Inside George Washington's "First Oval Office": A Miraculous Revolutionary Artifact
Just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum of the American Revolution tells the story of the nation's founding through an incredible, deeply immersive array of exhibits. Since opening on April 19, 2017—the 242nd anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord—the museum has been home to one of the most remarkable surviving artifacts of the 18th century: George Washington's War Tent.
Often referred to as the "First Oval Office," this canvas tent served as Washington's mobile command center and sleeping quarters from mid-1778 until the end of the Revolutionary War. Today, its preservation and dramatic display are considered a triumph of both history and modern engineering.
Life Inside the Command Center
Constructed in Reading, Pennsylvania, during the brutal Valley Forge encampment of 1778, the tent measures 23 feet long, 14 feet wide, and 12 feet tall. It was crafted from durable, grayish flax linen, likely imported from Europe or the Mediterranean, and stitched in a herringbone pattern.
The interior was highly functional, divided into three distinct rooms: a central office for meetings, a private half-circle sleeping chamber for the General, and a small area for luggage. This third chamber also served as the sleeping quarters for William Lee, Washington's enslaved valet. Lee was constantly at Washington's side throughout the war, managing the mobile headquarters, caring for his uniforms, and safeguarding his papers.
A Miraculous Story of Survival
The fact that this fragile textile survived centuries of war and turmoil is a miracle in itself. Following Washington's death, the tent passed to Martha Washington's grandson, George Washington Parke Custis, who stored it at his Virginia estate, Arlington House. Custis's daughter, Mary Anna, married Confederate General Robert E. Lee and inherited the tent.
When the Civil War broke out and Union soldiers occupied Arlington House, the tent was saved from destruction by Selina Norris Gray, the Lees' enslaved housekeeper, who safeguarded the Washington artifacts. Union troops eventually seized the tent, and it remained in federal possession for nearly 40 years before a prolonged legal battle returned it to the Lee family. In 1909, an Episcopal minister named Rev. W. Herbert Burk purchased it from the Lees for $5,000 to serve as the centerpiece of a new American history museum.
Modern Engineering Meets History
Displaying a 250-year-old linen tent without causing it to collapse or tear presented a massive challenge. To keep the artifact safe, the museum hired the Philadelphia structural engineering firm, Keast & Hood. They designed an innovative, invisible umbrella-like aluminum structure that supports the delicate fabric from the inside out. This system lets the tent drape naturally without putting tension on the historic ropes or canvas.
Today, the tent is housed in a 300-square-foot climate-controlled case inside a dedicated 100-seat theater. Visitors enjoy a stirring 12-minute multimedia presentation with surround sound and theatrical lighting that culminates in the dramatic reveal of the tent itself.
Plan Your Visit
The Museum of the American Revolution is an essential stop for anyone visiting Old City.
- Location: 101 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
- 2026 Admission (Walk-up): Adults $27, Youth (6-17) $14, Children 5 & under are free.
- Tip: Purchasing tickets online in advance drops the adult admission price to $25 and guarantees your preferred entry time.
