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Valley Forge National Historical Park

@valleyforgepark

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🌳 3,500 acres of meadows and woodlands
🏠 81 Historic buildings
🥾 30+ miles of trails
😴 George Washington slept here
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🏠 Who first protected one of the most iconic places at Valley Forge? George Washington's headquarters at Valley Forge was a private house for a hundred years after the Continental Army marched away. In 1878, Anna Morris Holstein, working alongside the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, helped establish the Centennial and Memorial Association of Valley Forge. Their mission was to acquire, restore, and protect the headquarters of General George Washington at Valley Forge, and to ensure its survival for future generations. At the time, the house was privately owned by Hannah Ogden. Ogden asked $6,000 for the property, (equivalent to around $200,000 today). The documents that show this exchange between Holstein, Ogden, and the Association record an important moment in the preservation of the house and a key piece of American history! 📜 These original documents and other artifacts that tell the story of how Valley Forge became a national historical park are on temporary display in the visitor center in 2026. Come see the history that saved the history! 🏛 The Visitor Center at Valley Forge is open daily, 9 am to 5 pm. 🥳 Valley Forge National Historical Park celebrates its 50th birthday in 2026. 📸 NPS Photos / Archives of Valley Forge National Historical Park 📹 NPS Video / G. Purifoy Video has no sound. [Video Description: Animated number 50 superimposed over aerial footage of Valley Forge. Different colored fives drop to reveal history, commemoration, recreation, nature, and stewardship theme logos. The 50 recedes as hexagonal Valley Forge 50th logo with landscape and huts appears around it] #ValleyForge, #WashingtonsHeadquarters, #Preservation, #50YearsOfValleyForge, #NationalParkService. Vintage illustration of George Washington's headquarters at Valley Forge, a historic stone house surrounded by trees and a white fence. Text reads: Who first protected one of the most iconic places at Valley Forge? George Washington's headquarters at Valley Forge was a private house for a hundred years after the Continental Army marched away. swipe. illustration of a hand in the lower right corner pointing to the right. taken in Valley Forge National Historical Park by @valleyforgepark
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17 days ago
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🍁 Autumn is just around the corner — and that means Fall Campfire Programs at Valley Forge! 🔥 🔦 Join a park ranger for an interactive evening by the campfire as we discuss unique stories of Valley Forge and the American Revolution. 📍 Campfire programs take place at the new storytelling firepit at Muhlenberg’s Brigade on Saturday evenings at 7 pm, beginning October 3, 2026. Visit go.nps.gov/vafo-campfire (🔗 link in bio) for a full program schedule and details! The new storytelling firepit at Muhlenberg’s Brigade was unveiled on July 4, 2026 in honor of Valley Forge National Historical Park’s 50th birthday. 🎂 📹 NPS Video [fully accessible video available at go.nps.gov/valleyforgevideo, link in bio] #CampfireStories, #ValleyForge, #SpookyVibes, #VF50, #NationalParkService. taken in Valley Forge National Historical Park by @valleyforgepark
6
23 days ago
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Valley Forge National Historical Park is part of the September 11th National Memorial Trail, a route that connects the three national memorials of the September 11th, 2001 attacks. The 1,500+ mile multi-use trail route links the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City, the Pentagon Memorial in Virginia, and the Flight 93 Memorial in Pennsylvania. The route passes through 20 national park sites, including along the Schuylkill River Trail through Valley Forge National Historical Park. You might see the new 9/11 National Memorial Trail signage posted around the Betzwood trailhead on your next walk, run, or ride. Learn more about the 9/11 National Memorial Trail by visiting the trail's website at 911trail.org. Learn more about trails at Valley Forge National Historical Park by visiting the park website (🔗link in bio) 📸 NPS Photos #September11NationalMemorialTrail, #ValleyForge, #NationalParkService. Reflective National Memorial Trail sign with red stripes and blue emblem mounted on a weathered wooden post against a green forest backdrop. 9/11 National Memorial Trail. taken in Valley Forge National Historical Park by @valleyforgepark
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a month ago
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Attention, Crawlers! 🐢 Who is THIS veteran crawler moving across the forest floor? It's the Eastern Box Turtle! 📦 These terrestrial reptiles are late blooming homebodies that live only on land and inhabit forests, meadows, and the edges between. They rarely move more than 1200 meters from home and they mature slowly. 🧐 At Valley Forge National Historical Park we study Eastern Box Turtles in order to learn how many live in the park, where they live, and how we might be able to help protect these ecologically important critters. 👀 Park scientists search the same areas every year for turtles. They walk slowly on foot and take notes and measurements on each turtle they find. After gathering data, turtles are placed right back where they were found. ✅ You can help protect Eastern Box Turtles by leaving turtles in their natural habitats. NEVER take them home as pets. 🛣️ Help turtles cross busy roadways by carrying them to the other side facing the direction they were going but make sure you stay safe yourself when crossing. 🗣️ Tell a ranger when and where you saw a turtle if you encounter one in the park. Learn more about nature & science at Valley Forge National Historical Park on the park website. 🔗 Link in bio! 📹 NPS Video [a turtle crawls slowly over brown dirt and leaves and green vegetation] 📸 NPS Images / E. Kirsch, M. Lefevre-Levy, G. Purifoy #ValleyForge, #EasternBoxTurtle, #Science, #Wildlife, #NationalParkWeek. taken in Valley Forge National Historical Park by @valleyforgepark
6
2 months ago
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EDIT: Junior Ranger Field Day at Valley Forge has been moved to the rain date, Sunday, August 23, 2026. Find details at go.nps.gov/vafo-jrd 🔗Link in bio. Join us this Saturday for some family fun at Valley Forge! 👟🐦🦴🚣🐢🎣🎲 We're kicking off #NationalParkWeek with the second annual Junior Ranger Field Day at Valley Forge National Historical Park from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Head to the Visitor Center at Valley Forge to pick up a Junior Ranger Field Day activity worksheet, then explore different recreation-themed activities set up around the Mini Grand Parade. Find the answers for at least five activities to earn a special Valley Forge Junior Ranger Day badge! 🦴 Learn about the fossils of Valley Forge with a scientist from the @acadnatsci 🎣 Learn how to cast a fly fishing rod with @valleyforgetu 🚣 Learn how to explore rivers and lakes safely by kayak, canoe, or paddle board with our friends at @padcnr 🐢 Be an Eastern Box Turtle and learn how to protect them with a fun group game. 🎲 Play games that were played by kids 250 years ago in the 1700s. 🐦 Discover birds and their nests and build your own bird. Plan your visit and learn more about Junior Ranger Field Day at Valley Forge by visiting the park website at go.nps.gov/vafo-jrd (🔗link in bio) 📸 NPS Images #ValleyForge, #FieldDay, #JuniorRangerDay, #NationalParkService. A man in a national park volunteer uniform smiling while explaining animal pelts and antlers on a table at an outdoor event. Junior Ranger Field Day, Saturday, August 22, 2026, 10 am to 2 pm. An arrow points to the right with the word swipe. taken in Valley Forge National Historical Park by @valleyforgepark
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2 months ago
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“From the curiosity of a little boy picnicking and imagining the soldiers in their huts so long in the past, to a 30 something single National Park Ranger, Valley Forge literally gave me the gift of a fantastic career, the ability to retire when relatively young enough to seek new adventures along with the amazing wife that park introduced me to, which lead to the gift of six more children that I ever expected to have.” ~ excerpt from Kenneth Block’s Valley Forge Story. Kenneth’s memory of the park is woven through many aspects of his life. He visited Valley Forge on family trips as a child and began his career with the National Park Service at the park in 1981. He later met his wife Jean during her seasonal park training in 1986 and had a 32-year career in federal service. You can read Kenneth’s full story at go.nps.gov/mvfs-kenneth-block or browse the full collection of My Valley Forge Stories at go.nps.gov/MyValleyForgeStory (🔗 link in bio) 🥳 Valley Forge is celebrating 50 years as a national park in 2026. To help mark the occasion, we asked “What’s your Valley Forge Story?” and many people responded with their treasured memories and recollections of time spent in the park. Want to submit your own story? Use the tags #MyValleyForgeStory and #VF50 to share on social media! (1) Picnic at Valley Forge, 1962. Kenneth is standing on the table bench between Mary Ellen Failor and mother, Loretta Block. 📸 NPS / Kenneth Block (2) Kenneth Block dressed as a Continental Army soldier speaks to two children at Muhlenberg’s Brigade in 1983. A cloth tent is in the background. Food is spread on a low table in front of them. 📸 NPS / Valley Forge NHP Archives (3) The words “My Valley Forge Story” in stylized text is superimposed on top of a photo of the bronze statue of Baron von Steuben overlooking the Grand Parade. 📸 NPS Photo (4) Animated number 50 superimposed over aerial footage of the park. Different colored fives drop to reveal history, commemoration, recreation, nature, and stewardship theme logos. The 50 recedes as the hexagonal Valley Forge 50th logo with landscape and huts appears around it. 📹 NPS Video / G. Purifoy Family of five posing outdoors near a picnic table set with plates and a cooler in a shaded park area. taken in Valley Forge National Historical Park by @valleyforgepark
5
2 months ago
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🎨 Stop by the 3rd annual Pop-Up Art Show at Muhlenberg's Brigade on Saturday, August 15! Rangers and art-makers from the Valley Forge Art in the Park program will be on site to answer questions and show off artworks inspired by Valley Forge. 🖼️ Bring your original photographs, drawings, sketches, paintings, and prints of Valley Forge and Hopewell Furnace to put in the show! Get inspired and meet other artists, photographers, creators, and Valley Forge lovers. 🖍️ Bring the whole fam! Some limited supplies like crayons and markers will be available for making art on the spot. You can find the full 2026 Art in the Park outings schedule at go.nps.gov/vafo-art 📸 NPS Photos #ArtInThePark, #PopUpArtShow, #MuhlenbergsBrigade, #ValleyForge, #NationalParkService. Log soldier hut wall displaying various artworks clipped on strings in an outdoor park setting under a blue sky. taken in Valley Forge National Historical Park by @valleyforgepark
6
2 months ago
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“When I adopted my dog Birdy we began exploring the main parts of the park. Some of our favorite areas were Mount Joy, Mount Misery, the Grand Parade trail, Washington's Headquarters and the Chapel…Birdy was my soulmate and best friend. We bonded a great deal at Valley Forge. When she passed at the age of 18 years old I found myself back at the park, on my own, grieving but finding solace there. I now have a new companion, Mr. Wags. We too, frequent the park and explore those places and keep adding more to our list. We take photos, sit on the hill at the top of the Grand Parade trail and watch the sunset, explore the ruins of the bottling company on Mount Misery and take in the history and beauty of Washington's Headquarters and the train station. We love sitting at the Maurice Stevens house and feeling the breeze across our faces as we listen to the red winged blackbirds in the spring.” ~excerpt from Jen Arnst’s Valley Forge Story. You can read Jen’s full story at go.nps.gov/mvfs-jen-arnst or browse the full collection of My Valley Forge Stories at go.nps.gov/MyValleyForgeStory (🔗 link in bio) 🥳 Valley Forge is celebrating 50 years as a national park in 2026. To help mark the occasion, we asked “What’s your Valley Forge Story?” and many people responded with their recollections and treasured memories of time spent in the park. Want to submit your own story? Use the tags #MyValleyForgeStory and #VF50 to share on social media! (1) Mr. Wags, a Valley Forge B.A.R.K. Ranger, sits near a cannon. 📸 NPS / Jen Arnst (2) Birdy the dog. A small white and beige dog sits on mowed grass in the sun. 📸 NPS / Jen Arnst (3) The words “My Valley Forge Story” in stylized text is superimposed on top of a photo showing visitors exploring the log soldier huts at Muhlenberg’s Brigade. 📸 NPS Photo (4) Animated number 50 superimposed over aerial footage of the park. Different colored fives drop to reveal history, commemoration, recreation, nature, and stewardship theme logos. The blue zero in 50 stays still decorated with log hut and stars. The 50 recedes as the hexagonal Valley Forge 50th logo with landscape and huts appears around it. 📹 NPS Video / G. Purifoy Light brown and white dog with a green B.A.R.K. Ranger bandana posing on grassy ground near a historic blue cannon outdoors. taken in Valley Forge National Historical Park by @valleyforgepark
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2 months ago
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This Sunday, July 19th, bring your camera, paints, or sketch pad to explore the Iron Bridge and Valley Creek with park rangers and the Art in the Park program from 8-10AM. Discover new ways to see the landscape and express your creativity! This program is free and open to all ages and abilities. Program is weather and staffing dependent. Meet the Rangers at the Wilson Road parking lot located just off Yellow Springs Rd. Reminder: We are just about a month away from our 3rd Annual Pop Up Art Show being held on Saturday August 15th from 11AM-3PM! For more information about how to share your work check out https://ow.ly/nGmW50ZmWyX by @valleyforgepark
0
3 months ago
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“In the end, all of our plans were executed to perfection. You came, you made memories, nobody died from the heat. We didn’t even have any medical emergencies because we took care of each other. That’s what we do. Two days ago, I welcomed folks to help us celebrate Valley Forge’s 50th Birthday. The only national park to share a birthdate with the Nation. Two days ago, I recognized we are not just putting on a program, we are making memories. And those memories are going to be shaped fifty years from now by some of you folks in this audience. Just as I have spent the last few years having people recall the Bicentennial and the arrival of the Conestoga wagon train, I can look around knowing some of you will be here to celebrate the Tricentennial and the parks’ 100th birthday. Before I conclude and you depart for home or other adventures, I want to make sure you know you are invited back for the 250th anniversary of the arrival of George Washington’s Continental Army in December of 2027. I’m thinking, this heat’s not going to seem so bad then. Thank you for joining us. Thank you for your perseverance. With that I can announce that with the commencement of the musket firing, we will consider the outdoor programs celebrating retreat to Valley Forge 50/250 officially closed.” ~Superintendent Rose Fennell, closing remarks, July 5, 2026. 📸 NPS Photos / A. Rich #ValleyForge50, #50YearsOfValleyForge, #RetreatToValleyForge, #MyValleyForgeStory, #BornOnThe4thOfJuly. Visitors explore log huts and exhibits at Valley Forge National Historical Park on its 50th birthday celebration. taken in Valley Forge National Historical Park by @valleyforgepark
17
3 months ago
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⚠️ UPDATE 9:30 AM: South Outer Line Drive is reopened. Huge thanks to the hardworking park maintenance crew for clearing the road so quickly and safely. 👏👏👏 UPDATE 9 AM: South Outer Line Drive is open to the National Memorial Arch parking lot only. The road remains closed to Wayne’s Woods and beyond. PARK ALERT: South Outer Line Drive between Gulph Road and Route 252 is temporarily closed due to downed trees and storm debris after thunderstorms and heavy winds passed through the area on the evening of Saturday, July 4. The roadway will reopen as soon as the debris have been cleared. Find all active park alerts and current conditions on the park website at go.nps.gov/vfsafe 50/250 celebration events will continue as scheduled today. Visit go.nps.gov/vafo-50-250 for details. (🔗 link in bio) NPS Images #ParkAlert, #RoadClosure, #StormDebris, #ValleyForge50, #NationalParkService. National Park Service Arrowhead on a green background. Yellow banner with black text reads Park Alert. taken in Valley Forge National Historical Park by @valleyforgepark
0
3 months ago
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Today, as we celebrate the Declaration of Independence and America’s birth as a nation, we also remember America’s long arc of military service and sacrifice, starting from the American Revolution and continuing to honor the legacy of our fallen heroes today.   One architect was instrumental in shaping how America remembers service and sacrifice: Paul Philippe Cret.   Some of Cret’s timeless works include the National Memorial Arch at @valleyforgepark as well as several ABMC sites and the design of the white marble headstones seen across its sites today.   His work combined beauty, simplicity, and purpose, creating places where memory and reflection continue more than a century later.   #America250 #Freedom250 #USA #history #architecture by @valleyforgepark
2
3 months ago
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