Welcome back to National Parks and other public lands with T!
The huge National Memorial Arch is in Valley Forge National Historical Park, which preserves the site of George Washington’s Continental Army’s winter encampment. From December 1777 to June 1778, the army camped, trained and suffered through a hard winter. The troops were decimated by disease, starvation and desertion due to the harsh living conditions.
After stopping at the visitor center and watching the introductory film, we got directions for the 10-mile Encampment Tour. This is a self-guided driving tour with nine stops. Stop number 3 is the National Memorial Arch.
The 60-foot Memorial arch is modeled after the Triumphal Arch of Titus in Rome. It was dedicated to George Washington and his army in June of 1917. Members of Congress arrived in the park for the ceremony via train amidst much fanfare.
The arch was restored and reinforced with steel in 1997 by the Freemasons of Pennsylvania and attracts 300,000 visitors a year.
Valley Forge posts:
- Valley Forge National Historical Park
- Muhlenberg Brigade
- National Memorial Arch
- Washington’s Headquarters (Coming Soon)
- Valley Forge Station (Coming Soon)
- Washington Memorial Chapel (Coming Soon)
Location: 1400 North Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia, PA 19406
Designation: National Historical Park
Date designated or established: July 4, 1976
Date of my visit: 10/4/2019