Valley Forge Park Alliance

10/14/2026

We are honored to be featured in the National Park Foundation’s 2026 Park Partners Report!

The report, titled, “Rising to the Moment,” highlights how philanthropic partners nationwide have stepped up to provide vital support to our national parks. The Valley Forge Park Alliance was specifically recognized under Upcoming Initiatives for our work in leading program delivery, expanding our team to ensure long-term stability and expanding our community outreach.

As a proud partner, we are committed to keeping Valley Forge National Historical Park thriving for all. Thank you to our members, donors, volunteers, and the National Park Foundation for making this work possible!

10/13/2026

☀️ What a beautiful morning for a bird walk!

23 birders hit the trails under sunny skies today, identifying 28 different species together! It truly takes a village (and a great team) to spot and ID these beautiful birds.

A huge shoutout to our photographer Steve Fieseher for capturing two birds we missed on our initial list: a Blackpoll Warbler (pictured here) and a Golden-crowned Kinglet.

Our next and final walk of the 2026 season is on October 27 at 8am.

10/12/2026

THE BATTLES BEHIND THE MUSTER ROLL

From Snow to Storm: Valley Forge and the Weather of Revolution

By Andrew D. Stevenson

A muster roll can tell us individuals in a company. It cannot record the pressure of a wet
cartridge between cold fingers, the pull of a shoe from mud, the thirst of a march through New
Jersey sand, or the sound of wind breaking a fleet apart. Together, rolls, diaries, letters, pension
declarations, orderly books, naval journals, and weather history show that weather was neither
scenery nor a providence reliably assigned to one side. It was an unstable military force. It
preserved armies and confused them. It stopped battles and opened roads. It broke plans,
exposed weaknesses, and rewarded adaptation.
Valley Forge belongs at the center of that story because the encampment makes visible the
daily labor of surviving conditions no commander could control. Weather became history
through what people endured, what they did next, and what they believed the outcome meant.
For the full story on the impact of the weather, please visit:

https://valleyforgemusterroll.org/america-250-essays-new/.

While you’re there, check to see if your ancestor was at the encampment at Valley Forge. Click
on https://valleyforgemusterroll.org/search-the-muster-roll/ to find out!

Image: The Siege of Rhode Island, taken from Mr. Brindley's House on the 25th of August, 1778 (London, 1779). Library of Congress, Popular Graphic Arts Collection. No known restrictions on publication.

10/10/2026

Celebrating community and conservation at REI King of Prussia! We were grateful to have some of our VFPA volunteers out today helping celebrate the store’s 10-year anniversary! Thank you to everyone who dropped by to chat about keeping our Park vibrant.

10/10/2026

A beautiful Fall in Valley Forge. 🍂

📸 Alex Schwab

10/07/2026

Beyond the Maryland 400: Nathaniel Ramsey, Thomas Wiseman, and the Road from Brooklyn to Valley Forge

On August 27, 1776, the Continental Army fought its first great battle after declaring independence— and the largest battle of the Revolutionary War by the number of troops engaged. George Washington was trying to defend New York while dividing his forces between Manhattan and Long Island. General William Howe exploited that division. During the night of August 26-27, a British column of about 10,000 men marched through the lightly guarded Jamaica Pass and came around the American left.

There’s a lot more to the story! Read about Private Thomas Wiseman, Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Ramsey, and his wife, Margaret Jane Peale Ramsey, sister of Charles Willson Peale, the artist, who was also at the Valley Forge encampment.

For the full essay on the Battle of Brooklyn/Long Island, visit https//valleyforgemusterroll.org/america-250-essays-new/.

10/06/2026

Last chance for tickets! 🐛

Tomorrow night, join the Valley Forge Park Alliance at the Oaks Center Cinema for an exclusive screening of THE EXTRAORDINARY CATERPILLAR.

Step into a dazzling, hidden world magnified by jaw-dropping macro-videography, and see nature’s tiniest superheroes like never before. From mind-blowing behaviors to anime-like forms, this film will completely change how you look at your own backyard.

Stick around after the film for a live Q&A with Kate Jensen, Valley Forge National Historical Park’s Natural Resource Manager. She will share insights into the Park’s massive meadow restoration project and what it means for our local biodiversity.

https://vimeo.com/1117213704?fl=pl&fe=sh

Tickets are going fast. Grab yours now!

https://vfparkalliance.networkforgood.com/events/104773-the-extraordinary-caterpillar-screening

This is "The Extraordinary Caterpillar – Trailer (2.5 min)" by Merit Motion Pictures on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

10/05/2026

Did you know that long before George Washington and the Continental Army encamped at Valley Forge, giant ground sloths, mastodons, and saber-toothed cats roamed this very landscape?

Join the Park for Fossil Day on Saturday, October 17th! In honor of the 17th anniversary of National Fossil Day, VFNHP is hosting a full day of free, family-friendly activities, expert science talks, and special programs.

Here’s what’s happening at the Visitor Center from 12 PM to 4 PM:

🦖 See Real Fossils — Meet paleontologists and check out incredible specimens found right here in the Port Kennedy Bone Cave.

🏅 Junior Paleontologists — Kids can grab a free activity booklet, complete the challenges, and earn an official Junior Paleontologist badge (while supplies last).

🗣️ Science Talks — Catch presentations exploring the geologic history of the Park, the local prehistoric species, and the infamous “Bone Wars” of early paleontology.

🔥 Cap off the day with an evening campfire talk at Muhlenberg’s Brigade! Bring a flashlight, blanket, or camp chair to learn about life here 750,000 years ago.

Click the link below for the full schedule of events and to download the Junior Paleontologist booklet ahead of time!

http://www.nps.gov/articles/000/vafo-fossil-2026.htm

10/05/2026

They said it was going to rain cats and dogs… but they forgot to mention the guinea pigs and horses!

Despite the soggy weather, we had a great time at the annual Blessing of the Animals at the Washington Memorial Chapel!

A big thank you to our VFPA volunteers who braved the weather to staff our table and share our mission with the community.

10/02/2026

Thinking about going on a walk or hike? Take along a copy of VALLEY FORGE MONUMENTS: SOLDIERS, HISTORY, LORE, by John W. Whiteside, III.

This guidebook reviews the monuments now standing in honor of our patriot heroes at Valley Forge National Historical Park. Muster Roll and Valley Forge Park Alliance volunteer John W. Whiteside, III, spent two years hiking, photographing, and researching their history to bring their stories to life.

You can purchase this 6”x9” guide in paperback ($18.99) and hardback ($24.99) at https://valleyforgemusterroll.org/shop/. Makes a great gift for those who love to walk or hike Valley Forge or for those interested in the history of the monuments!