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In the News

Why Is This Land Important?
The land known as the Perkiomen Peninsula, and particularly the Pawling Farm, played an essential role in the Valley Forge winter encampment of 1777-78. It provided strategic protection for the camp; it was the site of the newly organized Commissary function that saved the Continental Army from starvation; and it was the ultimate site of the encampment itself before the army marched on to victory at Monmouth.
[Read full article]

Help Keep the Spirit Alive
Valley Forge depends on volunteers and others to continue....By Mike Caldwell
Throughout the long, cold, wet day and well into the night of Dec. 19, 1777, thousands of exhausted Continental Army soldiers marched onto the muddy fields of Valley Forge. Without food, water, shelter or winter clothing, and after months of discouraging battles, each soldier must have wondered what his fate would be and whether anyone cared.
[Read full article]

New Slate of Officers Elected by Board at Annual Membership Meeting
On October 10th, the Friends of Valley Forge Park held its annual membership meeting and the Board of Trustees elected the following slate of officers to serve for the next two years:

Chairman:

Don Naimoli

1st Vice Chairman:

Michael Roscoe

2nd Vice Chairman:

Nancy Loan

Treasurer:

Frederick Bluefeld

Secretary:

Anne Kelly

Incoming chairman Don Naimoli made the following brief statement to the members in attendance
[Read full statement]

Superintendent’s Annual Report to the Friends of Valley Forge Park
FY 2007 (October 1, 2006 – September 30, 2007)

Submitted October 10, 2007 by Mike Caldwell
With the completion of the park’s general management plan (GMP), the National Park Service has a well defined set of prioritized actions that enjoy strong public and political support and that will continue to strengthen the park. The most important GMP priorities and the progress made to date in achieving them are the subject of this annual report [Read full report]

New Exhibit at Washington Headquarters Area
An exhibit that looks at the history of the Valley Forge (Mount Joy Forge) and its role in the 1777-1778 encampment is now open. Housed in the stable near Washington Headquarters, the exhibit is currently available for viewing by the public while some additional details are in the process of being completed. As you have probably noticed, the entire Washington’s Headquarters area is undergoing a major renovation that will enhance and expand the visitor’s experience in this area of the Park as well as promote a better understanding of its significance to our nation’s history and its fight for freedom.

Spirit of Valley Forge (Philadelphia Inquirer 07/29/2007)
The day at Valley Forge is drawing to a close. A rainbow frames the eastern sky, the heat from the campfire is mesmerizing, and Cpl. Joseph Plumb Martin of the Continental Army takes center stage.  [Read full article]

Vault Tours Now Open to the Public at VFNHP
For the first time ever two vaults at Valley Forge National Historical Park, storing more than 1,600 Revolutionary-era items, will be open to the public. Visitors will get the story of the American Revolution from a unique standpoint, the nature of the weapons and other artifacts with which the war was fought.[Full details] 

Valley Forge Lands 3 Projects on the Centennial Challenge List
Three proposals from Valley Forge National Historical Park were among 201 proposals announced by National Park Service Director Mary Bomar and Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne. “The National Park Service, has, after a rigorous review, certified these proposals as eligible for centennial challenge matching funds,” Bomar said. “And they are ready to go in Fiscal Year 2008 which begins Oct. 1” Director Bomar said, “The centennial challenge is a critical element in the National Park Centennial Initiative put forward by President Bush and unveiled by Secretary Kempthorne one year ago. The full centennial initiative is a potential $3 billion investment in our national parks, two-thirds of it a public-private partnership of matching money.”
[Full details] 

 
Upcoming Special Events

Washington Memorial Chapel State and Military Commemoration Services
Sundays Fall 2007 Call (610) 783-0120 for more information.


Past News and Events

Visit Ellis Island
October 13, 2007
The Friends of Valley Forge Park is sponsoring a special day trip to Ellis Island. For many of our ancestors, Ellis Island was the first place they set foot on American soil. A visit to the restored building with its many exhibits of immigrant treasures is a moving experience for every American whether or not they have a personal connection. There will be a special tour for the group arranged by Valley Forge Superintendent Mike Caldwell. 

National Public Lands Day
September 29, 2007
Now in its 14th year, National Public Lands Day is the largest annual effort of its kind n the country. A wide range of activates and projects will enable participants to contribute to one of America`s most historically significant public places, Valley Forge National Historical Park. Volunteers and visitors are invited to participate and give back by lending a hand and helping to improve and preserve public lands. Organizations, corporations and individuals are welcome to share in the experience. To learn how you or your group can sponsor a project, please contact the Volunteers-in-Parks Coordinator at 610-783-1065

August 8th, 2007
Congressman Joe Sestak to Address the Friends of Valley Forge Park (Members Only)
Joe Sestak, member of the U.S. House of Representatives, will participate in a Town Meeting with the Friends of Valley Forge Park. As the Representative from Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, his district includes 3/4 of the Park. In addition to being the Park’s major representative in the House, he is also a true friend of the Park. Born and raised in Delaware County, he is very familiar with the Park and it’s meaning to the local community as well as to the country.
The meeting will take place in the Park’s Welcome Center and is exclusively for the membership of the Friends of Valley Forge Park. Please join us. Let’s show the Congressman that we truly care about the Park and what it represents and that we support the treasure that is Valley Forge National Historical Park.
To see a biography of Congressman Sestak, click here.

June 4, 2007
Valley Forge Park to Celebrate Achievements of Washington’s Army At Annual March-Out
Six months after Washington’s Army marched into Valley Forge in the winter of 1777 as a tired, cold,
 ill-equipped, group of 12,000 men, they marched out a highly-trained, fully-outfitted fighting force in pursuit of the British who were moving toward New York. Their efforts will be honored at the 229th annual “March-out” celebration at Valley Forge National Historical Park on June 16 and 17... [more]

June 1, 2007
Valley Forge NHP and Partners Invest Over $235,00 Into Trails Parkwide
Valley Forge National Historical Park (VFNHP) is collaborating with the Friends of Valley Forge Park, Unilever Corporation, Appalachian Mountain Club, Sierra Club and others to enhance and improve the popular network of trails throughout the park. “Through the just-completed General Management Plan, the public made it very clear that the park’s trails are one of its most important features,” stated Superintendent Mike Caldwell. “The trails network serves visitors in many ways, whether they are exploring the history of the park, exercising or simply relaxing.”… [more]

May 11, 2007
Once Upon a Nation Expands to Valley Forge National Historical Park
As Once Upon A Nation enters its third season, an exciting new partnership with Valley Forge National Historical Park will bring Once Upon A Nation’s nationally-renown programming to its second National Park. For more information see:

Once Upon a Nation 2007 Programming

Once Upon a Nation and Valley Forge

Once Upon a Nation Fact Sheet

To see the full Valley Forge National Historical Park Calendar of Events click here