My Valley Forge Story: Mary Jo Daley

Park Superintendent Rose Fennell and guest speakers from Valley Forge's 50th Birthday Opening Ceremony celebration cut the ribbon at the new showcase firepit.

NPS/ G.Purifoy

Pennsylvania State Representative Mary Jo Daley speaks at Valley Forge's 50th Birthday Opening Ceremony on July 3, 2026.

My Valley Forge Story was about my grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins as well as my brothers and sisters and parents. I think that my experiences began back in the days that Valley Forge was a state park and probably more often as a National Park. We visited Valley Forge for picnics and family get togethers. We were a big family, so we needed the space that Valley Forge provided. We had room to relish all the activities that kids do - hiking, playing ball, rolling down hills and looking into the huts. I remember thinking about how hard their life must have been especially in the cold of winter as they learned how to be soldiers.

It was wonderful to be with you and your staff and my colleagues and visitors on July 3. Thank you for including me. Also, we had a reading of the Declaration of Independence in Narberth on July 4. We had kids ranging in age from six to 13, as well as a local re-enactor and me doing the reading before the Narberth fireworks. It was exhilarating to listen to the kids and to read those amazing words. I think it went very well and I hope that Narberth can make it a tradition.

Tags: valley forge national historical park, my valley forge story, vf50, 50 years of valley forge