This contest is open to all 5th Grade Elementary School Teachers, 8th Grade and High School American History Teachers, either public, private or parochial who teach the American Revolution. The selected teachers (up to two each year) will receive a trip to one of three Summer Graduate Teacher Workshops through the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. (The chosen workshop will be the one most closely related to the American Revolution.) The Award, valued up to $1,700 includes tuition, room and board*, and transportation expenses (transportation limited to $500.00). (*Meals are provided when on-campus only; meals for off-campus visits to workshop sites are not included.). Submission must be made to our Chapter by March 15.
Typical Program & Itinerary:
American Revolution: Philadelphia Campaign
Academic Director: Mr. Arch Hunter
This workshop features field studies and tours of:
- Brandywine Battlefield, Paoli Massacre & Battle of the Clouds
- General Anthony Wayne’s grave at St. David’s Episcopal Church
- Valley Forge National Park
- Augustus Lutheran Church & Evacuation of Philadelphia
- Peter Wentz Farmstead & Cliveden/Chew House in Germantown
- Fort Mifflin & National Constitution Center
- Christ Church & Burial Ground
- Franklin Post Office & Betsy Ross House
- Liberty Bell, Dinner at City Tavern & Independence Hall after hours
- Washington Crossing & Tower at Bowman’s Hill
- Battle of Princeton & Monmouth Battlefield & Courthouse
- Morristown/Jockeytown & Museum of the American Revolution
Sunday: Travel day – please plan to arrive at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) in time for the 2:45 pm or 5:30 pm shuttle to the campus, which are no cost. Teachers will be responsible for transportation to the campus otherwise. There will be dinner and orientation at the campus.
Monday: Besides visiting the Brandywine Battlefield, Paoli Massacre and Battle of the Clouds sites, there will be a visit to General Anthony Wayne’s gravesite at St. David’s Episcopal Church, a tour of the Valley Forge National Park and a visit with Edward “Ned” Hector, a free man of color and hero of the Battles at Brandywine and Germantown.
Tuesday: Visit to Augustus Lutheran Church and its involvement with the evacuation of Philadelphia. Pastor Henry Muhlenburg was the father of Brigadier General Peter Muhlenburg, Commander of the Virginia Line in Nathaniel Greene’s division at Valley Forge. Other sites to be visited include the Peter Wentz Farmstead, the Cliveden/Chew House in Germantown, and Fort Mifflin. In the evening, Sean Moir will discuss mapping during the Revolutionary War.
Wednesday: The National Constitution Center, along with Christ Church and Burial Ground, the Franklin Post Office, the Betsy Ross House and the Liberty Bell will be included. There will be a walking tour of the historic area, which includes the 1st & 2nd U.S. Bank, Congress Hall, Elfreth’s Alley. The evening will include dinner at the City Tavern and an after-hours tour of Independence Hall.
Thursday: Sites to be visited include Washington Crossing & the Tower at Bowman’s Hill, the Battle of Princeton, Monmouth Battlefield & Courthouse, Morristown/Jockeytown. The evening will consist of a talk by Nancy Loane, author of “Following the Drum: Women at the Valley Forge Encampment”.
Friday: Day starts with a visit to the Museum of the American Revolution, followed by the start of the flight home at the Philadelphia airport or return to the campus.
For more information on the Program, contact contact the FFVF Education Department
(610) 933-8825 ext. 292 or education@ffvf.org.
Resource Materials
- California SAR Application for Valley Forge Teacher Scholarship, complete and submit to our Chapter President by March 15th at: president@sarsandiego.org
- Video Tour by Steve Schmidt from Lowell High School: