The Battle of Germantown's 225th Anniversary

Featured from The Papermaker, the Newsletter of Historic RittenhouseTown
Volume 15, Number 4

When the American Revolution's 1777 Battle of Germantown is mentioned, most people envision one of our fellow historic sites, Cliveden, and the fierce engagement which ensued as General Washington's troops tried in vain to evict the British garrison from within this stone impregnable mansion. Although a large portion of the fighting occurred within the Village of Germantown, RittenhouseTown and its surroundings in the Wissahickon Valley also played an important role.

This upcoming year of 2002 marks the 225th anniversary of this epic struggle with many events and programs planned throughout the area in recognition of the entire Philadelphia Campaign, which was fought in this region from 1777-78. For more information about these activities, please call the Valley Forge Convention & Visitor's Bureau at (610)834-1550 or check their web site www.valleyforge.org. Especially look into the program entitled Patriots and Traitors, which examines the difficult choices individuals had to make during this time as our War for Independence was fought all around them.

Historic RittenhouseTown also plans to be a part of this commemoration and has already had a special walking tour through the Wissahickon Valley, conducted by Executive Director Andrew Zellers- Frederick, to discuss the portion of the October 4, 1777 Battle of Germantown, which was fought in the Wissahickon Valley. This two-hour program held in conjunction with the Fairmount Park Commission's Education Department and Philadelphia Mayor John Street's Fitness Program, was well attended and another walk is being planned for the spring. The tour presented an outline of the fighting, which occurred in the vicinity and throughout this National Historic Landmark District with the Hessian Allies of the British basically holding one side of the Wissahickon with an American militia force, under the command of General John Armstrong, attempting to dislodge them through continuous attacks. It should be noted that several members of the Rittenhouse Family also belonged and fought in the local Roxborough Township Militia units under Armstrong's overall command. A more detailed account of this portion of the battle will appear in the next addition of Historic RittenhouseTown's Journal of History, which is scheduled for publication early next year. Watch for announcements of other events in upcoming newsletters throughout 2002.

The Papermaker is the quarterly newsletter of Historic RittenhouseTown and is sent to all members.