By Mark Abrams

WASHINGTON CROSSING, Pa. (CBS) – Pennsylvania’s Historical and Museum Commission has hired a Philadelphia-based architect to develop a long-term plan for Washington Crossing Historic Park in Bucks County.

Howard Pollman, a spokesman for the commission, says Marianna Thomas Architects has been hired to put together what’s called a master plan for the site which commemorates Gen. George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River to attack Hessian troops camping in Trenton in December 1776.

“Washington Crossing Park, it encompasses 500 acres and there’s more than 40 buildings so there really is a lot to take care of and really a lot to use and we want to use it to the best advantage for the public,” Pollman explains.

He says the architect will be casting a wide net seeking input on how to preserve the site and how to marshal resources to do that.

Pollman says the plan is due to be completed by mid-summer.