Built during World War II as a temporary military hospital, Valley Forge General Hospital (currently home to Valley Forge University and Charlestown Park) would live on to serve American soldiers through Korea, the Cold War, and Vietnam. Jack Ertell, Archives Chairman and former President of the Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area, will trace the hospital’s decades of service and its fate after its closing by the Department of Defense in the early 1970s. Using photos from the historical society’s archives, the presentation will show the vastness of the hospital complex, its notable achievements and some lesser-known facts in its history.

Jack Ertell is a former president of the Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area and presently is on their Board of Directors. He serves as the society's Archives Chairman, editor and principal writer of their newsletter, and in many other capacities. A resident of the Phoenixville area for over fifty years, he was a teacher and administrator at the Phoenixville Area High School and later taught as an Adjunct Instructor of History for both Montgomery County and Delaware County Community colleges. He holds a degree in history and political science from Albright College and a master’s degree in American and European history from West Chester University, with additional graduate studies at Temple University, West Chester University, and Penn State University.

He has been married for 55 years and has three children and two grandchildren. Active in the Phoenixville community, he holds or has held leadership positions with several community organizations.

This program is brought to you by Atglen, Avon Grove, Chester Springs, Oxford, and Spring City Public Libraries, who participate collaboratively to bring you exceptional programming!

Registration is required and will open 4 weeks prior to the event.

You may register online in the event calendar for any of the above libraries. If your library's registration is closed, please select another library from the list above.

You will receive a Zoom meeting invitation 2 hours before the event at the email address you provide during registration. A Zoom account is not required to participate.

   This program is virtual.