2-Day Valley Forge Living History

Day 1 You'll See: Horseback Riders in Winter

Day 2 You'll See:

 

 


Welcome to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, the perfect place for you and your group to take a fun-filled vacation and still learn new information daily! On this two-day getaway you will see the best of Valley Forge’s natural side, historic side, and even cultural side. Take a local train tour through beautiful and historic iron-wrought creek land, see the local historically stunning national park, and even get to see an important piece of American history at the famed Freedom Foundation.

Day
1

Valley Forge National Historic Park - Welcome to Valley Forge National Historic Park, the 3,500 acre park located near King of Prussia that specializes in history, recreation, and family fun. This winter encampment zone became the spot to commemorate the sacrifices of the Revolutionary War generation and today it sees around two million visitors annually, all history buffs, outdoor rec lovers, or citizens of the world interested in learning something more about the Revolutionary War or George Washington himself. While here your group will see many different historic structures, monuments and trails in the entire 3,500 acres of gorgeous parkland, each and every piece doing well to pay tribute to Washington and his army. Choose from such things as trolley and ranger led walking tours while here, or perhaps a guided bicycle tour! Whatever your group decides to do while at Valley Forge National Historic Park, it is almost guaranteed you will all have fun, and even learn something while doing it.

Historic Park Bicycle Tour - Next you and your group will take part in a 2-hour historic, educational, and moderately active adventure as you tour the Valley Forge National Historic Park from the seat of your bicycle. Guests may rent bicycles from the Visitor Center while here (if they are at least 12 years of age), so don’t worry about bringing your own. Groups of up to 20 people can take part in these seasonal, Saturday morning only (10:30 am) tours as they peddle past some of the most influential historic landmarks in the park. Your 5-mile expertly guided tour will take you and your group past the Muhlenberg Brigade site, through the National Memorial Arch, through Art Park, as well as near the Grand Parade. Enjoy this opportunity to get our blood pumping, in both your legs and your brain as you fill up on Revolutionary War facts during this fun historic adventure.

Picnic at Valley Forge Park - Spend a little more quality time here at Valley Forge National Historic Park as you and your group enjoy any one of their many picnic areas for lunch, each with very scenic and stunning vistas. Pack your own picnic fare or grab a lunch to go from any local eateries, and enjoy the view of southeastern Pennsylvania all the while!

Freedom Foundation - After you’ve filled your belly it will be time to fill your sense of wonder as you visit Freedom Foundation. This 52-acre historic campus contains the wooded trails of Medal of Honor Grove, the land in which 1 acre is dedicated to each of the 50 states of America, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. These dedications are in honor of the various recipients of the nation’s highest honor and award of valor, the Medal of Honor. Each state has an obelisk patterned after the Washington monument, in which all recipients (3,400) of the medal are listed.There are only 26 states honored within this campus to date, each featuring  their own state’s native stone for the material of the actual obelisk. After exploring the park in general your group should choose between the popular onsite trail, the American Walk of Honor (dedicated in April 1977), or the Henry Knox Building.

John James Audubon Center - End your day at the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove, the historic home and outdoor appreciation center located off of Pawlings Road in Audubon. This area is dedicated to American birds and shows this through a museum and bird sanctuary that serve as a living memorial to the American legend, John James Audubon. This was the first home in America of the artist and naturalist and the only true Audubon home still standing in the United States. Here you and your group will find over 175 species of birds, five hiking trails, and an interactive Audubon Museum, all nestled deep within the scenic backdrop of the Lower Providence township of Pennsylvania. While here your group can choose from several different activities, such as the environmental education programs, bird and wildlife watching, walking trails, live owl observation, or the many galleries at the museum.

Day
2

Colebrookdale Railroad - Start your Pennsylvania morning off right as you and your group encounter the treasure of southeastern Penn state, the tourist railroad located in Boyertown and Pottstown by the name of Colebrookdale Railroad, otherwise known as the Secret Valley Line. Part of the Secret Valley Natural, Recreation, and Heritage Area, this 8.6 mile long railroad takes visitors back to a place and time when iron rails still connected people, when steam locomotives ruled the transportation world and when soldiers needed a ride back home from the Civil War. This feat of epic engineering and heroic human drama is located deep within the woods sheltering the Manatawny and Ironstone Creeks, a supposedly mythical secret valley that holds white-tailed deer, great blue heron, bald eagles, and a trace of past pioneers and patriots. While here your group will be able to choose from one of several different 2-3 hour tours of the area.

Peter Wentz Farmstead - The Peter Wentz Farmstead is a historical German American Farm located in the Worcester Township, within Montgomery County Pennsylvania near Lansdale. This piece of land has been continuously farmed since 1744, when Peter and Rosanna Wentz first showed interest in the area and then soon after built their own home here in 1758, a 9.9 acre total acreage plot of land when complete. The Georgian Architecture of this home contains features that reflect both German heritage and local social status. The Wentz homestead also  played host to General George Washington, this being his headquarters during 1777 army activity. This is the point in time in which Washington planned the battle of Germantown and also the evacuation of British troops from Philadelphia. Inside the farmstead home your group will see an interior restored and furnished meticulously to reflect the appearance of the home at the time of the American Revolution. Get all the facts about this house, its owners, and its historical influence on colonial America.