Re-enactment of General Washington's Arrival at Valley Forge Set for Dec. 19

The Continental Army is returning to Valley Forge. NPS photo by Todd Lacy.

If you've ever wondered about General George Washington's arrival, along with his troops, at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777, you might want to visit the park this coming Friday, December 19th. That's when a re-enactment of the troops' arrival will be staged at Valley Forge National Historical Park.

“Then as now, soldiers were far from home, facing danger and uncertainty. This 231st anniversary event commemorates the fundamental importance of Valley Forge,” says Valley Forge Superintendent Mike Caldwell.

At 6 p.m. on the 19th General Washington will lead visitors and re-enactors from the Sixth Pennsylvania Regiment, Oneida Indian Nation and First Rhode Island Regiment on a ceremonial “march-in” from outside the Welcome Center Theater. The quarter-mile lantern-lit march will take guests to an illuminated encampment at five of the Park’s Muhlenberg Brigade huts.

Re-enactors will give continuous lantern tours from the Theater to the encampment site until 8 p.m. Inside the Welcome Center, the ‘Colonial Revelers’ will perform period music and the Encampment Store will be open and offering complimentary holiday refreshments, sponsored by The Friends of Valley Forge Park.