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Pennsylvania: Valley Forge, Family Vacations with History Lessons 21st Century Style. Today the 3,600-acre Valley Forge National Historical Park welcomes visitors amid a backdrop of rolling hillsides and tree lined meadows. Pathways and roadways divide the park grounds and lead to significant statues and monuments.

Here's the scoop. George Washington and his Continental Army spent the (terrible) winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge. The struggles against severe cold, hunger, disease, fatigue and depression have been described in history books and retold in American history classes. Seeing the place and hearing the story makes all the difference no matter your age.

 Visit Washington's original fieldstone headquarters; see reconstructed log huts once used by soldiers. The starting point is the Visitors Center which contains related exhibits, artifacts, and offers an 18-minute introductory film which will serve as a history refresher course and the place to learn about using cell phone technology at Valley Forge.

Valley Forge National Historical Park is now using cell phone technology to bring the history to life. “We’re utilizing this technology to get our message out in a new way,” said Park Superintendent, Mike Caldwell. “Since visitors use their own cell phone, there is no equipment to rent or store, nothing to check in or out, so it’s that much easier,” he added.

Cell phone tours are part of the park’s effort to reach out to recreational users connecting healthy living with national parks as resources for their “daily minimum outdoor recreation requirement.” Almost everyone now carries a phone since staying connected has become essential and the technology offers a unique way for users to get information how and when they want it. Valley Forge is being supported in this by a grant from Unilever/Lipton, a longtime supporter of America’s National Parks.

Taking the cell phone tours is simple and free except for the cost of the users cellular phone service minutes. The service is available 24 hours a day by dialing 408-794-2820 and then entering the item number you want to hear. Messages cover both historical and natural history facts as well as voices and events recalling the winter encampment of the Continental Army. Messages are 2-3 minute pre-recorded prompts that follow the already existent Encampment Auto Tour of the park. Signage is located throughout the park at eleven key areas. A California based company, Guide by Cell, offers the service.

Who are some of the voices narrating prominent moments in Valley Forge’s history? One is Thomas Fleming, noted author of Washington’s Secret War: The Hidden History of Valley Forge and many other works of fiction and non-fiction. “Fleming describes the opponents that Washington faced and the political alliances he formed to overcome them,” said Barbara Pollarine, Deputy Superintendent for Valley Forge NHP. In addition to prompts featuring historical facts, there are separate extensions that feature the natural resources in the area and why Valley Forge was chosen as the site for the famous winter encampment. “The goal of the tour is accessibility and diversity; to reach all visitors that use the Park on a daily basis,” explained Caldwell. The tour also includes prompts spoken by park rangers, the Oneida Indian Nation, volunteers and interns. “Eventually we’d like to offer the tours in French and Spanish,” added Pollarine.

Valley Forge National Historic Park Visitors Center. Valley Forge National Historical Park educates present and future generations of Americans about one of the most defining events in our nation's history by preserving the natural and cultural resources that commemorate the encampment of the Continental Army at Valley Forge in 1777-78. (At the junction of Route 23 and North Gulph Road in King of Prussia. 1(610) 783-1077 or www.nps.gov/vafo

For fun, kid-friendly Valley Forge Hotels check out Uptake.com. They search 5000 travel sites...so you don't have to!

Content and images provided by Valley Forge CVB. Copyright 5/2009.

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