 | Red Bank Battlefield Park  | James and Ann Whitall House | Address 100 Hessian Avenue National Park, NJ 08063 (856)853-5120 Red Bank Battlefield Park is open year round sunrise to sunset, except Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
The James and Ann Whitall House is open seasonally, from April through mid-October, most Thursdays through Sundays, from 1pm to 4pm.
In 1748, Quakers Ann and James Whitall established a 400-acre plantation at Red Bank along the Delaware River. This bustling plantation included fruit orchards, a lumberyard, a shad fishery, livestock, and a ferry. Together, Ann and James raised nine children who worked the plantation alongside dozens of indentured servants hailing from Ireland, the Netherlands, and Germany.
In 1777, the American Revolution interrupted life at Red Bank when American forces constructed  | Re-enactment of The Battle | Fort Mercer immediately north of the house. On October 22, 1777, Colonel Christopher Green's Rhode Island Regiment inflicted heavy losses on Hessian soldiers and the Whitall's home served as a field hospital. Hundreds of Hessian soldiers lost their lives in the battle and were buried just north of the house. The Whitall's never forgave the American forces for the devastation they inflicted on their beloved property.
One Sunday a month, the house and fort offer special programs focusing on an aspect of the park's history. Ever wonder how people made clothes in the 1700's? What was it like to be a Revolutionary soldier? How did women prepare meals? Why is Fort Mercer so important to Revolutionary history? Heritage Days are always family friendly and filled with great activities for everyone to enjoy.
The Gloucester County Certified Gardeners maintain our historic gardens. The gardeners are volunteers who actively work to cultivate vegetables, culinary and medicinal herbs, dyeing flowers, and cutting flowers that are historically representative of the eighteenth century. Learn what herbs Ann Whitall would have used to treat a cough or heal a wound. Observe how flower pigments added color to clothing. Hear about true farm to table families.
We routinely offer special tours to elementary and secondary schools, home schoolers, summer camps, scouts, and senior community centers and homes. Have a particular interest in early American history? Let us know and we can tailor a tour just for you. Our knowledgable docents are experts in Revolutionary history and early American life. After your tour, Red Bank Park offers scenic picnic pavilions for groups to relax and enjoy magnificent views of the Delaware River.
We would not be here if it were not for our dedicated volunteers who help make this National Historic landmark come alive. Volunteers help in all aspects of the House and Battlefield. Volunteer docents offer tours to the public and visiting schools, plant and maintain our historically-inspired gardens, and offer hearth cooking demonstrations throughout the year. If you have some time and would like to help the Whitall House and Red Bank Battlefield, please drop us a line. We'd love to have you!
Facilities Jogging/Walking trails Multi Purpose Trail Picnic Areas Play Structures Restrooms Grills Two pavilions View Finders Historical momuments
Spring 2018 Nature Tots It's FREE but registration is necessary. Wednesday 9am-10am or 10:30am-11:30am 3/7 - Windy 3/14 - Green Walk 3/21 - CANCELED! Could it be Spring? 3/28 - Eggs 4/4 - April Fool You 4/11 - April Showers 4/18 - Earth Day 4/25 - Gardening with Mary
For more information about the programs contact Park Naturalist Jill Taylor of the Scotland Run Nature Center at (856)881-0845. For registration information call the Gloucester County Parks and Recreation department at (856)251-6710. Nature Tot Registration Spring 2018
March 3, 2018 Volunteer Recruitment Event Whitall House 10am Join us to learn about volunteerism opportunities at the Whitall Hose at Red Bank Battlefield!
March 17, 2018 Cross stitch/Embroidery Whitall House 10am-12noon Learn some basics of cross-stitch in this class. Cost is $10.00. All materials are supplied. Class size is limited, and pre-registration is required. This is one of a series of monthly craft classes, held Saturday mornings, at the Whitall House. Sponsored by the Gloucester County Certified Gardeners, the Whitall House Volunteers, and Gloucester County Parks and Recreation. For more information, a complete list of classes, or a registration form contact the Office of Certified Gardeners at (856)307-6450, or email eschreiter@co.gloucester.nj.us.
April 14, 2018 Tour Season Begins Our 2018 season begins on April 14! From April through October the Whitall House will be open for tours Thursday through Sunday from 1pm to 4pm.
April 15, 2018 Military Encampment 12pm-4pm Join us for a day of 18th century military reenactments and demonstrations! Learn about life in the military during the 18th Century and how the Whitalls lived during the Revolutionary War. The Whitall House will be open for tours from 1pm to 4pm.
April 21, 2018 Paper Making Whitall House 10am-12noon Create handmade paper in 10 easy steps! Cost is $10. Pre-registration is required, and class size is limited. This is one of a series of craft classes offered at the Whitall House on Saturday mornings. Call or email the Gloucester County Certified Gardeners Office for a registration form, listing of all classes, or for more information. (856)307-6456, or eschreiter@co.gloucester.nj.us
April 22, 2018 Spring Festival 12pm-4pm Join us for some spring fun at our 2018 Spring Festival! The Whitall House will be open for tours and hearth cooking demonstrations. Enjoy 18th century arts and crafts demonstrations and meet some lovely farm animals! For more information please call (856)307-6456.
May 6, 2018 Colonial Tea and Gardens 12pm-4pm Enjoy a cup of tea in the Whitall House with mom before Mother's Day! Seating times are 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00pm and 3:00pm. Reservations are required by May 1st and can be made by calling (856)307-6456. Tea is $10 per person. This event is sponsored by the Gloucester County Certified Gardeners.
May 19, 2018 Herbal Wreath Whitall House 10am-12pm Make a wreath from dried herbs that looks pretty and smells great! Cost is $10. Pre-registration is required, and class size is limited. This is one of a series of craft classes offered at the Whitall House on Saturday mornings. Call or email the Gloucester County Certified Gardeners Office for a registration form, listing of all classes, or for more information. (856)307-6456, or eschreiter@co.gloucester.nj.us $0
June 10, 2018 Annual Flower Show and Garden Festival 12pm-4pm Join us for our annual flower show! Enjoy vendors, gardening activities, kid's fun, and beautiful plants on display. Learn how to keep that garden growing throughout the summer, tour the beautiful Whitall gardens, and enjoy family friendly activities.
July 22, 2018 Architecture of the Whitall House 12pm-4pm Join us for tours of the Whitall House that focus on the unique architecture of the 18th century Quaker home.
August 19, 2018 Children and the Family in Colonial America 12pm-4pm Join us for a day of learning about childhood and family life in Colonial America! There will be tours of the Whitall House, family-friendly activities, and demonstrations.
September 16, 2018 Winter is Coming! Preservation and Preparation for the Long Winter 12pm-4pm Ever wonder how the colonists preserved their foods without modern technology? Join us for tours and demonstrations that break down the hard work the Whitalls and many colonists faced when preparing their food for the cold winters ahead.
October 21, 2018 18th Century Field Day 10am-4pm Free admission Enjoy battle reenactments, colonial demonstrators, vendors, food, and fun! Learn about the Battle of Red Bank and why New Jersey is called “The Crossroads of the American Revolution.” Tour the Whitall House and visit with our hearth cookers preparing delicious fall-inspired food. Take in a spectacular sword fight and enjoy a colonial magic show. Cheer on the Jonas Cattell Run participants at the finish line. Fun, food, and activities for everyone! CALL (856)853-5120 FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EIGHTEENTH CENTURY FIELD DAY.
October 27, 2018 Fall Festival 12pm-4pm Kick-off the Halloween season with a spooky tour of the Whitall House! This hauntingly fun event is kid friendly with fun activities and sights for all!
December 7, 8, & 9 Candlelight Tour Join us for a candlelit tour of the Whitall House and enjoy holiday sites and sounds of the Colonial Periods. Friday, December 7 6pm-9pm Saturday, December 8 3pm-9pm Sunday, December 9 4pm-7pm Directions From Philadelphia & Points North Take the North-South Freeway (Route 42) to I-295 South Exit 23 "National Park" make right onto Hessian Avenue (County Route 64) Approximately 2 miles Hessian Avenue ends at the park entrance.
From Points South Take I-295 North to Exit 21 "Woodbury" Make left onto Delaware Street (County Route 640) Delaware Street ends at Grove Road (stop sign), County Route 643. Make right First traffic light at Hessian Avenue (County Route 642) make left Hessian Avenue ends at park entrance.
From Points East Take 322 West into Glassboro Make right onto Route 47 (Delsea Drive) At 5 points intersection, take jug handle and continue on Route 47 Take Route 47 into Deptford, at the intersection of Cooper Street (County Route 640) make a left Follow Cooper Street through Woodbury past the County Court House Cooper Street becomes Delaware Street, but remain on County Route 640. Follow Delaware Street till it dead-ends at Grove Road (County Route 643), at stop sign make a right At the first traffic light, make a left onto Hessian Avenue (County Route 642). Hessian Avenue ends at Park entrance.
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