valley forge national historical park overview

VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK OVERVIEW
In the 1870’s, concerned citizens convened
with a vision to protect and preserve something
of Valley Forge – the encampment of America’s
“first army.” At best, they hoped their efforts would
ensure meaning and reverence to the importance of
Valley Forge in our nation’s history. Little did they
know that their vision would result in Valley Forge
becoming Pennsylvania’s first state park in 1893.
During the bicentennial celebration, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania gave the park as a gift to
the nation, and the National Park Service officially
assumed management of the park on July 4, 1976.
The Friends of Valley Forge Park were chartered
and endorsed by the Pennsylvania Historical and
Museum Commission on February 18, 1976. From
a fledgling group of 75, we have grown to over
2,500 supporters located in 42 states throughout the
United States, and continue to honor the legacy of
citizen-shared responsibility to protect and preserve
Valley Forge National Historical Park.
VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK OVERVIEW
■ Commemorates one of the most defining events in our nation’s
history: the encampment of the Continental Army at Valley Forge
from December 1777 – June 1778.
■ Attracts 1.9 million visitors a year who enjoy the beauty, history,
trails and recreational resources of the Park. One-third are
regional repeat users.
■ Contributes $21 million to the local economy, generating over $7
million in wages and salaries, and supporting over 600 jobs in the
local area.
■ Represents one of the largest open spaces in southeastern
Pennsylvania with over 3,500 acres containing habitats for
hundreds of plants and animals including 200 species of birds.
■ Contains a complete educational and recreational experience
including 26 miles of trails and a variety of programs to engage
visitors with the history of the Park.
■ Plays an increasingly strong role in the quality of life of the
entire region on issues ranging from natural resources, to traffic
congestion to economic development.
■ Continues to promote the tradition of citizen-shared
responsibility by providing meaningful volunteer opportunities
for individuals, families and businesses to participate in the
ongoing work of preservation, conservation and interpretation.
■ Remains open to the public at no charge, unlike most other
National Parks.
■ Welcomes and is committed to partnerships with the local
business community.
T H E
F U T U R E
The Park’s twenty-year general management plan is currently underway and will
achieve the following objectives through the work and contributions of Park
partners and volunteers, enhancing our community as a whole.
PRE SE RVE T HE PARK’S HISTORIC RE SO U RCE S
■ Continue to make the museum collection more widely
available through the web, social media outlets and a new
exhibit space in the Visitor Center
■ Continue public archeological research and excavation
■ Advance efforts to lease or adaptively reuse historic
structures in the Park (PC Knox Estate, Waggonseller,
and Kennedy-Supplee properties)
E NHANCE T H E VI SI TO R E XP E RI E N C E
■ Ensure that African-American, Native American, and
women’s experiences at Valley Forge and natural resource
themes are reflected in core interpretive and educational
experiences
■ Expand educational outreach through curriculum
development, teacher education, and experiential,
place-based learning
■ Implement best-practices for education technology
■ Address boundary encroachment issues
and social media
■ Commence implementation of rehabilitation of
MANAGE NATURAL RESOURCES FOR BIO-DIVERSITY
■ Continue management of the white-tailed deer herd to a
level at which forests can be sustained
■ Rehabilitate St. Gabe’s meadow as a part of park-wide
initiates to maximize the value of these habitats
■ Commence remediation of the Asbestos Release Site and
plan for the post-remediation visitor access
Muhlenberg’s Brigade and Ft. John Moore
■ Initiated construction of Betzwood pedestrian bridge
across the Schuylkill River
■ Complete construction drawings for a remodel of
the current Visitor Center and seek funding for
implementation of early action projects
FRIENDS ACCOMPLISHMENTS
SPONSORSHIP & FUNDING
Donated over $50,000 for park-wide trail work facilitating a
congressional matching grant through the NPS Centennial
Challenge Program.
FUNDRAISING
Secured $15,000 in
corporate funding to
underwrite park-wide
summer programming
and participate in
Wreaths Across America.
Initiated Shelter our History – a $60,000 capital campaign
to build a much needed open-air pavilion in the Park that
will accommodate visitors and provide outdoor classroom
space.
Sponsor of the Valley Forge Convention and Visitor
Bureau -Mile Revolutionary Run, held annually in the
Park, generating over $150,000 for the Park-wide projects
in the past five years.
Provided over $10,000 for
newly revised trail map for
visitors to navigate, explore
and enjoy the Park.
Provided $50,000 for the
multimedia production and
exhibits at the Valley Forge
Train Station located
adjacent to Washington’s
Headquarters.
Generated $62,000 from corporate and private sources for
Save America’s Treasures Match Grant to restore and
conserve 18th Century documents and manuscripts from
the American Revolution.
Initiated first-of-its-kind national fundraising campaign in
partnership with Thomas Fleming, prize-winning author
and historian and former President of the Society of
American Historians, generating over 400 supporters
nationwide to the cause of ensuring the pivotal events that
took place at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777–78 are
forever protected, preserved and promoted at Valley Forge
National Historical Park.
E D U C AT I O N A L P R O G R A M S
Sponsor Valley Forge National Historical Park Cell Phone
Tour allowing visitors to discover the Park’s many stories
24/7 from the convenience of their cell phone.
Provided leadership and
funding for a new Muster
Roll website allowing
online visitors to learn
about and search for the
soldiers and officers
present at the Valley
Forge encampment.
Presented Friends Speaker Series, now in its fourth year,
featuring a wide range of speakers and topics related to the
American Revolution, history, the natural world and the
ongoing commemoration of Valley Forge.
Initiated Muhlenberg Days to bring
the replicated huts at the Brigade site to
life through re-enactors, cooking,
weaving, and interactive activities to
entertain and educate people of all ages.
Presented annual summer Lunch and
Learn series for visitors at the Park
Initiated Home School Day at the Park, serving over 900
students and parents in its inaugural year
PA R T N E R S H I P S
Merged with the Valley Forge Interpretive Association
which provides programming in the Park and outreach
activities at local schools.
Merged with the Valley
Forge Historical Society and
now serves as steward of the
Valley Forge Historical
Society archives.
Established a new association
with The American Revolutionary Center and coordinated the temporary exhibition of William Trego’s
painting, The March to Valley
Forge in the Visitor Center.
VOLUNTEER
Provided over , hours of volunteer time to support
trail work, provide visitor programs and assist with maintenance resource management projects.
Developed the Young Friends,
a new group of volunteers
aged 21 to 40, who implement
park-wide work projects,
organize social activities and
provide leadership for the
-mile Youth Fun Run that
has engaged over 400 youth
in the past five years.
Provided ongoing volunteer
hours to research and authenticate new inquiries to the
Muster Roll plus update and
maintain the website, which
has received over 250,000
visits since 2011.
Working with the King of
Prussia Chapter of the
Lockheed Martin Network
of Volunteer Associates
(NOVA), provided over 200
hours to restore and repair
the beloved huts of Valley
Forge from the damage of
time, weather and insects.
ADVOCACY & COMMUNITY
VO I C E F O R T H E PA R K
Provide advocacy and support for
the Park to Federal, State and local
officials.
Create a presence at local events,
festivals and farmer’s markets to
promote Park activities and the
importance of supporting Valley
Forge National Historical Park
Work with our local congressmen to secure , for
Park trails from Federal Highway Fund and $1.4 million to
begin the process of renovating and expanding the current
Visitor Center.
Work with state officials and private companies to repair,
renovate and paint the iconic Covered Bridge in the Park.
Work with the National Parks Conservation Association
which advocates for national parks by promoting awareness
of their importance and preservation and building support
for their vital care.