Day 33: Trenton, New Jersey, Valley Forge, Narvon, PA

 Our first stop after leaving NYC was Trenton.  We visited the memorial to the battle of Trenton, and then we visited the State House.

 The State House is under intense construction.  Unfortunately, that meant we couldn't see the rotunda.  This sculpture was made to represent the first four of the state symbols.  The tile is still the original tile!

 The chandeliers in each state house have been so interesting.  Since many of them were made when electricity was brand new, they were designed to showcase the new invention.

 Both the "marble" and much of the "wood" throughout the building are faux.  They are actually plaster!  It was much less expensive to do than actually use marble.

 They had a beautiful WWII memorial outside the State House.  The panels dedicated to different branches of the military were so intricately done.

 Our next stop was Valley Forge, George Washington's winter quarters.  We crossed the Delaware River to get there!  This was the headquarters where the militias truly became a united army.  General Von Steuben was integral in turning this group of soldiers into a true military machine.  

 They had cabins set up to mimic where the soldiers would have stayed.  Interestingly, the men were truly dependent on their individual states supplies for comfort.  It seemed that more northern states that were accustomed to cold, better equipped their soldiers than the southern states.

 This is the actual home where Washington had his headquarters.  Micah ran his hand up and down this banister so he could touch where Washington actually touched.  The ranger at this site was excellent.  He engaged the kids and gave them a great history lesson.  I love it when they ask them questions!

 And we finally made it to Narvon, PA and our rental.  It is beautiful!  The boys spent the evening playing with their guns from Valley Forge and catching fireflies.