The finish line of the April 19 Valley Forge Revolutionary 5-Mile Run®, is really just a starting point for the runners and walkers who participate. Interests in history, fitness, the great outdoors - in fact, any of the connections that bring people to Valley Forge National Historical Park - can be explored throughout Montgomery County.
After completing the five-mile running course, the three-mile walk or the one-mile Youth Fun Run, take advantage of the fuller Valley Forge experience:
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Explore the history available in the parts of
the park not seen on the official courses.
Rev Run includes some of most iconic remembrances of the Revolutionary War, as explained here; however, more can be seen beyond the official running and walking tracks. Once you've cooled down, enjoyed the post-event Expo and applauded the award recipients, make time to see some of the other highlights of Valley Forge National Historical Park, namely:
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- The Visitor Center: Contained in this uniquely designed hillside structure is a museum related to the Winter Encampment; the VFTCB information center, offering information on all that Montgomery County offers; and The Encampment Store, which sells one-of-a-kind memorabilia related to Valley Forge and the Revolutionary War. The store is offering a sweet deal to Rev Runners after the race: Show your race bib and receive 10 percent off an entire purchase.
- The Knox Covered Bridge: A covered bridge has spanned Valley Creek since 1851, and although it has been damaged, refurbished, replaced and repainted over the years, it has always provided convenient access over the waterway. Today, it continues to serve traffic flow - as well as providing a picturesque and quaint landmark in the southwest corner of the park. According to information from The Friends of Valley Forge Park, the bridge's name came from Pennsylvania Senator Philander C. Knox, who in 1903, purchased 256 acres of land adjacent to the bridge and moved into a nearby farmhouse.
- Mount Joy and Mount Misery: These elevations provide some of the most breathtaking views in all of Valley Forge. They make for quite a scenic (and twisty) drive, but if the Rev Run hasn't sapped all your energy, park the car and walk the trails for a more interactive experience.
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Washington's Headquarters: The story of
Washington's leadership and strategy formation during the encampment begins
with a visit to the Valley Forge train station, a 1911 structure built by the
Reading Railroad to ease public access to the park. From there, it is an easy
walk to the headquarters, which was rented from the Potts family in 1777,
operators of a local grist mill. The rooms of this home saw Washington and his
advisors busily attending to the daily challenges of a bitter Pennsylvania
winter, tracking British movement in Philadelphia and plotting future tactics.
Many foreign dignitaries and local officials visited the General in these
quarters, and his wife, Martha, also resided with him here for a time.
- Dig deeper into our connections to the War for Independence: Discover Patriot Trails, our complete guide to Montgomery County's role in the fight for liberty. The itineraries are customizable, comprehensive and usable on all mobile devices.
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Grab a history-themed meal: The Black
Powder Tavern, just outside the park's footprint, has been welcoming
travelers since 1746. It has been a respite for stagecoach travelers expanding
westward and later as a covert rendezvous point for George Washington, Marquis
de Lafayette and other leaders of the American Revolution. With the Rev Run
festivities ending at approximately 10:30 a.m. on April 19, there is plenty of
time to get to the Black Powder and enjoy its extensive Sunday buffet brunch. - Continue to enjoy the great outdoors in Montgomery County: See our online guide, here.
