Hear a true story from a Once Upon A Nation storyteller as the season launches in Valley Forge National Historical Park (1400 North Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia) on Thursday, Jun. 13, at 3:30 PM.
In attendance at the event will be Amy Needle, President and CEO of Historic Philadelphia, Inc.; Tim Briggs, State Representative, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Adam Gresek, Director of Visitor and Community Engagement for Valley Forge National Historical Park; Richard J. Odorisio, Board Chair of Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board; and Lucy Fletcher, Once Upon A Nation Storyteller.
About Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches at Valley Forge
Guaranteed to educate and entertain, the one-of-a-kind Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches will take place at two locations in Valley Forge National Historical Park (Visitor’s Center and Varnum’s Quarters). Storytellers, trained at the unique Benstitute, share riveting stories of the encampment, and how it became a turning point in the Revolutionary War. Short, three-to-five-minute stories are told for free at the signature 13-foot curved bench.
Story days and times for the Visitor Center at Valley Forge are Jun. 12-Sept. 2, Wednesdays-Sundays, 11:00 AM-4:00 PM; and Sept. 7-Oct. 27, Saturdays and Sundays, 11:00 AM-4:00 PM
Story days and times for Varnum’s Quarters will take place on Jun. 15-Sept. 2, Saturdays and Sundays, 11:00 AM-4:00 PM.
The Storytelling Benches bring history to life with stories about real people and events that occurred in Philadelphia’s historic district and Valley Forge National Historical Park. Professional storytellers share these stories, using scripts that are built on careful research to assure accuracy. They cover a variety of topics, including some which speak to issues that connect past experiences with contemporary events and interests.
The Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches at Valley Forge have been created by Historic Philadelphia, Inc. in partnership with Valley Forge National Historical Park and supported by the Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The partnership between Historic Philadelphia, Inc. and Valley Forge National Historical Park began in 2007.
About Historic Philadelphia, Inc.
In partnership with Independence National Historical Park, Historic Philadelphia, Inc.’s Once Upon A Nation brings history to life with immersive walking tours, History Makers, Storytelling Benches throughout Philadelphia’s Historic District and at Valley Forge National Historical Park, and the Benstitute to specially train all staff.
Franklin Square is a family-friendly play place with Philadelphia-themed Mini Golf, the Parx Liberty Carousel, and SquareBurger (operated by Cooperage), hosting parties and special events in the Pavilion in Franklin Square, celebrating art and culture with the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival, and culminating the year with the Franklin Square Holiday Festival and Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show. The Betsy Ross House takes visitors into the life and stories of America’s most famous flagmaker, with interactive exhibitions. Historic Philadelphia, Inc.’s highly educational Full Day Field Trip Experience has reached over 42,000 students, including providing educational history programs free of charge for more than 20,700 students in underserved school communities at no cost to those students or their schools.
Now in its 30th year, Historic Philadelphia, Inc. makes our nation’s history relevant, real, and fun by enlivening historic sites through storytelling, interactions, and education. Historic Philadelphia, Inc. operates, maintains, and improves the Betsy Ross House; Once Upon A Nation storytelling, History Makers, and immersive walking tours; and Franklin Square. For all Historic Philadelphia, Inc. event information and to purchase tickets, visit Historic Philadelphia.
Discover more Once Upon A Nation free activities and learn more ways to explore Montgomery County and surrounding areas at Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board. Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board is a private, non-profit membership sales and marketing organization that actively promotes the Valley Forge area and Montgomery County as a convention site and leisure visitor destination by promoting patronage of its member hotels, restaurants, attractions, and services.
