
2 minute read
Monumental Explore and learn at historic sites across
By Natalie Iscoe
It’s impossible to talk about history in Montgomery County without talking about Valley Forge National Historical Park—the park covers 3,500 acres and has more than 1.2-million visitors per year. An impeccably restored site vital to the Revolutionary War, this is the place to go if you want to feel like you’ve traveled back in time. George Washington’s Continental Army famously spent the winter of 1777 here, and today you can tour the structures that housed them through that harsh winter. You can visit Washington’s Headquarters, which is still mostly intact from the encampment era, the small stone building where Washington and other high-ranking officials lived and worked. You can also see how the soldiers lived by exploring the Muhlenberg Brigade Area, consisting of nine reconstructed log huts and an earthen fort.
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While Valley Forge National Historical Park may be the largest historic site in Montgomery County, it certainly isn’t the only one.

Just a short drive north from Valley Forge to Pottstown is Pottsgrove Manor, the 250-yearold home built by ironmaster John Potts for his wife, Ruth, and their 13 children. With guided tours, a robust living-history program and many special exhibits, this immersive experience is a peek into the 18th century and the lives of the family, servants and enslaved people who lived and worked there.
Montgomery County
Nearby in Schwenksville, Pennypacker Mills leapfrogs us forward a hundred or so years. Originally built in the 1720s but extensively redesigned in the early 1900s, this fully furnished mansion is a perfectly preserved glimpse into the real life of a country gentleman: Samuel W. Pennypacker, a long-ago governor of Pennsylvania. The surrounding acres make a perfect picnic spot, so don’t hesitate to pack a lunch.
Take a scenic drive to Lansdale and you’ll find the Peter Wentz Farmstead—a 1750sera, Georgian-style home that served as the temporary headquarters for George Washington while the Continental Army was camped nearby during the winter of 1777. Meticulously restored to reflect that time, the surrounding outbuildings are also an excellent representation of Colonial-era PennsylvaniaGerman farming culture and practices. It’s an idyllic spot and features an unusual, charming museum shop where you can find historically accurate looms, pottery and children’s toys. And finally, a trip to Montgomery County would not be complete without a visit to Bryn Athyn Cathedral—a church so grand it looks as if it were plucked from the European countryside and placed gently down in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Pro Tip
To help you discover these historical sites and more, download the free Montco History Pass. Collect points at each site and redeem them for fun prizes, all while learning more about the rich history of Montgomery County and Valley Forge and their place in earlyAmerican history. It’s a truly monumental experience that should not be missed.
In addition to the gorgeous stained glass and tilework, its unusual architecture is unlike anything you’ve ever seen—there isn’t a single truly straight line or 90-degree angle in the cathedral. With a mix of design elements, from Gothic in one wing to Romanesque in another, Bryn Athyn is a truly unique experience. A short walk through the beautifully maintained grounds takes you to Glencairn Museum, a former home of the Pitcairn family. Built around the same time as the cathedral, it has the look and feel of a castle and houses a stunning collection of religious art and history exhibits.
