NPS Photo/G.Purifoy Ranger programs are offered on weekends in the spring. Programs are typically scheduled between 10 AM and 12 PM, or between 1 PM and 3 PM. Locations vary. See below for list of program topics. Call the information desk at 610-783-1099 or ask a ranger inside the Visitor Center at Valley Forge for the most current information about daily times, topics, and locations of ranger programs. 
NPS Photo Washington's Headquarters and Valley Forge Station Open HouseWashington's HeadquartersOpen daily 10 AM to 5 PM. Historic Valley Forge StationOpen daily 10 AM to 5 PM. Weekend Program TopicsPrograms are typically scheduled between 10 AM and 12 PM, or between 1 PM and 3 PM. Locations vary. Call the information desk at 610-783-1099 or ask a ranger inside the Visitor Center at Valley Forge for the most current information about times, topics, and locations of ranger programs. Revolutionary MedicineLearn about the medical practices used to treat soldiers during the American Revolutionary War. The presentation includes a medical display of various drugs, surgical tools, and a hands-on activity with a mortar and pestle. The War in Winter: Combat Operations During the Valley Forge EncampmentContrary to popular belief, there was never a cease-fire while the army was camped at Valley Forge. Learn about all the combat operations that happened around the Philadelphia area during the six months of the Valley Forge encampment. Black Powder Cartridge MakingLearn about the importance of black powder cartridges and other military supplies. Join this interactive program and make your own cartridge, just like a soldier who fought in the American Revolutionary War would have done. A Global ConflictLearn where and how France, Spain, the Netherlands, and the Kingdom of Mysore in India all fought against Great Britain during the American Revolution in what become essentially a world war. The display features more than 40 present-day flags representing locations around the world where, from 1776 to 1784, battles were fought against the British outside the territory of the original 13 states. Ancient Bones of Valley Forge: Fossils of the Port Kennedy Bone CaveThe Port Kennedy Bone Cave, one of the most significant Pleistocene-era fossil finds in this part of the country, gives us a fascinating glimpse of what life was like at Valley Forge 750,000 years ago, and of the different species that made this area their home. Lenape Pottery and Connections to the LandLearn about the indigenous peoples of the Valley Forge area and how they lived with the land prior to the arrival of European colonizers. Try your hand at making a small, coil-style clay pot to take home. Pelts and Skulls: Animals of Valley ForgeLearn about common animals that live in the Valley Forge area by examining select skulls and pelts. 
NPS Photo Art in the Park Program (Landscapes and Structures)Join rangers each month at a different beautiful location in the park to practice your photography, sketching, drawing, or painting in a stress-free, judgment-free environment! Bring your own equipment and supplies. The program is free — advance registration is not required. Programs are scheduled in the morning from 8 AM to 11 AM on either Saturdays or Sundays. Check the event calendar and search using the keyword "Art in the Park" to find upcoming programs. Join the program's Facebook community here. 
Photo by Steven Walter Fall Campfire ProgramsSelected Saturdays in the fall at 7 PMHot fire, warm conversation. The information below applies to Fall 2022 programs. Join a park ranger for an interactive evening by the campfire as we discuss unique stories of Valley Forge and the American Revolution. The programs are located at Conway’s Brigade, and run for about an hour. Conway’s Brigade & Parking: Accessible from PA Route 23. Park at the Von Steuben Statue parking lot or the Varnum’s Picnic Area parking lot, then walk down the historic trace road to Conway’s Brigade. What to Bring: Flashlight, blanket, jacket. Weather: The program will be canceled for rain, call 610-783-1099 before 5 PM to check on the status of the program. October 8 - The Great Cow Chase!In the darkest moments of the Valley Forge Encampment, General Anthony Wayne led troops into New Jersey to gather supplies. What followed was a deadly game of cat and mouse between American and British forces through the forests and farms of South Jersey, all while driving cattle. October 15 - Ancient Bones of Valley Forge: Fossils of the Port Kennedy Bone CaveThe Port Kennedy Bone Cave, one of the most significant Pleistocene-era fossil finds in this part of the country, gives us a fascinating glimpse of what life was like at Valley Forge 750,000 years ago, and of the different species that made this area their home. October 22 - The Life and Times of Baron von SteubenFriedrich von Steuben's contributions instilled new measures of duty and professionalism in the American army. But who was he really? Where did he come from? Was he really a fraud, as some people say? Let's unpack von Steuben's life to find out what brought him here and allowed him to play such a large role in American history. October 29 - Prisoners of WarBoth American and British forces struggled to figure out what to do with captured soldiers and sailors throughout the American Revolution. Many were sent to the infamous HMS Jersey, the Newgate Prison, or to Camp Security. Learn what happened to these soldiers and sailors when they arrived. November 5 - First Peoples, First Allies: Indigenous Nations in Revolutionary AmericaLong before the Continental Congress secured an alliance with France, the state governments sought the assistance of neighboring Indigenous Nations. During the Valley Forge encampment, George Washington and the fledging government of the United States made an alliance with the Oneida Indian Nation, and the Oneidas sent a delegation of warriors to Valley Forge. This group fought in the Battle of Barren Hill in May 1777, but they were not the only Indigenous people to fight in the American Revolution. Take a closer look at the allegiances of the different Nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the factors that drove their decisions, and the lasting effects of those choices for generations to come. Seasonal Programming ChangesSummer(June through August). Ranger programs are offered most days during the summer months. Fall(September through November) Ranger programs are offered on weekends in the fall. Winter(December through Februrary) No regularly scheduled ranger programs, but special events like March-In provide great opportunities for learning and fun. Spring(March through May) Ranger programs are offered on weekends in the spring. |
Last updated: April 18, 2023