My Valley Forge Story: John Whisteside

I grew up in Philadelphia, Pa., not too far from Germantown, the site of a brutal battle between the Continental Army and British troops on October 4, 1777. As a schoolboy, our class visited Cliveden, the site of the turning point of that battle. My interest in the Revolutionary War began then, and has continued to this day. I joined the Boy Scouts of America in 1959, and recall a visit to Valley Forge. I still have an old photograph of Washington’s Headquarters from that visit, before the building was corrected to appear as it did in 1777. I also attended the National Scout Jamboree held at Valley Forge, I believe in both 1960 and 1964. I also had friends living on Route 23 in Phoenixville who lived in a colonial home that was used to manufacture wagons in the 18th Century, who buffered my continuing interest in the Valley Forge encampment.

My fascination with Valley Forge would continue once I discovered I was a descendant of a militia soldier from Philadelphia County. That discovery led to more exciting research when I joined the Sons of the American Revolution. I tried, and continue to try, to find a descendant who encamped at Valley Forge, during the winter of 1777-1778. That effort helped lead me to volunteer as a docent at Washington’s Headquarters in 2011. My experience was a true joy, sitting quietly in the nerve center of George Washington’s camp, thinking about all that must have transpired there, those long six months, and remembering all those who lived and worked there. My knowledge about Valley Forge increased greatly with the time I spent there, working with the park Rangers. Regretfully, I had to leave the park for a time when 2015 rolled around. But I never forgot all the special times working there, and enjoyed imparting my knowledge to thousands of visitors every week.

I was a member of the Friends of Valley Forge and continue my membership with the newly named Valley Forge Park Alliance, where I volunteer at encampment events. I also volunteer with the Valley Forge Muster Roll, writing stories every month about a soldier or personality who spent some time at the encampment and assisted in the war effort. Lately, I have assisted and given history walks at the park for those who want to learn more about this special place. I am in the process of writing a book about the monuments at Valley Forge, which hopefully will be available during the semi quincentennial, or early next year.

Valley Forge holds a special place in my heart, and I trust it does as well in all who read this short story, about a pastoral, sacred place, known as Valley Forge.

Where this belongs

• Valley Forge National Historical Park

Where this page came from

This page was imported from National Park Service. Produced by the U.S. National Park Service and, as a work of the United States government, in the public domain.

Nobody has written it yet — it is the source material at a new address, which is why search engines are asked to skip it and why no one earns from it. It is up for grabs: take it on, and it is yours to rewrite and to earn from.