OT: Washington Crossing Reenactment

[WhiteBus]

For all of you history buffs or those looking for something great to do on Christmas Day before you gather with your family and friends, just a reminder that Washington Crossing Reenactment takes place on both sides of the Delaware River. Its a wonderful experience and one many of you should put on your bucket list. And with the weather forecast looking great. (with no input from #s) this year should be a great day to go. Crossing begins at 1pm. However on the PA side festivities start at least an hour earlier and are worth the experience!

Anyway with my business of selling craft beers, the next few days I won't have much time to check out this board much so let me wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Hmmm.. live streamed anywhere? Snapchat? Youtube afterward?

Can someone put on english accents and boo them loudly and video the crowds reaction?

Maybe german accents and wear Hessian hats?

 

[WhiteBus]

And if you go stop by and say hello. I'm easy to spot. Just look for the dog.

 

[ClassOf02]

Moved to Lambertville a couple years ago. One of these years I have to do this. Problem is....Christmas day is too damn busy.

 

[AshSaturday]

Right now I can't afford to break down as no money for repairs.

Another place I have to visit is the Vanderveer? house outside of Pluckemin. Forgot my history but the owner of the house hosted General George Washington for 1-2 winters. That's because a 1980s Rutgers study determined that the 1st real military encampment was not West Point but on what is now the Northern? slopes of "The Hills" housing development. There was an dig many years ago.

I bELieve the owsner of the house married a girl whose father was a minster. The later, Reverend Hardenberg, founded what is known today a Rutgers University!

 

[RutgersRaRa]

When I saw the thread title my immediate thought was that it was about Washington crossing our goal line. That would have been a boring (but perhaps upsetting) reenactment.

 

[RU4Real]

 

[76Scarlet]

Never been but looks interesting. Thanks for posting.

 

[SHUSource]

Moved to Lambertville a couple years ago. One of these years I have to do this. Problem is....Christmas day is too damn busy.

Same story here (I'm just a couple miles down river from the crossing site on the Pa. side), but I'm out of area on Christmas Day. But you can go to the dress rehearsal they always do a few weeks earlier - typically the first or second week of December. I did that a couple years ago, and it also draws a big crowd because it's basically the same event. It beats missing it altogether.

 

[patk89]

Great looking Dog!

Hessians apparently drank heartily the night before (Xmas Eve). I assume the patriots did not. Huge advantage.

 

[DHajekRC84]

Great pictures from last year. Dog in a coat and people in t shirts. Being in Ringoes I'm close and been over that bridge a ton. On the list, but never made it yet. Christmas morning is too busy. (and I tend to drink like a Hessian)

 

[bac2therac]

this looks cool, never been but want to. I know it happened on XMas but wish they would do it they day after so more can go see it

 

[bac2therac]

Great pictures from last year. Dog in a coat and people in t shirts. Being in Ringoes I'm close and been over that bridge a ton. On the list, but never made it yet. Christmas morning is too busy. (and I tend to drink like a Hessian)

I always get woozy looking down over that bridge on the walking path, not a fan of heights with water beneath

 

[RU-05]

And if you go stop by and say hello. I'm easy to spot. Just look for the dog.

That dogs a red coat!!!!

 

[Upstream]

this looks cool, never been but want to. I know it happened on XMas but wish they would do it they day after so more can go see it

They do a "rehearsal" earlier in December. http://www.washingtoncrossingpark.org/come-cross-with-us/

 

[WhiteBus]

That dogs a red coat!!!!

It's ok. It's a Rutgers Football coat.

 

[RU-05]

It's ok. It's a Rutgers Football coat.

Do you mean he is a Washington operative gathering intelligence across enemy lines? An unknown but key figure in the turning point of the war? Well played.

 

[RU-05]

They should have a beer inspired by what the Hessians may have been drinking on that night.

Call it the demise or something.

 

[Upstream]

Do you mean he is a Washington operative gathering intelligence across enemy lines? An unknown but key figure in the turning point of the war? Well played.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Honeyman

 

[DHajekRC84]

They should have a beer inspired by what the Hessians may have been drinking on that night.

Call it the demise or something.

called "Oh Schidt"

 

[Knightmoves]

I always get woozy looking down over that bridge on the walking path, not a fan of heights with water beneath

Heights ? Must be all of 20 feet down to the water and you've got hand rails on both sides of the bridge walkway. Just don't look down would be the advice in the future.

 

[gef21]

Moved to Lambertville a couple years ago. One of these years I have to do this. Problem is....Christmas day is too damn busy.

I moved to lambertville a few years ago also. I keep saying I am going to make it to this event (as a SS teacher I feel like I should go) but such a busy day.

 

[RU-05]

Heights ? Must be all of 20 feet down to the water and you've got hand rails on both sides of the bridge walkway. Just don't look down would be the advice in the future.

Ever see the glass bridge in china, and the people unable to stand while on it?

I'd like to give it a go, I think I'd have some trouble with it.

 

[rurichdog]

Great looking Dog!

Hessians apparently drank heartily the night before (Xmas Eve). I assume the patriots did not. Huge advantage.

The snowstorm on Christmas Eve also forced the Hessian lookouts to retreat inside to warmer & dryer quarters. Nobody saw them coming and assembling.

 

[MYHATINTHERING]

never saw this, always wanted to, thanks for the reminder

 

[DJ Spanky]

Do you mean he is a Washington operative gathering intelligence across enemy lines? An unknown but key figure in the turning point of the war? Well played.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Honeyman

Interesting.....I'd never heard about him before.

 

[Armor and Sword]

 

[Upstream]

Interesting.....I'd never heard about him before.

That's because he was a spy. His identity was kept secret.

 

[RUsince52]

When I saw the thread title my immediate thought was that it was about Washington crossing our goal line. That would have been a boring (but perhaps upsetting) reenactment.

Not as bad because on Christmas Day it would mean we're in a bowl game, again.

 

[beaced]

When I saw the thread title my immediate thought was that it was about Washington crossing our goal line. That would have been a boring (but perhaps upsetting) reenactment

Very Cool. Surprised other are not appreciating your post.

 

[NitNE73]

The snowstorm on Christmas Eve also forced the Hessian lookouts to retreat inside to warmer & dryer quarters. Nobody saw them coming and assembling.

The crossing took place on Christmas night, not Christmas Eve. After the crossing, the army marched in two columns south into Trenton, with Washington marching along the river and General Sullivan a bit inland (Sullivan Way is still a highway in Trenton). They attacked simultaneously the morning of December 26th, not Christmas morning.

 

[patk89]

They crossed on Christmas Day, just like the re-enactment. The march to Trenton would not have taken very long from there. Always thought they attacked during daylight, not at night. Maybe the storm the prior night caused the Hessians to pound down a few more drinks than they would have otherwise. They were mercenaries so not really committed to the cause.

 

[MYHATINTHERING]

they attacked just before dawn

 

[Upstream]

They crossed on Christmas Day, just like the re-enactment. The march to Trenton would not have taken very long from there. Always thought they attacked during daylight, not at night. Maybe the storm the prior night caused the Hessians to pound down a few more drinks than they would have otherwise. They were mercenaries so not really committed to the cause.

They started the crossing around 6 pm on Christmas Day. Although the plan was to complete the crossing by midnight, foul weather and ice delayed them They completed moving the troops, horses, and artillery across the river around 3 am on Dec 26. At 4 am they started the march on Trenton. The battle started at 8 am on Dec 26.

 

[Plum Street]

Why is reenactment on Christmas Day if the crossing took place on the 26th??

 

[Upstream]

Why is reenactment on Christmas Day if the crossing took place on the 26th??

Read the post right above your post.

 

[WhiteBus]

Upstream covers it well. Crossed on Christmas. Battle of Trenton after dawn on the 26th.

Anyway, if you plan to attend. Both sides are State parks which do not allow alcohol. However non steaming coffee cups are very prevalent. Bailey's and Bourbon must be the predominant "coffee" flavors on Christmas afternoon. An accepted occurrence. Not like the Middlesex cops the patrol the Blue Lot. No one cares and a perfect place to lite up a Christmas cigar. Also if your dog is friendly bring him/her. Tons of them in the last few years.

 

[koleszar]

The snowstorm on Christmas Eve also forced the Hessian lookouts to retreat inside to warmer & dryer quarters. Nobody saw them coming and assembling.

Pussies

 

[BigRnj]

This is really worth a watch if you have never viewed it (btw it is played every 30 mins at the visitors center at Washington Crossing State Park - NJ side).



EVERY NJ resident, in fact every American should know this story. If not for Washington's victories at Trenton and Princeton it is strongly speculated the Revolution would have ended and no USA.

i love the quote by a British historian "it is doubted wether so small a number of men ever employed so small a space of time with greater and more lasting effects on the history of the world."

 

[BigRnj]

Same story here (I'm just a couple miles down river from the crossing site on the Pa. side), but I'm out of area on Christmas Day. But you can go to the dress rehearsal they always do a few weeks earlier - typically the first or second week of December. I did that a couple years ago, and it also draws a big crowd because it's basically the same event. It beats missing it altogether.

Wow, we do a dress rehearsal and we still surprised the Hessians. Those idiots deserved to lose.