Washington's War Tents
Explore the “rock star” (New York Times) of the Museum of the American Revolution's collection, General George Washington's Revolutionary War tent, and the handsewn, full-scale replica of his field headquarters through a virtual tour, interactive online experiences, and more.
New Special Exhibition
The Museum's newest special exhibition, Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington's Tent, was open from February 17, 2024 - January 5, 2025.
"... the crown jewel in the collection [...] oh, the stories it could tell."
Our special exhibition, Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington’s Tent, greatly expanded the story told in the Museum’s award-winning film and brought to life the stories of individuals from all walks of life who saved George Washington’s tent from being lost over the generations and who ultimately fashioned this relic into a symbol of the fragile American republic. It brought together, in many cases for the first time, inspiring works of art, rare documents, and significant historical objects from public and private collections across the United States.
The Real Tent
General George Washington’s Revolutionary War Tent, his office and sleeping quarters, served as the mobile command center for the Continental Army. The tent was present at the scene of many pivotal moments, including the 1781 Siege of Yorktown, the last major land battle of the Revolutionary War.
Washington's War Tent
General George Washington's original sleeping and office tent from the Revolutionary War is on permanent display in the Museum's Alan B. Miller Theater. Reverend W. Herbert Burk’s Valley Forge Historical Society, the predecessor organization of the Museum, served as the longtime steward of Washington’s tent after he purchased it in 1909.
Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington's Tent
February 17, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Washington's War Tent Film
Daily ShowingsFollow the remarkable journey of General George Washington's headquarters tent from the Revolutionary War to the present in the Museum's signature Washington's War Tent film, highlighted by the reveal of the real tent. Watch a preview of the full Wasington's War Tent film, which is produced by Donna Lawrence Productions and airs daily in the Alan B. Miller Theater (second floor) at the Museum.
Among His Troops
Explore the online exhibit inspired by French-born Continental Army engineer Pierre Charles L'Enfant's 1782 watercolor painting depicting the encampment at Verplanck's Point, New York, which includes the only known wartime image of General George Washington's headquarters tent. The online exhibit was adapted from the Museum's 2018 exhibition of the same name.
Among His Troops: Washington's War Tent in a Newly Discovered Watercolor
January 13 - February 19, 2018
Picturing Washington's Army
Explore rare watercolor paintings by army engineer Pierre Charles L'Enfant of the Continental Army encampments at West Point and Verplanck's Point, including the only known wartime eyewitness image of General George Washington's tent discovered by Museum curators in 2017.
What Does Washington's Tent Mean to You?
We asked a range of people, from educators to descendants to caretakers, what does Washington’s tent mean to you?
Watch Extended Interviews
Since 2017, more than 1,000,000 people have seen General George Washington’s tent on display in the Alan B. Miller Theater at the Museum. Viewers often find the tent film and reveal to be emotional, thought-provoking, and inspirational. Watch extended cuts of interviews seen in the What Does Washington's Tent Mean to You? video featured in the Museum's Witness to Revolution: The Unlikely Travels of Washington's Tent special exhibition.
The Replica Tents
The hand-stitched replica of General George Washington's field headquarters provides opportunities for interactive education and outreach programs with associated replica tents, camp equipage, and furnishings and fosters an immersive experience to learn how the tent was used during the Revolutionary War.
First Oval Office Project
Take a closer look at the Museum's ongoing project, which began with 2013 partnership with the Historic Trades Department at The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in Williamsburg, Virginia to reproduce and use full-scale replicas of Washington's tents and camp equipage.
Virtual Tour of Washington's Field Headquarters
More from the Collection
In addition to Washington's War Tent, the Museum's collection is home to artifacts related to the tent, like Washington's camp cups and headquarters flag, as well as a watercolor painting of Verplanck's Point featuring the only known wartime depiction of Washington's tent.
George Washington's Camp Cups
These cups, with later commemorative inscriptions, are part of a set of twelve that descended in the Washington family and are said to have been owned and used by George Washington during the war.
Washington's Headquarters Flag
Believed to be the earliest surviving 13-star American flag, also known as a standard because of its modest size, is said to have marked General Washington's presence throughout much of the war.
Washington’s Valise or Portmanteau
Tent Fragment
Tent Pins
