Construction has begun on a replica Durham Boat to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence at Washington Crossing next year. (Credit: Emily Harris)
In preparation for America’s 250th anniversary, the Friends of Washington Crossing Park (FWCP) and the Independence Seaport Museum (ISM) are constructing a full-scale replica of the Durham boat that carried George Washington across the Delaware River on Christmas Day, 1776.
Washington’s Crossing is recognized as a critical turning point in the Revolutionary War. The surprise attack that followed led to a key victory at the Battle of Trenton and helped revive the Continental Army’s momentum when morale was low.
The Washington Crossing Park hosts annual reenactments of the event every December, using four Durham boats, FWCP Executive Director Jennifer Martin said. The attraction has always been widely popular, bringing in over 10,000 visitors every year.
Martin said the park wanted to create a more immersive way to teach visitors the significance of Washington’s crossing. That vision led to plans for The Durham Boat Project—one part of an interactive series in honor of America’s 250th anniversary next year.
“It's a way to educate the community in an immersive way about the events of Christmas night, 1776, and why it had such a large impact on world history,” Martin said.
Having previously partnered with the Seaport boat shop, FWCP reached out to Executive Director David Dormond, who said the project fit perfectly with the museum’s mission to preserve and showcase local boatbuilding traditions and historic events.
“I don't know if I can think of an event that is or was more impactful to the birth of the country,” Dormond said. “Washington crossing the Delaware was one of the biggest events to take place that changed the outlook of the war and gave the country a chance to win the battle.”
At 40 feet in length, the Durham will be the same size as Washington’s original boat. Most of the same traditional materials will be used with a few minor alterations so the boat can withstand environmental factors.
In addition to the original blueprints, materials and construction methods, Dormond said the boat shop’s team also researched the story of the Delaware crossing to ensure their replica was accurate.
According to Dormond, the project is spearheaded by three of the boat shop’s employees and around six to twelve volunteers working at any given time.
During construction, monthly public programs will give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the boatbuilding process. The kickoff event, the Table Saw Talk—a coffee and conversation workshop, spotlighting the boat shop’s work—is set for Sunday. Tickets are $10 for non-members and free for members.
“We're also looking to raise awareness of all that Philadelphia has to offer, as far as its history and the people who were living and working along the Delaware River,” Dormond said.
Dormond added that ISM began planning the Durham project in January 2025, and it is scheduled to be installed in the park by next April.
Once completed the project will be one of several new exhibitions, including a renovated Thompson-Neely-House and collections on loan from Fort Ticonderoga, showcased during the 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026.
With several events planned, Martin said the park expects a 20% increase in visitors and is aiming to welcome one million people in 2026.
