The 500-acre park is where George Washington departs during the annual Christmas Day re-enactment of the general's 1776 Delaware River crossing during the Revolutionary War.
UPPER MAKEFIELD, Pa. -- Washington Crossing Historic Park has officially been transferred to the Pennsylvania State Parks system.
The 500-acre park along the Delaware River in Bucks County, Pa. is now a part of the the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), which runs the state parks, the department said in a statement.
Washington Crossing Historic Park in Upper Makefield, Pa., File photo. The transfer of the park from the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission started in 2013 and was as part of legislation that supports the state budget and fiscal code, the DCNR said.
Washington Crossing was established as a state park in July 1917, but was moved to the museum commission in 1971.
"Many of our state parks protect areas or buildings that have cultural and historical significance, so we are equipped to take on the responsibility of conserving the site of George Washington's dramatic boat crossing of the Delaware River during the American Revolution," DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said in the statement.
"Washington Crossing also provides the community and visitors with many types of outdoor recreation, which is a natural fit with DCNR's mission," Dunn said.
The park will stil be called Washington Crossing Historic Park. George Calaba, who was recently an assistant park manager at Delaware Canal State Park complex, also along the Delaware River, has been named Washington Crossing's park manager.
Also involved in the transition agreement were the Friends of Washington Crossing Historic Park, which currently operates the visitor center, and Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve, which is in the park.
Washington Crossing Historic Park is a National Historic Landmark and is where George Washington departs during the annual Christmas Day re-enactment of the general's 1776 Delaware River crossing during the Revolutionary War.
The crossing concludes at Washington Crossing State Park, the 3,575-acre park in Titusville in Mercer County.
Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.