National Park Service, Northeast Region
Valley Forge National Historical Park, Pennsylvania
A strategic master and interpretive plan, which included an innovative partnership with the private, nonprofit National Center for the American Revolution.
Project Highlights:
- In recent years, the 3,400-acre park has experienced declining federal funding, a fall-off in visits, limited historic interpretation, and the deterioration or closing of historic structures. During the same period, recreational use has risen. The build-out of surrounding suburbs has increased traffic congestion in the heart of the park, which has also experienced environmental degredation and an increase in the deer population.
- Goody Clancy worked with the National Park Service during the initial phases of the project in revising the General Management Plan to take better advantage of Valley Forge NHS’s unique partnership with the National Center for the American Revolution.
Strategy:
Realize the full potential of the partnership by:
- identifying and expanding access to greater funding opportunities;
- developing economic strategies that capitalize on regional and national tourism markets; and
- enriching the visitor experience through development of a new museum, visitor center, and enhanced interpretive program.
The study team met with key stakeholders and surrounding communities, held public meetings, published newsletters, organized seminars, and led workshops to develop conceptual management alternatives.
The result of these joint efforts will be a robust, multidimensional experience that uses a more comprehensive interpretation strategy to establish Valley Forge National Historical Park as the gateway to the American Revolution.