United States Capitol revolutionary war and beyond header American Flag

My Trip to Valley Forge - Isaac Potts House

by Mike
(Mt. Pleasant, Iowa)

Isaac Potts Home - Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Isaac Potts Home - Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I visited Philadelphia this year, but the highlight for me was Valley Forge.

This house at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, was owned by Isaac Potts, and served as General Washington’s Headquarters during the winter of 1777-1778. While visiting here, I met a wonderful park guide, dressed as a Continental soldier, who described the house and filled in the details of the environment that terrible winter. General Washington often allowed soldiers to enter and sleep on the stairs to get out of the cold. The rooms were small. Desks and cramped quarters lacked any semblance of regality for officers. Rather this was a Quaker homestead turned into a temporary headquarters. Who would have thought it would represent such a dramatic place in our history?

It was somewhere near this house, at the edge of the woods, that Isaac Potts reportedly saw George Washington praying to God for victory on his knees, next to his spotted horse named Nelson. Potts’ letter describing that event said: “If there is anyone on this earth who the Lord will listen to - it is George Washington, and I feel a presentiment that under such a Commander there can be no doubt of our eventually establishing our independence, and that God in His providence has willed it so.” That description was reportedly the inspiration for Arnold Friberg's famous painting, “The Prayer at Valley Forge.”

Valley Forge is an incredible place to visit. The British had defeated the Continental Army at Brandywine and Germantown and had captured Philadelphia. Washington picked Valley Forge for his winter encampment - to be close enough to harass the British during the winter, yet far enough away to avoid any surprise attacks. It was 20 miles from Philadelphia.

The area is large. I drove myself through it and made many stops. They also have bus tours. A few buildings of the nearly 2000 huts which were built there recreate the encampment. As I drove about the perimeter, I noticed the high ground on the east and the occasional cannon overlooking the hillsides the British would be forced to climb if they were to pursue Washington’s troops. It was an ideal lookout.

The entire area seemed like a giant bowl. The ridges of the bowl were the high ground. Different brigades protected each section of the rim, each at the ready for the anticipated British attack. They encircled the entire area. Deep within the bowl stood Isaac Potts’ home, along with the Artillery Field, where under the direction of Brigadier General Henry Knox, the cannons were stored, repaired and used for training the firing crews – and where they could be transported to any site within the camp should the British attack. There were also General Peter Muhlenberg’s Brigade huts which protected the outer line of defense and the Grand Parade field, marked by a statue of General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, where with Washington’s blessing, he rejuvenated the weary Continental Army.

I spent several hours at Isaac Potts home and the Valley Forge Park. I learned a lot during my visit - from the arrival date of the Continental Army which was December 19, 1777, to the 2000 soldiers who perished that winter, surprisingly, more due to disease than cold or starvation. A Welcome Center with videos and artifacts and maps for your self-tour are available. I really enjoyed this part of my Philadelphia trip. Just envisioning the surroundings and atmosphere made my heart flutter a bit. As I write this, Liberty is the word that most describes my visit here.

Philadelphia is an absolutely wonderful historical area. I certainly recommend it. But please, allow time to go 20 miles to Valley Forge. It may not have the architecture and bustle of the Founding Fathers’ capital, but it leaves you with a sense of awe. A sense of thankfulness, I guess I might add, for General Washington, the Continental Army, Isaac Potts'] home, Valley Forge... I will not forget this trip.

Comments for My Trip to Valley Forge - Isaac Potts House

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

May 15, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Issac Potts
by: Annette Christman Burnett

I really enjoyed your article, seeing I am a direct descendant of Issac Potts. He was my 3rd? great uncle. I have been to his house once when I was a small child, and I am looking forward to taking my children there one day and telling them the story of their 4th great uncle. My family played a large role in the Revolutionary War by making cannon balls. Issac's brother Jonathan was a Doctor and he was a member of the first graduating class at University of Pennsylvania Medical School. Again really nice to see someone enjoying a "family" home where a great man lived and opened his home to a great and wonderful General in Washington. I am sure my great uncle never thought our nations first president was a guest in his home.

Feb 01, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Thanks for sharing about Valley Forge
by: Christine

Thanks for sharing your visit to Valley Forge. We always hear so much about Philadelphia, an area I hope to visit one day, but I probably wouldn't have made it a point to visit VF. After reading your impressions of this historic place, however, I want to be sure to get there!

Jan 20, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
I hope to visit Valley Forge
by: Tom

I really enjoyed reading your story about Valley Forge. I hope I can go there someday, too. It really looks like a neat place.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Pennsylvania Tourism.











Sign up for our FREE newsletter
American Beginnings
Email

First Name

Then

More about American Beginnings
Our very first book is now available! Understand Your Rights Because You're About to Lose Them!
Learn more about the threat to your freedom today!






[?] Subscribe To
This Site

XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines



Bookmark and Share

Please comment

Thank you for making this one of the fastest growing sites on American history!

Thanks also to the SBI software that made this site possible.

Please leave a comment on this page.

 




Revolutionary War and Beyond Copyright © 2008-2014