Hessian Barracks - Trenton NJ

The Old Barracks in Trenton, NJ was built prior 1750's and quarter British and Irish troops during the French and Indian War. During the American Revolution it housed several hundred Hessian soldiers. During the 1800's it was turned into small living quarters for Widows and Orphans and fell into disrepair.  In 1902 the local Daughters of the American Revolution (which I am a member of) began the efforts to save the building and turn it in to a museum.  

In the 1970's it became listed on the National Historic Registry and went through some archaeological

digs and updates.  The interpreters were wonderful!   

They lined us up like soldiers and we had to perform drills.  It was 97 degrees this day.  

Incredible re-enactor who portrayed an imprisoned British Loyalist who was chained to his shovel and had to dig graves.  

Peter Wentz Farm

Peter and Rosanna Wentz came from the Palatinate areas of now Germany in the 1740's.  He was a man of considerable wealth and bought a large piece of land upon his arrival outside of Philadelphia.  This area drew thousands of families from German, Switzerland and Austria during the 1700's who wanted to escape the political and religious turmoil that raged within that region.  Today, the area still has a very large German, Amish, Mennonite, Pennsylvania Dutch (Deutsch) and Schwenkfelder population.  

During the American Revolution, this area endured quite a few battles and General Washington used this property as his headquarters in October of 1777.  The house remains pretty much the same as it did during Washington's visit but many of the outbuildings have been reconstructed. 

In 1784 Peter Wentz sold the proper to Schwendfelder minister Reverend Melchior Schultz and the Schultz descendants continued to farm and occupy the property until 1969 when the County of Montgomery purchased it for posterity.  

Washington's Crossing - PA

Christmas Day 1776 - Washington and his weary men crossed the Delaware River roughly in this area.  As you can see the Delaware River is not that wide in this spot and it was a ferry spot.  During a blinding snowstorm and bitter cold General Washington and his men began the crossing which would take several hours.  They did so and moved into Trenton to surprise the sick and sleeping Hessians.  

 McConkey's Ferry Inn above

 The Bridge that crosses the Delaware....I walked it and channeled my inner Washington but it was a hot 97 degree day, and somehow, I don't think it was the same thing.  

 A boat very similar to the type Washington and his troops used.  Some of my friends doing the Washington pose.  

 Maps are always helpful in understanding the movement of troops

 Monument erected to the moment and American Cause

 The Front of MConkey's Ferry Inn.  The Inn served as a guard post during the Continental Army's encampment in Bucks County in December 1776.   Local lore has it that Washington had dinner here before the crossing.  

 Mahlon K Taylor house built in 1817.  One of the founders of the town.  This house would not have been here during Washington's crossing but it is symbolic of the area and the wealth of the area

The Frye House.  This house was also built after Washington's Crossing