Washington's Headquarters — Attraction in Upper Merion Township

Washington's Headquarters at Valley Forge National Historical Park is a must-visit stop on a self-drive tour. Known as the Isaac Potts House, this historic site served as General George Washington's command center during the harsh winter of 1777-1778.

The headquarters offers a fascinating glimpse into Washington's daily life and the strategic operations of the Continental Army. The house is well-preserved and contains period furnishings and artifacts that transport visitors back to the Revolutionary War era.

Located conveniently within the park, Washington's Headquarters is easily accessible by car and well-signposted. The surrounding area is picturesque, with informative plaques and markers that provide context and enhance the historical experience.

Spending time at Washington's Headquarters enriches your understanding of the pivotal moments that occurred at Valley Forge, making it an essential part of your self-drive tour. Even with limited time, this stop provides a profound connection to American history and the resilience of the Continental Army under...

Highly recommend! Visiting Washington's Winter HQ at Valley Forge was a personal bucket list item since childhood. It was nearly 60 years in the making, I am so happy to be able to check it off the list.

I was NOT disappointed-Wow! It is a must for every American to see & experience this vital part of our foundational history. I was in awe to see where the private citizens/militia became a real army. This was a grand experience. Without this vital pause in the Continental Army's beginning, we may very well have not gained our independence from England! Washington and his/our Army arrived in December & departed in June.

An amazing thing to realize is that this HQ has survived intact for almost 300 years! (It was a private home years before it was George Washington's HQ). Equally amazing is the fact that it survived the 19th & 20th centuries. This very area was also an active war area during the Civil War.

It must be realized that this was not made a National Park until the mid 1970's, 200+ years...

A big shout out to Ranger Belton! She was professional, but approachable, and provided great detail for those of us walking through at the time.

The headquarters were maintained well enough, but the sight of bees, or other flying insects, and the visible remnants of several nests in the eaves and rafters, kept people moving and constantly on the lookout.

Yet, besides the worrisome buzz, the grounds were a beautiful place for a deep dive into a history that I imagine we all just got to dip our toe in during some HS history course. The soldiers quarters had that ancient dank aroma, where you could almost see the shivering bodies during that cold winter long ago.

And in addition to the sights and smells that tossed you back in time, all the text -the commentary, that goes along with the pictures and other artifacts of the time, is easy to read and further explains the significance of what is being referred to.

Make the time, and go visit a tangible display of our...