Of all places associated with America's War for Independence, none conveys the suffering, sacrifice and ultimate triumph of our nation more than Valley Forge National Historical Park. Visitors to the rolling hills of this 3,600-acre national park stop first at the Welcome Center to see a timeline of the Revolution and learn about the diversity of the Army, where one in six soldiers was African-American. Throughout the park, see the Monument to Patriots of African Descent; soldier's log huts; rows of cannon; the National Memorial Arch; Washington's Headquarters; and Washington Memorial Chapel. Visitors can search for ancestors who served in computerized Continental Army muster rolls at the Welcome Center.

African-Americans' proud history of service in our Armed Forces began here, with the American Revolution. More than 5,000 soldiers of African descent fought in the Continental Army. The compelling stories of soldiers, slaves, and abolitionists from the Revolution through the Civil War are told at Valley Forge National Historical Park and other sites throughout the Valley Forge area, and on guided tours of the region.

Valley Forge National Historical Park is the gateway to a region packed with fun and recreation. Gorgeous gardens, great fishing, biking, boating and bird watching make every day an adventure. There are more than 20 Revolutionary War sites, and close to 200 attractions in all.

For more information, contact the Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau:

• Phone: 610-834-7980
• Email: tours@valleyforge.org
• www.valleyforge.org/quest

Related destinations:

• Abolition Hall Venue
  Germantown & Butler Pikes, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
  * State Historical Marker Site
  
  A gathering place where abolitionists, including William Lloyd Garrison and Lucretia Mott, came to speak.

• Brandywine Battlefield Park
  Route 1, Chadds Ford PA 19317
  610-459-3342
  
  Open March – November
  Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday 12-5 p.m.
  Adults $5
  Ages 6-17 $2.50
  Seniors $3.50
  Group rate: $3.50 per person
  
  On September 11, this was the site of the Battle of Brandywine in 1777. Here, 15,000 British troops clashed with 11,000 Americans on September 11, 1777. The Americans were forced to retreat and the British marched on to take Philadelphia, unopposed. One heroic African-American soldier, Ned Hector, refused to abandon his team of horses and supply wagon during the retreat; his bravery was recognized, and Hector Street in Conshohocken is named for him.

• Camp William Penn
  1618 Willow Avenue, La Mott, PA 19027
  * State Historical Marker Site
  
  Eleven thousand troops trained at the first U.S. training camp for African-American soldiers during the Civil War.

• Valley Forge National Historical Park
  Route 23 & North Gulph Road, Valley Forge, PA 19482
  (610) 783-1077
  
  Visitors to the rolling hills of this 3600-acre national park can view the Monument to Patriots of African Descent, soldiers' log huts, rows of cannons, the National Memorial Arch, Washington's Headquarters, and Washington Memorial Chapel. Visitors can also search for ancestors who served by viewing computerized Continental Army muster rolls at the Welcome Center.

Nearby Attractions

The top attractions are Longwood Gardens, the Brandywine River Museum, the Barnes Foundation and King of Prussia Mall (the largest on the East Coast - and no sales tax on clothing!) Special events, festivals and performances enliven the countryside in every season.