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

Fall 2024 Lantern Tours

October 18 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
1112 River Road
Washington Crossing, PA 18977 United States

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

October 19 @ 8:30 am - 9:30 am

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

October 19 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am

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…

Fall Clean Up – October 19, 2024

October 19 @ 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
500 Mercer Street
Princeton, NJ 08540 United States

FALL CLEAN UP DAY Saturday, October 19. The rain date October 26. Join the Princeton Battlefield Society for Fall Clean Up Day at the Princeton Battlefield State Park. A great way…

The Battle of Pell’s Point

October 19 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
355 Washington Crossing Pennington Rd
Titusville, NJ United States

Two months before Washington crossed the Delaware in 1776, Colonel John Glover and his Marblehead Mariners made a stand at Pell’s Point in the Bronx. The Marbleheaders were one of…

Fall 2024 Lantern Tours

October 19 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
1112 River Road
Washington Crossing, PA 18977 United States

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…

Battlefield Tour October 20, 2024

October 20 @ 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
500 Mercer Street
Princeton, NJ 08540 United States

Spend a Sunday afternoon at the Princeton Battlefield State Park and learn more about the Battle of Princeton, a battle that ended the “ten crucial days” of 1776-1777. Walk in…

Open-Hearth Cooking: Dinner for William Penn

October 20 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
400 Pennsbury Memorial Road
Morrisville, PA 19067 United States

The cooks will be preparing and presenting a complete seasonal dinner as it would be served to the Governor and his guests. This program is provided free of charge with…

October Book Club: Never Caught: The Washingtons’ Relentless Pursuit of their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge

October 21 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
PA United States

In partnership with the Friends of Washington Crossing Park the next meeting of the Washington Crossing Historic Park Book Club is set for Monday, October 21 at 5:30 PM. This meeting…