may be doubted whether so small a number of men ever employed so short a space of time with greater and more lasting effects upon the history of the world.” That space of time—December 25, 1776 to January 3, 1777—encompassed “Ten Crucial Days” that changed the course of history.
Do something revolutionary! Experience the “Ten Crucial Days.”
Upcoming Events
Lecture – “The Memory of ’76: The Revolution in American History”
This is a hybrid event. Visitors may attend in-person in the Visitor Center Auditorium or virtually on Zoom. Registration is required here: David Center Lecture: “The Memory of ’76: The…
All Barracks Eve!
Join us for an evening of spooky seasonal fun at All Barracks Eve! On Friday, October 25th, enjoy cider and donuts around a bonfire while listening to chilling tales told…
Fall 2024 Lantern Tours
Learn about the Crossing during the time of day it actually occurred by taking a Lantern Tour of Washington Crossing Historic Park this fall! Tours will take place every Friday…
Tai Chi by the Delaware
Come to Tai Chi with our steadfast volunteers and beloved teachers Lisa and Robert, who lead classes for all levels. Wear comfy clothes, no mat required. Find us on River…
Tai Chi by the Delaware
Come to Tai Chi with our steadfast volunteers and beloved teachers Lisa and Robert, who lead classes for all levels. Wear comfy clothes, no mat required. Find us on River…
Lenape Cultural Program
Meet the First People of Pennsylvania, the Lenape. Hear their stories, dance their dances. Pennsbury is proud to again host the federally recognized descendants of the Lenape (The Delaware tribe…
Fall 2024 Lantern Tours
Learn about the Crossing during the time of day it actually occurred by taking a Lantern Tour of Washington Crossing Historic Park this fall! Tours will take place every Friday…
Tricks & Treats
Join us for our annual FREE daytime trick-or-treating at Pennsbury Manor! Enjoy an afternoon of festive family-friendly Halloween fun mixed with Pennsylvania history. Kids can go trick-or-treating, play fun carnival…
Cadwalader Lecture Series Event With Richard Brookhiser
The Princeton Battlefield Society invites you to attend: The Cadwalader Lecture Series Featuring Richard Brookhiser Please contact us at outreach.pbs1777@gmail.com if you have questions. var gform;gform||(document.addEventListener(“gform_main_scripts_loaded”,function(){gform.scriptsLoaded=!0}),window.addEventListener(“DOMContentLoaded”,function(){gform.domLoaded=!0}),gform={domLoaded:!1,scriptsLoaded:!1,initializeOnLoaded:function(o){gform.domLoaded&&gform.scriptsLoaded?o():!gform.domLoaded&&gform.scriptsLoaded?window.addEventListener(“DOMContentLoaded”,o):document.addEventListener(“gform_main_scripts_loaded”,o)},hooks:{action:{},filter:{}},addAction:function(o,n,r,t){gform.addHook(“action”,o,n,r,t)},addFilter:function(o,n,r,t){gform.addHook(“filter”,o,n,r,t)},doAction:function(o){gform.doHook(“action”,o,arguments)},applyFilters:function(o){return gform.doHook(“filter”,o,arguments)},removeAction:function(o,n){gform.removeHook(“action”,o,n)},removeFilter:function(o,n,r){gform.removeHook(“filter”,o,n,r)},addHook:function(o,n,r,t,i){null==gform.hooks[o][n]&&(gform.hooks[o][n]=[]);var e=gform.hooks[o][n];null==i&&(i=n+”_”+e.length),gform.hooks[o][n].push({tag:i,callable:r,priority:t=null==t?10:t})},doHook:function(n,o,r){var t;if(r=Array.prototype.slice.call(r,1),null!=gform.hooks[n][o]&&((o=gform.hooks[n][o]).sort(function(o,n){return o.priority-n.priority}),o.forEach(function(o){“function”!=typeof(t=o.callable)&&(t=window[t]),”action”==n?t.apply(null,r):r[0]=t.apply(null,r)})),”filter”==n)return…