An Immersive Journey Through 4 Revolutionary Sites
Explore the real locations of the American Revolution’s most enduring artworks
Washington at Valley Forge (1777–1778) (1911) by Edward Percy MoranThe White House
Step inside the paintings
You might have seen this famous painting of George Washington at Valley Forge. But do you know what this revolutionary site looks like in real life?
From the hall where independence was declared to the battlefield that broke the empire, let's explore what the influential sites behind iconic paintings of the American Revolution look like today...
Declaration of Independence (1776) (1818) by John TrumbullThe White House
1. Independence Hall
'Declaration of Independence' by John Trumbull depicts the interior of the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall), arranged as a formal, balanced assembly room. Light enters from tall windows, illuminating the delegates and emphasizing the central presentation of the draft document.
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Today Independence Hall remains one of the most historically significant structures in the Western world, housing the Assembly Room where the American founding project began. Click and drag to explore for yourself.
Washington at Valley Forge (mid 19th century) by American 19th CenturyNational Gallery of Art, Washington DC
2. Valley Forge
This painting of Valley Forge represents a different kind of victory: the triumph of endurance. During the winter of 1777–1778, George Washington’s Continental Army faced starvation, disease, and bitter cold.
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Here you can see the reconstructed log huts scattered across the rolling hills at Valley Forge. Today it stands as silent monuments to the immense sacrifices made for the cause of sovereignty. Click and drag to explore for yourself.
Autumn - On the Hudson River (1860) by Jasper Francis CropseyNational Gallery of Art, Washington DC
3. Hudson River, West Point
Jasper Francis Cropsey's beautiful landscape shows the Hudson River in Autumn. Perched on a high plateau overlooking a sharp curve in the river was a military stronghold, so vital that Benedict Arnold attempted to surrender it to the British.
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Today, the United States Military Academy occupies this rugged, beautiful terrain, maintaining the longest-occupied military post in the nation and a breathtaking view of the Highlands. Click and drag to explore for yourself.
Siège de Yorktown (1781) (1836) by Auguste CouderThe White House
4. Yorktown
Auguste Couder's painting depicts the October 1781 Siege of Yorktown, which effectively concluded the military struggle for independence. British General Cornwallis found himself trapped between the American-French land forces and the French navy.
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Today the Surrender Field, where the British laid down their arms, is a sprawling, evocative landscape. This site captures the finality of the conflict, marking the moment when a group of rebellious colonies officially secured their place among the nations of the earth. Click and drag to explore for yourself.
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