March Out of the Continental Army 2026

Commemorate the 248th anniversary of the Continental Army's departure from Valley Forge at the end of the 1777-1778 winter encampment.

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The End of the Encampment

The Valley Forge Encampment ended on June 19, 1778 when George Washington and the Continental Army marched away towards Monmouth and the upcoming season of battle against the British.

Visit Artillery Park (tour stop #7) on Saturday, June 13, 2026 to commemorate the 248th anniversary of the Continental Army's departure from Valley Forge after six months of hardship, perseverence, and transformation.

Learn about the equipment and experiences of soldiers from many different eras, from the American Revolution to present day.

Note: In the event of rain, activities will be moved inside the Visitor Center at Valley Forge. Check this webpage or Valley Forge social media for updates.

The Birthplace of the American Army

Did you know that many historians consider Valley Forge to be the birthplace of the U.S. Army?

At Valley Forge in 1778, the concepts of basic training, the professionalization of the officer corps, and the rise of the army’s distinctive branches, such as the corps of engineers, all got their start.

Park your car in the Artillery Park parking lot and explore stations set up along the Baptist Trace Trail.

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10 am to 3 pm - Explore Stations

The U.S. Army from the Revolutionary War to Present Day

1. Event Information and Junior Ranger Table

2. Revolutionary War Era - National Park Service living historians

3. War of 1812, U.S. Civil War, and other 19th Century Wars - National Park Service and Historic Military Impressions living historians

4. World War I & II Eras - Living historians from Historic Military Impressions

5. Vietnam War Era - Helicopter pilot Rich Crosley

6. Late Cold War Era (1976 to 1990) - Colonel (Ret) John McFassel

7. Operation Iraqi Freedom Era - Stryker Driver Veteran Steve Walter

8. Present Day - Pennsylvania Army National Guard, 1-111th Infantry Battalion

11 am, 1 pm, 2 pm - Black Powder Musket Firing Demonstrations

At four times during the day, head over to the cannons at Artillery Park to watch park rangers demonstrate black powder musket firing.

Tags: valley forge national historical park, valley forge, march out, continental army, march-out of the continental army, artillery park, special event