Valley Forge NHP, Pennsylvania

View from the ridge at Muhlenberg's Brigade

 

Visiting the sites of historic battles or encampments can sometimes be confusing. They tend to cover large areas, and it can be difficult to visualize the way they looked in the past. The National Park Service in the United States does an excellent job with these parts of our history and a visit to Valley Forge National Historic Park, just outside of Philadelphia, is a great way to spend a day.

In the winter of 1777 the Continental Army was in trouble. The British had control of Philadelphia and New York City. American troops were run down and disorganized. General Washington realized that he needed to do something to get his forces back together, so he called for a winter encampment along the Schuylkill River, in a place that was protected, and where they could defend the Continental Congress, which had relocated to the city of York, PA.

Washington and his staff chose an area with a river to its north and with ridges on three sides. This provided several layers of protection from attack, and offered the chance for the army to regroup and retrain. Twelve thousand troops, family and camp followers made their way to Valley Forge and stayed there from December 1777 through June 1778. One interesting fact is that was an integrated group, made up of people from European, African and Native American decent. Together they set up camp, first in tents and then in wood cabins they built. Initially it was hard for Continental government to bring in food. Local farmers were unsure about how reliable their scrip was. Eventually the Continental Congress stepped up to guarantee the funds, and General Green was appointed Quartermaster. He secured food from from around the Northeast. Unfortunately starvation and disease killed of two thousand soldiers. Diseases were so bad that Valley Forge became the first instance of a government mandated vaccine - Washington required everyone there to receive the smallpox vaccine.

Washington and his generals realized that the soldiers needed military training. They hired Baron Friedrich von Steuben, a Prussian drill master who literally wrote the book on training soldiers. He came through contacts with the French government who were drawing closer to forming an alliance with United Colonies in France’s ongoing war with England. This alliance meant that France started supplying the Americans with equipment and money. This world war put the British in the position of having to defend its colonies throughout the world, stretching it military force.

In June of 1778 the British had to pull troops out of North America, and moved to consolidate their forces here. The British army left Philadelphia for New York City, and the newly energized and trained Continental Army marched out of Valley Forge in pursuit. The two armies met in the Battle of Monmouth in New Jersey where they basically fought to a draw, which was a moral victory for the colonial troops.

The Valley Forge National Historic Park covers 3500 acres. It started as a state park in 1898, and was given to the National Park Service in 1948. It offers 35 miles of hiking and biking trails through its fields and woods. Start your day at the Visitors Center. They have a wonderful historical exhibit and twenty minute film of the history of the Valley Forge Encampment. Make sure that you pick up your free map of the park.

I recommend taking the Encampment Drive, a 10-mile loop that takes you to all of the important sights in the park. There are three main places I would say to visit on the circuit. The first is Muhlenberg’s Brigade. This site offers some insight into geographical reasons that Valley Forge was chosen. It sits on a ridge top, and you can see why this area would have been easy to defend. There are also recreations of the wood huts that were homes to the soldiers and their families. Inside you will find exhibits about the lives led by the soldiers during their time here.

 

 

 

Officer's Quarters

Next stop is the National Memorial Arch. It was finished in 1917, and is dedicated “the officers and private soldiers of the Continental Army, Dec 19 1777 June 19 1778.” The arch was restored in 1996-7 by the Freemasons of Pennsylvania.

Enjoying the sun

My third “must-see” is Washington’s headquarters. This collection of buildings served as Washington’s home and office, along with his staff. It was from here that they organized training, equipment and food. 

Washington's Headquarters

Office

George and Marths Washington's bedroom

There is also an old train station here. This station served as the main entrance to the park in the days before car travel was ubiquitous. 

The Valley Forge Encampment was a turning point on the Revolutionary War. A visit to the National Historic Park offers a great day in the country and a great educational experience.

Nuts and Bolts

The Valley Forge NHP is 22 miles northeast of Philadelphia near the town of King of Prussia. The Visitors Center is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day. Access to the park free at all times. There are picnic areas and restrooms at several places along the Encampment Drive.