Whitemarsh
Springfield Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Here in the Emlen House Washington had his headquarters from Nov. 2 to Dec. 11, 1777, just before moving to Valley Forge. The last battle of this year was a British attack repulsed here Dec. 5-6.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
In the autumn of 1777, with Philadelphia fallen to the British, George Washington made the Emlen House his headquarters from early November into December. From this ground his army fought its last engagement of the year, repulsing a British probe on December 5–6 in what became known as the Battle of White Marsh. Days later Washington marched his weary troops to the winter encampment that would test them: Valley Forge.
Why it matters
This was the pivot point of the Revolution's darkest season, the last stand before Valley Forge, where the Continental Army held together against long odds.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- African American Museum in Philadelphia12.0 mi away · 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- National Constitution Center12.0 mi away · 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Independence Visitor Center12.1 mi away · 599 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Betsy Ross House12.1 mi away · 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Illadelph Glass Gallery12.2 mi away · 68 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Muse Gallery12.2 mi away · 52 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Attractions
- Discovery Center at East Park Reservoir9.8 mi away
- Pennsylvania Railroad, Connecting Railway Bridge10.2 mi away
- Harbison's Dairy Milk Bottle10.4 mi away
- Philadelphia Zoo10.5 mi away
- Rocky Steps11.0 mi away
- Philly Gun Range11.4 mi away · North Percy Street
Food & drink
- Independence Mall Cafe12.1 mi away · 50 North Independence Mall East, Philadelphia
- Burger King12.2 mi away
- Dunkin'12.2 mi away · 634 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- La Colombe Coffee Roasters12.2 mi away
- Philly Pretzel Factory12.2 mi away
- Time & Peace12.2 mi away · 36 South 7th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Days Inn Philadelphia Convention Center - Philadelphia11.7 mi away · 1227 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Four Points by Sheraton Philadelphia City Center11.7 mi away · 1201 Race Street, Philadelphia
- Clarion Suites Philadelphia11.8 mi away · 1010 Race Street, Philadelphia
- Sleep Inn Center City11.9 mi away · 1020 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Philadelphia - Convention Center, PA11.9 mi away · 1200 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- The Notary Hotel11.9 mi away · 21 North Juniper Street, Philadelphia
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Related people
- · George Washington
Related events
- · Battle of White Marsh
- · Whitemarsh encampment
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
1777 Battle of Edge Hill
Abington Township, PA · est. 2023
In the tense December of 1777, General Sir William Howe marched British and Hessian troops out of occupied Philadelphia hoping to smash the Continental Army once and for all. Over several days of skirmishing along the heights of Edge Hill, Washington's soldiers held their entrenched ground and refused to be dislodged. Unable to force a decisive battle, Howe pulled back to the city while Washington led his army onward to the hard winter that awaited at Valley Forge.
Abington Presbyterian Church Cemetery
Abington Township, PA · est. 1992
Founded in 1714, Abington Presbyterian Church stood at the heart of one of Montgomery County's oldest colonial communities, with its adjoining burial ground opening in 1719 and receiving its first recorded interment in 1728. The grounds saw Revolutionary War skirmishing as armies maneuvered across the Philadelphia countryside, and generations of pastors, educators, and war veterans were laid to rest here. The cemetery links Abington to the wider intellectual worlds of Philadelphia and Princeton through the notable clergy and teachers buried within it.
St. Peter's Church
Whitemarsh Township, PA · est. 1963
Founded in 1752 by Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, the patriarch of Lutheranism in America, St. Peter's stood at the edge of the Revolution a generation later. In May 1778, as Washington's army wintered nearby, the Marquis de Lafayette used the position here to direct a maneuver against advancing British forces, then executed a skillful withdrawal across Matson's Ford that spared some 2,200 Continental troops from capture. The old churchyard thus witnessed both the birth of an American faith community and a young French general's coming of age.
William Allen (1704-1780)
Philadelphia, PA · est. 2009
William Allen was one of colonial America's richest men, and his fortune helped build the institutions of early Philadelphia. He backed construction of the State House, now Independence Hall, and helped found Pennsylvania Hospital and the college that became the University of Pennsylvania. He established Allentown and served as Chief Justice of Pennsylvania's Supreme Court, but as revolution neared he broke with the patriot cause and remained a Loyalist until his death at his Mount Airy estate.