Groundbreaking On New Visitor's Center At Washington Crossing Historic Park
UPPER MAKEFIELD, Pa. (CBS) - Groundbreaking ceremonies for a major renovation of the now-closed visitor center at Washington Crossing Historic Park in Bucks County are set for this morning at 10:30.
John Godzieba, president of the Friends of Washington Crossing Historic Park, located in Upper Makefield, says Friday's groundbreaking is a culmination of years of work to secure $4.6 million in funding as well as designs for the center.
He says the existing visitor center will be gutted and a new museum space created, including a new auditorium and an educational center, which Godzieba believes will be completed by the summer of 2012.
Godzieba is looking forward to returning some of the heritage which was part of the center, but was removed because of leaks and other problems.
"A lot of artifacts that are currently stored in Harrisburg come back to the park. And some of these artifacts were actually part of the crossing themselves, such as the regimental flag from one of the units that crossed on the night of Dec. 25, 1776."
During construction, the park remains open and a temporary visitor's center will be available.
Reported by Mark Abrams, KYW Newsradio
