And for good reason: It was the largest existing city in English North America, the seat of Congress, populated by numerous Loyalists, part of a fertile region, and could be supplied from the sea using the Delaware River. In the course of its march, the British engaged the Continental Army at Brandywine Creek near Chadds Fords, and later at Paoli.

After camping for 3 days, the British finally moved on to Philadelphia. When Washington launched an attack on October 4, 1777 designed to retake the city, The Battle of Germantown dissolved into another defeat for his army. They retreated into winter quarters at Valley Forge, where they endured for six months, reorganizing and retraining, emerging as a new, formidable fighting force.

History is of vital significance when it comes to the conservation of Valley Forge. There’s no doubt that our park is a beautiful place; but effective, informative storytelling is a time machine that breathes life into otherwise still space. It brings our visitors back to a time before our freedom was a guarantee, eliciting a sense of meaning, duty, and wonder.

The Valley Forge Park Alliance makes education our mission. See how we work to achieve this below. For a downloadable children’s activity guide, click here.

The ever popular Speaker Series  has been renewed for the 2023-2024 season. This series promotes education and community engagement. These events are open to the public and feature a wide array of historians, authors, and academics, sharing their multiple points of view on history, and the ongoing commemoration of Valley Forge. The series has been sponsored by the Sherrin H. and Bruce A. Baky Foundation. Also, please look for recordings of past Speaker Series events, online.

Join local birders Mary Ellen Heisey and Tony Nastase on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month from, March through October, for a fascinating bird walk. See or hear different species in a variety of seasons and habitats such as meadow, edge and woods. Walk is intended for birders of all levels, all ages, and beginners are welcome and encouraged. Each participant should bring binoculars. Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended, because we walk on a variety of surfaces, paved, gravel, and vegetation.  Meet in the Artillery Park Parking lot on East Inner Line Drive. Restrooms & water fountain are available in parking lot. Walks will be canceled during electrical or ice storms.

Walks start at 8 AM Mar, Apr, Sept, Oct and 7:30 AM May, Jun, Jul, and Aug.

Bird species seen or heard in Valley Forge during 2014-2019 walks

Click here to view our Flickr album of 2020-2021 Bird Walk photos

Join us Tuesdays, Saturdays & Sundays at 10am  at the oasis that is Valley Forge Park!

We walk a few miles on a variety of trails. Dogs and strollers are welcome. All ages and speeds. The walk is approximately one hour, typically with 10-20 walkers. (Please note: walks are canceled for inclement weather.)

Walks on the first and last Tuesdays of the month meet at the statue of General von Steuben on Valley Forge Park Road. Saturday walks meet at the bell tower of the Washington Memorial Chapel. Sunday walks and all other Tuesday walks meet at 1000 N Outer Line Drive – park in the Valley Forge Visitor Center LOWER Lot and meet us at the cross walk.

To receive weekly email updates on Trail Tuesdays, Saturdays & Sundays events, send an email to info@vfparkalliance.org and request to be added to the list.

Valley Forge is full of great stories- and now, you can hear them come to life from the convenience of your cell phone. The cell phone tour is entirely self-guided: choose what you want to hear and when you want to hear it. Prompts are organized by Encampment Tour Stop. Please see full instructions for the tour HERE.

The Muster Roll project is a volunteer effort of the Valley Forge Park Alliance and is dedicated to the memory of those who were at winter quarters from December 19th, 1777 to June 19th, 1778 and includes more than 28,000 entries. The Muster Roll project continues today and is supported by purchases and donations made. Our work continues in maintaining and working through online inquires, which in 2020 alone, resulted in 43 new additions of soldiers that encamped at Valley Forge with General George Washington. Learn more about the Muster Roll HERE.

Home School students visited Valley Forge in October 2019 for a free, unique, and educational experience. Multiple learning stations and curriculum sessions encouraged students to explore topics such as 18th century life, the American Revolution, and natural resources. Read more here and view a Sample Home School Day Lineup!

Park rangers and dedicated volunteers were on-site to help facilitate learning. Home School Day at Valley Forge was launched thirteen years ago by the Friends of Valley Forge Park – now the Valley Forge Park Alliance – presenting a program they had offered to public and private schools for decades. The Valley Forge Park Alliance continues to support Hone School Days with volunteers and programming.

Join Park Ranger Bob Donnelly as he reads “George Washington and the General’s Dog” by Frank Murphy.

Ranger Bob reads the touching story of a stray dog found after battle. Washington returns the pet to his adversary – a British soldier! – and reminds us all about the importance of being kind to others.

Special thanks to the The Encampment Store for providing us with a great read!

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