Shortly after the British occupied the city of Philadelphia, General Howe sent approximately 2000 Hessian soldiers to Red Bank to destroy the American Fort which was defended by 400 men. The British attacked, and after a fierce battle they were forced to retreat.  This battle lifted the spirits of all Americans.

The Park is really focused on the James and Ann Whitall House, which served as a military hospital after the Battle of Red Bank. Returning to their 400-acre farm here in April 1778, the Whitall family restored the place, with orchards, livestock, grist mill, ferry across the Delaware, smoke house and shad fishery. Many members of the Whithall family lived here until 1862. In 1972 this park was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The U.S. Government owns the 44-acre Park site, which is administered by the Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Gloucester County administers the Whitall House except for two rooms in the charge of the Ann Whitall Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.