Visit to Valley Forge National Historic park

When my sister told me that we could visit somewhere near King of Prussia, I wrote down some of the places near King of Prussia, and one of the place was Valley Forge National Historic park. When we reached there we realized the vastness of the place, and understood that it could be difficult see all the places situated only inside the valley, other places were out of question.

 Anyway, we went inside the Visitor’s Center , and one of the forest officers let us know how we could go around the mountain to see the places. Also, he told us to go the Washington’s quarter quickly, as it would be closed at 6 in the evening.Anyway, Valley Forge is quite rich with history. 

Cannon used at that time

During late 18^th century, America was fighting with British for independence when some of the colonies wanted to leave British rule. The colonists lost few of the major battles against British under the leadership of Washington, they reached snow covered Valley Forge in the cold month of December hungry and tired. At that time, few of the generals joined with Washington in the valley Forge.

Soldiers  barrack

 After 6 months of encampment in the valley the army successfully battled with British, which was the turning point of the war.Currently this Valley Forge is well maintained and turned into a Historic park to commemorate the first success to the independence. There were 9 places inside the vibrant green hilly park to visit and to know the history of what happened in those days during the war. We took the map from the visitor’s center, and took narrow hilly car road to visit the points. First, we reached the Memorial arch. However, we first wanted to visit Washington’s headquarter first. So, didn’t got down there, and that was a big mistake. It was a one-way path, and there was no way to come back to the same point.

One of the officer's quarters

 Anyway, we tried to follow the map, but we made some mistake, and we found the we were out of the park. Luckily that road was both way, so we could again go back inside the park. Again, we started for Washington’s headquarter. Suddenly, we found an old white house on a flushing green land through the trees. We thought that was the house we had been searching. We parked the car, ran towards the house. However, the house was closed. We tried in vain to find out a door to go inside. 

Then we found a barn. Then we found the little river, over the river there was a little bridge, again we found another two houses. One of the house was occupied by the wedding party. 

We were totally confused. Then on the we found out the plaque, and where we read none of the house was occupied by George Washington. The four houses are Lord Stirling’s quarter, William Maxwell’s quarter, Henry Konx quarter, and Lafayette’s quarter.

 Anyway, from there again we started driving in search of Washington’s quarter. Then we saw the landmark for Washington’s memorial chapel. We drove, and found a parking lot. We parked our car, walked down the winding walkway and landed on a green field. It was almost 6 o’clock, and Washington’s quarter about to be closed.

Washington's quarter 

 I sent my son to one of the forest rangers who were talking there, to know which one was the Washington’s quarter among the four buildings there. They pointed out the exact house. We ran there, and one of the forest ranger was almost closing down the house. We requested him to keep open for five minutes. We ran inside the house, and saw the entire house, and understood a little about his life in the encampment. The rail station which was already closed at the time we reached couldn’t know the history of it. Only thing I found that the railway station was built in early 19^th century , and currently not functioning. 

Interior of Washington's quarter

 Other two houses I don’t know about them, as they were already closed. In our agenda, the last one was Washington’ s memorial chapel. 

The Chapel

Again, we asked another ranger the way, and he told us. We almost rushed there. Still we were late, when we reached the chapel, that was already closed, and also the gift shop closed down 0jst in front of us to my son’s disappointment.  Though the it was closed, we walked around the beautifully built chapel for some time. Then we decided to go back.

The Justice Bell