Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates

ABOUT

The Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates (BBPA) was founded in 1971 by a dedicated group of volunteers in support of the Brandywine Battlefield Park. The mission of the BBPA is to preserve, interpret and share the impact of the enduring story of the Battle of the Brandywine, the largest and longest single day land battle of the American Revolution.

BBPA fulfills this mission through its work providing educational and historical programs to all visitors, both onsite and online. Their exceptional living history programs, provided at the Brandywine Battlefield Park, and through community outreach, bring the momentous events of the 18th century to life.

Brandywine Battlefield Park (the Park) is a Pennsylvania historic site located in Chadds Ford, just a short 30-mile drive from Philadelphia. This park, a National Historic Landmark, is set on 52 beautiful acres with an excellent visitor’s center where guests can enjoy an 18-mimute orientation video before touring the site. In addition, there are two historic homes at the Park and are well worth seeing. The Benjamin Ring house was used by General George Washington for his headquarters during the battle and the Gideon Gilpin House is associated with the Marquis de Lafayette.

HISTORY

The Battle of the Brandywine was the central battle of the 1777 British Philadelphia Campaign and fought on September 11, 1777. It was the largest single day land battle of the American Revolution with over 30,000 troops engaged in the fighting over an area of approximately fifty square miles.

The British Army under Sir William Howe had landed at Head of Elk, Maryland, the northern extreme of the Chesapeake Bay and roughly 50 miles south of Philadelphia, in late August and headed north.

General Washington deployed his forces in a strong position at Chadd’s Ford and awaited the British. But Howe used a flanking movement, executed by Lord Charles Cornwallis, to go around the Continental Army and attack from the north. Initially caught off guard, Washington and the Continentals responded well, and, with reinforcements led by General Nathanael Greene, the Americans were able to safely retreat to Chester. Although the British won the battle, the Continental Army acquitted itself well, demonstrating to all that Washington’s Army was becoming a formidable force.

GRANT PROJECT

The Americana Corner Preserving America Grant awarded to the Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates supported their “Living History Program” which provides authentic living history experiences focused on the Battle of Brandywine, the largest single day land battle of the American Revolution. The grant helped provide historically correct uniforms and equipment, as well as training and support for the program’s volunteer historical interpreters.

Americana Corner is proud to assist the Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates with their mission to preserve the Great American Story and to help our fellow citizens grow their love of country.