Last updated: April 5, 2024
Article
March-In Commemoration 2023
NPS Image / G. Purifoy
Join Us on the evening of Tuesday, December 19, 2023!
Visit Valley Forge National Historical Park on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 as we commemorate the 246th anniversary of the arrival of the Continental Army to Valley Forge in 1777 with family-friendly programs, demonstrations, reenactors, and hands-on activities!
The Visitor Center at Valley Forge and The Encampment Store will be open from 9 AM to 9 PM for holiday shopping and light refreshments.
Commemorative activities at Muhlenberg's Brigade will take place from 6 PM to 8 PM.
NPS Image / G. Purifoy
At the Visitor Center Area
The Encampment Store
The Encampment Store, located inside the Visitor Center at Valley Forge, will be open until 9 PM for holiday shopping and provide light refreshments. Visit the store online at encampmentstore.org.
Valley Forge Muster Roll
Located inside the Visitor Center at Valley Forge, the muster roll contains names, ranks, dates of enlistment, and other notes on soldiers’ assignments, acivities, and conditions. The Valley Forge Muster Roll is a project of the Valley Forge Park Alliance. valleyforgemusterroll.org
The First Oval Office: George Washington’s Marquee Tent
Join staff from the Museum of the American Revolution at the Mini Grand Parade behind the visitor center to explore a handsewn, full-scale replica of General George Washington’s sleeping marquee tent, which served as his mobile headquarters while on campaign. Meet costumed living history interpreters portraying the people who would have been there. This activity made possible by funds donated by the Valley Forge Revolutionary 5-Mile Run. Learn more about the First Oval Office Project.
March-In Commemoration Welcome and Introduction
Begin your March-In commemorative experience in the park theater with a 3-minute presentation telling the story of the Continental Army’s arrival and previewing some of the evening’s programming.
Dramatic Reenactment of a Court Martial
6:30 PM & 7:30 PM - programs run for 30 min
Located in the Meeting Room near the Mini Grand Parade, this program will transport you to an 18th century military court where you will take part in a tribunal of military judges to decide the outcome of a trial. A Seating of The Courts Martial Hearing the Case of Joseph Edwards, an Inhabitant of Pennsylvania: A dramatic first-person reenactment of the trial involving Joseph Edwards, who faced charges of attempting to drive cattle to the enemy during the Valley Forge Encampment.
Along the Paved Trail
Building Shelter
When the army first arrived in December 1777, troops needed shelter quickly! Learn how soldiers built temporary shelters like wedge tents and brush huts, and try to construct your own shelter using various materials.
Receiving Rations
Find out what kinds of foods soldiers were eating when they marched in to camp at Valley Forge (and how much).
Historic Tools
Learn about the tools and building techniques used by soldiers at Valley Forge to make more durable structures like the log huts you see at Muhlenberg’s Brigade.
Sentries
Sentries stood guard and controlled access to the Continental Army’s winter encampment at Valley Forge. As you approach the log huts at Muhlenberg’s Brigade, you’ll encounter uniformed guards. Give them the correct countersign (password) to gain entry to the huts!
At Muhlenberg's Brigade
Soldier Life in the Huts
Keep warm and explore inside the log huts! Try on colonial clothing, play common games from the 18th century, and speak with Continental Army soldiers. Meet Edward "Ned" Hector, a Black Revolutionary War hero, as portrayed by reenactor Noah Lewis.
Camp Life
Experience the daily life of the enlisted men, officers, and women attached to the army. Learn what they wore, what they ate, how they experienced the winter encampment at Valley Forge, and see them performing drill and guard duty.
Civilian Markets at Valley Forge
See different examples of food produced for the Continental Army and learn about the markets near camp where soldiers and civilians with the army could buy local produce and other items.