Historic Park in Bucks County Honors Volunteers for Their Service and Dedication

Every April, in honor of National Volunteer Month, the Friends of Washington Crossing Park recognize individuals and organizations who have helped deliver upon the group’s mission over the past year.

The following volunteers were honored for their contributions in 2022: 

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – MARY JANE BECK

Mary Jane Beck is an integral part of the park’s volunteer program, and her contributions are many. Throughout 2019, she ran the Toys and Games Station for schoolchildren participating in the park’s Colonial Days school programs. A self-taught fifer, she was one of the earliest members of the park’s Fife and Drum Corps and joins the Corps at most of the park’s major events. Beck contributed nearly 120 volunteer hours in 2022.

RISING STAR – BILL FOX

Bill Fox began volunteering at the park in early 2020, just before the pandemic lockdown. When restrictions were lifted, he was one of the first volunteers to come back. For the past two years, he has led tours in the park every Thursday afternoon and is one of the first to volunteer for the park’s public programs. In 2022, he learned how to run various stations so he could help at the park’s Colonial Days school program. Fox contributed nearly 100 volunteer hours in 2022.

JUNIOR VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – BRANDON FEY

High-schooler Brandon Fey first reached out to the park in 2021 in hopes of finding volunteer opportunities for the Historic Preservation Society of Holy Ghost Prep. Beginning with 2021’s First Crossing, Fey has brought the Historic Preservation Society to many of the park’s public programs. Throughout the summer of 2022, he worked at the Visitor Center front desk. Fey contributed nearly 40 volunteer hours in 2022 and the Holy Ghost Prep Historic Preservation Society contributed 48.

OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP – JOANNA McCLINTOCK

Joanna McClintock is being recognized for the way she has stepped up to help maintain the park’s historic gardens. For the past five years, her dedication and passion for gardening and hard work has set the tone amongst garden staff and volunteers, as does her vivacious and positive attitude. Historical Horticulturist Anna Davis says it is an honor to work alongside McClintock – “She weeds, plans, and works rain or shine and always has a smile on her face…she’s irreplaceable.” McClintock contributed nearly 70 volunteer hours in 2022.

OUTSTANDING LONG-TERM SERVICE – DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, WASHINGTON CROSSING CHAPTER

Over the past nine years, the park’s partnership with the Washington Crossing Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has produced multiple successful programs. These include:

• The annual Christmas tree decoration in the Visitor Center
• The Constitution Compendium placed on the park’s website
• The placement of holiday wreaths at the soldiers’ graves
• Support for the park’s annual Memorial Day event
• Support for the flagpole replacement at the soldiers’ graves
• Installation of a bench at the soldiers’ graves
• Marking James Moore’s gravesite
• Support in obtaining a grant from the national DAR
• Support hosting naturalization ceremonies at the park
• Compiling a list of those who participated in the 1776 crossing
• Hosting a ceremony for the Pennsylvania State Society DAR to place an America 250! Patriots Marker, recognizing the park as a significant site of the American Revolution

Learn more about the volunteers at Friends of Washington Crossing Park.

_____