Revolutionary War
The Revolutionary War (1775–1783) had its heartbeat in Philadelphia and across the Delaware Valley.
Here, the colonies debated independence, and in the halls of the Continental Congress, the Declaration of Independence was crafted and signed.
The region’s landscape became a proving ground for the fight: the Battle of Paoli and Brandywine, the struggle at Germantown, and the brutal winter encampment at Valley Forge tested the resolve of Washington’s army.
One of the war’s most iconic moments unfolded in Bucks County, where Washington’s army crossed the icy Delaware River on Christmas night, launching a daring surprise attack that revived the cause.
In our farms, taverns, meeting houses, and city streets, the idea of American independence and freedom took root and a new nation began to form.
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Valley Forge Explained So a Fifth-Grader Could Understand: Cold, Courage, and a Comeback
Most of us have heard of Valley Forge, but not many people really understand what happened there, or why it mattered so much. It wasn’t…
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VISTA Book Review: Five Things You Don’t Know About Valley Forge
From December 1777 to June of 1778, the main body of the Continental Army (approximately 12,000 troops) encamped on the edge of what is now…
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Ken Burns’ Delaware Valley Roots: How His Mother’s Battle with Cancer Forged a Passion for Storytelling
Before Ken Burns became the United States’ most admired documentary filmmaker, he was a quiet boy growing up in Newark, Delaware, the son of a…
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The Tent General Washington Slept in at Valley Forge a Symbol of His Wartime Leadership
George Washington’s war tent, created in Reading during the Valley Forge encampment in 1778, is an iconic part of the Museum of the American Revolution…
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The Greatest Event Since the Birth of Christ? Ken Burns Says It Began in the Delaware Valley
When Ken Burns, the celebrated documentary filmmaker behind The Civil War and The Vietnam War, calls the American Revolution “the most important event in world…
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Untangling a Revolution: How Ken Burns and His Team Brought America’s Revolution to Life
Everyone thinks they know the story of the American Revolution including the midnight rides, the musket smoke, George Washington at Valley Forge. But filmmaker Ken…
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Decade-Long Research Reveals Details Inside Historic Battle of Brandywine
A 12-year study has shed new light on the historic Battle of Brandywine, writes Mike Rellahan for The Daily Local News. The battle was a…
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“Remember the Ladies”: 12 Philadelphia Women Who Shaped a Revolution
Everyone knows the story of Betsy Ross and the first American flag, sewn in a small upholstery shop on Arch Street in Old City Philadelphia.…
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How Secret Meetings at Carpenters’ Hall in Philadelphia Helped Secure America’s Independence
A secret meeting between Benjamin Franklin and French spy Julien-Alexandre Achard de Bonvouloir at Carpenters’ Hall in 1775 helped bolster America’s fight for independence, writes…
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Divided Loyalties at Battle of Brandywine Frame Revolutionary War as Civil War
The Battle of Brandywine in Chadds Ford, where colonists fought on opposing sides, shows that the Revolutionary War was, in many ways, a civil war,…
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George Washington’s Former Headquarters in Fort Washington Hits Market for $3.295M
A historic home in Fort Washington that was George Washington’s headquarters during the Revolutionary War has hit the market for $3.295 million, writes Ryan Mulligan…
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Three Must-Visit Attractions Perfect for a Day Trip to Chester County
Chester County boasts some of the day trip destinations perfect for a short trip to the region, according to Visit Philadelphia. Here are three local…
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Thornbury Farm Honors Local History with Lafayette Celebration
A recent Marquis de Lafayette celebration honored a significant piece of local history, writes Bill Rettew for The Daily Local News. Reenactor and Thornbury Farm…
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Brandywine Battlefield Task Force Dedicated to Preserving Local History
The Brandywine Battlefield Task Force is dedicated to preserving Chester County’s legacy during a historic year, writes Bill Rettew for The Daily Local News. Recently,…
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Liberty Trees Planted In Remembrance at Revolutionary War Sites Ahead of America’s 250th Anniversary
In honor of the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026, Liberty Trees were planted at two key Revolutionary War sites in Chester County,…
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Inexpensive or Free Summer Activities in Greater Philadelphia
Whether you’re looking for outdoor activities for the kids or ways to cool off in the air conditioning, the Greater Philadelphia area offers a wide…
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Inside the Long History of West Chester’s Birmingham Friends and Local Quaker Meetinghouses
One of many Quaker meetinghouses across the Philadelphia region, West Chester’s Birmingham Friends Meeting has an intriguing history, writes Roger Morris for The Hunt. Birmingham…
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Historic William Peters House in Chadds Ford Hits Market for First Time in Six Decades
The historic William Peters House in Chadds Ford, which traces its roots back to before the Revolutionary War, has hit the market for the first…
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