Valley Forge NHP: Muhlenberg Brigade

IMG_6239

Welcome back to National Parks & other public lands with T! If you are seeing this on Twitter or Facebook, please visit the blog to see all of the photos and read the story by clicking the link.

IMG_6232

Valley Forge National Historical Park preserves the site of George Washington’s Continental Army’s winter encampment. From December 1777 to June 1778, the army camped, trained and suffered through a hard winter. The troops were decimated by disease, starvation and desertion due to the harsh living conditions.

IMG_6236

After stopping at the visitor center and watching the introductory film, we got directions for the 10-mile Encampment Tour. This is a self-guided driving tour with nine stops. Stop number 2 is the Muhlenberg Brigade.

IMG_6229

Before the war, Peter Muhlenberg was a Lutheran pastor. As a Brigadier General in Washington’s Army, his troops were the first line of defense for Valley Forge. From their encampment, they would have been the first to engage the British, had they approached from Philadelphia.

IMG_6234

At this site are several recreated soldier’s huts, an underground oven and a redoubt. A redoubt is an earthen defensive fort. During peak times, costumed actors provide living history demonstrations in the Muhlenberg area.

IMG_6228

Valley Forge posts:

  • Valley Forge National Historical Park
  • Muhlenberg Brigade
  • National Memorial Arch (Coming Soon)
  • Washington’s Headquarters (Coming Soon)
  • Valley Forge Station (Coming Soon)
  • Washington Memorial Chapel (Coming Soon)

IMG_6226

Location: 1400 North Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia, PA 19406

Designation: National Historical Park

Date designated or established: July 4, 1976

Date of my visit: 10/4/2019

IMG_6227