Explore Valley Forge National Park

Washington's Headquarters at Valley Forge

Where did 12,000 U.S. soldiers make camp when the British occupied Philadelphia? Valley Forge National Park demonstrates how George Washington’s army was able to transform forests and fields to become a small city in the dead of winter. The best way to explore Valley Forge National Park is to do a self-guided driving tour. You can pick up maps at the visitor’s center.

Washington's Headquarters at Valley Forge

Explore Valley Forge

Valley Forge is a great strategic position for General George Washington. He could keep an eye out toward Philadelphia and know when the British would arrive. The good thing is that attack never came.View of landscape from Valley Forgecanon resting at Valley Forge

army huts on Muhlenberg Brigade at Valley ForgeThese log cabins are representative of the army huts that the soldiers stayed in during the winter of 1777-78. These huts are at the site of the General Muhlenberg’s brigade part of the outer line defenses. You can catch a glimpse of how the soldier’s lived and where they worked. There is a redoubt a short walk from the huts. A redoubt is a fortification of earth used to keep an eye out for intruders.Redoubt at Valley Forge

There are plenty more stops along this drive around the encampment that I did not stop at. Most of these were statues and memorials to the soldiers’ perseverance through that harsh winter. Since Kayla and I were on the drive back to Michigan from Philly, we wanted to make this stop a quick one. I did stop at Washington’s Headquarters though. This was my favorite part of the National Park. I spent some time walking around the headquarter’s and the guard huts. These cabins seemed more realistic set up against the trees.Washington's guards huts at Valley Forge

Washington’s Headquarters
Washington's Headquarters at Valley Forge

George Washington’s Headquarters is a decent size stone house that George and Martha stayed in along with several of his officer’s. You can imagine George’s and his officer’s tables covered with maps showing troop movements and war strategies. Walking through the house, you visualize it filled with soldiers all trying to figure out how to win the war and trying to stay warm by the fireplaces. Washington's officers office at Valley ForgeWashington's office at his Headquarters in Valley Forge

Upstairs you can see the rooms where George and Martha slept and the officers’ rooms as well. The canopy beds seem so formal during wartime but, I’m sure it was a nice sense of normality for the Washington’s. And definitely, a far cry from the huts the soldiers stayed in outside.Washington's bedroom at his headquarters at Valley Forge

Officer's bedroom at Washington's Headquarters at Valley Forge

bedroom at Washington's Headquarters at Valley Forge

The kitchen is typical during this period. I can see the cook having to run back and forth from the kitchen to the offices frequently during the day. Good thing the kitchen is directly attached to the house on the same floor. I also love how they try to hide the kitchen fireplace on the side of the house. Kitchen in Washington's Headquarters at Valley Forge

Kitchen view of Washingtonton's Headquarters at Valley Forge

Valley Forge National Park is a half hour away from Philadelphia. I would budget a couple of hours here to see everything. If you want to participate in the tours or go on the trails, budget at least a half day. The ranger programs also deliver expert knowledge on the people of the Revolutionary War that suffered the hardships of the winter of 1777-78.

Now if you have plans to visit all the National Parks, Valley Forge is a quick one to check off your list. It is also less than 2 hours to Gettysburg. You can experience over 100 years in one day.

Have you been to Valley Forge National Park? What was your favorite part of the encampment?

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Further Reading

If you would like to see more of my nomad travels, check out my post on my first month of traveling full-time: One Month of Nomad Travel. If you are visiting national parks in the United States, check out these posts:

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