[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 138 (Tuesday, October 6, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S11584]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SPECTER (for himself and Mr. Santorum):
  S. 2557. A bill to authorize construction and operation of the Valley 
Forge Museum of the American Revolution at Valley Forge National 
Historical Park, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Environment and Public Works.


       valley forge museum of the american revolution act of 1998

 Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, today I introduce the Valley Forge 
Museum of the American Revolution Act of 1998, which authorizes the 
Secretary of Interior to enter into an agreement with the private, non-
profit Valley Forge Historical Society to construct and operate this 
museum and visitor center within the boundaries of Valley Forge 
National Historical Park.
  I have worked closely with Congressman Weldon on this legislation, 
and the Valley Forge Museum of the American Revolution Act included in 
the Omnibus National Parks and Public lands Act currently being 
considered in the House of Representatives.
  This museum will combine the holdings of the Valley Forge National 
Historical Park and the Valley Forge Historical Society, making it the 
largest collection of Revolutionary War era artifacts in the world. The 
Valley Forge Historical Society, established in 1918, has a long 
history of service to the park, and has amassed one of the best 
collections of artifacts, art, books, and documents relating to the 
1777-1778 encampment of George Washington's Continental Army at Valley 
Forge, the American Revolution, and the American colonial era. Their 
collection is currently housed in a facility that is inadequate to 
properly maintain, preserve, and display the Society's ever-growing 
collection. Construction of a new facility will rectify this situation.
  This project is supported by local officials, and a new facility is 
part of Valley Forge National Historical Park's General Management 
Plan, which has identified inadequacies in the park's current visitor 
center and calls for the development of a new or significantly 
renovated museum and visitor center. The museum will educate an 
estimated 500,000 visitors a year about the critical events surrounding 
the birth of our nation. Currently, there is no museum in the United 
States dedicated to the American Revolution, and I believe it is 
important that Congress provide the authorization to bring this 
worthwhile project to fruition.
  This legislation authorizes the Valley Forge Historical Society to 
operate the museum in cooperation with the Secretary of Interior. This 
project will directly support the historical, educational, and 
interpretive activities and needs of Valley Forge National Historical 
Park and the Valley Forge Historical Society while combining two 
outstanding museum collections.
  Mr. President, this legislation holds enormous potential for 
visitors, scholars, and researchers to the park. I therefore urge my 
colleagues to support this bill.
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