Author and Historian Dr. Ricardo A. Herrera to Discuss Recent Book on the Continental Army’s Encampment at Valley Forge, Jan. 26

Part of the Museum’s Popular Read the Revolution Speaker Series

Author and historian Dr. Ricardo A. Herrera will join the Museum of the American Revolution on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at 6:30 p.m., to discuss the Continental Army’s 1777-78 encampment at Valley Forge, uncovering what everyday life was like for soldiers during the darkest and coldest days of the Revolutionary War. Drawing on his 2022 book Feeding Washington’s Army: Surviving the Valley Forge Winter of 1778, Herrera will shed light on the army’s herculean efforts to feed itself, support local and Continental governments, and challenge the British Army.

Highlighting the missteps and triumphs of both General George Washington and his officers, as well as ordinary soldiers, sailors, and militiamen, Herrera will reveal how close the Continental Army came to succumbing to starvation and how strong and resourceful its soldiers and leaders needed to be to survive.

Prior to the program, guests will have a chance to view "Valley Forge Winter, The Return of the Foraging Party" by Harrington G. Fitzgerald, the painting featured on the cover of Herrera's book, which hangs in the Museum's second-floor atrium.

The program will be held in the Museum’s Liberty Hall and will be broadcast live via Zoom. Following the presentation, Museum President & CEO Dr. R. Scott Stephenson will join the conversation to facilitate a live Q&A with the onsite and online audiences. Doors open at 6 p.m. for onsite guests to see featured artifacts, enjoy refreshments at a cash bar, and have the opportunity to purchase signed copies of the featured book.

Onsite general admission tickets are $20 for non-members and $15 for Museum Members. Zoom access is included with onsite ticket purchase. Online general admission tickets are $15 for non-members and $10 for Museum Members. Tickets can be purchased here.

The Museum’s Read the Revolution Speaker Series brings celebrated authors and historians to the Museum for lively discussions of their work. The series is based on the Museum’s national Read the Revolution bi-monthly e-newsletters, which feature excerpts from thought-provoking books to inspire learning about the American Revolution.

About Dr. Ricardo A. Herrera
Dr. Ricardo A. Herrera is Visiting Professor, Department of National Security and Strategy, U.S. Army War College and an award-winning historian. He is the author of Feeding Washington’s Army: Surviving the Valley Forge Winter of 1778 (Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina Press, 2022); For Liberty and the Republic: The American Citizen as Soldier, 1775-1861 (New York: New York University Press, 2015); and of several articles and chapters on U.S. military history. Herrera is now completing the tentatively titled book, A Most Uncommon Soldier: The Life, Letters, and Journal of Edward Ashley Bowen Phelps, 1814-1893, an edited collection to be published by the University Press of Kansas. His next project will examine the 1778 and 1779 campaigns for Savannah. Before joining the Army War College, Herrera was Professor of Military History at the School of Advanced Military Studies, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. A graduate of Marquette University (PhD, 1998) and the University of California, Los Angeles (1984), Herrera was previously a historian on the Staff Ride Team, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, and taught at Mount Union College and Texas Lutheran University. He has also served as an armor and cavalry officer in the U.S. Army.

About Museum of the American Revolution
The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Through the Museum’s unmatched collection, immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive elements, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in ensuring that the promise of the American Revolution endures. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum, which opened on April 19, 2017, is a private, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.