Washington Crossing and the Ten Crucial Days 250 — New Jersey Society, Sons of the American Revolution

SAR250 Washington Crossing and the Ten Crucial Days

Commemorations and Reenactment

The Ten Crucial Days Historic AreaIncluding Washington Crossing (PA), Washington Landing (NJ), the Trenton Battle Monument, the Old Barracks Museum, Mill Hill Park, the site of the Battle of Assunpink Creek, Princeton Battlefield, Stony Brook Quaker Meeting, the homes and burial sites of Declaration of Independence signers, John Witherspoon and Richard Stockton, Nassau Hall, the classic colonial style Nassau Inn, great food, great holiday shopping — come celebrate with Compatriots at Christmastime where Washington’s vision for victory made history.

Washington Crossing at 250! While the actual crossing took place on December 25th, Washington Crossing is pulling out all the stops. Tours, talks, tastings, and toasts - a pre-holiday commemoration on December 11, 12 and13.

Event Schedule
(Pending Approvals)
These events are organized and managed by the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Societies, Sons of the American Revolution
Friday, December 11
- 8 am - 4 pm Registration Packet and Check In at the Nassau Inn, 10 Palmer Square, Princeton, NJ 08542 - + Free time to walk Princeton Shopping and historic Princeton University Campus
  - 2:00 pm Bus Ten Crucial Days Bus Tour Three-hour - Traversing the Ten Crucial Days bus tour. Cost: TBD Proceeds to benefit the sites of the Ten Crucial Days. Departure Point:-Nassau Inn
  - 6:00 - 7:30 pm - Welcome Reception - Nassau Inn, Yankee Doodle Tap Room, featuring the Norman Rockwell “Yankee Doodle” mural.
Saturday, December 12
- 9:00 am - Public reading of The American Crisis - Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
  - 10:00 - 11:30 am Option 1: Free time to walk Princeton's fine shops. Guided walks will be given through the historic Princeton University Campus, with visits to Nassau Hall, the University Chapel, and the world-class Princeton University Art Museum.
  - 10:00 - 11:30 am Option 2: Bus Tour Princeton Historic Sites Tour. Departure and Return, Nassau Inn. Cost: TBD
  - 2:00 - 5:30 pm via bus. Departure, Princeton Cemetery, 29 Greenview Ave., Princeton, NJ, 08540 Cost: TBD
    2:00 PM John Witherspoon Commemoration, Princeton Cemetery, 29 Greenview Ave., Princeton, NJ 08540.
    3:30 PM Wreath Commemorations at the Colonnade at Princeton Battlefield, 500 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ 08540.
    5:00 PM Richard Stockton Commemoration, Stony Brook Friends Burial Ground, 470 Quaker Rd., Princeton, NJ 08540.
  - 6:30 PM - 9 PM Cocktails + Buffet Banquet with Guest Speaker and Music from The Crossing, Cooper's Riverview Restaurant, 50 Riverview Plaza, Trenton, NJ 08611 in Trenton. The site of this restaurant is in Trenton’s Ferry District. It is historically significant. Cost: TBD
  - 9:45 PM Return to the Nassau Inn.
Sunday, December 13
8:30 AM Bus Departure: Washington Crossing State Park (NJ) and Washington Crossing Historic Park (PA), 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing, NJ 18977 "First Crossing and Washington's Landing" Wreath Commemoration and (Members will have a choice on which to attend, or they may walk across the bridge to do both.
· 3:00 PM Bus to Nassau Inn
End.
Click here to download the Schedule of Events
Registration Information will be posted prior to Fall Leadership, October 1, 2026
For the Color Guard, there will be four events on Saturday, December 12, and one event on Sunday, December 13.
Saturday, December 12
1. Public Reading of the American Crisis (location TBD)
2. Grave Marking: John Witherspoon, signer of the Declaration of Independence, Princeton Cemetary
3. Commemoration and Wreath Laying: Memorial Grove at Princeton Battlefield.
4. Grave Marking: Richard Stockton, Stony Brook Friends Burial Ground.
Sunday, December 13
1. Wreath Commemoration at Washington Crossing Historic Park (Approx 10:15 am)
Details to follow.
SAR members who wish to participate in the reenactment must do so according to the registration criteria outlined by the Ten Crucial Days 250 Committee. Click here for details.
Information for SAR Reenactor unit associations will be posted prior to Oct 1.
Our host hotel is the venerable Nassau Inn. In the heart of Princeton, within walking distance to multiple Revolutionary War historic sites, fine dining, and elite shopping. Enjoy great food at the Yankee Doodle Tap Room, featuring an original Norman Rockwell mural and a gallery of the headshots of some of Princeton University’s celebrity graduates. Phone: (609) 921-7500
- Ciick here to book your room at the venerable Nassau Inn.
- Click here for other lodging choices.
Here is a detailed guide to reaching the Nassau Inn (10 Palmer Square East, Princeton, NJ 08542) from anywhere in the United States via plane, train, or automobile.
Click here to download the “Travel to Princeton” Directions.
Princeton is centrally located in New Jersey, roughly 50 miles southwest of New York City and 45 miles northeast of Philadelphia, making it accessible via major Northeast Corridor hubs. Options vary by starting point, budget, time, and preferences (e.g., direct flights vs. scenic drives). Always check real-time schedules, traffic, and fares on official sites like Amtrak, NJ Transit, airline apps, or Google Maps, as they change.

1.     By Plane (Recommended for Long-Distance Travel). Fly into one of the three main nearby airports, then use ground transport. Newark (EWR) is often preferred for frequency and connections; Philadelphia (PHL) is a strong alternative; Trenton-Mercer (TTN) suits limited regional flights.

a.     Newark Liberty International (EWR) (~35-41 miles north, ~50-75 min drive): Major hub with extensive domestic/international flights.
                                               i.     Train: AirTrain to Newark Airport Rail Station + NJ Transit Northeast Corridor to Princeton Junction (~1.5-2 hours total, $20-42). Then "Dinky" shuttle (~5 min, ~$2) or taxi/walk/Uber to Nassau Inn (~5-10 min, $10-20). Tickets are purchased from kiosks on the train platform. The Dinky is a single-car train that travels from Princeton Junction to Princeton. The Princeton Station is only 1 mile from the Nassau Inn.
                                             ii.     Shuttle/Van: Services like Princeton Airporter (609) 587-6000 or (800) 385-4000 (direct to Nassau Inn area, ~$34 one-way; book ahead).
                                            iii.     Taxi/Rideshare/Car Service: ~$100-270 (Uber/Lyft ~$80-150+; private ~$120+ sedan). Recommended Car Service is A1 Limousine A1Limo.com (888) LIMO888, or (609) 951-0070 - 45-60+ min depending on traffic.
                                            iv.     Rental Car: Available at the airport; drive via NJ Turnpike south to Exit 9, US-1 south, etc. (see driving section).

b.     Philadelphia International (PHL) (~45-54 miles south, ~50-80 min drive): Good for flights from South/West/Midwest.
                                               i.     Train: SEPTA/NJ Transit connections via Trenton or similar to Princeton Junction (~2+ hours total).
1.     Take the SEPTA Airport Line from PHL to 30th Street Station
2.     Transfer to SEPTA to Trenton Transit Center (approx. $9, 45 minutes)
3.     Transfer to NJ Transit to Princeton Junction (approx. $8, 10 minutes), or take an Uber from Trenton Transit Center to Nassau Inn, 10 Palmer Square East, Princeton, NJ 08542
4.     From Princeton Junction, take the "Dinky" train or Uber to the Nassau Inn.
                                             ii.     Ground: Oddly, there is no shuttle bus service from Philadelphia to Princeton. Car Service/Taxi/rideshare ~$100-200+; Recommended Car Service is A1 Limousine A1Limo.com, (888) LIMO888, or (609) 951-0070 - 45-60+ min depending on traffic. Rental car via I-95/US-1 or I-295/206.

c.     Trenton-Mercer (TTN) (~9-13 miles southwest, ~15-25 min drive): Smallest; mainly Frontier Airlines (e.g., from select FL, GA, etc. cities). Closest but limited options.
                                               i.     Bus/Taxi: Local bus (~$6, 1+ hour with transfers) or taxi/Uber (~$20-50, quick ride).
                                             ii.     Shuttle/Car Service: Direct options available.

d.     Other airports (JFK, LGA): Feasible but longer transfers (2+ hours by train/bus via NYC Penn Station).

e.     General Tips: Book flights to EWR/PHL for best connectivity. Use rideshares/taxis for convenience to Nassau Inn (Palmer Square area). Parking at Nassau Inn: Nearby garages (Hulfish/Chambers St.).

2.     By Train (Amtrak (amtrak.com) + NJ Transit (njtransit.com); Great for Northeast/Mid-Atlantic). The Northeast Corridor is well served. Arrive at Princeton Junction (main stop), then transfer to the "Dinky" shuttle to Princeton station (~5 min) or taxi (~$10-20, 5-10 min) to Nassau Inn. Walking from Princeton station is ~10-15 min. From Major Northeast Cities:
a.     NYC (Penn Station): Frequent NJ Transit/Amtrak (~1-1.5 hours, $5-40).
b.     Philadelphia (30th St.): Amtrak Keystone/Northeast Regional (~30-40 min to Princeton Jct., affordable).
c.     Boston/Washington DC: Amtrak Northeast Regional (multi-hour; transfers possible; book ahead for best fares).
d.     Other cities: Connect via NYC, Philly, or Trenton hubs. Amtrak serves Trenton frequently.
e.     Tips: Buy tickets via Amtrak/NJ Transit apps/sites. Dinky runs frequently. Taxis available at stations (e.g., Triple A Taxi).

3.     By Automobile (Flexible for Any Origin; Scenic or Direct Routes) Use GPS with "10 Palmer Square East, Princeton, NJ 08542". Major routes converge on US-1, Route 206, or NJ Turnpike/I-295. Tolls via E-ZPass are recommended.
a.     Key Directions to Nassau Inn:
                                               i.     From North (NYC/Newark area): NJ Turnpike South to Exit 9 → US-1 South → Washington Rd/Route 571 right → Nassau St/Route 27 left → Palmer Square East right.
                                             ii.     From South (Philly area): I-95 North (becomes I-295) to Exit 69/206 North → Nassau St/Route 27 right → Palmer Square left. Or via US-1 North.
                                            iii.     From North Jersey: Route 287 South to 206 South.
                                            iv.     From South Jersey: 295 North to US-1 North.

4.     From Major Cities (Approximate):
a.     NYC: ~50 miles, 1-1.5 hours.
b.     Philadelphia: ~45 miles, ~1 hour.
c.     Boston: ~250+ miles, ~5 hours.
d.     Washington DC: ~200+ miles, ~4 hours.
e.     Chicago or farther: Multi-day drive; consider flying.
f.      Tips: Traffic is heavy on the Turnpike/I-95 during rush hours. Parking garages near Nassau Inn (e.g., Hulfish St.). Gas, rest stops, and apps like Waze help. Rental cars from airports or major cities.

5.     Additional Advice
a.     Combinations: Fly into a hub + train/shuttle for efficiency.
b.     Costs: Budget varies widely (e.g., train cheapest locally; flights + car service for cross-country).
c.     Accessibility/Apps: Check NJ Transit/Amtrak for accessibility. Use Rome2Rio or official apps for planning.
d.     Local from Station/Airport: Uber/Lyft, taxis, or short walks work well in compact Princeton.
e.     Updates: Verify with Nassau Inn (609-921-7500), airport sites, or transit apps, especially for construction or peak times (e.g., university events).

Any specific questions, call or text Princeton Chapter President, Roger S. Williams, (609) 389-5657

Safe travels!
- Click here to visit our store!
- Click here to make a donation to the celebration.
Registration fees cover event costs and help preserve historic sites. Purchasing these keepsake items makes great gifts for friends, families, chapter members, and speakers, and helps to keep Revolutionary history alive for future generations!
SAR Chapters are encouraged to participate in SAR250 Washington Crossing and the Ten Crucial Days Commemorations.
Click here for the official SAR250 Washington Crossing and the Ten Crucial Days Planning Guide.