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A Revolutionary Decision: Crossing the Delaware - A Virtual K-12 Program

Why were George Washington and his Continental Army trying to cross an ice-choked Delaware River on a cold winter's night? 

Learn about the brilliant military campaign at the end of 1776, where Washington and his forces crossed the icy Delaware River and its lasting impact.

Register Now

Date

Cost

Free

Located At

Virtually on Zoom

Examine the Story Behind the Artwork

The crossing of the Delaware River in the winter of 1776 is often considered one of George Washington's best tactical decisions in the American Revolution. 

This famous transport of almost 2,500 Continental soldiers across an icy river in one night through severe winter weather played a crucial role in key American victories in the Battle of Trenton in late 1776 and the Battle of Second Trenton and Battle of Princeton in early 1777, and led to the creation of one of the most renowned paintings of the founding of our nation. 

Explore this important campaign, analyze the artwork it inspired, and discuss its impact on our country's history. 

crossing the Delaware met museum

Program Overview
 

  • This program is FREE.
  • Registrations are unlimited.
  • This program will be hosted through the video platform Zoom.
  • Teachers may sign up as a class and view the program together or provide the links to their students to log in individually.
  • All teachers and students will need internet access.

Program Highlights
 

  • Live presentation with personalized discussion
  • Access to chat for engaging conversations and questions
  • Source analysis activities
  • Reflections on how we still see Washington's impact in our lives today

Program Outcomes

Students will:

  • Gain an understanding of Washington as a multifaceted leader in revolutionary times
  • Develop historical thinking skills by analyzing primary and secondary sources
  • Explore how Washington's leadership and legacy are relevant to today's modern world and evolving democracy
  • Examine inclusive histories that reflect the diversity of the 18th century
  • Be empowered to recognize their own leadership abilities

Questions? Contact [email protected]

Upcoming Mount Vernon in Your Classroom Events This Fall

laptop Online Event group On-site event
Fresh Bread from Half Crown Bakehouse
Fresh Bread from Half Crown Bakehouse
Oct 31
group
Patriots Path
Patriots Path: A Revolutionary War Encampment
Oct 31 – Dec 31
group
Museum
Mount Vernon: The Story of an American Icon Exhibit
Oct 31 – Mar 31
group
Blacksmith shop crafting ironworks
Forging Iron at the Blacksmith Shop
Oct 31 – Nov 25
group
Lives Bound Together Mural
Lives Bound Together: Slavery at Mount Vernon Exhibit
Oct 31 – Mar 31
group
George Washington: A Revolutionary Life Exhibition
George Washington: A Revolutionary Life Exhibition
Oct 31 – Mar 31
group
Martha Washington Quilt
See Martha Washington's "Children's Games" Quilt Top
Oct 31 – Jan 15
group
The Washington's Bed Chamber at Mount Vernon
In-Depth Tour
Oct 31 – Nov 25
group
Hamilton The Musical Tour
Oct 31
group
Washington's War: Revolutionary War Movie
Oct 31 – Nov 2
group
distillery
Distillery & Gristmill Tours
Oct 31
group
Dr. Craik
Through My Eyes Tour
Oct 31 – Nov 25
group
Tribute at the Tomb
Oct 31 – Dec 31
group
Meet People from Washington's World
Oct 31 – Nov 25
group
The Enslaved People of Mount Vernon Tour
The Enslaved People of Mount Vernon Tour
Oct 31 – Nov 25
group
Hands on History Tabletop Activities
Interactive Activities at the Hands-on-History Center
Oct 31 – Mar 31
group
Gardens and Landscapes Tour
Oct 31
group
Patriots Path
Joining Washington's Army
Oct 31 – Dec 31
group
Tribute at the Slave Memorial
Oct 31 – Dec 31
group
Children Trick or Treating at Mount Vernon
Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon
Oct 31
group
museum
Staff Favorites Museum Tour
Oct 31
group
Patriots Path Revolutionary War Encampment at Mount Vernon
A Soldier's Mess: Cooking in the Continental Army
Oct 31 – Dec 31
group
Some of the bottles discovered in the Mansion Cellar
Discovery Station: Uncorking History
Nov 2–4
headshot
Lunch at the Library: The American Revolution on Trial
Nov 3
group
Textile Fabric Dyeing Demonstration
Textile Demonstrations
Nov 4–6
group
Fifer leading children at Mount Vernon in music program
Colonial Days for Student Groups
Nov 4–6
Music of the Revolution
Nov 4–6
group
museum
Staff Favorites Museum Tour
Nov 5–7
group
The Constitution of the United States, September 17, 1787.
Lessons from the Founding: The 2026 George Washington Symposium
Nov 5–7
group laptop
Some of the bottles discovered in the Mansion Cellar
Discovery Station: Uncorking History
Nov 7–10
Bayou Bend
George Washington: America's Enduring Icon (Houston, Texas)
Nov 7
Westport Museum for History and Culture
Setting Down Liberty: Washington and the Black Experience in the Founding Era (Westport, Connecticut)
Nov 7
Fresh Bread from Half Crown Bakehouse
Fresh Bread from Half Crown Bakehouse
Nov 11–14
group
Music of the Revolution
Nov 11–13
group
Mount Vernon salutes veterans
Mount Vernon Salutes Veterans
Nov 11
group
Discovery Station: Continental Navy & Continental Marines
Nov 11
group
Deborah Sampson
Story Time: Cloaked in Courage
Nov 11
group
museum
Staff Favorites Museum Tour
Nov 12–14
group
Some of the bottles discovered in the Mansion Cellar
Discovery Station: Uncorking History
Nov 12–17
Shops at Mount Vernon
Members Shopping Day
Nov 12
group
I am George Washington
Hero Quest: I Am George Washington Exhibit
Nov 13 – Feb 28
group
Silhouette of sniper
Ford Evening Book Talk: Revolutionary Snipers
Nov 17
group laptop
Music of the Revolution
Nov 18–20
group
Discovery Station: The Great Cake De-Constructed
Nov 18 – Dec 18
group
Revolutionary War
STEAM Teacher Workshop: Crossing the Delaware
Nov 18
group
museum
Staff Favorites Museum Tour
Nov 19–21
group
Bobbin Lace Making Homeschool Workshop
Homeschool Workshop: Bobbin Lace Making
Nov 20
group
MVLA
Washington and Thanksgiving: A Virtual K-12 Classroom Program
Nov 20
laptop
Aladdin The Christmas Camel
Aladdin the Camel
Nov 24 – Jan 7
group
Music of the Revolution
Nov 25
group
Holiday Fifing
Nov 25
group
chocolate making
Chocolate Making Demonstration
Nov 25
group
Thanksgiving To-Go
Nov 25
group
Thanksgiving Buffet
Nov 26
group
Blacksmith shop crafting ironworks
Forging Iron at the Blacksmith Shop
Nov 27 – Dec 24
group
The Washington's Bed Chamber at Mount Vernon
In-Depth Tour
Nov 27 – Dec 24
group
Dr. Craik
Through My Eyes Tour
Nov 27 – Dec 24
group
Meet People from Washington's World
Nov 27 – Dec 24
group
The Enslaved People of Mount Vernon Tour
The Enslaved People of Mount Vernon Tour
Nov 27 – Dec 24
group
Music of the Revolution
Nov 27
group
Holiday Fifing
Nov 27
group
chocolate making
Chocolate Making Demonstration
Nov 27 – Dec 24
group
Mount Vernon by Candlelight Upper Gardens
Mount Vernon by Candlelight
Nov 27–28
group
Music of the Revolution
Dec 2–4
group
Holiday Fifing
Dec 2–4
group
The United States of America with the British possessions of Canada, Nova Scotia, & of Newfoundland, divided with the French : and the Spanish territories of Louisiana and Florida…, Robert Sayer and John Bennett, 1783. Gift of Richard H. Brown and Mary Jo Otsea, 2019, MVLA
Brown Bag Lunch: George Washington and New Spain
Dec 3
group
Moll Pitcher at the Battle of Monmouth, engraved by John Rogers, after Carter, 1858. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Gibby, 1984 [WB-34A4] MVLA
Ford Evening Book Talk: The Rebels, Writers, and Renegade Women Who Ignited the American Revolution
Dec 3
group laptop
Winter Wreath Class
Dec 4–5
group
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Moments of Myth: Teaching Washington and his Legacies Through Art (New York, New York)
Dec 8
group
Music of the Revolution
Dec 9–11
group
Holiday Fifing
Dec 9–11
group
Regent's Holiday Party
Regent's Circle Holiday Party
Dec 9
group
Educators' Evening 2026
Dec 10
group laptop
Mount Vernon by Candlelight Upper Gardens
Mount Vernon by Candlelight
Dec 11–12
group
Detail, Washington Family Bible, Purchase, 1908 [W-408] MVLA
Lunch at the Library: George Washington and Religious Texts
Dec 11
group
Historic outbuildings on the North Lane
Sensory-Friendly Family Morning
Dec 12
group
The Death and Mourning of General George Washington Tour
Dec 12–14
group
Revolutionary War
A Revolutionary Decision: Crossing the Delaware - A Virtual K-12 Program
Dec 14
laptop
Music of the Revolution
Dec 16–18
group
Holiday Fifing
Dec 16–18
group
Mount Vernon by Candlelight Upper Gardens
Mount Vernon by Candlelight
Dec 18
group
Christmas Illuminations
Christmas Illuminations at Mount Vernon
Dec 19–20
group

Mount Vernon Celebrates America's 250th Anniversary!

Check out all of Mount Vernon's resources as we prepare for America's 250th Anniversary

Mount Vernon 250

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