Valley Forge NHP - American Revolutionary War Site

Valley Forge National Historic Park is a 3,500 acre park created to tell the story of the Continental Army during the winter of 1777-78.  Valley Forge had a battle but it wasn’t against the British.  It was a battle for survival (about 2,000 soldiers died during that winter from cold and disease).   It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966 and was established as a National Historic Park on July 4, 1976. 

BACKGROUND:  “On December 19, 1777, the Continental Army consisting of 12,000 troops marched into Valley Forge.  For the next six months, the divided groups of militiamen would band together to form a true army, one capable of taking the fight to the British.”  

The 10 mile self-guided driving tour features 9 main stops.  Click on the link at the bottom of this post to print a map of the park/driving tour (Plan Your Visit).  An 8.7-mile paved multi-use trail parallels most of the driving tour route.  

NPS Park Map/Driving Tour

Our visit to Valley Forge NHP begins in mid-afternoon.  The first thing we do is go to the Visitor Center’s theater (in a separate building) and watch the 18-minute movie about Valley Forge. The main building of the Visitor Center includes exhibits and a large gift shop. 

The Visitor Center is Stop 1 on the 10-mile Encampment Tour Route.  It’s about 4:15 p.m. when we begin our driving tour of the park.  The skies are gray and a light rain is falling ... at least it isn't snowing or freezing cold like it was when George Washington was here.

On North Outer Line Drive is Stop 2 - the Muhlenberg Brigade Huts.  The original huts were built to Washington’s specifications.  What we see today are replicated huts.

North Outer Line Drive & Muhlenberg Brigade Huts

Cannon near Huts

Stop 3 is the U.S. National Memorial Arch.  The 60’ high arch was erected in 1910 and dedicated in 1917 "to the officers and private soldiers of the Continental Army December 19, 1777 - June 19, 1778". 

National Memorial Stone Arch

Have you ever been somewhere that reminds you of a song?  For instance, when I am at Arcadia NP walking the rocky beaches, I think of Barry Manilow’s song “Time in New England – took me away to long rocky beaches and you by the bay.”  When I was in high school, our choir teacher had us sing a song called “Freedom Isn’t Free” (lyrics by Paul Colwell).  That song keeps running through my mind while we are at Valley Forge. 

“There was a general by the name of George,
With a small band of men at Valley Forge,
Left the comfort of home for the cold and ice,
They won Independence ‘cause they paid the price.

Freedom isn’t free! Freedom isn’t free!
You gotta pay a price…You’ve gotta sacrifice,
For your liberty.”

Stop 4 is the Wayne Statue.  What did General Anthony Wayne have to do with Valley Forge?  My history class never mentioned this man.  Apparently, his leadership was a great asset to George Washington during the encampment. 

Wayne's Statue

During our 2016 visit, there is some construction work being done on Valley Creek Road (Rte 252).  This is bad news for me because I love covered bridges and the Knox Covered Bridge is on this closed road.  We are forced to take a detour and miss seeing the covered bridge.

Stop 6 is Redoubt 3.  This is where the remnants of the trench constructed by the army are still visible.  Since we want to get to Washington’s Headquarters before it closes at 5:00 p.m., we skip this stop. 

Stop 7 is Artillery Park.  This is where most of the cannons were stored and repaired.  The gun crews were trained here as well.  After we park the car, I walk across the large expanse of wet grass to access the old Historic Trace Road.  It is a gravel non-motorized path.  Here is where I get a better view of the cannons.  

Cannons on Historic Trace Road

But the real reason I came over here is down the path.  In addition to covered bridges, I also search for one-room schoolhouses.  Yes, Valley Forge NHP has a one-room stone school.  The Old “Camp” School was built 35 years after the encampment.  It was restored in 1915 and 1975.  Now that my shoes and socks are soaking wet from walking across the wet grass, I discover the schoolhouse is located on the southwest corner of Historic Trace Road & Gulph Road.  We could have driven here.  Oh well, it was worth it. 

Historic Stone Schoolhouse

If you like one-room schools, I invite you to view my schoolhouse blogs by clicking on the following links:

Michigan One Room Schoolhouses

Utah's Historic Schoolhouses

Pennsylvania's Historic Schoolhouses

Ohio's Historic Schools

We want to see Washington's Headquarters.  Yes, George Washington really slept here!  It closes at 5:00 p.m and we arrive at 5:02 pm.  The staff person invites us to return tomorrow.  In the meantime, we can walk around the grounds.   

Washington's Headquarters

Trail around Headquarters & Statue of George Washington

Guard Huts at Washington's HQ

Twilight is fast approaching. Regretfully, we do not have time to visit the Washington Memorial Chapel before we have to leave for our next destination. 

LOCATION & CONTACT INFORMATION:  Valley Forge National Historical Park, 1400 North Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia in Chester County Pennsylvania (USA)

The main entrance to the park is at the intersection of State Route 23 and North Gulph Road.

The Park is located about 23 miles northwest of downtown Philadelphia.

Telephone:  (610) 783-1099

HOURS:  The park grounds are open year round from 7:00 a.m. to 30 minutes after sunset.  The Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Park buildings are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.

MISCELLANEOUS:  Currently, this is a fee-free park where you can enjoy hiking or biking on nearly 30 miles of trails.  Restrooms are located at the Visitor Center, Wayne’s Woods Picnic Area, Artillery Park, Washington Headquarters, and Varnum’s Picnic Area.

While we are on vacation there is so much to see and so little time. For information and photos on other places we visited in Pennsylvania, I invite you to view by blog posts by clicking on the following links:

Gettysburg National Military Park

Fort Necessity National Battlefield
Ohiopyle State Park
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
Altoona Railroaders Museum & Horseshoe Curve
Allegheny Portage Railroad NHS
Old Bedford Village

The Valley Forge vicinity is loaded with various lodging and dining options.  Since opinions, preferences, and budgets vary, I recommend checking a trusted travel source for current reviews.  

                       

Family vacations created some of my favorite memories.  To start planning your memorable trip to Valley Forge click on the “Plan Your Visit” link below:

Plan Your Visit - Valley Forge NHP