Upcoming Commemorations at Valley Forge

The year 2026 marks the beginning of a period of celebrations and commemorations at Valley Forge National Historical Park recognizing key moments in the history of the American Revolution, the United States of America, and Valley Forge.

 

A Big Year for Philly

Philadelphia, just 20 miles from Valley Forge, will be host to many high-profile events in 2026, including March Madness basketball, PGA Tour golf, USGA golf, FIFA World Cup soccer, the All-Star baseball game, and events commemorating America's 250th birthday and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

 

A crowd gathers near the firing range at Muhlenberg's Brigade to watch a black powder musket firing demonstration.

NPS Photo / B. Donnelly

Retreat to Valley Forge

As celebrations and commemorations take place in 2026 and beyond, Valley Forge National Historical Park will be a destination for national and international tourists, out-of-town visitors, and local area residents to discover history, connect to nature, and recreate surrounded by scenic beauty.

Houses of Declaration and Dare to Declare Events

Events commemorating the 250^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on and around July 4, 2026 will be hosted by many different organizations in communities surrounding Valley Forge National Historical Park.

Houses of Declaration and Dare to Declare events are community-organized readings of the Declaration of Independence to be scheduled on or around the Fourth of July in Montgomery and Chester counties, Pennsylvania.

Park partner the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board will host a webpage portal that will show all sites participating in Houses of Declaration / Dare to Declare.

Park partner the Valley Forge Park Alliance will host a Houses of Declaration / Dare to Declare event at the Maurice Stephens house in Valley Forge National Historical Park.

 

President Gerald Ford signed the legislation that created Valley Forge National Historical Park on July 4, 1976.

NPS Photo

50 Years of Valley Forge National Historical Park

In 1976, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania gifted Valley Forge State Park to the American people in honor of the United States Bicentennial, the 200^th anniversary of the United States of America.

On July 4, 1976, President Gerald Ford came to Valley Forge and signed a law passed by Congress authorizing Valley Forge National Historical Park as the 283^rd unit of the National Park System. The park’s non-profit partner The Friends of Valley Forge, now the Valley Forge Park Alliance, was also created on this day.

In 2026, visitors to Valley Forge National Historical Park will see commemorative exhibits installed around the park and stories featured on the Valley Forge website, social media channels, and the NPS app celebrating the legacy of history and stewardship at Valley Forge.

Happy Birthday Valley Forge National Historical Park!

Events celebrating the 50th birthday of Valley Forge National Historical Park will take place over the course of three days — July 3, 4, and 5, 2026 — beginning with an opening ceremony on Friday, July 3 and ending with a closing ceremony on Sunday, July 5. The centerpiece of the weekend will be the activities on Saturday, the Fourth of July celebrating Valley Forge National Historical Park's birthday.

July 4, 2026 – Valley Forge National Historical Park Turns 50

Celebrations will take place across the park on Saturday, July 4. Celebratory musket and cannon firings will happen at Muhlenberg's Brigade, and the public will have the opportunity to sign a Happy Birthday card for Valley Forge National Historical Park and a Thank You card for Pennsylvania in honor of the gift that the Commonwealth made to the American people in 1976.

The primary 50th anniversary celebration on the Fourth of July, 2026 will take place Washington's Headquarters. The event will commemorate the initial preservation of the house by the Centennial and Memorial Association in 1879, as well as the 80 years of stewardship by Valley Forge State Park prior to its addition to the national park system.

Festivities at Washington's Headquarters will include a live ragtime band and a reenactor portraying Anna Morris Holstein of the Centennial and Memorial Association.

 

The 250th Anniversary of the Valley Forge Encampment

Valley Forge National Historical Park will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the six-month winter encampment of the Continental Army at Valley Forge between December 19, 2027 and June 19, 2028. This commemorative period will include three special events and additional Encampment 250 programming online and in the park.

The Great Marching In will kick off the Encampment 250 commemoration on December 19, 2027, marking the anniversary of the day that General George Washington and the Continental Army arrived at Valley Forge in 1777.

French Alliance Day on May 6, 2028 will mark the 250^th anniversary of the celebration of the alliance with France and the feu de joie (fire of joy musket salute) performed by the army at Valley Forge.

The Great Marching Out will commemorate the Continental Army’s departure from Valley Forge after six months of hardship and transformation on June 19, 2028.