VALLEY FORGE
![ Valley Forge National Historical Park – the site of the 1777-1778 winter encampment of America’s Continen](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6012d97e8a41220043426276/7b945e12-d7cf-424e-a95d-210c4c9a0ee4/1.jpg)
Valley Forge National Historical Park – the site of the 1777-1778 winter encampment of America’s Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
![It's located northwest of Philadelphia (where the British troops spent a much more comfortable winter). I visited there on September 10 and was particularly fascinated by the recreations of the iconic log-cabin barracks that the troops lived in.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6012d97e8a41220043426276/6413c714-1758-49c9-9fad-19dc8fab54ba/2.jpg)
It's located northwest of Philadelphia (where the British troops spent a much more comfortable winter). I visited there on September 10 and was particularly fascinated by the recreations of the iconic log-cabin barracks that the troops lived in.
![ The encampment has been described as “the army’s epic struggle to survive against hunger, disease, and th](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6012d97e8a41220043426276/16d80ab6-30e0-4dc5-a48d-e87ebb4f8195/3.jpg)
The encampment has been described as “the army’s epic struggle to survive against hunger, disease, and the unrelenting forces of a harsh winter.”
![The insides of one hut. The army lost 2,000 soldiers to disease over that winter – a hefty portion of its total strength.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6012d97e8a41220043426276/62e057ee-9b1c-4af7-ae20-1d0db77bc2ee/4.jpg)
The insides of one hut. The army lost 2,000 soldiers to disease over that winter – a hefty portion of its total strength.
![But the shared hardships of officers and men, plus some serious military training, was considered the key to the Continental Army’s subsequent success and marked a turning point in the Revolutionary War.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6012d97e8a41220043426276/88f40592-6680-4bdf-b732-6cead9fa5970/5.jpg)
But the shared hardships of officers and men, plus some serious military training, was considered the key to the Continental Army’s subsequent success and marked a turning point in the Revolutionary War.
![This will give you an idea of how the barracks were constructed.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6012d97e8a41220043426276/6ae21ca8-f399-46da-83a9-3c738a526e10/6.jpg)
This will give you an idea of how the barracks were constructed.
![This structure (temporarily closed for repairs) was George Washington's headquarters during the encampment. And this (below) is what the surrounding area looks like.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6012d97e8a41220043426276/cff95248-ff8c-4321-b05f-a0c1d79f4b77/7.jpg)
This structure (temporarily closed for repairs) was George Washington's headquarters during the encampment. And this (below) is what the surrounding area looks like.
![Here is the National Memorial Arch, dedicated to George Washington and the army he led.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6012d97e8a41220043426276/f422ea3a-b2db-4437-a07b-5a55d4233070/8.jpg)
Here is the National Memorial Arch, dedicated to George Washington and the army he led.
![Some inscriptions and artwork on the arch.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6012d97e8a41220043426276/34954429-7e0f-4b11-8b76-f2700d5e167d/9a.jpg)
Some inscriptions and artwork on the arch.
![I just happened upon this marrying couple near the arch, as well as a large Sikh delegation.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6012d97e8a41220043426276/647bce34-be78-476d-830f-2987980da104/10.jpg)
I just happened upon this marrying couple near the arch, as well as a large Sikh delegation.
![I was attracted to the Sikh garb.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6012d97e8a41220043426276/1e9058b2-2674-4ed4-b285-319a96822190/11.jpg)
I was attracted to the Sikh garb.
![Here’s the whole group.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6012d97e8a41220043426276/ad0bf269-deba-4c0a-a1dd-eca58e973d7b/12.jpg)
Here’s the whole group.
![There’s a cemetery nearby.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6012d97e8a41220043426276/e58d30c7-6285-4fb6-b1f6-96e31a89e3b1/13.jpg)
There’s a cemetery nearby.
![I always prefer cemetery photos in black & white.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6012d97e8a41220043426276/3bc9b1a4-51e5-4124-bd74-233e8929c126/14.jpeg)
I always prefer cemetery photos in black & white.
![General Anthony Wayne (known as “Mad Anthony”) and his steed.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6012d97e8a41220043426276/8b2a65fd-7d5e-437b-8994-3008f3f96ce0/15.jpg)
General Anthony Wayne (known as “Mad Anthony”) and his steed.
![More of Mad Anthony.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6012d97e8a41220043426276/7089281f-d785-4bc5-ad58-f700fa56244c/16.jpeg)
More of Mad Anthony.
![Some big guns.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6012d97e8a41220043426276/301efb73-95bc-4d31-9fbb-56a5a6e44993/17.jpg)
Some big guns.
![Guns also look better in black & white.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6012d97e8a41220043426276/e49ab8b5-ecb0-4922-8c78-04e6e4c0d6c7/18.jpeg)
Guns also look better in black & white.
![I’m convinced this place is a special part of our heritage.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6012d97e8a41220043426276/54dd8b55-5599-4b07-9950-955a2f0700c1/19a.jpeg)
I’m convinced this place is a special part of our heritage.
![We will remember . . . .](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6012d97e8a41220043426276/4a6c66d0-54b7-4ce4-854d-712c8ea1da6a/20.jpeg)
We will remember . . . .