(Valley Forge)

A section of a rafter from the hospital building at Valley Forge, used during the encampment of General George Washington and his Continental Army during the winter of 1777–1778: a roughly hewn section of spruce, (ca. 15 x 5 x 5 in.), housed in a mahogany and glass display case with engraved brass presentation plaque.

A relic of Valley Forge, where the American Army endured its greatest  trials.

The name Valley Forge has become synonymous with suffering and deprivation—and with the indomitability of the American spirit. From 19 December 1777 until 19 June 1778, George Washington, his officers, and men made this ground on the banks of the Schuylkill River their headquarters. An early and harsh winter, coupled with careless management by the commissary and transport departments, nearly accomplished what the British could not: the destruction of the Continental Army. The Marquis de Lafayette, who wintered with Washington, later recalled that "The unfortunate American soldiers lacked everything—coats, hats, shirts, and shoes. Their feet and legs turned black with frostbite, and often had to be amputated. For lack of money, they had neither food nor any means of transportation." Typhus and smallpox killed hundreds of men. And yet the American Army did survive, due largely to the stoic example and unceasing encouragement of Washington, who had even brought his wife, Martha, from Mount Vernon to share his winter headquarters.

Valley Forge was given to the nation by the state of Pennsylvania for the Bicentennial; in 1961 it had been designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark, and five years later it was included in the first National Register of Historic Places. Since 1949, the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, a national, non-profit, non-partisan, non-sectarian educational organization, has worked to celebrate and promote the lessons of Valley Forge. During renovation and restoration work at the encampment, a few relics were presented to key supporters of the Foundation. This section of rafter was given to Mr. and Mrs. James S. Copley, as detailed on the accompanying plaque:

"Section of rafter from historic Valley Forge Hospital used during the encampment of George Washington and his colonial troops during the winter of 1777–78. This beam was below the surgeon's table at that hallowed place. Presented with affection to a great patriot and leader, Mr. James S. Copley, and to his lovely wife, Helen, by their friends at Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge December 3, 1967."