NEW HOPE HISTORY TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Stone, Salt and Surgeons: Touring the Thompson‑Neely House Where Lord Stirling’s Men Made Camp
A focused, one‑hour guided tour that traces the Thompson‑Neely House’s 18th‑century construction, its use by the Continental Army as an encampment and field hospital, and the property’s role in the story before Washington’s Crossing.
Stone, Salt and Surgeons: Touring the Thompson‑Neely House Where Lord Stirling’s Men Made Camp.
Adventure brief
Stone, Salt and Surgeons: Touring the Thompson‑Neely House Where Lord Stirling’s Men Made Camp
Set along the Delaware in New Hope, the Thompson‑Neely House is a compact, three‑section stone dwelling whose layered walls record a century of growth between 1740 and 1788. On this hour‑long tour visitors move through rooms and grounds that once sheltered soldiers — both as an encampment for part of William Alexander’s (Lord Stirling’s) Brigade and, at times, as a makeshift hospital — gaining a focused sense of the site’s role in the leadup to the famous Crossing.
Step back in time on a private tour of the Thompson-Neely House, a fascinating stone structure built between 1740 and 1788 located in New Hope, Pennsylvania. This historic home played a crucial role during the Revolutionary War, functioning as an encampment for Lord Stirling's Brigade and serving as a hospital for wounded troops. Guided by the Friends of Washington Crossing Park, visitors gain a rich understanding of the area's significance preceding Washington's famous crossing of the Delaware River. The tour offers a unique opportunity to explore well-preserved architecture and hear compelling stories of the soldiers and civilians who lived here. Whether you're a history buff or simply enjoy outdoor heritage experiences, this trip combines education with fresh air and natural surroundings, making it a memorable excursion near Philadelphia. The intimate group setting ensures personalized attention and an immersive connection to America's historic past.
Route Schematic
Route & Stops
Stops on the tour highlight architecture, military use, and the property's pre‑Crossing role.
Exterior: The Three‑Section Stone House
Examine the house’s exterior and learn how the three distinct sections reflect construction and expansion between 1740 and 1788.
Interior Rooms: Domestic Space Turned Hospital
Enter the rooms used by troops and hear how parts of the house were repurposed as a makeshift hospital during the Continental Army’s presence on the property.
Grounds: Encampment Areas and Context
Walk the grounds to locate the areas associated with Lord Stirling’s Brigade encampment and to place the house in the broader landscape of pre‑Crossing troop movements.
Tours run to a one‑hour schedule and focus on historic rooms and grounds; check with the operator for schedule changes or accessibility details before planning your visit.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A Three‑Section Stone House, 1740–1788
The Thompson‑Neely House is a three‑section stone structure built and expanded between 1740 and 1788, its fabric offering a direct line to daily life and architecture in the decades around the Revolution.
Encampment and Hospital for Continental Troops
Portions of the property served as an encampment for part of Lord Stirling’s Brigade, and the house itself was used as a sort of hospital for troops — details that the tour interprets in their military and human dimensions.
Context Before the Crossing
The guided visit focuses squarely on the property’s history and its specific uses prior to Washington’s Crossing, providing a concise, place‑based narrative of these pre‑Crossing moments.
What the day feels like
What the One‑Hour Visit Feels Like
The tour is a concentrated, room‑by‑room and yard‑to‑yard walkthrough: a look at the stone elevations and additions that mark 18th‑century building campaigns, interpretation of interior spaces once pressed into service for wounded soldiers, and explanation of how the property functioned for troops stationed there in the weeks and months before the Crossing.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this tour suits — and where to check before you go.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The tour is scheduled as a one‑hour guided visit; confirm seasonal opening times and scheduled departures with the operator. No gear or seasonal clothing requirements are specified in the provided details.
No operator‑specified gear requirements are listed in the supplied information; bring comfortable shoes for walking the house and grounds during the one‑hour tour.
Meet at the Thompson‑Neely House at the listed meeting point; confirm arrival time and any site rules with the Friends of Washington Crossing Park before attending.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Thompson‑Neely House Tour?
The guided visit is one hour in duration.
Where do I meet for the tour?
Meet at the Thompson‑Neely House, 1638 River Road, New Hope, PA 18938.
Who operates the tour?
The tour is operated by the Friends of Washington Crossing Park.
What will we learn on the tour?
The tour covers the Thompson‑Neely House’s construction and expansions between 1740 and 1788 and its use by Continental Army troops, including its role as an encampment for part of Lord Stirling’s Brigade and as a field hospital.
Is the house connected to Washington’s Crossing?
Yes — the tour specifically interprets the property’s history and its uses in the period leading up to Washington’s Crossing.
Are there participant limits, age restrictions, or special requirements?
No participant limits, age restrictions, or special requirements are specified in the provided information; confirm any restrictions with the tour operator before booking.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-09-05T19:27:16.140Z
Some booking links may generate revenue for ADV Guides or The Adventure Collective.
Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.
Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.