My Valley Forge Story: Andy Shaner

My Valley Forge story begins with the Valley Forge Muster Roll project. In the spring of 2013, I came across an ancestor’s name in the project’s online database. I contacted the project to inquire about which records showed my ancestor to be present at the encampment. I had just recently begun my journey into genealogy and became a document hound from the beginning. This initial email began a series of messages with Muster Roll project volunteer, and Valley Forge National Park docent, Tom McNichol.

After a few months of exchanging emails, I told Tom that I would be visiting Valley Forge in the fall. Tom graciously offered to provide me a driving tour of the park which I happily accepted.

I met Tom at the visitor center in the morning shortly after it opened. We drove to multiple points of interest throughout the park, with Tom sharing his knowledge of the park and details of the encampment’s defenses and soldiers’ daily life along the way. While visiting some reconstructed soldier huts, Tom talked about spending the night in one of the huts with other volunteers, taking the inside temperature throughout the night. A lesson learned from that experience was that the huts were likely warmer inside than Washington’s headquarters!

Tom concluded the tour in an incredibly memorable way. Before driving back to the visitor center, he stopped at the location where my ancestor’s regiment was encamped with Conway’s brigade. I had not even considered asking him about that possibility. I was very surprised. To top it off, reconstructed huts are at the site. It was surreal. Walking and standing where an ancestor once walked and stood nearly 250 years before is an experience you don’t forget.

I learned a few years ago that Tom had passed away since my visit to Valley Forge. I will always be grateful to Tom for sharing his time and knowledge with me and, with a simple gesture, making history very real and personal.