Last updated: May 19, 2026
Place
Wayside: Varnum's Quarters
NPS Photo
Quick Facts
Location:
Along the paved path leading to Varnum’s Quarters
Designation:
Valley Forge Then and Now wayside exhibit
Amenities
2 listed
Cellular Signal, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
Morris and Eleanor Edwards, originally from Wales, built and lived in this house between 1711 and 1753. The structure didn’t make an entrance into history books until Brigadier General James Varnum occupied it during the encampment. Varnum and his staff shared the home with its owners David and Elizabeth Stephens and their teenaged son, Maurice. Before moving into a hut, Varnum likely held meetings of generals and courts-martial in this building.
During the encampment, officers presented the dramatic play Cato. Written in 1712 by Joseph Addison, the plot focuses on themes of individual liberty versus government tyranny. Cato tries to balance logic and emotion as he struggles to hold on to his own personal beliefs when faced with death.
Celebrations and commemorations continue to be commonplace in this area. Cato was performed again in 1927 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the encampment.
The home was incorporated into Valley Forge State Park in 1918 and went through several restorations by various organizations. Third floor windows disappeared, front doors shifted, and the grounds, once overgrown, became neatly mowed. These restorations led to what you see today. The National Park Service continues to maintain the structure and the story of Varnum’s Quarters.