Washington's Headquarters (Valley Forge) facts for kids
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Washington's Headquarters
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U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
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Washington's Headquarters at Valley Forge
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Valley Forge National Historical Park |
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| Nearest city | Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Architect | Potts, Isaac |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Part of | Valley Forge (ID66000657) |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001655 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Washington's home | 1777 |
| Added to NRHP | February 11, 1973 |
| Designated NHL | November 28, 1972 |
| Designated NHLDCP | January 20, 1961 |
Washington's Headquarters at Valley Forge, also known as the Isaac Potts House, is a very important historic house. It was the main office and home for General George Washington. He stayed here during the difficult winter at Valley Forge in the American Revolutionary War. This building is still standing today. It is a key part of Valley Forge National Historical Park in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
The house was built around 1773. General Washington used it as his headquarters from December 1777 to June 1778. This was when the Continental Army (the American army) stayed at Valley Forge. The house has been carefully restored. You can visit it today as part of the Valley Forge National Historical Park. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1972. This means it is a place of great national importance. The house is located in Upper Merion Township, Pennsylvania.
Contents
Exploring Washington's Headquarters
This section tells you about the house and its history. It explains what it looks like and how it became a famous landmark.
What the House Looks Like
Washington's Headquarters is located inside Valley Forge National Historical Park. It is between Route 23 and the Schuylkill River. The house is made of stone and has three stories. It has a full basement and a roof that slopes down on the sides. The front of the house has three sections. A smaller, one-story part sticks out to the left.
The main door is on the left side. It has a small, pointed roof over it. There is another door on the right side of the house. The ends of the roof have small, sloped roofs below them. There are also round windows in the middle of these roof ends. Inside, the house looks like it did in the 1700s. You can see furniture and items that belonged to George Washington.
A Home for General Washington
The house was built between 1768 and 1770 by a man named Isaac Potts. He was a Quaker, a member of a religious group. Isaac Potts also ran a grist mill nearby. A grist mill is a place where grain is ground into flour.
General George Washington moved into this house on Christmas Eve in 1777. His wife, Martha, joined him later. They lived here until June 18, 1778. During this time, Washington used an office on the first floor. From this office, he managed the entire American army.
How the House Became a Park
The house became part of a state park in Pennsylvania in 1893. Later, in 1976, Pennsylvania gave the park to the people of the United States. It then became a national park.
A group called the Centennial and Memorial Association of Valley Forge helped save the house. This group started in 1878. Their goal was to buy and protect General Washington's Headquarters. They also wanted to save the land around it. A big event was held on June 19, 1878. This was 100 years after Washington's army left Valley Forge. The event helped raise money and awareness for their cause.
More to Explore
- List of Washington's Headquarters during the Revolutionary War: See other places where George Washington had his headquarters during the war.
- Valley Forge: Learn more about the nine-month stay of George Washington and the Continental Army from 1777 to 1778.
- Valley Forge National Historical Park: Discover the national park that remembers the history of Valley Forge in the Revolutionary War.
- Valley Forge, Pennsylvania: Find out about the town where Valley Forge and the national park are located.
