I am so freaking glad we stopped too. We saw some amazing history and it really got little girls interested in what was going on in the history of the United States. So what did we see that made it so appealing for a five year old? We saw the encampment and we were actually able to go inside them, Little Miss Continental Army herself got to lay on top one of the bunks. She looked up the fireplace and walked circles around the fire pit. The place got her asking questions, which is what it is all about. She wanted to know what was the mound at the end of the encampment (the oven) and how did it work. She listened to reenactors discuss their hygiene regimens. And she was really into it. I love that. Let your wheels start moving little one and find out so much out there.
We moved on from there, and of course, as we drove, saw more "cabins", as she called them. Exciting, for both of us. We followed the fence all along the route and saw several monuments and statues. She was not all that into the arch but she loved the enormity of the horse in the Wayne statue. I think there may have been an attempt to climb the statue, but it was rather large.
Our favorite stop was Washington's headquarters. The walk was beautiful and the scenery could not be more lovely. We first passed the train station and walked through to get our maps, I know a little late but we LOVE maps. We saw some "technology" from the time of Washington and I was pleasantly surprised that Miss I Can Use An Ipad wanted to know what each one was. It was fun to compare them to today;s tech tools. Not sure if she got it, but she acted as if she did. Once we got to the house I had to ask...what % of he house is for real? 85%!!!! The only things not for real are all the props and the floors in the common walking areas since they get too worn from foot traffic. All the floors and doors and stones are real. The mortar is replaced due to time and the elements. Best part, the banisters up the steps were once held by Washington himself. I watched as possibly President Feldstein walked those steps and swelled thinking she is literally walking in the footsteps of THE GEORGE WASHINGTON!!!! My favorite part of the house was the attic space, the doors were amazing and President Feldy loved George's bedroom and the guest room (the bed was small and with a canopy). we walked through the kitchen and last and met up with the Ranger we had found when we had first entered. "Any questions?" I did not, we still had a couple hours to drive and it was a little warm. Little Miss History 101 had several. And so the two of them sat on George Washington;s steps and just chatted. The doors are real, the food is fake so there is no rotting and no bugs, they kept the windows open for air and used just the fireplaces , which is why there was one in each room, for heat. We all learned a lot.
The walk back was great. We met up with Claire, if you go there you must find Claire, a story teller who told us a great tale about Washington's birthday at Valley Forge and what it was like to live there in the winter months. We all raised our pretend glasses filled with strawberry champagne and toasted Washington. Sweet girl got a certificate making her a History Hero and then we were on our way to the car and then to the beach. I was questioning whether Gettysburg was in our future for the way home. Not anymore.