Our Pennsylvania Story
45
Lesson 20:
GeorgeWashington, America’s Great Leader
It was a very hardwinter. Many of the soldiers became sick and died. YetWashington
did not give up. He thought that the American armywouldwin freedom.
Soon things began to look better. Farmers from nearby brought food. Washington’s
wife, MarthaWashington, came to spend thewinter. She and General Washington lived in
a small stone house. Mrs. Washington and othersmade clothing for the soldiers. A great
general came fromGermany to teach themen how to be good soldiers. The country of
France said it would send ships, guns, andmen to help the Americans. When spring
came, the American armywas better prepared towin freedom.
The placewhereWashington and his army camped for thewinter is nowValley Forge
National Historic Park. There you can seemodels of the
cannons
that the army used. You
can see the little log huts. In the
museum
is the tent thatWashington used. You also can
go to see the housewhereWashington lived.
GeorgeWashingtonwas a great leader for our new country, He helped us win our
freedom fromEngland. He also became the first
President
of our new country.
For ThoseWho Like To Explore
1. Pretend you are a soldier at Valley Forge during thewinter of 1777-1778.
a. Write a diary.
b. Write a letter to your family.
2. Find a book, amagazine story, or any picture about thewinter at Valley Forge.
3. Perhaps your classwould like tomake a big scene of Valley Forge. Makemodelswith
paper of the stone housewhereWashington lived and the log huts. Make paper dolls of
Washington,Mrs.Washington, some soldiers, and other people at Valley Forge thatwinter.
4. Search the Internet for stories andmore informationonValleyForgeNational HistoricPark
near Philadelphia.
Washington and his troops at Valley Forge.
