The event marks 235th anniversary of Washington and his 12,000+ army marching into Valley Forge ─ a pivotal happening in Revolutionary War. Demonstrations and samplings of American Heritage Chocolate will also be part of event.

On Wednesday Dec. 19, 2012, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Valley Forge National Historical Park will commemorate the 235th anniversary of the historic arrival of the Continental Army’s “march in” to Valley Forge in the winter of 1777. This pivotal event in America’s struggle for Independence ended on June 19th, 1778 when George Washington’s troops marched out of Valley Forge with a new order of discipline, leadership and military capability. 

Park Rangers will lead visitors on 20-minute, quarter-mile candlelit walks from the park theatre (at the rear of the visitors center) to the historic Muhlenberg Brigade site. Here, visitors will learn about soldier life and gain in-depth information on hut construction and other aspects of the significant Valley Forge encampment. Visitors may also warm up around the campfire while listening to living history soldiers’ tales and experiences of Valley Forge.

With considerable battle losses suffered at Brandywine and Germantown during the fall campaign of 1777, General George Washington’s fatigued and ill-supplied Continental troops sought rest and shelter for the winter of 1777-1778. General Washington chose Valley Forge, 18 miles northwest of Philadelphia for its strategic location. The site offered good natural defenses to protect his troops, access to the Schuylkill River, and potentially rich farmland for food and shelter. The exhausted army trudged into Valley Forge during the afternoon of December 19. 

At the Visitor Center, visitors can learn about the Valley Forge experience of young Private Joseph Plumb Martin, listen to period music provided by The Historical Harmonies – The Colonial Revelers, and enjoy complimentary light refreshments. The Encampment Store will also be open for unique holiday shopping. 

Chocolate Demonstrations

Demonstrations and samplings of American Heritage Chocolate will also be part of the March In event from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 19 and each day starting Dec. 26 through Dec. 30 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Park’s visitors center. 

AHC is a division of MARS Corporation. MARS conducted extensive research with historians, researchers, food experts and chefs to better understand how the use of chocolate has changed in our country. The chocolate that AHC now sells is made only from ingredients available during the 18th century - such as cinnamon, nutmeg, chili pepper, orange and vanilla.

Visitors will see and learn about the ingredients and methods used to produce and how it was used during the colonial period and most specifically, during the Revolutionary War. Samples of the hot chocolate will be available for all to allow them a small taste of the unusual flavor of the type made during that period. The demonstrations will be ongoing in the Visitors Center from 12-4 each day and will be free to the public.

The store will feature products made by American Heritage for sale. They are:

• Chocolate Single Sticks
• Chocolate Cooking Blocks
• Muslin 4-pack of Chocolate Sticks
• Chocolate Drink Mix (which will be sampled at the demonstrations)

In addition, the book “Chocolate: History, Culture and Heritage” by Louis, Evan Grivetti, PhD., Professor Emeritus Department of Nutrition at the University of California, Davis and Howard-Yana Shapiro, PhD, Global Director of Plant Science and External Research at Mars, Inc. will be available for sale.

For additional information, please visit www.nps.gov/vafo, or call the610.783.1020. For a host of holiday-season events, such as Christmas in the Castle at Glencairn Museum in Bryn Athyn, Pa. visit www.visitvalleyforge.org. You’ll also learn about affordable hotel deals and the Valley Forge Value Pass,with revolutionary savings opportunities.

The Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau, Ltd. is a nonprofit, membership-based sales and marketing organization that aggressively promotes the Valley Forge area andMontgomery County as a convention site and leisure visitor destination by encouraging patronage of its 300-plus member hotels, restaurants, attractions and services. The Bureau’s Website, at www.valleyforge.org, serves visitors, meeting planners, tour operators and residents.

Valley Forge National Historical Park
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. To learn more visit www.nps.gov/vafo.