DCNR To Invest $8.7 Million To Conserve Structures At Washington Crossing Historic Park In Bucks County

On May 14, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn today announced the start of an $8.7 million project to conserve and improve 17 historic and other structures at Washington Crossing Historic Park in Bucks County.

“We’re pleased to get this project underway to help to protect the cultural and historical significance of some of the buildings at Washington Crossing and continue the site’s historic legacy for the public’s education and enrichment,” Dunn said at a groundbreaking today where she joined local officials and partners.

The 500-acre park that lies along the Delaware River preserves the site of George Washington’s dramatic boat crossing during the American Revolution. 

A National Historic Landmark, it has an upper and a lower section.  Together they include historic buildings that give many clues about living conditions during the Revolutionary era.

The following buildings are included in the project:

-- McConkey’s Ferry Inn: new roof, window and door restoration, masonry, HVAC, exterior;

-- Mahlon Taylor residence: new roof, window and door restoration, interior, exterior;

-- Amos Taylor residence: new roof, window and door restoration, electric, exterior;

-- Frederick Taylor House: window and door restoration, plumbing, exterior;

-- Elmer Buckman residence: new roof, window and door restoration, electric, exterior;

-- Eliza Taylor residence: new roof, window and door restoration, interior, exterior;

-- Hibbs House: new roof; window and door restoration, masonry, plumbing, interior, exterior;

-- Frye House: new roof, window and door restoration, interior, exterior;

-- Andrassy House: new roof, window and door restoration, interior, exterior;

-- Taylorsville General Store: new roof, window and door restoration, interior, exterior;

-- Oliver Taylor residence:  new roof, window and door restoration, exterior;

-- Thompson Neely House: new roof, window and door restoration, masonry, HVAC, exterior;

-- Thompson Neely Restroom: plumbing, electric, interior;

-- Blacksmith Shop: new roof, exterior;

-- General Washington Pavilion: new roof, masonry repairs;

-- General Washington Bathhouse: new plumbing; and

-- Bowman’s Hill Tower: parking lot and road improvements.

The contractor for the project is Wu & Associates of Mount Laurel, New Jersey. The work already has begun.

Washington Crossing became Pennsylvania’s 121st state park in February 2016 when it was transferred to DCNR from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Opportunities for recreation at Washington Crossing include river access for fishing; walking trails; and pavilions for picnicking.  The park and the Friends of Washington Crossing provide historical and environmental education programs, as well as hosting special events and re-enactments.

Attendance at Washington Crossing Historic Park was almost 900,000 visits in 2020, an increase of more than 56 percent, as many people took to the outdoors during the pandemic for well-being and activity.

  For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog,  Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

Related Articles:

-- DCNR Announces Operational Changes To Address Capacity Issues At Beltzville State Park, Carbon County

-- New Addition At Kings Gap Environmental Ed Center Protects Amphibian Habitat, Provides More Accessible Hiking Opportunities In Cumberland County 

[Posted: May 14, 2021]  PA Environment Digest