Hello and welcome to our virtual park visitors!
The 1777-78 winter encampment of the Continental Army at Valley Forge was one of the turning points of the American Revolution. When citizens first convened in the 1870s to protect Valley Forge, their common vision was the preservation of a significant and meaningful place that had inspired the Continental Army a century earlier. Now, because of the foresight of those citizens, Valley Forge continues to inspire Americans more than a century later. Since the founding of the park, citizens have come together many times to advocate for it and to protect its important resources from threats. The tradition of citizen stewardship continues today as park partners and volunteers participate in the ongoing work of preservation and interpretation. Each of them shares the vision of the park as a meaningful place of inspiration, refuge, commemoration, release, and pleasure.
Congress entrusted the duty and honor of preserving Valley Forge to the National Park Service in 1976. Our job here is to preserve the park and its historic and natural resources and to provide you with a fulfilling experience. We are committed to save Valley Forge not only for present generations, but for many generations to come. You are part of our management of the park, and this website is an important resource in sharing information.
The park is experiencing a period of transition as we make major capital investments in rehabilitating the Washington’s Headquarters area and other essential historic resources; completing a deer management plan that will enable the restoration of natural resources; and working with regional partners to alleviate traffic congestion in and around the park. In this section of the website, you’ll find current information on these and many other initiatives and management issues. Please take time to read about them—I think you will be surprised, and I hope, pleased at how much is underway.
Sincerely,
Mike Caldwell
Superintendent
Valley Forge National Historical Park
