Provided by Friends of Washington Crossing Park:
Friends of Washington Crossing Park will premiere Washington Crossing Historic Park’s new Visitor Center orientation film on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, from 6:00–8:00 PM. Held in the Visitor Center auditorium at 1112 River Road, the Veterans Day event will feature the new production, behind-the-scenes clips, and a moderated discussion with filmmakers and park staff. General admission is $35, and seating is limited.
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Created in partnership with award-winning historical production company Wide Awake Films, the film draws on current historical scholarship, dramatic reenactments, and cinematic storytelling to immerse audiences in Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River and the Ten Crucial Days that followed. It marks the first major update to the park’s introductory film since 2000.
The park’s tradition of cinematic storytelling began with Washington Crossing the Delaware, its original introduction film narrated by legendary broadcaster Chet Huntley. The premiere evening will celebrate that legacy with a farewell to Of Dire Necessity, which has welcomed visitors for more than 25 years, before introducing its successor.
Behind-the-scenes clips will offer a closer look at the production, followed by a panel discussion and audience Q&A. Kenneth A. Gavin, Senior Consultant for Living History Initiatives with Friends of Washington Crossing Park, will moderate. Panelists include Alex Robb, the Friends’ Interpretive Programs Specialist, and Wide Awake Films team members Brent Feito, Senior Historical Producer; Jeff Van Bockern, Director of Post-Production; and Rob Shenk, Chief Content Officer.
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Held on Veterans Day, the event will also honor generations of American service members whose courage, sacrifice, and commitment carry forward the legacy of those who fought for independence in 1776.
Filmed during a snowy January weekend at the park, the production features reenactors, horses, encampment scenes, and historic settings throughout the Historic Village and Thompson-Neely Farmstead. The new film will be shown daily in the Visitor Center theater, providing historical context before visitors explore the grounds and serving as a cornerstone of the visitor experience during the Crossing’s 250th anniversary and beyond.
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The film is one of several projects supported by the Friends’ $2.5 million 2026 capital campaign to advance historic preservation, education, accessibility, and immersive visitor experiences. Project supporters include Heritage Builders Chris and Mary Jane Beck and the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial; Historic Patron Americana Corner; and Preserving Partners Frank and Patty Lyons and the Moglia Family Foundation Trust.
The premiere will take place in the Visitor Center’s 238-seat auditorium. For event details and ticket information, visit washingtoncrossingpark.org/