The Washington Crossing Foundation was chartered in 1964, as a nonprofit
corporation for the purpose of promoting a greater appreciation
of the significance, courage and patriotism of George Washington and
his leadership throughout the American Revolution. The dedication and
courage which inspired his historic crossing of the Delaware and subsequent
victories at Trenton and Princeton, New Jersey, and eventually at
Yorktown, Virginia, are as important today as they were in 1776.
During the years since the work of the Foundation began, we have
remained steadfast in our purpose and have seen a resurgence of interest
in acquiring accurate and inspiring information about historical figures.
The principal beneficiaries of the Foundation’s programs are the nation’s
schoolchildren. In our important scholarship program, the Foundation
has awarded grants of from $500 to $10,000 to several hundred high
school seniors from across the United States who are planning a career
in government service and show particular interest in moral courage,
character and duty to state and country. The Foundation has awarded
more than one million dollars to help these students pursue their goals.
The Washington Crossing Foundation believes that its work is more
important today than any time since its founding. Once again we are
experiencing “times that try Men’s souls”, as Thomas Paine so eloquently
said during our initial struggle for liberty. We must never lose sight of
the sacrifice, the hardship, the suffering and the dedication which made
this nation survive. We should be proud of our heritage and forever
grateful to the courageous men and women who gave us the greatest
gift possible - Freedom. The Foundation does not exist to change history,
but instead to honor it. One of the founders of the Foundation, author/historian
Ann Hawkes Hutton, has said that “history is yesterday’s fact,
which understood today, will shape tomorrow”.
If you ask the question, “What does America mean to me?”, the members
of the Foundation would reply: We teach how our nation began; we
encourage and assist young people to take their places in our nation’s
public service, and we look to the future. We introduce the knowledge
of our American heritage to the students of our nation so that they will
value its meaning and draw upon its strength.
In the famous painting of “Washington Crossing the Delaware” by
Emanuel Leutze, owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the fears
and answering courage of Washington and his men are etched in the faces
of those in the boats who are about to undertake the bold
crossing of the Delaware on Christmas night 1776. The
authorized copy of this painting, a magnificent 12’ by 21’
oil painting by renowned artist Robert Bruce Williams of
Washington, D.C., is owned by the Washington Crossing
Foundation. The Foundation put this inspiring painting
on a national tour, first to the Indiana War Memorials
Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana, where it was welcomed
by county commissioners, military generals, visitors
and students from Indiana schools. It was also seen by
many thousands in California, where it was displayed
with important historical artifacts at the California Naval
Facility in Monterey. The painting was in place for a
special patriotic Fourth of July concert for four thousand
people to view. During its five year stay at the New
Jersey State Capitol Complex, the painting was viewed
by 900,000 vistors. It continues to tour the country to remind all who see
it of the kind of patriotism that Washington exhibited in his “Farewell
Address”. “The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national
capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism”... Such loyalty
and love of country are needed now as much - perhaps more - than in
the days of Washington.
That is just what we seek, and find, in the students who benefit from our
scholarship program. Winners have come from all 50 states and from
all walks of life. Foundation scholars have gone on to win prestigious
Rhodes, Marshall and Truman scholarships. Many Washington Crossing
Scholars have already established themselves in government service. One
has been clerk to the Chief Justice of the United States, one a staff member
of the International Court of Justice, the Hague, and another a member of
the personal staff of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. From
a National Park Service silviculturalist to Military officers, from a New
England town manager to a foreign service officer, from a professor of
international relations to a United Nations official, from a Texas high
school teacher to a Florida public prosecutor and a former member of
the White House support staff, across the nation, Washington Crossing
Scholars are perpetuating the ideals of 1776 to secure the future.