Last updated: May 21, 2026
Place
Wayside: A Golden Anniversary
NPS Image
Quick Facts
Location:
On the Joseph Plumb Martin Trail near the park administration building
Significance:
Designation:
Valley Forge Then and Now wayside exhibit
Amenities
2 listed
Cellular Signal, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
Originally established as Valley Forge State Park in 1893, the park aimed to preserve the site where General George Washington’s army encamped during the winter of 1777-78. The state park shaped the land by paving roads and erecting monuments, creating a space where community and history were intertwined.
In 1976, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania gifted the park to the American people in honor of the United States Bicentennial, establishing Valley Forge National Historical Park on July 4th as part of the National Park System. The National Park Service
restored encampment-era buildings and reestablished meadows. The Grand Parade regained native plants, insects, and birds as a new audience of visitors expanded from beyond the local area.
Valley Forge’s mission remains unchanged since its inception, with the landscape playing a crucial role in telling the story of the people’s park. It continues to serve as a space for history, commemoration, nature, stewardship, and recreation.
Take the self-guided Then and Now tour by scanning the QR code. The tour highlights the state park years and shares the story of how the National Park Service continues the mission today.