About New Hope, Pennsylvania
During the Revolutionary War General George Washington marched through New Hope on four occasions
New Hope (estimated population of 3,000) is a town in eastern Pennsylvania. It lies on rolling hills that climb from the west bank of the Delaware River about thirty five miles north of Philadelphia.
Nearly 10,000 years ago, the Lenni-Lenape Native Americans traveled from the Delaware River (in what is now Philadelphia) through richly wooded forests seeking new land. Many of them settled on about 1,000 acres in what is now New Hope.
The formal incorporation of New Hope as a borough didn't occur until 1837, when it was officially established as a self-governing entity within Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Most historical accounts consider the early 1700s establishment of Coryell's Ferry as the true beginning of what would become New Hope.
In 1758, the Lenni-Lenape Native Americans gave up the land when signing the Treaty of Easton with European colonists. In 1776 George Washington led troops over the river on Christmas night to surprise and capture Hessian troops, spurring support for the Revolutionary War. Washington marched his troops through New Hope on four different documented occasions.
The site where the army crossed, just south of town, is home to aptly named Washington Crossing Historic Park that hosts historical reenactments of the fateful Christmas night passage. New Hope got its start because of the two things that drove its economy throughout its first two centuries: transportation and water power.
The décor of Parry Mansion reflects the different generations who lived there from the late 18th century onward. Nearby, Cintra is a distinctive 1800s mansion. The New Hope Arts Center also offers exhibits works by regional artists.
Vintage trains run along the New Hope and Ivyland Railroad to nearby Lahaska. The train ride offers one of the best Halloween and Christmas themed rides in the state. Delaware Canal State Park features an extended trail along the Delaware River.
Although only 1.4 square miles, more than one hundred buildings in New Hope are over one hundred years old and many of the original buildings from the mid-1700’s have been preserved.
New Hope’s strategic location on the Delaware River has made it an important transportation hub over the past three centuries. Stagecoaches, canal boats, trains, trolleys and automobiles all made their way to New Hope (the half-way point from Philadelphia to New York City) and the midpoint of the Delaware Canal between Easton and Bristol.
The impressive natural beauty of the area that was first seen and appreciated by the Lenni-Lenape people thousands of years ago attracted the great Pennsylvania Impressionist school of artists like Daniel Garber and Edwin Redfield in the early part of the twentieth century.
The blend of revolutionary history, industrial heritage, artistic legacy, and preserved architecture makes New Hope one of Pennsylvania's most distinctive historic towns. The town's historic district, canal path, and various museums help preserve and share its rich heritage.
Broadway summer stock theater followed shortly after them featuring such great actors as Helen Hayes, George C. Scott and Robert Redford at the historic Bucks County Playhouse which still thrills audiences seven decades later.
New Hope has a rich history dating back to the colonial era, and visitors can explore several historic sites and landmarks in the area. This includes the New Hope Historical Society, Parry Mansion Museum, Bowman's Hill Tower, Washington Crossing Bridge and the very haunted Logan Inn. There are also plenty of walking ghost tours to take....if you dare.
Today, New Hope has the image of a tourist town with a heritage profound in its roots in theater, art and the antiques trade. It offers a charming blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, making it a popular destination for visitors looking to experience the best of Bucks County and the Delaware River Valley.