ENCOUNTER 2005 Newsletter

January Edition

Valley Forge National Historic Park

    
Main entrance to Welcome Center via Outerline Drive(L) and Washington Memorial Chapel(Episcopal Parish) (R).

 Valley Forge National Historical Park is only a  stone’s throw from our Encounter ‘05’s Sheraton Park Ridge Hotel. VFNHP spreads over 3600 acres, providing enough family fun to fill your Healey’s chase van with bikes, rollerblades, frisbees, kites, radio-controlled model airplanes, fishing tackle, beach chairs &  picnic blankets.   And don’t forget the horse trailer….

This pristine countryside has for many decades managed to convey the sacrifice and ultimate triumph of America’s quest for independence while at the same time provide incomparable opportunities to enjoy the outdoors….from the cockpit, on foot or many ways in between.
 

VFNHP’s main entrance at Outerline Drive leads to the visitors’ center.  It’s set into the hill, an architectural expression of the earthen fortifications dug by General Washington’s troops around the park’s rim.  On top of the hill stands a sharply contrasting building clad with plate glass.  Embedded murals vividly convey the stark forces of nature the 12,000 + troops endured during winter 1777-1778.

 Approximately 2000 troops were lost here, without a battle fought, no bayonet charges, or artillery bombardments. The Continental army’s foe was hunger, disease, and the unrelenting winter.  Washington picked the spot for a 6-month encampment after the British took Philadelphia. Over 1,000 log huts were constructed, each shared by a dozen soldiers.  It was here that Barron von Steuben retrained troops in preparation for the following spring’s offensive when the Continental Army and French forces turned the British northward toward New York City.  Residents of the area provided provisions, horses, and moral support to the encampment.

General Washington’s headquarters has been restored and is open to visitors. For a brief summary of encampment life, click on:  www.nps.gov/vafo/home.htm

 In mid-February 1778, Washington sent then governor George Clinton an emotional one page appeal for “flesh” (livestock) to prevent massive starvation.  One line in that letter has been immortalized as an inscription on the Memorial Arch- a tourist “must”.  The entire letter can be found by clicking on: www.ushistory.org/valleyforge.  This site also has a very detailed history of the Continental Army’s activity over two years.

Continue On to Page 2!  ---->

Back to the Encounter '05 Main Page.