This 680-mile-long trail follows the paths taken by George Washington's
Continental Army and Jean-Baptiste de Rochambeau's Expédition Particulière
during their 1781 march from Newport, Rhode Island, to Yorktown, Virginia.
France's support in America's struggle for independence was vital to victory
at Yorktown. The trail commemorates that victory and the lasting Franco-
American friendship.

This 680-mile-long trail follows the paths taken by George Washington's Continental Army and Jean-Baptiste de Rochambeau's Expédition Particulière during their 1781 march from Newport, Rhode Island, to Yorktown, Virginia. France's support in America's struggle for independence was vital to victory at Yorktown. The trail commemorates that victory and the lasting Franco-American friendship.

Washington-Rochambeau NHT banner on 2nd Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Washington Rochambeau

Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail

This is truly a special place. It's classified as a United States Biosphere
Reserve and in 1978 was established by Congress as the country’s first
National Reserve. It includes portions of seven southern New Jersey counties,
and encompasses over one-million acres of farms, forests and wetlands. It
contains 56 communities, from hamlets to suburbs, with over 700,000 permanent
residents.

This is truly a special place. It's classified as a United States Biosphere Reserve and in 1978 was established by Congress as the country’s first National Reserve. It includes portions of seven southern New Jersey counties, and encompasses over one-million acres of farms, forests and wetlands. It contains 56 communities, from hamlets to suburbs, with over 700,000 permanent residents.

Batona Trail in the Brendan T. Byrne State Forest part of the NJ Pinelands

Batona Trail in the NJ Pinelands

New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve

Described as horrifying, mystifying, and brilliant, Poe’s writing has engaged
readers all over the world. The six years Edgar Allan Poe lived in
Philadelphia were his happiest and most productive. Yet Poe also struggled
with bad luck, personal demons and his wife’s illness. In Poe’s humble home,
reflect on the human spirit surmounting crushing obstacles, and celebrate
Poe’s astonishing creativity.

Described as horrifying, mystifying, and brilliant, Poe’s writing has engaged readers all over the world. The six years Edgar Allan Poe lived in Philadelphia were his happiest and most productive. Yet Poe also struggled with bad luck, personal demons and his wife’s illness. In Poe’s humble home, reflect on the human spirit surmounting crushing obstacles, and celebrate Poe’s astonishing creativity.

Is this where Poe got his inspiration for "The Black Cat?"  Descend to the basement and decide for yourself.

Basement

The Reading Room at the Edgar Allan Poe National Historical Site is furnished according to Poe's satirical essay "The Philosophy of Furniture."

The Reading Room

Edgar Allan Poe lived in Philadelphia for six years, but he resided at this home for about a year, 1843-1844.

Poe House, exterior

Wall mounted illustrations show how the room may have been furnished when Edgar Allan Poe lived in the house.

Parlor

Stand in the shadow of the raven statue in the yard.

Raven statue

Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site

The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national
and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence
Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of Independence and US Constitution
were both debated and signed inside Independence Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage
Site.

The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.  The Declaration of Independence and US Constitution were both debated and signed inside Independence Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Recognizable for its crack, the Liberty Bell remains significant today for its message of liberty.

The Liberty Bell

Plan your visit, use the restrooms, and take advantage of the free WiFi  in the Independence Visitor Center.

Independence Visitor Center

The Assembly Room in Independence Hall is where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were both signed.

The Assembly Room in Independence Hall

Franklin's printing office no longer survives, but it would have had equipment similar to what you'll see in the Franklin Court Printing Office.

The Franklin Court Printing Office

Known as the birthplace of the United States, Independence Hall houses the room where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were both signed.

Independence Hall

The Second Bank of the United States houses a fine collection of over 100 portraits, many of them by 18th century artist Charles Willson Peale.

Portrait Gallery in the Second Bank of the United States

Explore Franklin's life and character in the Benjamin Franklin Museum. The museum features artifacts, computer animations, and interactive displays that are geared toward visitors of all ages.

The Benjamin Franklin Museum

Independence National Historical Park

Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived
and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful
fortifications during the American Revolution. See the room where he received
notable visitors such as Chief Little Turtle and Thomas Jefferson.

Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the room where he received notable visitors such as Chief Little Turtle and Thomas Jefferson.

The Thaddeus Kosciuszko house is a national memorial to an international champion of human rights. Kosciuszko fought in the American Revolutionary War, as well as an uprising in his native Poland..

Kosciuszko House, exterior

The home where Thaddeus Kosciuszko once lived fell into disrepair.  The site became a National Memorial in 1972.

Kosciuszko House, ca. 1960

Explore the exhibit area to learn about Polish military engineer Thaddeus Kosciuszko's role in designing fortifications at West Point.

Kosciuszko House - exhibit area

Wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko  received notable visitors in this home, including Chief Little Turtle and Thomas Jefferson

Bedroom

Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

Before Pennsylvania there was New Sweden. Discover this last historic link to
a forgotten past. Visit the church's pastoral surroundings and its burial
ground of patriots and ordinary citizens alike.

Before Pennsylvania there was New Sweden. Discover this last historic link to a forgotten past. Visit the church's pastoral surroundings and its burial ground of patriots and ordinary citizens alike.

The church building at Gloria Dei 'Old Swedes' has been in use since 1700, making it the oldest church building in Pennsylvania and the second oldest in the United States.  The steeple was completed in 1703.

Steeple of the Gloira Dei Church

Situated above the pulpit is the only stained glass window in the church building.  Created in the mid 1800s, the window is the earliest example of American stained glass among the 3600 windows in the Philadelphia region.

Interior of the Gloria Dei Church

This 1850s photograph shows a bird's-eye view of the Gloria Dei Church, with the cemetery in the foreground and the masts of ships visible in the background.

The Gloria Dei Church c.1850

Gloria Dei Church was designated as a National Historical Site in 1942. The Gloria Dei congregation owns and maintains the church and the related buildings, its ministry and the grounds.

Gloria Dei Chuch yard

Hanging from the ceiling of Gloria Dei are models of the two ships that brought the first Swedish colonists to North America in 1638, the "Kalmar Nyckel" and the "Fogel Gryp."

Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve

Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site

Independence National Historical Park

Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

Gloria Dei Church National Historic Site