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George Washington will cross Lake Mohawk in Sparta on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026, from 1 to 2:30 PM, in a free reenactment of his famous crossing of the Delaware listed by the Sparta Historical Society. The boat makes timed stops at the lake’s beaches before a final stop at the Lake Mohawk Country Club boardwalk, 21 The Boardwalk, around 2:30 PM, where Washington will say a few words and pose for photos.
The reenactment is part of the Sparta Historical Society’s programs marking the nation’s 250th anniversary. The event flyer credits the Revolution 250 Committee as host and bills it as a historic reenactment of the Crossing of the Delaware on Lake Mohawk.
Who is in the boat
According to the Sparta Historical Society event page, John Schoch portrays George Washington. His crew includes Ben Theis, Lynn Leitner, Marjy Murphy and others. The real crossing on Dec. 25 and 26, 1776, led to the Battle of Trenton, so this is a rare chance to see a New Jersey Revolutionary War story staged on a Sussex County lake.
Schedule and where to watch
The event flyer lists a schedule of about an hour and a half, starting at Tamarack Beach at 1 PM and moving around the lake about every 12 minutes, with stops including Manitou Beach, Turtle Cove, Twin Hickory, Beach 6 and Beach 4. The final stop is the LMCC Boardwalk at 2:30 PM, and the flyer notes that the boat will only dock at the boardwalk.
- What: George Washington Crossing Lake Mohawk reenactment
- When: Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026, 1 to 2:30 PM
- Final stop: Lake Mohawk Country Club boardwalk, 21 The Boardwalk, Sparta, NJ 07871, around 2:30 PM
- Cost: Free
- Organizer: Sparta Historical Society, (973) 726-0883, info@VanKirkMuseum.org
The boardwalk is the easiest place to catch Washington’s remarks and photos, and its shops and restaurants make it easy to turn the afternoon into an outing. Our Lake Mohawk NJ guide covers the boardwalk, the lake’s history and where to eat.
More Revolution 250 programs in Sparta
The Sparta Historical Society runs its 250th anniversary exhibit, Happy Birthday America, 250 Years, at the Van Kirk Museum, 336 Main Street. The exhibit looks at how people in rural Sussex County lived during Revolutionary times, focusing on farming, mining and the trades that supported them, such as blacksmithing, coopering, weaving and shoemaking. It is open free from 1 to 4 PM on Sunday, Nov. 22, with a 2 PM talk, and again on Sunday, Dec. 13, for closing day, when Joyce Simmons plays music at 2 PM.
Before the crossing, the society hosts Painting the American Revolution with Joel Farkas on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 1 to 2:30 PM at the Presbyterian Church Hall, 32 Main Street. Admission is $10 for nonmembers and free for students with ID.
Making a day of it in town? See our guide to things to do in Sparta NJ.
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