Ernie and Bert at Valley Forge
Valley Forge, originally a small Pennsylvania colonial community outside of Philadelphia, is now remembered as the famous encampment used by George Washington and the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Following the British capture of Philadelphia, the army made quarters at Valley Forge from December 1777 to July 1778.
Popularly depicted as snow covered, Valley Forge was not a battle site but the soldiers did suffer disease, death, and supply shortages caused by British raids and maneuvers.
As with other significant places from the Revolutionary War, the National Park Service has preserved the encampment site as Valley Forge National Historical Park.
References[]
- Rowlf the Dog, in the March 5, 1964 broadcast of The Jimmy Dean Show, questions why Washington went to Valley Forge at all instead of more comfortable Miami.
- The Sesame Street 1976 Calendar, as part of "An American Alphabet," uses Valley Forge for the letter V. While Ernie is snugly asleep in a blanket under a makeshift covering, Bert is standing with his feet and face bundled against the cold.
- In the 1982 special I Love Liberty, during the Muppets' 1776 sketch, Miss Piggy enters as George Washington, but Kermit tells her Washington was not at the Second Continental Congress but was preparing to go to Valley Forge (which actually happened the next year, 1777). Piggy asks if Valley Forge is some kind of health spa.