Photo by Steve Shook. CC BY 2.0.
This year, America celebrates a major milestone — our semiquincentennial — 250 years since our nation’s birth in the Declaration of Independence. But throughout this year of 250s, there are other important milestones worthy of our attention. A mere 248 years ago this spring, General George Washington and the Continental Army were recovering from one of the lowest points of the War for Independence.
During the winter of 1777 to 1778, approximately 12,000 troops encamped at Valley Forge after British forces captured Philadelphia. This encampment is remembered for its very real hardship — disease, poor supplies, and brutal winter rains, sleet, and mud that took a heavy toll. Historians estimate as many as 2,000 soldiers died. Yet Valley Forge as not simply a story of suffering. It was a turning point in the formation of a disciplined fighting force that would repel the British Empire. This winter encampment stands as one of the defining proving grounds for the American Revolution, and it is a lasting symbol of endurance and our national character. As Washington wrote of those encamped with him: “Naked and starving as they are, we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery.”
This year, Valley Forge National Historical Park turns 50 years old. On July 4, 1976, roughly 3,500 acres were preserved as historic ground. The site now includes reconstructed log huts, many original structures, monuments, and museums that all tell the story of our American soldiers and the cause they served. It receives nearly two million visitors every year, and it serves not only as an educational resource, but a reminder of the price our ancestors paid to secure your liberty and mine.
I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Valley Forge. To walk the grounds of beleaguered soldiers and militiamen. To visit the house that served as Washington’s headquarters, even to touch the same railing he used to climb each night to his bedroom. I encourage you to take a trip to Valley Forge this year, or to any of the amazing sites of our War for Independence. Our shared story is preserved in these places, and to see and touch these pieces of our American story is surely an impactful way to honor and remember the legacy of our homeland.
At the Phyllis Schlafly Report, we honor our history and learn from it as we look toward our future. Join us at PhyllisSchlafly.com, that’s PhyllisSchlafly.com – and join us again for the Phyllis Schlafly Report.
