American Revolution Center’s, collection, objects, art, manuscripts, rare books
 
 

Collections at the American Revolution Center

The American Revolution Center’s rich collection of objects, art, manuscripts, and rare books has been assembled over nearly a century, beginning with the 1909 purchase of General George Washington’s marquee from Martha Washington’s great, great granddaughter, Mary Custis Lee. This acquisition launched the Valley Forge Historical Society, formed by the Reverend Dr. W. Herbert Burk with the goal of establishing a museum of American History at Valley Forge. The Valley Forge Historical Society gradually focused its collecting efforts on the struggle for American Independence and the commemoration of the American Revolution. For nearly 100 years, the collection was housed, and portions of it were displayed, in the Washington Memorial Chapel, also founded by Dr. Burk on the historic grounds of Valley Forge.

Dr. Burk’s vision survived his death in 1933. The Valley Forge Historical Society continued to build its collections for nearly 70 years, and to seek a way to build a museum of national significance at Valley Forge. In 2000, the Society established the American Revolution Center to finally realize this dream, creating a state of the art museum dedicated to telling the inspiring story of the American Revolution.

In December 2007, the American Revolution Center acquired the Benninghoff Collection of the American Revolution, the largest and most recent addition to the Center’s distinguished collection of manuscripts, art, and artifacts.

Assembled over the course of half a century by Herman O. Benninghoff II and his wife, Joan, the collection of Revolutionary War weapons, artifacts, manuscripts, prints, and related material joins the nationally significant holdings of the American Revolution Center. Portions of the collection, widely known to scholars and students of the American War of Independence, have been loaned to public exhibitions at the Smithsonian, Mount Vernon, The David Library of the American Revolution, Valley Forge National Historical Park, and other historic sites.

Several pieces from the Benninghoff Collection were recently on display in Philadelphia in an exhibition developed by the American Revolution Center and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts: Peace, Liberty and Independence: 225 Years After the Treaty of Paris.

The collection continues to grow, and now includes a broad array of items that illustrate the long struggle for American Independence and the commemoration of the American Revolution. Highlights include:
 
George Washington’s Marquee and Portmanteau

One of the most significant pieces of American military architecture, this exceedingly rare 18th century officer’s marquee, or sleeping tent, was constructed for George Washington during the American Revolution. After the general’s death in 1799, the Washington and Custis families carefully preserved the marquee and its portmanteau, or leather storage container, until it was purchased in 1909 and brought to Valley Forge.

  

     

George Washington’s Silver Camp Cups

The American Revolution Center Collection includes ten matching silver camp cups that were made for “His Excellency General Washington” in August 1777 by noted Philadelphia silversmith Edmund Milne.

  

     

The March to Valley Forge by William B. T. Trego, c. 1883

One of the most iconic commemorative paintings of the American Revolution, Trego’s powerful scene depicts Washington’s ill clad troops limping toward Valley Forge in December 1777

  

     

Hessian Cap Fragments

Found in the early twentieth century during dredging operations in the Delaware River below Philadelphia, these embossed metal fragments once adorned the distinctive military caps worn by Hessian soldiers.

  

     

Brass Mounted Holster Pistols

This pair of English holster pistols belonged to German-American clergyman John Peter Gabriel Muhlenburg, who raised a regiment in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley in 1776 and was promoted to Brigadier General the following year.

  

     

Wooden Canteen

This extremely rare soldier’s wooden canteen is marked USTATES, indicating Continental Army usage.

  

     

Commemorative Cockade

This silk hat ornament was worn at an 1825 dinner to commemorate Lafayette’s return tour of the United States. Nearly fifty years earlier, the wearer’s grandfather, Colonel Christopher Greene, had commanded the largely African-American First Rhode Island Regiment.

  

     

George Wilson’s Silver-Mounted Sword

Western Pennsylvania settler George Wilson acquired this sword after an arduous winter march with his regiment across the Allegheny Mountains to reinforce Washington’s army after the Battles of Trenton and Princeton.

  

     

Abel Scott Powder Horn

This engraved powder horn was made during the 1775-76 Siege of Boston, and includes a charming view of the British occupied capitol of Massachusetts.

  

     

American Orderly Books

The American Revolution Center’s archival collection includes a rare group of manuscript orderly books that document daily routines in various regiments and brigades of the Continental Army before, during, and after the 1777-1778 Valley Forge encampment.

  

     
   

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