Valley Forge in Pennsylvania was the site of the American Continental Army camp in the winter of 1777-1778 during the War of Independence of the United States.
Considering the early arrival of winter, and the low prospects of the campaign, General George Washington sought barracks for his men. Washington and his troops had just fought in what was to be the last major clash of 1777 at the Battle of the Black Hills (or Edge Hill). It occurred to him to remove his troops from his camp in the White Marsh area (now the Washigton Fort State Park) and move to a safer place for the coming winter. Although several locations were proposed, he selected Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 18 miles (28.968192 km) northwest of Philadelphia. It turned out to be an excellent option. . Fields for the brigade camps were selected, and lines of defense were planned and started. Although the construction of more than a thousand huts provided shelter, it was little to compensate for the critical shortages that continually plagued the army.
Soon the word of the British departure from Philadelphia brought a frantic activity into the ranks of the Continental Army. On June 19, 1778, six months after his arrival, the army marched away from Valley Forge in search of the British, who were moving to New York. The ordeal was over. The war would last another five years, but for Washington, his men, and the nation he tried to give birth to, a decisive victory had been won-a victory, not of arms but of will.
The site of the camp became a Pennsylvania state park in 1893 and, on July 4, 1976, it became the Valley Forge National Historical Park. The park has modern buildings and historic and recreated structures, monuments, and a newly renovated visitor center, which features a short film and has several exhibitions. A chapel was built in 1903 as a monument to Washington. An adjacent carillon of 58 bells represents all the US states. and territories. Resides in a tower built by the Daughters of the American Revolution. You can also enjoy hiking and cycling routes. The park houses around 1,000 deer that can be seen grazing in the open fields.
