brand-eye: Valley Forge National Park

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Valley Forge National Park

Last weekend we went to the Valley Forge National Park, which I have never been to before. What an incredible place! It is in King of Prussia, so the next time you want to go to that way-too-gigantic mall, skip it and go here instead.

According to their website: Valley Forge was the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of the Continental Army. The park commemorates the sacrifices and perseverance of the Revolutionary War generation and honors the ability of citizens to pull together and overcome adversity during extraordinary times.

I wish we would have toured it with someone who knew the history of the area, but I just did a little internet research and found out some interesting facts.

There were 2,000 of these houses built by the army.

This monument was stunning. I noticed that a lot of families and photographers were taking photos around the park.

It was built in 1910 and it is modeled after the Arch of Titus in Rome.
Click for more photos.

Originally two arches were to be built according to the bill approved by Congress to erect the arch, but they later revised it to one arch to save money.

I didn't get a change to read this while there, but glad I snapped a photo to read later.

And here in this place of sacrifice, in this vale of humiliation, in this valley of the shadow of that death out of which the life of America rose regenerate and free let us believe with an abiding faith that to them union will seem as dear and liberty as sweet and progress as glorious. They were to our fathers and are to you and me and that the institutions which have made us happy preserved by the virtue of our children shall bless the remotest generation to the time to come.