| bhall389 | 09 May 2019 8:22 p.m. PST |
A group of us from Southwestern Ontario make the annual trek to Fall In every year, and this year in Valley Forge will be a new experience for us. We usually tie in a battlefield tour or historical site as part of our trips, like Gettysburg, Antietam, Brandywine, and Fort Ligonier. The question is this: would you recommend the Museum of the American Revolution, and if so, how much time should we commit for a visit? Thanks in advance. Brian |
| Spooner6 | 09 May 2019 10:49 p.m. PST |
I am interested in the answer as well. The wife wants to head out that way for some tours with me. Chris |
| 14Bore | 10 May 2019 2:13 a.m. PST |
I live very close to VF, as a family we went to the museum about 2 years ago and everyone loved it. We got there first thing and got through it all in about 3 hours. George Washington's camp tent is there and at time in its own theater. I remember seeing it at VF when I was a kid.
We had 12 people all adults but kids would love it. |
ScottWashburn  | 10 May 2019 4:10 a.m. PST |
We were there this past April and enjoyed it very much. You start out with a well done movie presentation which lays out the causes and course of the war in an understandable and actually rather inspiring way. Not jingoistic flag waving, mind you, but a 'something very important for the whole world started here, but the work isn't done yet' sort of way. In fact that is a recurring theme: The American Revolution is still a work in progress.
After the movie you go through a series of displays explaining the causes, course, and effects of the war, step by step in more detail. Lots of good artifacts and a mix of the big picture and the small. The day we were there they had a bunch of living history 'articifers' there. Men and women sewing uniforms, making shoes, and rolling musket cartridges (with inert gunpowder). I don't know if they have folks like that there every day, but they were a nice addition. All in all, a really well done presentation. Highly recommended.
I should add that you want to allow at least three hours. Four if you want to read every single display :) |
| Pan Marek | 10 May 2019 6:58 a.m. PST |
I would recommend it too. 4 hours is about right. There is alot to go through. One caveat. We went only a couple days after the opening.
Unless its been corrected, the museum gives short shrift to NJ and the battle of Monmouth.
When we were there, it jumped from the British decision to leave Philly, but not what they did, to a privateering exhibit.
Next thing you know, you're in the Southern campaign.
I was particularly peeved because I live in NJ, but those folks without a solid background in AWI history might wonder where the Brits went, and how, when they left Philly. And, what the Americans did about it. |
| historygamer | 10 May 2019 7:19 a.m. PST |
It is a very good museum. Well worth the time. Please note that the museum at Valley Forge is closed and will be for a year or so more. I was part of the "soldiers" working on the new film they will be showing when the redone visitors center opens. I thought the staff said the museum would be closed a total of 18 months. The rest of the park is open though. |
| historygamer | 10 May 2019 7:23 a.m. PST |
Scott said: "The day we were there they had a bunch of living history 'articifers' there. Men and women sewing uniforms, making shoes, and rolling musket cartridges (with inert gunpowder). I don't know if they have folks like that there every day, but they were a nice addition." My guess is you were there during the October event where invited re-enactors (17th, 40th QRs) redo the occupation of Philadelphia. While a good number of re-enactors work at the museum, they don't usually do all that as far as I know. |
| Berzerker73 | 10 May 2019 3:47 p.m. PST |
I definitely recommend a visit to the museum. When I visited we got to see Washington's tent. I'd allow for at least 4 hours if not more for the museum. |
| 14Bore | 10 May 2019 4:41 p.m. PST |
When I was there I got talking to one of the guides about muskets and how I have a Brown Bess replica and cast my own bullets. A few weeks after was in the area and thought of stopping by to give a guide a cast ball or two but parking for a stop and go isn't easy so didn't. |
| ScottWashburn | 14 May 2019 4:13 a.m. PST |
Historygamer, no we were there this past April (2019). |
| historygamer | 14 May 2019 9:53 a.m. PST |
Might have just been some of the employees (many are re-enactors) or perhaps a very small workshop going on at the time. You may be right, they likely don't do that all the time. |
| bhall389 | 21 May 2019 5:01 p.m. PST |
Sounds like a winner then, thanks very much for the info. Brian |
 Old Contemptible  | 22 May 2019 8:35 p.m. PST |
Going there in September. Thanks for the information. |
| historygamer | 23 May 2019 7:53 a.m. PST |
I believe the rebuilt City Tavern is nearby as well. It's history: link |
| Milton Waddams | 23 May 2019 9:36 a.m. PST |
|
snapped some photos of games he didn't get a chance to play in at Council of Five Nations.