The Hospitality Room and Buffet Dinner at the hotel gave members an opportunity to enjoy the company of “cousins” old and new. The Executive Board held its annual meeting. The minutes of this meeting are available each year in Washington Words. 

Brisk and “non-brisk” walkers alike, set out early Friday morning with guides to tour the iconic sites of the Old City: Carpenter’s Hall, Independence Hall, the nation’s first Treasury, and the Liberty Bell. Philadelphia’s early colonial homes, the Max Parrish/Louis Comfort Tiffany collaboration, “The Dream Garden,” and the Merchant’s Exchange building were unexpected treats.

Ready for lunch, the groups boarded buses for Valley Forge. A hearty array of salads and sandwiches was provided by the Freedoms Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to public education. Its focus is centered on the spirit and philosophy of our nation’s founding charters and ideals; the embrace of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship; and preservation and advancement of our freedom.  On the grounds is a monument commemorating the sacrifices of General George Washington and his army at Valley Forge. The 9-foot-tall bronze depicts the General kneeling in prayer, head bowed, and hands clasped.

A bus tour of the grounds of Valley Forge ended at the Washington Memorial Chapel with a docent presentation on the hundreds of beautifully crafted stained-glass windows that detailed our nation’s history.

A bountiful Buffet Dinner on Friday evening was a short walk across the street to the Library of the Olde Bar in the historic Bookbinder’s Building.

On Saturday the buses departed for New Jersey. We were welcomed at the Visitor’s Center at the site of the “Crossing of the Delaware River.”  In 1776 George Washington’s small army crossed the river on Christmas Eve and marched another nine miles to fight at the Battle of Trenton. An excellent video, “Ten Crucial Days,” detailed the unfathomable challenges with which Washington and his band of patriots had to contend.  The improbable victory at Trenton was of immense importance. It boosted the flagging morale of the American troops and set the stage for another huge success at Princeton.

Returning to the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River, we enjoyed luncheon at the Washington Crossing Inn. The charming Inn was most welcomed on a rainy, cool fall afternoon. Most of us were amazed at the width of the river at this site of the Crossing!

The last stop of the day was the Museum of the American Revolution. A highlight was being able to view Washington’s Headquarters’ Tent. This original tent was used by Washington both for sleeping and as his office during many military campaigns.

The Gala on Saturday evening, held at our hotel, began with an elegant Beef Tenderloin dinner. David Price, a noted historian, and author of dozens of books was the featured speaker.  One of his latest books is entitled: “The Road to Assunpink Creek: Liberty’s Desperate Hours and the 10 Crucial Days of the American Revolution.” Price gave a most engaging account of the battle at Assunpink and its fascinating, yet unappreciated, significance.

A short business meeting ended with the members’ traditional singing of “Blest Be the Tie That Binds.”

The conclusion of our trip found us, on a bright, crisp Sunday morning, at the historic Old Pine Church. Reverend Jason Ferris, an excellent homilist, and a member of the Society, presided over the service.  Members enjoyed box lunches and a tour of the church and cemetery before heading back to the hotel for check out.

As “cousins” departed for home, they could muse on the possible sites for the 2024 Annual Reunion.