After losing Philadelphia to British occupation the continentals retreated to Valley Forge for the winter. Supposedly they were surprisingly optimistic even after their losses. They would remain in Valley Forge from December 1777-June 1778 The system of supplying the troops was badly done until Nathanael Greene took over as quartermaster in the spring. Baron von Steuben arrived to train the troops in February. He took a small group of men and trained them very well, so that the other men were inspired to do as well. If you've been to Wilson's Creek Battlefield and have seen all the deer, you would still be amazed at the number of deer at Valley Forge.
The first order of business when arriving at Valley Forge was to construct huts. There was a contest for the first group to complete their hut. To the left is a statue of Anthony Wayne (I don't know why he is particularly important to the position at Valley Forge). I had a better picture of the statue, but it wasn't as good a picture of my kids:-) The house below is Washington's headquarters. It isn't really known how it was furnished, and these reproductions are only what could be imagined it was like. The two pictures next to the exterior photo show the room to the right as you walk in the front door. The two pictures at the bottom show the bedrooms upstairs. The one on the left is the one believed to have been used by George and Martha Washington. Martha always joined General Washington in winter quarters.
