King of Prussia, Pa. - Valley Forge National Historical Park dedicated its newly renovated visitor center with the opening its museum exhibition in the park visitor center on Feb. 16, 2022. The park held an outdoor ribbon cutting ceremony with park leadership, partners, and local elected officials to celebrate this momentous occasion.
Renovations to the visitor center include updated restrooms, efficient lighting, and improved spaces for park staff and partners. The visitor center was originally dedicated in 1976, and this is the first major renovation in its history.
The most significant change is a brand-new museum exhibition telling the history of the 1777-1778 winter encampment of the Continental Army, and how the citizens of Pennsylvania worked to preserve Valley Forge in the following decades. This will also be the first time many objects from the George C. Neumann and John F. Reed Collections of Revolutionary War artifacts will be on public display since the renovations began. Accompanying the artifacts are new accessible display panels, interactive videos, a toy log hut building activity, and a complete audio walkthrough for visually impaired visitors.
“We are excited to welcome visitors into this beautiful new space that has been the result of years of hard work. With this new exhibit, our rangers can better tell all the diverse stories that took place here in Valley Forge," said park Visitor and Community Engagement Director Adam Gresek.
The dedication also closely coincides with the February 21 observance of Washington’s Birthday. From 10AM to 3PM on Monday Feb. 21, visitors to the park can tour the exhibition and have a celebratory cupcake provided by the Culinary Arts Institute of Montgomery County or wish George himself a happy birthday.
- NPS -
Tags: valley forge valley forge national historical park dedication dedication ceremony ribbon cutting visitor center museum exhibits museum artifacts valley forge park alliance montgomery county tourism and convention board park partners elected officials the encampment store
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
