Gen. Frederick Von Steuben Headquarters facts for kids
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General Friedrich Von Steuben Headquarters
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U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
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Building in March 2010
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | PA 23, Valley Forge National Historical Park, Pennsylvania |
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| Built | 1770 |
| Part of | Valley Forge (ID66000657) |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001108 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 28, 1972 |
| Designated NHL | November 28, 1972 |
| Designated NHLDCP | January 20, 1961 |
The General Friedrich Von Steuben Headquarters is a historic house located in Valley Forge National Historical Park in Pennsylvania. This old stone house was built around 1770. It is believed that Baron Friedrich von Steuben, a famous Prussian military officer, might have lived here. He was very important during the Continental Army's time at Valley Forge in 1777-1778. The house is now a National Historic Landmark.
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What is the Von Steuben Headquarters?
The Von Steuben Headquarters House is found inside Valley Forge National Historical Park. It's a two-and-a-half story building made of stone. It has a pointed roof and three chimneys. The front of the house has four window sections, with the main door in the middle. A small roof sticks out between the first and second floors. Inside, the house has been rebuilt to look like it did in the 1700s.
Who was Baron von Steuben?
Baron Friedrich von Steuben was a military officer from Prussia (which is now part of Germany). He came to America to help the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. From February to June 1778, he was at Valley Forge. He was a very important person because he taught the American soldiers how to march, fight, and be disciplined. He even wrote a special book of military rules that the United States Army used for many years!
The House's Story
The house was first built around 1770 for a man named James White. Later, it became part of Valley Forge State Park. Over the years, the house got old and needed repairs. In 1965, after a fire damaged the inside, the state of Pennsylvania fixed it up. For a while, it was even used as a visitors' center for the park.
In 1972, the house was named a National Historic Landmark. This was because people believed it was connected to Baron von Steuben. In 1976, the state park became a national park, belonging to all of the United States.
A Small Mystery
Even though the house is called the "Von Steuben Headquarters," there's a bit of a mystery about it. Some historians and park officials aren't completely sure if Baron von Steuben lived in this exact building for his entire stay at Valley Forge. Some records suggest that the building might have been used as a hospital for soldiers during the encampment. Today, the house is empty, but it remains an important part of the historic landscape at Valley Forge National Historical Park.
