Valley Forge --> The Washington Inn

The Washington Inn is a pre-restoration version of what we, in the twentieth century, knew as the "Bake House", now named the David Potts House next to Washington's Headquarters. Here's some history, courtesy of the National Park Service:

The area surrounding this building was perfectly suited for an eighteenth century forging operation (The Valley Forge). Nearby Valley Creek provided the water power necessary to turn the furnace machinery and the hills above the stream offered timber for charcoal fuel. In the 1740's Stephen Evans and Daniel Walker acquired property along the creek in order to establish an iron forge. Sometime during the establishment of the first forge enterprise the nucleus of what would become the David Potts house arose. In 1757 wealthy industrialist John Potts acquired and greatly expanded the business, eventually passing the prosperous forge properties on to his sons. By the time of the encampment (1777-1778), the house was a modest L-shaped dwelling, with the kitchen wing extending to the north. The best research to date indicates that the house probably served as a bunkhouse/cookhouse for the ironworkers employed by the Potts family during this time period.

Although the National Park Service would like to be able to tell visitors what took place within the walls during the encampment, they have yet to uncover any direct evidence that the Continental Army made use of this building for military purposes. The first concrete ovservation that can be made for the use and ownership of the house is that John Potts' son David came to own the structure in the 1780's. Before moving in with his family, Potts expanded the building by adding on an eastern wing and a new staircase in the 1780's.

The Potts house passed on to several owners essentially unchanged until 1854, when businessman Charles Rodgers converted the house into a Victorian Villa complete with a two-story front porch and cupola. As industry faded from the scene, tourism flourished. In 1868 Sarah Shaw began to operate the building as a guest house known as the Washington Inn.

The back of the post card of the Bake House (colored picture at top of page), says "During the encampment the Bake House did triple duty. The Court Marshal room was on the main floor. Bread for hungry Continental troops was baked by Baker-General Ludwick in the basement ovens. Col. William Dewees who owned the house and was one of the iron-masters who operated the Valley Forge, lived with his family on the second floor". Once again, we should remember that post cards are not meant to be historical documents.

The Inn closed in 1942. the Valley Forge Park Commission subsequently acquired the house, and in the late 1940's restored the building to its 1780's appearance. The house you see today is a result of this work, a heavily restored nearly reconstructed version of the David Potts house.