Valley Forge National Historical Park in Pennsylvania was one of the first historic sites I visited as a child. The struggles faced by General Washington and his men during the winter encampment of 1777-1778 forever left an impression on me. During our recent trip out to New Jersey, we had just an enough time to make a stop at this significant site. The site is incredible both for learning about the founding of our country and enjoying nature.
We began our Valley Forge visit at the Visitors Center to orient ourselves. Staff aided us with strategies for touring the park and taking in the exhibits in the Visitors Center. We spent some time appreciating artifacts. If you happen to have a relative that served in the Revolutionary War, Valley Forge has a searchable database you can use to see if they were encamped there. My ancestor served in the Massachusetts Militia very early in the war so I was not sure if he would have been part of the Valley Forge encampment. As I thought, he was not listed in the database. But, it is a useful tool Costumed interpreters added to the experience. The Visitors Center also includes a light snack shop and bookstore. A neighboring building runs a short film explaining some of the history of Valley Forge.
|Reconstructions of log barracks|
|Inside one of the log huts at Valley Forge|
Monuments also dot the sprawling preserve and introduce visitors to significant figures that were present during the encampment. Keeping with my tradition at military parks, I snapped a photo of the New Jersey Brigade Memorial in honor of my home state.
|New Jersey Brigade Monument at Valley Forge|
|National Memorial Arch at Valley Forge|
Valley Forge is where Baron Von Steuben who served as a drill master in the Prussian Army began training troops. His methods would be the model for the United States Army though the War of 1812. The bronze statue of Baron Von Steuben stands above the parade ground where troops drilled.
|Baron Von Steuben|
|General Varnum's Headquarters|
|Washington Memorial Chapel|
|Cloister at Washington Memorial Chapel|
The winter at Valley Forge was one of the pivotal moments of the war. The weather was particularly harsh and the troops were not well supplied. Disease spread quickly throughout the encampment. This easily could have been a breaking point of the war. We owe so much to General Washington and his troops for having the fortitude to survive and win our independence.