These interpretives are first rate. I found this one and a few others at the train platform across the road from Washington's headquarters. The interpretive is 197 feet north of the house and has a great vantage point of the home. The interpretive boasts an impressive array of pictures showing the house through various incarnations through the years starting in 1861 and moving right through to the mid-20th century.
The interpretive is at the end of Valley Creek Road. I took Inner Line Drive going west and made a left on Valley Forge Road and traveled another 138 feet on Valley Forge Road, and made a quick right onto a NPS road which led to a parking lot located at N 40° 6.144 W 75° 27.451. From here you can visit the train station first, work your way down to this house, then see the Washington Statue. Keeping on the trail you will see some huts, a spring house, and a number of interpretives. The house faces due west. I visited this house on March 19, 2011 @ 3:47 P.M., EDT, & @ an altitude of 111 feet, ASL.
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Did You Know?
Who owned and lived in the building when Washington arrived?
The house was built for Isaac Potts, an iron master who was
one of the owners of the Valley Forge. At the time of the winter
encampment in 1777, he was not living there but had rented it to his
aunt, Deborah Hewes.
What was the building used for before the winter encampment?
This was a relatively new dwelling built sometime between 1768 and 1770, one of a number of houses built in this small rural, industrial village.
Did the military seize the house for their use in 1777?
General Washington felt strongly that the American army should
hold itself to a high standard. Unlike the common European
practice, the American military generally did not forcibly seize
property. The Continental Army paid Isaac Potts 100 pounds in
Pennsylvania currency for the use of the house. Relative to the
times, this was probably a fair amount.
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Did Washington really sleep here?
George and Martha Washington slept here, as did many of the
General's aides-de-camp, or secretaries. The bedrooms were located
on the second floor.
How many people lived in Headquarters?
As many as 25 people, all part of Washington's military household
might have lived here. This included Washington, his aides-de-camp
and other military staff, as well as the housekeeper, cooks, maids
and servants, both free and enslaved.
Are the furnishings authentic?
The majority of the furnishings are reproductions of the items
known to be used by General Washington and his military family
during the encampment. IN addition, there are items similar to
what would have been left behind by Deborah Hewes when she
rented the house to General Washington. Some items from the
period are present.
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Does the building look the same as it did in 1777 or has it
been remodeled?
The larger section of the building has the same appearance it had
in 1777. Research, archeological and structural investigation, and
anecdotal histories have offered different views of the building
through the years, leading to the most recent restoration in 1975.
During the encampment, George Washington found the house to
be too small, and added a log structure (now gone) to accommodate
the large numbers living and working in the house.
Did Washington receive a salary as Commander-in-Chief of
the Army?
Washington refused to accept any pay for his services. He kept
a detailed expense account, which was submitted to and paid
by the government.
What happened to the house after the revolution?
The property was used as a family home until 1878 when it was
purchased by the Centennial and memorial Association of Valley
Forge for the purpose of preservation and commemoration of the
encampment. In 1893 the State of Pennsylvania acquired the home
and surrounding lands - forming Pennsylvania's first state park. In
1976 stewardship passed to the National Park Service.