George Washington Crossed the Delaware on December 25, 1776

December 20, 2018

The Garden Club of Trenton Plants a Memorial

When George Washington crossed the Delaware River on December 25, 1776, it wasn’t just to get to the other side—he had a plan. His surprise attack on Hessian troops in and around Trenton, NJ was an important turning point in the American Revolutionary War. In 2007, the Garden Club of Trenton (GCT) also had a plan—the creation of a garden complete with a picket fence in front of the Nelson House at Washington Crossing State Park. Built within the grounds of the 3,575-acre park, the house occupies the high ground of the site where Washington’s Continental Army crossed that historic Christmas night.

 

The GCT broke ground on the project in 2009. A gravel garden was established to help minimize maintenance and watering. A picket fence and two benches were also built.  A reference book, detailing what would have been grown and available in the time of the Nelson House, the surviving wing of a 19th century hotel which accommodated those taking the ferry on the Delaware River, dictated the planting plan. The club is currently updating the original garden diagram to help educate the public about what is growing in each season.

 

The Nelson House Garden is maintained by volunteers from the GCT  with two-day drop-in sessions of weeding, deadheading, planting, and labeling in the fall and spring. Signage by the gate informs the public that the garden was established and maintained by the GCT with grant assistance from the New Jersey Committee of The Garden Club of America.

In 2012, as the GCT celebrated its centennial year, the club proposed helping with the restoration and rejuvenation of the George Washington Memorial Arboretum, located near the Nelson House Garden. In 2013, with a grant from the New Jersey Committee, the club planted and labeled 20 native trees and shrubs (including Freeman Medal species) to supplement the grove of aging trees. Currently, club members tend  the trees, wrapping mesh to protect from buck deer seasonal rub as well as weeding and watering at the planting stage. Signage identifies the new trees commemorating the GCT centennial. Botanical labels list the donation sources. In addition, the club holds an Arbor Day gathering each year to celebrate the trees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tree tagging in Washington Crossing Park           Nelson House Garden 

 

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