Troop and Sutler Letter

It is our great pleasure to extend an invitation to you for our 30th Hope Lodge Encampment on November 5 and 6, 2011. This is the anniversary of the 1777 Whitemarsh Encampment.

In 1777, the Continental Army was encamped in the area around Hope Lodge from November 2 to December 11. During that six-week period, Hope Lodge served as the headquarters of General John Cochran, Surgeon General for the Middle Division of the Continental Army. Based on surviving records, it is evident that Whitemarsh Estate (Hope Lodge) was the medical headquarters for the Army throughout the encampment.

Please help us to celebrate this historic event, not only in our nation’s history, but also in the history of Hope Lodge. The Encampment will be open to the public from 10am to 4pm each day. As part of the activities for the weekend, we plan to stage skirmishes utilizing earthworks (redoubt and lunette) as well as demonstrate other facets of colonial history and everyday life. If you, or anyone coming with you, would be willing to share expertise during the weekend with demonstrations or presentations on various 18th century topics, (e.g., clothing, textiles, military life, military tactics, 18th century medicine, coopering, transportation, manners, just to name a few), please let us know.

Hope Lodge is a forty-two acre site, so ample space is available for campgrounds. Water, straw, firewood and toilet facilities will be provided. Free doughnuts and coffee will be available to all registered participants 8-10 A.M. each morning. Refreshments and baked goods will be sold during regular operating hours. The Friends of Hope Lodge will continue their tradition of hospitality by inviting all participants to join them on Saturday evening in the Hope Lodge Barn for beverages and snacks in appreciation of the tremendous time and energy you give to our Whitemarsh Encampment Re-enactment.

We need to know as accurately as possible how many participants will be attending, so that we may provide for everyone. Please complete the application form (see box above) as soon as possible in order to have your unit’s name, or your business, included in our Encampment program and our press release materials. The deadline to complete the application is October 15, 2011.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your interest and support of Hope Lodge. We look forward to seeing you in November!

Sincerely,
The Friends of Hope Lodge Whitemarsh Encampment
Co-chairs Jack Gumbrecht and Jack Washington

Hope Lodge
553 S. Bethlehem Pike
Fort Washington, PA 19034