VALLEY FORGE From rag tags to the Continental Army fighting for FREEDOM.
Written: Mar 28 '03 (Updated Jan 15 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A lesson in history, beautiful and serene grounds.
Cons: Traffic getting to it due to nearby construction.
The Bottom Line: We sometimes need to be reminded of the sacrifice our fore fathers gave for our freedom. This is one place that exemplifies that sacrifice.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Valley Forge National Historic Park |
A few things pushed me forward to reviewing this historic site now. As I write this piece we have brave men and woman fighting for the freedom of an oppressed people and against a government that has shown its potential to threaten the peace of all freedom loving people of the world.
Early in this campaign I hear so many doomsday reports about our troops being undermanned, unprepared for the enemy they fight, bogged down and not being able able to protect themselves properly against an enemy that knows the terrain.
Last weekend I happened to have business in Washington DC. I visited the Washington Monument, Korean War Monument, Vietnam Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and the, building in progress, WWII Memorial.
Valley Forge is the place where a sick, hungry, cold, and under trained group of men and, yes, woman wintered and six months later came out invigorated and working as a cohesive professional army set upon winning their freedom.
GETTING THERE
My wife and I, along with two of my younger children, visited Valley Forge in the fall of 2001. By car the best way is the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Interstate 76, to the King of Prussia Exit. You will see the familiar brown signs used for all National and State Historic sites. It will say Valley Forge. Once off the turnpike you are just a few miles from the entrance. Follow the signs. We found much road construction and building going on at the time. This was a year and a half ago. Hopefully its cleared up by now.
THE NEARBY AREA
Valley Forge is in a wonderful historic area. If you happen to be in Philadelphia doing the historic places, I strongly recommend staying in the area another day and getting outside the wonderful city of Philly and seeing this open aired site.
This area also boasts the Pennsylvania Dutch Country with its Amish Heritage, outlet malls, great eateries, and lots of family fun places to visit is an hour or so drive away.
A bit further and to the south of Philadelphia is the Brandy Wine area. It is also a place to visit with its gorgeous Longwood Gardens, Winterthur tours, and museums. My wife and I really do enjoy this area. Its very peaceful and interesting with much history.
New Hope, Pennsylvania is in the other direction and is a fine town to visit and spend a little time. This is in Bucks County area of Pennsylvania.
If you enjoy history be sure to visit Hopewell Furnace. It too is off the Pennsylvania Turnpike, a twenty minute ride west. I found this another wonderful, relaxing, and historically interesting site to visit. It has demonstrations of revolutionary day activities dressed in garb of the era.
Do know that there are tours out of New York, Philadelphia, and Washington DC to Valley Forge and other nearby sites.
PLACES TO STAY
Being just outside of the town of King of Prussia there are plenty of hotels and motels to stay. I do know I saw Radison, BestWestern and Comfort Inn properties. There are also some wonderful Bed and Breakfasts in the area.
Remember you are less than twenty miles from Philadelphia. There are many places there and a visit to our nations first Capitol is a must! There is so much to see from Independence Hall to the Liberty Bell
VALLEY FORGE VISITORS CENTER
The first stop is at the visitors center. It is open from 9am to 5pm everyday. Being there in the fall and not peek time of the summer there was plenty of parking. The Visitors Center offers a film that will get you acclimated with the grounds and the history of the area. The center is set up as a small museum with revolutionary artifacts and even the tent set up with artifacts that Washington used during the Revolutionary War. At the desk will be one or two Park Rangers. They are friendly people with a wealth of information. Do ask about some of their planned walks and talks. Over the years I have found that this is the best way to get yourself immersed in the area you are in. There is a small book store there and very clean restrooms. The visitors center is also where you pay the tree dollar fee to visit the historic houses that are on the property.
Whenever we visit National Parks and Historic sites we are sure to have our National Parks Passbook canceled. In the bookstore of most National Parks are little blue in colour covered books that resemble passports. In the book are pages dedicated to the many different National Parks throughout the nation and the world. Every one of these places has its own unique stamp that you imprint into the book. I have found this is a very interesting and informative way to learn about our parks and heritage.
HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE
At the time, just before my having to have full knee replacement surgery, I could not walk well and was considered handicapped. I dropped the family off in front of the main doors and then took the drive that took me to the handicapped parking area. This brings one to a level area that allows entry into the multi-leveled visitors center and access to an elevator.
When finished you can get back in your car and do the loop.
GETTING AROUND
Valley Forge is set upon acres and acres of rolling hills and forest. It can be visited by walking, biking, or taking the loop road with a car. We opted for the car, though, we did see many people walking. There are roads and paths designated for the different ways of getting around. A map is available for a self tour at the Visitors Center. For those on foot and bike, restrooms are at a few locations on the property. I should mention there are ten miles of horse trails too.
The loop road that travels in a counter-clock direction has ten stops with some parking. The map gives some information. There are story boards at the stops too. The stops include the buildings that the troops stayed in. These are all replicas, there are no originals. The feeling though is there. At the same time, because of the beautiful weather we had and the fairly empty grounds, it was hard to envision the hardships these people went through in the severe winter of 1777. There were hundreds of huts built in that year. They were put together by the men who were to live in them. Though they were all of the same scale, 14'x16'x6 1/2' high, the strength and durability of each one reflected the skills of the builder. Some were very poorly built and made for even more harsh conditions that winter.
Another stop and one thing that looks so out of place, to me, in the middle of these lush rolling hills is the National Memorial Arch. This is a huge structure that was dedicated to the soldiers who lived and died there.
Other stops include redoubts, earthen fort areas, and Artillery encampments. Other structures to visit are Generals Headquarters and the Washington Memorial Chapel. By doing the drive or walk you will learn of the hardships that were endured. The reason this area was chosen to winter in was because it was still fairly close to the British who were wintering in Philadelphia, yet, it was a defensible position. It had the river on one side. Steep hills on another. and wet bogs in still another area. All the stops and structures are covered by the three dollar fee paid at the visitors center. You can spend as much time as you like and the people inside are happy to answer any questions.
There is a picnic area in the park. Not having used it I can't give too much info about it.
A BIT MORE ABOUT VALLEY FORGE
I certainly did learn more about the winter of 1777. Over two thousand men died that winter. It was a very harsh place to be. It was said by a visitor entering the camp of what he saw. "An army of skeletons appeared before our very eyes naked, starved, sick, and discouraged."
Though the winter was tough there was good news. Just before the winter the British were defeated at Saratoga. Another big moral booster was that the French entered the war on the side of the newly established United States. It's good to see that the French once fought for the freedom of an oppressed people. I thank them for the help then.
Another huge help and confidence builder was the training of the troops at the end of the winter. A gentleman by the name of Steuben, with the prompting of a man by the name of Benjamin Franklin, became temporary inspector general of the troops and started a standard method of training so that the men learned to fight as one unit. This was the start of Washington's Continental Army.
A FEW CLOSING THOUGHTS
George Washington was the General in charge of these men. He showed great leadership qualities in Valley Forge and in the building of our new country. It was him and the men and woman around him that, in spite of great hardships, fought for what was right and persevered.
I am tired of hearing the naysayers say our troops today are bogged down and in trouble. We have to realize that all is not won in a day. There can and will be setbacks like our first army had, but, those fighting for freedom will prevail.
Just travel to the grounds that General George Washington and his rag tag army wintered in. Read the stories and learn the history. Know that because of them, and other heros throughout the life of our country, that Freedom Rings for us and should for all the good people of the world.
Visit Valley Forge!!
other reviews by popsrocks
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Pennsylvania Dutch Country Amish, Shoppinig, Family things to do
Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania
Gettysburg National Historic ParkPennsylvania
Hopewell Furnace, National Historic SitePennsylvania
Saratoga National Historic SiteNY
National Park System Things to know
Passport to our National Parks Collecting Parks
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http://www.epinions.com/content_82162388612
New York City
http://www.epinions.com/content_92717813380
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http://www.epinions.com/content_85570719364
London
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http://www.epinions.com/content_79715208836
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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