Home / Historic places / Red Bank Battlefield
Red Bank Battlefield and the Whitall House
Red Bank Battlefield in National Park, Gloucester County, combines a Delaware River walk with one of South Jersey's Revolutionary War stories. Fort Mercer stood here when Hessian troops attacked on October 22, 1777. The park also includes the 1748 James and Ann Whitall House, where guided programs add human detail to the battlefield landscape.
Original South Jersey–inspired rendering; not a photograph of Red Bank Battlefield or Whitall House.
National Park
Gloucester County
100 Hessian Avenue
National Park, NJ 08063
Why the battlefield matters
The Battle of Red Bank unfolded as American forces defended Fort Mercer on the Delaware River. The county identifies the Hessian assault of October 22, 1777, as a pivotal event in the park's history. The Whitall House, built before the war, helps visitors see the site as a lived-in place as well as a military landscape.
The house and battlefield are connected but are not the same visit experience. A park walk can happen without a house tour; entry to the historic rooms depends on the county's seasonal schedule and any program changes. Read the site's interpretation as you move between the grounds, river and house.
What you can see
The county park has riverside walking trails, historical markers, picnic areas and gardens maintained with 18th-century plants in mind. The Whitall House offers tours and programs about the household and the battlefield. Gloucester County also schedules special battlefield tours; those may require registration even when the park itself is open.
For families, the park includes open space and a playground. For a history-focused visit, start at the interpretive area and leave time to walk along the Delaware rather than heading straight to the house.
Address and current access
The county's facility page lists 100 Hessian Avenue, National Park, NJ 08063 and 856-853-5120. It says the park is open from sunrise to sunset except Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The county's battlefield page lists Whitall House tours from April through mid-October, Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the house is closed for tours from November through March. Because October sits near the seasonal transition, confirm the specific tour date before relying on the posted pattern.
The park and house may respond differently to weather, events and staffing. Check Gloucester County's current site information before traveling, especially if the house interior is your main reason to visit.
Make it a Gloucester County outing
The Gloucester County guide can help you add a town or meal stop. Our historic places hub collects other South Jersey history outings.
Good to know before you go
Where is Red Bank Battlefield?
Gloucester County lists the park at 100 Hessian Avenue in National Park, New Jersey. Use the county facility page for current directions and alerts.
What happened at Fort Mercer?
The county identifies the site with the Hessian attack on Fort Mercer on October 22, 1777. The battlefield interpretation explains its place in the Delaware River campaign.
Can I visit the park without a house tour?
Yes. The park has grounds, river views and walking routes separate from the seasonal Whitall House tours. Check the park's daily hours and any alerts first.
When is the Whitall House open for tours?
The county currently lists tours from April through mid-October, Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check the specific date with the county because the season, events and staffing can affect access.
Are special battlefield tours the same as house tours?
No. Gloucester County posts separate special battlefield tours, and some require advance registration. Check the event listing rather than assuming a regular house-tour schedule covers them.
Next step: Check Gloucester County's current park and house schedule. Sources checked October 11, 2026. The hero is an original contextual rendering, not a photograph of the exact house or battlefield.