Valley Forge
National Historical Park
"To see the men without clothes to cover their nakedness, without blankets to lie upon, without shoes… without a house or hut to cover them until those could be built, and submitting without a murmur, is a proof of patience and obedience which, in my opinion, can scarcely be paralleled."
George Washington at Valley Forge, April 21, 1778
Of all the places associated with America's War for Independence, none conveys more of the impression of suffering, sacrifice, and ultimate triumph than Valley Forge. No battles were fought here, no bayonet charges or artillery bombardments took place, but during the winter of 1777-78 thousands of American soldiers died here nonetheless. Valley Forge is the story of an army's epic struggle to survive against terrible odds, against hunger, disease, and the unrelenting forces of nature.
VISITATION:
Highest from May to Labor Day; lowest December To March
LOCATION:
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
ADDRESS:
Valley Forge National Historical Park
Post Office Box 953
Valley Forge, PA 19482
TELEPHONE:
(610) 783-1077
OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
Park grounds open daily, year-round; open sun-up to sun-down, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Visitor Center and Washington's Headquarters open 9 am to 5 pm daily except closed Christmas day.
CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
Winters cold and damp, spring and fall, cool, and summers, hot and humid. Snows in the winter, sturdy hiking shoes recommended for outdoor recreation.
DIRECTIONS:
Eighteen miles west of Philadelphia. Near the Schyulkill Expressway (76 East) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Routes 276 East and 76 West). From King Of Prussia only two miles on Routes 202 and 422. Accessible from North Gulph road and route 23. Exit the Pennsylvania Turnpike at exit 24, and 76 East at Mall Blvd and take North Gulph Road west.
TRANSPORTATION:
Philadelphia International Airport is 30 minutes away. From the airport, take 95 south, 476 north, then 76 west to King of Prussia.
SEPTA Bus Route 125 stops at the Valley Forge Visitor Center, the near-by Sheraton Hotel, and King Of Prussia Mall.
FEES, COST, RATES:
Two-dollar fee collected April 1 to November 30 for Washington's Headquarters for adults 17 and older. Free for children under 17 years. Golden Age, Golden Eagle and Golden Access passes honored. Free for escorts of school groups with a letter from the school indicating the purpose of the trip is for the study of Valley Forge and the American Revolution.
FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Exhibits, Bookstore, eighteen minute film,Valley Forge A winter Encampment, is shown every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour, starting at 9:30, ending at 4:30.
A resource guide is available for teachers and students Formal educational programs include Soldier Life, Fortification, Small Things Forgotten, and George Washington and are presented to groups on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Call (610) 783-1066 for reservations (Mon - Fri). Schools and other organizations are also welcome to tour on their own without a reservation or formal program.
Valley Forge Convention & Visitor Bureau information desk for travel directions and hotel reservations. Operates daily from May through Labor Day; the rest of the year on weekends. Valley Forge bus tours offer daily tours of the park from May through October. Call (610)-783-1077 for schedule.
Trails and Roadways: Twelve miles of designated, and six miles of paved multi-purpose trails. Ten-mile self-guiding auto tour. Cassette tape for sale and free map of tour route available in the Visitor Center. Horse-Shoe Trail, a segment of the 130-mile Horse-Shoe trail passes through the western portion of the park in Chester County. The Schuylkill Trail, Philadelphia-to-Valley Forge Bikeway, 22 miles, begins at the Betzwood Picnic area. Twenty two miles of designated horse trails weave through the park. No rentals; bring your own horse. Trailer parking no charge.
SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:
Ask for calendar of events at the Visitor Center for weekend programs in the spring, winter and fall and for daily events in the summer, July through Labor Day.
Ongoing activities include our Living History Program with interpreters in period dress at Washington's Headquarters talking about Washington and his staff, daily. On weekends enjoy our Soldier Life program at tour stop #2, Muhlenberg's Brigade, with a musket firing demo, on Saturdays at 2:30 p.m.
From July through Labor Day the Soldier Life programs and other Ranger-led walks and talks will be presented. Check the summer schedule for days and times.
March Into Valley Forge, December 19th.
President's Weekend, Saturday is the Boy Scout Pilgrimage, Sunday & Monday, Talks on Washington, Children's Program & Reenactments.
French Alliance Day, Saturday, May 1st, Reenactment
March Out of Valley Forge, Weekend closest to June 19th, Reenactment.
ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER:
Small exhibit open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays. Groups welcome. Call (610)-7831041 and leave a message for reservations.
LODGING, LOCAL FACILITIES:
Local lodging, supermarkets, and restaurants are located in the King Of Prussia and Phoenixville area. Obtain information at the Park Visitor Center, or call the Valley Forge Convention & Visitors Bureau at (610) 834-1550.
ACCESSIBILITY:
Visitor Center and the auditorium have universal access. Washington's Headquarters and the Muhlenberg Brigade huts are also accessible. Accessibility folder and wheelchair are available at the Visitor Center. Captioned 18-minute film is shown on request. Assistance for the hearing impaired is available in our auditorium. All restrooms are wheelchair accessible throughout the park. Multi-Use Trail is paved & universally accessible.
VISITOR IMPACTS:
Call the park for possible closures during major storms, etc. (610)-783-1050
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES:
Hiking, Biking, Walking, Horseback Riding, Kite Flying, Cross Country Skiing, Running, Boating, Fishing, and Birding. (Valley Forge Bird List available at the Visitor Center or Environmental Center.)
RESERVATIONS, PERMITS:
Picnicking at our three picnic areas are on a first-come basis. For large groups call (610)-783-1055 for permit information. For wedding permits, contact the same number.
ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
A variety of museums, county & state parks, Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia and Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in Birdsboro.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Write:
Superintendent
Valley Forge National Historical Park
Post Office Box 953
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania 19482
Last Updated:Thursday, 14-Apr-99 02:48:29
http://www.nps.gov/vafo/
Author: M. Brier