Bonus Fact … in honor of George Washington’s Birthday!
“George Washington Slept Here” was the name of a funny and well received theatrical film released in 1942 starring famed 20th century comedian Jack Benny in the lead role. By that year the popular, well-worn phrase had become a bit of a source of amusement as it seemed all sorts of places throughout the country were erroneously claiming the illustrious honor of having hosted our first president.
And so it continued for the better half of the 20th century. But all of that changed as over the decades the phrase seemed to fade away along with many of the erstwhile claims of the late president’s visitations.
But in Upper Merion, though largely ignored or forgotten the words remain undisputed fact. For George Washington did indeed sleep here. Valley Forge Park lies largely within Upper Merion Township boundaries. And of course George Washington occupied the Isaac Potts house there as his headquarters during the encampment at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-1778.
But more than that. Washington returned after the revolution for the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. On July 30, 1789, along with Gouverneur Morris, a fellow delegate, he visited the family farm of Jane Moore who owned a small home on Moore Road, which during the War for Independence served as General Muhlenberg’s quarters, later the Moore-Irwin Estate and for a number of years housed in expanded form the Upper Merion Cultural Center and Park and Recreation Department.
There on July 31, 1787 the father of his country, while his companion Morris fished in the creek behind the house, traveled over the grounds, revisited the site of the Valley Forge encampment, spoke with local farmers, stayed for two days and dined with the owners of the Moore Farm.
Today the house, like the one in the Jack Benny film is in severely dilapidated condition. It stands empty and forlorn marked by a black and white painted cast iron historical marker beside an overgrown driveway. It seems unlikely Mr. Benny’s co-stars, neither Percy Kilbride, Ann Sheridan or a dog finding a boot with a letter from Washington in it will come along to save the day.
But the fact remains. George Washington slept there. Perhaps one day, that original portion of the house on Moore Road that Washington visited can be saved and renovated. Hopefully one day that empty and decaying piece of township owned property can be reopened to the public.
Perhaps one day, once again at the Moore house the phrase “George Washington Slept Here” can be spoken with confidence and pride.
Old Entrance to UM Cultural Center with Geo. Washington sign
