Von Steuben, Gen. Frederick, Headquarters
Why it's listed
A two-story stone building with a gable roof, two chimneys on its east wall and a large chimney on its west end, stands within Valley Forge State Park in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Built as a tavern, it was used as a camp hospital before serving as the quarters of Major General Friedrich von Steuben, the Prussian-trained inspector general of the Continental Army, from February to June 1778. Steuben arrived at Valley Forge on February 23, 1778, and began training the troops using drill instructions he wrote in French and had translated into English. His model company of 100 selected men drew the whole army into drill within weeks. The building was restored in 1965 and is open to visitors in the summer months. It is significant because it housed Steuben during the months in which he reshaped the army's discipline and training.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is significant for its association with von Steuben's February to June 1778 service at Valley Forge, when he trained the Continental Army. It is said to be the place where he made his greatest contribution to the American cause, the remodelling and training of the army. The form also notes the building lies within the boundaries of the Valley Forge National Historic Landmark but had not previously been considered for landmark status itself.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 72001108, listed November 28, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | PA 23, Valley Forge State Park |
|---|---|
| County | Chester County |
| Listed | November 28, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72001108 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1778 |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Military |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated November 28, 1972 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored in 1965; open to visitors during summer months as part of Valley Forge State Park. |
| Within district | Valley Forge National Historical Park |
| Coordinates | 40.09907, -75.46978 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 72001108.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5530794
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.