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The Night That Saved the Revolution
These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service.
Thomas Paine · The Crisis · December 1776
1776
Battle of Trenton
1776
Washington Crosses the Delaware
1777
Battle of Princeton
1776
Hessian Surrender at Trenton

Trenton

NJ · American Revolution

Washington's Christmas 1776 crossing of the Delaware and surprise attack on Trenton revived a dying cause.

Victory or Death
20
Events
6
Stories
6
Connections
December 26, 1776
The Delaware Crossing
N

2,400 men. A frozen river. Nine miles in sleet. And then — Trenton.

Notable
63.3/100
15People20Events6Stories

**Trenton: The Turning Point That Saved a Revolution**

PEOPLE

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PLACES TO VISIT

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STORIES

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HISTORICAL VOICE

Thunder on King Street

I was in the cellar when the shooting started. The sound of muskets woke us before dawn on December 26 — sharp cracks in the cold air, then the deeper boom of cannon. My mother pulled me and my brothe...

HISTORICAL VOICE

Ice, Wind, and the Delaware

The river was a nightmare. I had seen heavy seas off the Grand Banks and ice in Marblehead Harbor in the worst winters, but the Delaware on Christmas night 1776 was something else entirely. The curren...

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Plan Your Visit

Upcoming Events

All Events

Dec

25

reenactment

Washington Crossing the Delaware Reenactment

Washington Crossing Historic Park, Washington Crossing, PA to Washington Crossing State Park, Titusville, NJ

Jul

4

exhibition

Old Barracks Museum Colonial Life Programs and Heritage Days

Old Barracks Museum, 101 Barrack Street, Trenton, NJ

Dec

25

festival

Patriots Week Trenton

Multiple venues including Old Barracks Museum, Trenton Battle Monument, Trenton War Memorial, and Mill Hill Park, Trenton, NJ

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Eat & Shop

In & Around Trenton

★ HIFE Picks

Places chosen by HIFE — never paid for, always honest.

★ HIFE PickOld Barracks Museum$

101 Barrack St, Trenton, NJ 08608

Monday: Closed, Tuesday: Closed, Wednesday: 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursday: 10 AM to 5 PM, Friday: 10 AM to 5 PM, Saturday: 10 AM to 5 PM, Sunday: Closed

The Hessians sleeping here had no idea Washington was crossing the Delaware — the museum keeps their actual material world intact, including the things they left behind when morning came and everything changed.

Directory data is refreshed regularly. ★ picks are chosen by HIFE and never paid for. Hours change — call ahead.

History Happened Everywhere.

Explore every town where the American Revolution unfolded — sourced, documented, and connected.

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