The New "Revolutionary Battle" at Valley Forge
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Valley Forge, PA - It's another kind of revolutionary battle at Valley Forge, where George Washington and the Continental Army spent the bitter winter of 1777-78. Plans for the new "American Revolution Center" are marching forward, while park preservation groups are shoring up opposition.
Bill Wade, executive chair of the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees, says the development location is not consistent with the park management plan already in place.
"It says that that area ought to be kept open space, remain part of the cultural landscape and provide natural wildlife and vegetation habitats."
The center had been given preliminary township approval to build a three-story museum, a four-story conference center and a trailhead structure on 78 acres of private land it owns within the boundary of Valley Forge National Historical Park. Last week, the Lower Providence zoning board voted to uphold that approval by denying an appeal by homeowners and the Coalition.
Wade says he worries that visitors might be distracted by the development and not enjoy the interpretive displays and other educational information in the main historical park. The center's developers say it will help establish a buffer zone between the park and busy roads, and will draw some 750,000 visitors to Valley Forge annually.
Wade says the American Revolution Center could set a precedent for similar developments inside parks and historic sites across the country.
"Anything that happens to one is, is in effect, something that happens to the entire system."
The matter, which began hearings in July, is likely headed to court, opponents say.
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