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Mission Statement
The Friends of Valley Forge Park assists the National Park Service in its mission to preserve and protect Valley Forge National Park by advocating for the Park, raising funds and public awareness and providing volunteers for educational programs and Park projects.
Board Of Directors
Click here for a list of Board members
History of the Friends
The Friends of Valley Forge Park was chartered on January 26, 1976 and endorsed by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission on February 18, 1976.
The Friends is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization registered with the Internal Revenue Service - Tax ID #23-2036005.
The Friends began a revitalization of the organization in 2006. Efforts focused on increasing the number of memberships, engaging the community in a Shared Stewardship of the Park, and becoming an advocate for the Park.
The number of memberships in The Friends grew from approximately 50 in early 2006 to over 500 by early 2008 and moving toward 1,000 and beyond.
The Friends of Valley Forge Park works closely with the National Park Service. Each year the Park staff develops an annual needs list of projects for which The Friends provides funding.
The Friends seeks to raise funds through memberships, individual, corporate and foundation contributions, special events, and sales of specialty license plates.
Thousands of visitors provide anonymous support through donation boxes in the park.
The Friends coordinates volunteers who provide assistance with programs and projects that benefit Valley Forge National Park.
Project Highlights
2008:
- Funding provided for the renovation of the Washington’s Headquarters area:
- The Friends donated $50,000 for the audio/visual display to be installed in the renovated historic train station, which will function as a visitor portal to the Washington’s Headquarters area. the Encampment Store, a close partner of The Friends, donated another $50,000 to the project.
- The Friends donated $50,000 for the construction of a connector trail through the Headquarters area. it will extend the Joseph Plumb Martin Trail and connect it with the Valley Stream Trail.
- Through the National Park Service’s Centennial Challenge Initiative, Congress provided matching funds for the above two projects, making our $150,000 in donations worth a $300,000 investment in Valley Forge Park.
- With the gracious help of the Valley Forge Convention and Visitor Bureau, the third annual Revolutionary Run raised $31,000 for trails within the Park.
- The Friends assumed sponsorship of the Park’s Cell Phone Tour, which provides visitors with 24 hour a day access to the story of Valley Forge and the Park.
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