Those who want a 360-degree tour of New Hope’s history can join the new Autumn Walking Tours of Historic New Hope – North, South, East and West, offered by the New Hope Historical Society.
The new round of tours of the historic borough will be offered on several weekends this fall., beginning Sept. 27.
“There is such a rich history that permeates the borough. Native American Lenapes had established a community here more than 500 years before William Penn knew that it existed,” said Frank Policare, society president. “This town is a microcosm of American history.”
The public can learn first hand about the various roles the borough has played in all phases of the nation’s history.
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Learn about the brick manufacturing plants that produced bricks for the construction of the Empire State Building. Or see the area where a prize herd of cattle grazed near the high school.
Take a walk along the Delaware River and explore the multi-faced manufacturing history that made New Hope the industrial capital of Bucks County in the 19th century.
Walk in the footsteps of George Washington and his generals who commanded the fort in New Hope prior to Washington’s fateful crossing of the Delaware to the Battle of Trenton.
Trace the development of the artist community and the Playhouse, and much more.
The schedule of tours includes Sept. 27, the rarely toured north side of New Hope, where the brick manufacturer was located and the railroad came to town, not far from where cattle once grazed.
The tour on Oct. 18, will explore the south end of town and its connection to the Delaware Canal, the trolley, Odette’s and more.
On Nov. 8, the tour will trace the industrial age of the borough on the east side along the Delaware River.
The final tour of the series – the west side – the area where hundreds of Revolutionary War troops camped prior to Washington’s crossing, will be presented on Dec. 13.
All Walking Tours will begin at 2 p.m. from the back porch of the Parry Mansion at 45 S. Main St., New Hope. Tours will be conducted by historical society board members, Policare, Heidi Echternacht and Roy Ziegler. Those attending are asked to wear face coverings and to maintain safe social distancing during the tours.
