Power Freedom Tour

Where to Begin: Valley Forge Station and Washington's Headquarters at Valley Forge National Historic Site
Allow: 4 hours to tour; 1 day to explore
Don't Miss: Lock #60, Schuylkill River Heritage Center, Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area, and Spring-Ford Area Historical Society.
Recreation: Valley Forge National Historic Site, Mill Grove, Black Rock Sanctuary, Lock #60, Schuylkill River Trail.
Heritage Stops to Shop & Eat: Phoenixville, Mount Clare, Spring City and Royersford.

Winning independence from Great Britain established the United States of America. Many in Europe, including England and France, waited expectantly for the new country to fail. Late 18th and 19th century innovations and industrial advances in Chester County helped guarantee that the new country with thrive and remain independent. The Powering Freedom tour examines the invention and innovation that led to the industrial growth of the Schuylkill River area in the 19th century with the advent of the Schuylkill River Canal. The tour also includes Lock 60, the only operating canal structure on the Schuylkill River, and the Schuylkill River Heritage Center, a museum dedicated to the industrial history of Phoenixville and the Schuylkill River. The Spring-Ford Area Historical Society examines the history of two other riverside communities, Spring City and Royersford.

Recreation Opportunities
The Valley Forge National Historic Site is also listed in the Purple Tour. Visit the 175 acres of Mill Grove, John James Audubon's first American home, and Chester County's Black Rock Sanctuary, a wildlife habitat containing wetlands, woodlands and meadows. The Schuylkill River Trail is a multi-use trail and a great way to explore the natural areas of the Schuylkill River region. Kayaks and canoes can be launched at Lock 60.

Heritage Stops to Shop and Eat
One Heritage area on this tour is Mont Clare, which is located on the Schuylkill River and hosts Lock 60. Another stop includes the historic district of Phoenixville, an important manufacturing center and site of great iron and steel mill such as the Phoenix Iron Works. Visitors today can explore its rich assortment of private residences, restaurants, businesses and historic buildings. Spring City Main Street has always been the center of activity in this historic Borough.

Interpretive Sites

(1) Valley Forge National Historical Park 9
Grounds open daily, year-round 7am-dark
Visitor Center 9 AM-5 PM daily (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day)
Check for Washington's Headquarters
No entrance fee
1400 North Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia, PA 19406
610-783-1077
www.nps.gov/vafo/

The peaceful fields and farmhouses that mark Valley Forge today pay homage to the soldiers of George Washington's army who, despite the predictions of the British war office, stayed together during the winter of 1777-1778 and emerged from the ordeal as a well trained and battle-ready fighting force. Before the Continental Army arrived, however, Valley Forge lived up to its name with two iron forges running along the Valley Creek. Enjoy the park on your own on foot, by bike, or automobile. Ranger-led tours and trolley tours offer other options. Whatever the means of transportation, the cell phone tour enriches the experience.

(4) Lock 60
Mon-Fri 9-5 (call ahead for tours of the Locktender's House) and 3rd Sunday of every month (except June and December) 1-4
Free admission
Self-guided tours of outdoor areas
Brief, guided tour of the Locktender's House available
Picnic area
Lock 60 on the Schuylkill Canal
400 Towpath Rd., Mont Clare, PA 19453
610-917-0021
www.schuylkillcanal.org

Visit Lock 60 to see the only operating canal structure on the Schuylkill River. The Locktender's House provides a glimpse into the past, when the River and its canals were the lifeline of the area's industries. As industry grew in the area, so too did the importance of the Schuylkill River and its canal system. The River and canals were a crucial means of transporting supplies and products to and from the furnaces, mills and factories. As transportation among the Schuylkill River became more frequent and essential to the region, new industries and towns grew along its banks. Great recreation stop for hiking, swimming and kayaking.

(5) Schuylkill River Heritage Center
Fri-Sun 11-3 and 1st Friday of every month 5:30-7:30
Free admission
2 N. Main Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460
610-935-2181
www.phoenixvillefoundry.org

The Schuylkill River Heritage Center is a gateway to both iron and steel country and the history of the Schuylkill River. Located in the Phoenixville Foundry, it provides information about the important resources that the Schuylkill River supplied to the region, and highlights the connections between the river and the growing number of industries that sprang up on its banks.

Videos, historic artifacts and murals all illuminate the industrial history of the former Phoenix Iron and Steel Company and the Schuylkill River. Visitors can also enjoy the Sculpture garden near the entrance to the foundry.

(7) Spring-Ford Area Historical Society
M, W, F 11-3 and 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month 1-3 or by appointment
Free admission
Guided tour of museum and Lewin House available
526 Main Street, Royersford, PA 19468
610-948-7127
www.springcitypa.net/sfahs/

With the growth of transportation and commerce along the Schuylkill River, new industries grew in the riverside towns. The Spring-Ford Area Historical Society examines the history of two of those communities: Spring City and Royersford. The early foundries dedicated to producing cast-iron products, such as stoves, were joined over time by glass works, knitting mills and many other businesses creating vibrant, diverse industrial communities.

Recreation

(2) John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove
1201 Pawlings Road
Audubon, PA 19403
610-666-5593
Museum Hours: Tuesday thru Saturday 10AM- 4PM, Sunday 1- 4PM
Sanctuary Grounds: Tuesday thru Sunday 7AM - Dusk
Museum admission fee is $4 Adults, $3 Seniors (60+), $2 Children (4-17).
http://pa.audubon.org/centers_mill_grove.html

Home to Audubon Pennsylvania, from 1803 to 1806, Mill Grove served as the first American home to John James Audubon, the renowned artist and naturalist. It was here that an 18-year-old Audubon first fell in love with the American landscape and sketched native wildlife and flora.

Today, 175 acres of Mill Grove's original estate remains largely as Audubon found it - a haven for birds and wildlife. The property boasts more than seven miles of trails and stunning views of the Perkiomen Creek. The historic three-story stone farmhouse serves as a museum displaying original Audubon prints, oil paintings, and Audubon memorabilia.

(6) Black Rock Sanctuary
953 Black Rock Road, on Route 113
610-469-1916
http://www.chesco.org/ccparks

Black Rock Sanctuary is dedicated to wildlife habitat and public use. It consists of 119 acres of wetlands, woodlands and meadows. One of many desilting basins found along the Schuylkill River in Berks, Montgomery, Chester and Philadelphia Counties, Black Rock Sanctuary offers a wonderful opportunity to relax and discover the history, geology, wildlife, plant life and habitats of the basin. The sky over Black Rock is a flyway, or air highway, for birds that migrate up and down the East Coast.

(9) Schuylkill River Trail
www.schuylkillrivertrail.com

The Schuylkill River Trail is a multi-use trail in Southeastern Pennsylvania with a projected length of almost 130 miles when totally completed. The trail is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, exercise or commute. Visit web site for specific trail information and maps.

Heritage Stops to Shop & Eat

(3) Mont Clare
Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County, PA

Mont Clare is located on the left bank of the Schuylkill River, opposite Phoenixville. Mont Clare hosts the only functional lock and one of only two remaining watered stretches of the Schuylkill Canal. Mont Clare was the birthplace of the infamous outlaw Sundance Kid. David Todd, ancestor of Mary Todd Lincoln, also called Mont Clare home.

(5) Phoenixville
Route 23 or Route 113-follow signs to historic district

Phoenixville was settled in 1732 and incorporated as a borough in 1849. In its industrial heyday in the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was an important manufacturing center and the site of great iron and steel mills such as the Phoenix Iron Works. The town sits along the Schuylkill River and is bisected by French Creek, which links so many Chester County iron sites. Enjoy the regional destinations, many shops and restaurants.

(8) Spring City Main Street

This historic industrial town is situated on the Schuylkill River, directly across from the town of Royersford. With the opening of the Schuylkill Navigation Canal in 1824 the town grew dramatically in size and population. As trade and commerce continued to grow along the river, a diverse number of industries, including glass works and iron foundries, developed in both Spring City and Royersford

Main Street was the center of activity in Spring City. It was the location of most of the businesses, stores and banks. Today, the Main Street is home to a rich assortment of private residences, restaurants, businesses and historic buildings. Visitors can dine at the Spring City Hotel, originally opened in 1892, and see the building that once housed the Valley Forge Flag Factory among other unique historic sites.