Richard Basehart
Gen. George Washington
Search results
4 days ago · The park features 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, and monuments commemorating the sacrifices and perseverance of the Revolutionary War generation and honoring the power of people to pull together and overcome adversity during extraordinary times.
- Plan Your Visit
Valley Forge National Historical Park is open year-round,...
- Maps
Maps - Valley Forge National Historical Park (U.S. ...
- Things to Do
Walk, run, bike, or paddle 78 miles at Valley Forge between...
- Ranger Programs
Ranger programs are typically scheduled between 10 AM and 12...
- History & Culture
Valley Forge National Historical Park is nationally...
- Info
Leashed pets are welcome on Valley Forge grounds but are not...
- Plan Your Visit
- One Winter of A Long War
- The War Prior to Valley Forge
- Supplying The Army
- Ravages of Disease
- A Large and Diverse Camp
- Legacy of The Encampment
- Alliance with France
- Leaving Valley Forge
- Birthplace of The American Army
- Impact of The Encampment on The Land
To fully appreciate the significance of what occurred at Valley Forge, the event must be placed in the context of the entire American Revolution. Few Americans appreciate the scope of the war. Many do not realize that the war lasted for eight-and-a-half years, was international in scale, or that the American army campaigned in areas as far north as...
While some refused to accept it, the nature of the war changed in July 1776 when a large contingent of English and Hessian troops reached America’s shores and sought to crush the rebellion. By the fall, the British had pushed Washington’s unevenly trained and outnumbered force to the brink of defeat and established control over New York City and th...
The Continental Army’s quick seizure and use of the land directly across the Schuylkill River offers an example of the extent of its capability. Once the bridge spanning the river was complete, the army made full use of the land north of the river as a vital supply link. The farms located on the north side provided forage for the Continental Army, ...
Perhaps the most notable suffering that occurred at Valley Forge came from a factor that has not been frequently mentioned in textbooks: disease was the true scourge of the camp. Men from far flung geographical areas were exposed to sicknesses from which they had little immunity. During the encampment, nearly 2,000 men died of disease. Dedicated su...
The scale of the Valley Forge encampment was impressive. The number of soldiers present ranged from 12,000 in December to nearly 20,000 in late spring as the army massed for the campaign season. The troops who came to camp included men from all 13 original colonies and regiments from all of them except South Carolina and Georgia. The encampment bro...
Despite the difficulties, there were a number of significant accomplishments and events during the encampment. Because of its far-reaching consequences, the single most noteworthy achievement was the maturation of the Continental Army into a professional force under the tutelage of Friedrich Wilhelm Baron von Steuben. Baron von Steuben assessed the...
European recognition augmented congressional reforms. French assistance was crucial to the success of the Revolution. Starting in 1776, vital French aid in the form of military materiel flowed to America. The efforts of American agents in France and the strong performance of the continentals at the Battles of Saratoga and Germantown convinced the F...
In mid-June Washington’s spy network informed him that the British were about to abandon Philadelphia. The commander in chief rapidly set troops in motion: a small force marched in and took possession of the city. The majority of the army swiftly advanced from staging areas on the north side of the Schuylkill River and southeast of camp toward the ...
The success of Valley Forge also can be measured in longer-term gains. Many regard Valley Forge as the birthplace of the American army. The concepts of basic training, the professionalization of the officer corps, and the rise of the army’s distinctive branches, such as the corps of engineers, all got their start here. The military lessons that von...
The scale and intensity of the encampment devastated the landscape of the Valley Forge area. By the time the army left in June 1778, every tree for miles around had been taken down for firewood or hut construction, as well as miles of farmers’ fences and many outbuildings. The livestock and stores of the area’s residents had been commandeered and c...
Valley Forge was the winter encampment of the Continental Army, under the command of George Washington, during the American Revolutionary War. The Valley Forge encampment lasted six months, from December 19, 1777, to June 19, 1778.
- December 19, 1777-June 19, 1778
Dec 12, 2018 · Valley Forge in Pennsylvania was the encampment of General George Washington and thousands of troops of the Continental Army during the winter of 1777-1778.
Aug 24, 2023 · Valley Forge National Historical Park is open year-round, has no entrance fees, and welcomes around two million visitors each year. Historic buildings, statues and monuments, and 35 miles of trails can be found in this beautiful 3,500-acre landscape.
Valley Forge National Historical Park is the site of the third winter encampment of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War from December 19, 1777 to June 19, 1778. The National Park Service preserves the site and interprets the history of the Valley Forge encampment.
Valley Forge National Historic Park. Valley Forge was the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of the Continental Army. The park commemorates the sacrifices and perseverance of the Revolutionary War generation.
