National Memorial Arch

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Revolutionary War memorial at Valley Forge

The National Memorial Arch is dedicated "to the officers and private soldiers of the Continental Army December 19, 1777 June 19, 1778". The Arch is situated at the top of a hill at the intersection of Gulph Road and Outer Line Drive in Valley Forge National Historical Park, Chester County, Pennsylvania.

The Arch was erected in 1910 by an act of the 61st Congress. Initially, in 1908, it was proposed to erect two memorial arches in the park, but the bill was amended to create a single arch to save money. It is modeled on the Arch of Titus in Rome. The architect in charge of the arch was Paul Philippe Cret, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania. The arch was criticized by the Philadelphia Record who observed that arches are typically urban structures and questioned its location in a rural setting.

The 60-foot high arch was dedicated on June 19, 1917 in a ceremony attended by a number of U.S. Congressmen. Paul Cret did not attend as he was then en route to France where he served as an interpreter for the U.S. Army.

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National Memorial Arch inscription:

Naked and starving as they are
We cannot enough admire
The incomparable Patience and Fidelity
of the Soldiery
–George Washington

External links

• National Park Service page on the Arch

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Information below quoted (and taken) in part from information marker at the site of the National Memorial Arch:

Naked and Starving as they are we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery

Washington at Valley Forge February 16, 1778

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And here in this place of sacrifice, in this vale of humiliation, in this valley of the shadow of that death out of which the life of America rose regenerate and free let us believe with an abiding faith that to them union will seem as dear and liberty as sweet and progress as glorious. They were to our fathers and are to you and me and that the institutions which have made us happy preserved by the virtue of our children shall bless the remotest generation to the time to come.

Henery Armitt Brown

(Said during. . .the 100 year anniversary of breaking of the winter encampment at Valley Forge. June 19, 1878)

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On the approach side of the arch, as you would tour the park,. . .reads:

To the officers and private soldiers of the Continental Army December 19, 1777 - June 19, 1778

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Opposite. . .Henery Armitt Brown's quote (are the) names (of) the officers in charge during the encampment, as follows:

Commander in Chief