Last updated: July 2, 2026
Place
Maurice Stephens House - 50/250 Celebration
NPS Photo / G. Purifoy
Quick Facts
Location:
In the Grand Parade meadow along Route 23.
Significance:
The Maurice Stephens House is home to a House of Declaration on July 4 and food service July 3, 4, and 5.
Designation:
Shuttle Stop 5
Amenities
7 listed
Benches/Seating, Bus/Shuttle Stop, Cellular Signal, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Restroom, Restroom - Accessible, Trash/Litter Receptacles
Food Tent and House of Declaration (Shuttle Stop 5)
Extreme Heat Forecasted - Outdoor programming and shuttle service will end early on July 3, 4, and 5, 2026.
See below for details >
The Maurice Stephens House is home to a food tent on July 3, 4, and 5, 2026. Readings of the Declaration of Independence and additional special programming take place on July 4.
A special event shuttle provides transportation to all of the commemorative events and program venues.
Shuttle stop located down the access road in the Maurice Stephens parking lot along Route 23. No private vehicle access.
Friday, July 3
Outdoor programming ends at 12 noon.
10 am to 12 noon - Food Tent
Grab-and-go food items provided by ANEU Kitchens and dining zone.
Shuttle service ends at 12 noon.
Saturday, July 4 – House of Declaration
Outdoor programming ends at 1 pm.
Programming hosted by park partner the Valley Forge Park Alliance
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Try your hand at colonial-era games and take a commemorative selfie.
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Hear fascinating Revolutionary War stories told by engaging storytellers from Historic Philadelpha, Inc.
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Learn about the work of the Valley Forge Muster Roll Project.
9 am to 1 pm - Food Tent
Grab-and-go food items provided by ANEU Kitchens and dining zone.
10 am, 12:30 pm - Live Readings of the Declaration of Independence
Listen to the powerful words that set the American experiment into motion on the lawn behind the Maurice Stephens house.
Shuttle service ends at 1 pm.
Sunday, July 5
Outdoor programming ends at 1 pm.
10 am to 1 pm - Food Tent
Grab-and-go food items provided by ANEU Kitchens and dining zone.
Shuttle service ends at 1 pm.
Getting Around
Ride the Park Shuttle!
Ride the free hop-on/hop-off shuttle to five locations around the park on July 3, 4, and 5 2026.
Shuttle service at the Maurice Stephens House begins at 9:48 am each day. No additional shuttles will drop-off at the Maurice Stephens House after 12 noon on July 3, and after 1 pm on July 4 and 5.
Shuttles run every 20 minutes on Friday, July 3 and Sunday, July 5.
Shuttles run every 10 minutes on Saturday, July 4.
STOP 1 - The Visitor Center at Valley Forge
Shuttle stop located in the main visitor center parking lot near the restrooms and bicycle rental. Exit the parking lot and follow the paved path to the visitor center building and Visitor Gateway programming.
STOP 2 - Muhlenberg's Brigade
Shuttle stop located in the Muhlenberg's Brigade parking lot along North Outer Line Drive. Cross North Outer Line Drive at the pedestrian crosswalk to access the log huts, living history demonstrations, and the storytelling firepit.
STOP 3 - National Memorial Arch
Shuttle stop located in the bus parking lot along South Outer Line Drive. Follow the paved path up to the arch.
STOP 4 - Washington's Headquarters
Shuttle stop located in the passenger pick-up/drop-off turnaround down the hill near the train station building. The Valley Forge Train Station, the Commander-in-Chief's Guard Huts, and the George Washington statue are all accesible from paved pathways. The Isaac Potts House (Washington's Headquarters building) is closed for restoration.
STOP 5 - Maurice Stephens House
Shuttle service to Maurice Stephens ends at 12 noon on July 3 and 1 pm on July 4 and 5.
Shuttle stop located down the access road in the Maurice Stephens parking lot along Route 23. No private vehicle access.
Park shuttles are ADA accessible and provide a lift in the back for wheelchairs and motorized scooters. NOTE: The grounds at National Memorial Arch (Shuttle Stop 3) and the Maurice Stephens House (Shuttle Stop 5) have steep pathways and uneven terrain that may not be suitable for all assistive devices.
Ride-Hailing Services
The pick-up/drop-off location for rideshares at Muhlenberg's Brigade is located in the Muhlenberg's Brigade parking lot near the pedestrian crosswalk.
Learn more about using ride-hailing services at Valley Forge
Safety & Accessibility
We want you to have a safe and fun experience celebrating Valley Forge National Historical Park's 50th birthday! Here are some important safety and accessibility considerations to plan for over the 4th of July weekend.
In Case of Emergency Dial 9-1-1
No matter the emergency, calling 9-1-1 is always the best way to get help quickly.
Hot Weather
Weather at Valley Forge in July is very hot and humid with temperatures regularly reaching 90 degrees or hotter. Most of the celebrations and special programming takes place outside.
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Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and eating salty snacks.
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Keep your body temperature under control by limiting your physical exertion, taking breaks in the shade, and spending time in an air conditioned building.
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Rest inside the Visitor Center at Valley Forge, it's air conditioned!
Separated Parties and Missing Children
If you lose a child or become separated from the rest of your group, find a ranger!
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National park rangers and other event staff will be easy to identify and they will help reunite you with your group or lost child.
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Bright yellow tents at Muhlenberg's Brigade and the National Memorial Arch will serve as meetup locations and provide general event information and visitor services.
Limited Parking
Parking will be limited. Follow instructions from parking attendants when you enter the park. After you park your vehicle, head to the nearest shuttle stop to ride the free hop-on, hop-off shuttle to the program locations around the park.
Accessible Parking
All public parking lots in the park have spaces reserved for accessible parking.
Visiting With Limited Mobility
Park shuttles are ADA accessible and provide a lift in the back for wheelchairs and motorized scooters.
The area around the house consists of largely unshaded, uneven natural terrain made up of grass and dirt. It is approximately 230 feet from the shuttle stop to the food area in the paved parking lot and 420 feet to the declaration‑reading location behind the house. Food service is located in a paved parking lot. Natural surfaces are uneven, compacted dirt and grass, with no accessible paths. Mobility‑device users should expect mixed surface conditions but generally few steep grades. Visitors using mobility devices may require assistance.