Free film showing offered by museum

Gen. George Washington’s perilous crossing of the Delaware River during the Revolutionary War is depicted in this 1851 painting by Emanuel Leutze. A film about the crossing will be shown Dec. 8 at the Klamath County Museum.

The following is a press release from the Klamath County Museum.

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - The Klamath County Museum will host a free showing of “The Crossing” at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8. The film portrays the desperate gamble taken by Gen. George Washington and the Continental Army to surprise British mercenaries during the Christmas of 1776.

The crossing of the Delaware River and subsequent battle at Trenton, N.J., proved to be one of the most decisive moments in American history.

A short presentation titled “America’s First Christmas,” presented by museum curator Matthew Voelkel, will precede the film. The presentation will highlight circumstances in which the events portrayed in the film took place.

“Even though the Continental Congress had declared independence from Great Britain in the summer of 1776, independence was not guaranteed,” said Voelkel. “In fact, the second half of 1776 was disastrous for Washington and his army. The attempt to make an attack across the Delaware River that Christmas was an act of pure desperation for the disintegrating American army — a daring move that became a resounding success.”

Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the museum encourages those interested in attending to arrive early, as space is limited.

For more information contact the museum at (541) 882-1000.