Historic Buildings
Many buildings in the park date from the area’s long history.
Bowman’s Hill Tower: A 125-foot structure completed in 1931 to commemorate the American Revolution, the tower boasts a commanding view of the Delaware River and surrounding countryside. The tower roof can be reached by elevator and 23 stone steps. This site is open seven days-a-week, March through December, weather permitting.
Bowman’s Hill Tower Brochure (PDF)
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve: This site is devoted to the preservation of native plants of Pennsylvania. It features trails, programs, special events, and exhibits. The headquarters building contains a gift shop, public restrooms, and the preserve offices. The preserve is administered by the Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, Inc.
Durham Boat House: This twentieth-century structure houses the Durham boat replicas. Durham boats were originally used to haul iron ore and were the sturdy type of craft used by Washington and his men for the crossing. Today, these replicas are a key component of the annual reenactment of Washington crossing the Delaware River on Christmas Day.
Frye House: The Frye House is a Taylorsville tenant home built circa 1828-1830 by the Taylor family. The home is believed to have been constructed for a blacksmith. A recreated blacksmith shop is located beside the Frye house and features demonstrations at various times throughout the year.
Hibbs House: This restored and furnished nineteenth century home was erected circa 1828-1830 as part of the village of Taylorsville. It was leased out as a tenant house for craftsmen and was advertised as a wheelwright’s house and shop. Open hearth cooking demonstrations are held here at various times throughout the year.
Mahlon K. Taylor House: This home was built circa 1817 for one of the town founders of Taylorsville, now known as Washington Crossing. It shows the status and prosperity of the Taylor family in the community.
McConkeys Ferry Inn: This eighteenth-century inn and tavern was owned by Samuel McConkey. The inn served as a guard post during the Continental Army’s encampment in Bucks County in December 1776. Earthworks and cannon defended the ferry landing. According to tradition, this inn is where Washington and his aides ate their dinner prior to the crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Day. Additions were made to the inn in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century by the Taylor family. This building continued to serve as an inn for many decades.
Taylorsville Store: Beginning around 1828, this store was owned and operated by Mahlon K. Taylor. It also functioned as the Post Office for Taylorsville with Mahlon Taylor serving as postmaster for nearly 40 years.
Thompson-Neely Farmstead - Washingtons Encampment: The Thompson-Neely House, encampment site of George Washington’s army prior to the crossing, was the home of Robert Thompson and his son-in-law William Neely. The property contained a mill and was situated near several ferries, making it an ideal location for sick and hungry soldiers to camp.
For two weeks, the Thompson and Neely families shared their home and their lives with convalescing soldiers as they awaited their orders to march to McConke's Ferry to cross the Delaware on Christmas night.
Thompson-Neely Farmstead Brochure (PDF)
Thompson-Neely Grist Mill: In December of 1776, the Continental Army was unwelcome in many parts of Bucks County. Some millers even refused to grind grain for the hungry soldiers. This forced George Washington to order flour be taken from uncooperative millers and that they be paid for their losses. The owner of this mill, Robert Thompson, likely embraced the patriot cause and provided flour from his mill to the army camped on the property.
The original mill, constructed in the early 18th century, stood approximately 100 yards downstream from the present mill. This restored, water-powered mill was built in the 1830s by the Neely family.
Soldiers Graves: The grave sites of New York Artillery Captain James Moore and many unknown soldiers of the American Revolution who died during the December 1776 encampment are located here.
Washington Crossing Historic Park Visitor Center: This location provides orientation and information about Washington Crossing Historic Park, including a documentary film, exhibits, gift shop, restrooms, ticket sales, and park offices.