12 Unique Valley Forge Facts Highlighting General George Washington's Winter Encampment

 

As the site of the Continental Army's winter encampment during 1777-1778, Valley Forge National Historical Park unfolds a key period during the Revolutionary War. Valley Forge has long been one of my favorite places to visit having explored the park about a dozen times. No matter how many times I visit, I still am learning more. After my most recent adventure to Valley Forge, I have put together a collection of interesting facts:

1. Valley Forge was named for an iron forge built along Valley Creek in the 1740s. The British destroyed the forge before the arrival of the Continental Army.
2. Soldiers suffered from food scarcity which made them more susceptible to diseases including  influenza, pneumonia, typhus, typhoid, and dysentery.
3. Oneida Chief Shenandoah helped save Washington's troops by bringing them hundreds of bushels of corn.
4. An Oneida woman named Polly Cooper stayed at the encampment and taught the soldiers how to cook white corn and use corn husks to make soup.
5. English was not the primary language for approximately 30% of the soldiers at the encampment. French, German, Dutch, Polish, Scottish, Gaelic, and more languages were spoken.
6. The winter at Valley Forge was not the coldest of the war. In fact, the next winter at Morristown was even colder.
7. Hannah and Isaac Till, an enslaved couple, worked as cooks for General Washington at Valley Forge. Both secured agreements to purchase their freedom and were able to do so in October of 1778.
8. Officers' wives at the encampment acted in a production of the play Cato during the winter at Valley Forge.
9. While lack of clothing provided hardship for some soldiers, many had full uniforms as well.
10. Approximately 12,000-14,000 soldiers were housed at Valley Forge. About 200-400 women accompanied the soldiers.
11. The encampment devastated the surrounding land with entrenchments, muddy roads, refuse pits, huts, and more. Trees were cut down for fuel and hut construction. Livestock and stores were commandeered. Farms would quickly recover after the encampment.
12. The soldiers constructed miles of trenches, five earthen forts, and a bridge crossing the Schuylkill River.

For more facts about Valley Forge, check 10 Interesting Facts About Valley Forge.

A row of soldier huts at Valley Forge

Sources: Valley Forge National Historic Park https://www.nps.gov/vafo/index.htm

               American Battlefield Trust: https://www.battlefields.org/

Read More

Peaceful Hiking, River Views and Bald Eagles at Black Rock Sanctuary in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania

 

Black Rock Sanctuary in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania offers peaceful trails with gorgeous views. We enjoyed a morning hike during our recent trip and quickly discovered that Black Rock Sanctuary offers so many of the things we love on hikes -- woodlands, river views, bluffs, and birds! Black Rock Sanctuary is easily one of our favorite preserves in Chester County's Brandywine Valley.

Read More

Waterfall Wonder at Buttermilk Falls Natural Area in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania

Buttermilk Fall Natural Area Captivates With a Waterfall Near Pittsburgh

Buttermilk Falls Natural Area in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania delighted us with a picturesque waterfall walk on our recent trip to Pittsburgh. We travel from Chicago to Pittsburgh at least once per year and have slowly been uncovering an interesting bevy of waterfalls along the route. We are constantly amazed by the uniqueness of each cascade that we have discovered and Buttermilk Falls dazzled just as much as the falls we explored on previous visits.

Read More

10 Interesting Facts About Valley Forge

 

10 Interesting Facts About Valley Forge

Valley Forge marks a particularly difficult time for George Washington's hodgepodge force of colonial militias while also representing a time when that force became more cohesive. Troops were exhausted and not well supplied. Washington chose Valley Forge for the encampment because it was on a naturally defensible plateau and was close enough to Philadelphia that the colonial military could keep an eye on the British. The encampment would last for 6 months. Training at Valley Forge would mold the force into a more unified fighting unit.

Read More

Tranquil Yet Rugged Hike Full of Waterfalls on the Neal Thorpe Trail in Mont Clare, Pennsylvania

 

Tracing Waterfalls and Hiking a Rocky Landscape on the Neal Thorpe Trail

Discovering incredible Pennsylvania hiking trails near our starting point in Valley Forge was an easy challenge! The region offers so many trails to choose from. After our morning in Philadelphia, we opted to unwind in the afternoon with a hike exploring the Neal Thorpe Trail in Mont Clare near Phoenixville. The slightly over 2 mile trail loops off of the Upper Schuylkill River Trail.

Read More

Wandering Through History at Washington Crossing Historic Park in Pennsylvania

 

History and Nature Captivate and Washington Crossing Historic Park

Washington Crossing Historic Park represents a reminder to one of the most pivotal actions of American history. Perched on the striking Delaware River right where Washington crossed in 1776, you can really feel the moment. I have been visiting this spot since I was a child and it impresses every single time.

Read More

Wandering Through Books and History at Baldwin's Book Barn in West Chester, Pennsylvania

Wandering Through Books and History at Baldwin's Book Barn in West Chester, Pennsylvania

Baldwin's Book Barn in West Chester, Pennsylvania melds early American history with a wonderland of books, manuscripts, maps and more. Housed in a milking house constructed in 1822, Baldwin's Book Barn charms immediately when you pull up. Stone walls, wooden doors and features and even baskets near the doorway welcome you to a unique adventure.

Read More

Investigating Early Industry at Hopewell Furnace

Investigating Early Industry at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in Pennsylvania

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in Elverson, Pennsylvania provided our family with an afternoon learning about early industry in the United States set inside a scenic nature preserve. When we visited my family in Pennsylvania, we savored beautiful spring weather and went on an exploration of the historic site.

Read More

Literary Wonderland at Midtown Scholar in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Literary Wonderland at Midtown Scholar in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Our Pennsylvania road trip took us right through Harrisburg where we made a stop at the Midtown Scholar Bookstore. Midtown Scholar Bookstore resides in a former 1920's cinema which became a department store in the 1950's. Talk about history! Plus, they have a cafe. So, how could we not stop?

Read More

Eclat Chocolate in West Chester, Pennsylvania

Chocolate. Chocolate somehow always makes it way into our road trips. I wonder how? Could it be that I love locally made chocolate?  While in Pennsylvania visiting family, we ventured into Eclat Chocolate in West Chester. On a previous trip to Pittsburgh, I savored an Eclat bar I discovered at a local chocolate shop. So, I was thrilled to have an opportunity to explore Eclat's Factory Store!

Read More

Longwood Gardens: History, Nature and Treehouses

Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania is an intriguing blend of history and nature. The land has long been inhabited as indicated by Lenni Lenape spears that have been discovered on the property. Centuries after the first settlers inhabited the area, Pierre du Pont purchased the land and soon began cultivating incredible gardens which would be the foundations of what we see today.

Read More

Valley Forge National Historical Park: Exploring Pivotal American History

Valley Forge National Historical Park in Pennsylvania was one of the first historic sites I visited as a child. The struggles faced by General Washington and his men during the winter encampment of 1777-1778 forever left an impression on me. During our recent trip out to New Jersey, we had just an enough time to make a stop at this significant site. The site is incredible both for learning about the founding of our country and enjoying nature.

Read More

Jean Bonnet Tavern: A Place for Rest on the Pennsylvania Frontier

The Jean Bonnet Tavern in Bedford, Pennsylvania is a remarkable piece of frontier history that is still serving up meals and providing weary travelers with a place to rest over 250 years later. We discovered this historic gem a few years ago and were eager to visit again. On our recent road trip, we were once again able to enjoy the colonial atmosphere and a great meal!

Read More

Walking with the Dinosaurs at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History {Pittsburgh}

Here come the dinosaurs!

There is just something so captivating and enchanting about the world of the dinosaurs. Upon learning about the collection housed at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, I knew that we would have to make a visit. The collection is the world's largest of Jurassic dinosaurs and the display dinosaurs represent the third largest in the entire U.S.A. So, amazing!

Read More

The National Aviary: A Fine Feathered Treasure in Pittsburgh

A curious Palm Cockatoo!

During our Spring Break vacation, we had the opportunity to visit one of my favorite cities--Pittsburgh! As a 7-hour drive from the Chicago area, Pittsburgh is a road trip destination to have on your radar for longer breaks. Pittsburgh has a wide range of family-friendly destinations that easily keep families busy and active rain or shine! Plus, the flavor of the city is one that will easily have you branching out from the ordinary attractions to explore more. I am excited to present the city to you over the next few days!

Read More

Escaping the Usual with Eclat Chocolate's ALP Aleppo Pepper and Pink Peppercorn Bar

**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

I am continually on the hunt for unique chocolate bars. I wouldn't say that I always go for crazy flavors or combinations, but I do like to try combinations that are different from the norm yet still seem like they may blend together. On one of our trips to Pennsylvania, my husband happened to discover an interesting chocolate bar by Éclat Chocolate. Éclat has a series of destination bars inspired by Chocolatier Christopher Curtin's love of travel. The particular bar we picked up highlights Aleppo Pepper and Pink Peppercorn, reminiscent of spices from old trade routes through the ancient world. As a fan of pepper and chocolate, this bar sounded like quite the find. But, would the pepper be too much? Of course, curiosity piqued--I had to try the bar!

Read More

Primanti Brothers: a Pittsburgh classic

No trip to Pittsburgh is complete without visiting Primanti Brothers, especially if it is your first visit. The Primanti Sandwich was born in the 1930's and has been a classic ever since. Any fan of Man vs. Food is most likely acquainted with this sandwich full of meat, French fries, Primanti's cole slaw and tomatoes. While Primanti's has other menu items like soup and salads, how can you not try the sandwich at least once?

We were very lucky to be staying at a hotel near The Strip, a shopping and restaurant district in Pittsburgh. We were able to walk to Primanti Brothers from our hotel. After a pleasant walk, we settled in. The restaurant fills in quite quick in the evening, so you may want to get there a little early. We were there around 4:45PM and by 5PM there was a line for tables. You can also carryout. Here is a look at the cute joint:

There are actually a surprising number of sandwiches to choose from. It took me awhile, but I settled on the turkey. My husband had the pastrami. The staff was very accommodating when it came to my daughter. They made her a ham sandwich with fries and cole slaw on the side. This, of course, made me breath a sigh of relief--you know how picky the little ones can be!

Our sandwiches came quick. Look at the wonderful creation below:

I loved the slaw. It was a tad sweet and not mayonnaisey. I hate when a slaw is drenched in mayo! I felt like there was there right amount of fries on the sandwich. I was worried that there would be too many. Instead, the sandwich seemed balanced. That being said, I only ate half of mine and brought the rest back to the room to nibble on later. The sandwich held up well for later that day.

Some other things to note about Primanti Brothers: The restaurant in The Strip is open 24 hours, perfect for travelers unsure if when they will arrive. Also, it is cash only, so make sure to bring some greenbacks with you. The other locations all appear to have generous hours as well, so you can definitely hit Primanti's anytime you arrive.

We enjoyed our taste of Pittsburgh and will be heading back to Primanti Brothers when we return to the city. Besides the good food, the restaurant also was very lively, giving you the beat of the city. Quite a way to truly be part of Pittsburgh!


**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

Read More

Historic Wonders at the Heinz History Center {Pittsburgh}

There so many wonderful sites to see in Pittsburgh, so it was difficult to choose what to visit on our past trip. However, when I read about the Heinz History Center, I just knew that we had to visit! You see, it has 6 floors packed full of history! With so much history, there is definitely something everyone will love. We ended up spending over 3 hours there!

At the Heinz History Center, history just jumps out at you. No dusty shelves here! When you enter, you are immediately greeted by interesting vehicles including a steel car, a Conestoga  wagon from the 1700's and a wagon that transported Heinz products back in the day. Already, history is more tangible, perfect for kids to grasp those things that they have read about in books.

Shiny!

Of course, kids need to play! In the Great Hall, you will find Kidsburgh, a two tier play area where kids can learn about Pittsburgh through activity.  Once kids are finished playing in Kidsburgh, they can wind down a red slide back to the main hall. There is a video screen set up so parents can watch their kids in Kidsburgh without having to climb to the top tier themselves. Nice!

I see you!

After experiencing the Great Hall and Kidsburgh, we headed to the special exhibit on 1968. This exhibit and its use of multimedia just blew us away. Each portion of the exhibit showcased important events as well as day to day life in 1968. The exhibit intermixes the difficult events of the year with some more lighthearted pieces of culture. When you first enter the exhibit, you immediately encounter the ominous humming of a medic helicopter like those from Vietnam. However, soon you find yourself greeted by '60's TV screens full of the popular shows of 1968. The Monkees, Laugh-In, or Mission Impossible anyone? My daughter loved that part and probably would have sat in front of the TVs for an hour. Another highlight--the section on Mr. Rogers. What a way to transport some of us back to childhood?

Won't you be my neighbor?

Read More

Duquesne Incline: old time fun in Pittsburgh!

Over Spring Break, we took a little road trip to Pittsburgh. Since we were a little ahead of road construction season, the 8-hour drive was quite pleasant and uneventful. While we are frequently in the area, we have never stopped in Pittsburgh before. We were excited about the trip and found Pittsburgh to be a wonderful location for a little trip away from Chicagoland.

Pittsburgh is really a beautiful city. The city lies at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers. The rivers definitely add to the majesty as do the bridges. (My daughter oooed and ahhhed upon seeing the bridges.) To take in the sites, we rode the Duquesne Incline. The Duquesne Incline follows the path of an old coal hoist. It carries passengers from the base of Mt. Washington to its summit. During the ride up to the summit, you get an amazing view. The incline was opened to the public in 1877 and still provides some old time fun up to this day.

The Duquesne Incline is a fun activity for children. My daughter enjoyed watching the cars move up and down the incline. She spent some time trying to figure out how it worked. Little ones and big ones alike can watch the machinery work as the cable cars move up and down. The wooden cable cars are just beautiful and it was neat to see my daughter so enthralled by something relatively simple compared to many other involved attractions that children gravitate towards.

The view of Pittsburgh from the cable cars is spectacular. There is an amazing view of the city, the rivers and the stadiums. Something for everyone! We also had fun looking at boats on one of the rivers. We spotted some coal barges that were interesting to look at. Walking along the mountain, we enjoyed may views.

The Duquesne Incline is open all year and is open most of the day (5:30AM-12:45AM Monday-Friday, 7:00AM-12:45AM Sundays and holidays). With so many hours, it is easy to add this attraction to any Pittsburgh itinerary. I would recommend going either before or after the opening hours of other attractions to make the most of your trip. An evening visit may be fun!

Fares for the incline are $5 per adult for a roundtrip, $2.50 per child 6-11, and kids under 5 are free. Please be sure to bring cash as the incline is cash only.

Read More