News Release

Park to Open New Temporary Visitor Center on December 14

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The current Visitor Center (built 1976) is scheduled to undergo renovations beginning in late December 2018.

News Release Date: November 29, 2018
Contact: Jonathan Parker, 610-342-5182

KING OF PRUSSIA, P.A.  – On December 14, 2018 the National Park Service will open a new 5,760 square-foot Visitor Center within Valley Forge National Historical Park.  The opening of this new, temporary facility will enable construction to begin on a $12 million renovation to the current Visitor Center (built 1976).  Visitor services, including The Encampment Store, the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board information desk, public tours and the park orientation film will continue uninterrupted in the new Visitor Center.  The new Visitor Center is located 800 feet from the current Visitor Center (1976).  

“We’re excited to open this new facility and begin renovations to our existing Visitor Center,” said Superintendent Steven D. Sims.  “Our staff and our park partners have been working hard over the last few months preparing for this relocation and the opening of the new Visitor Center on December 14th.  This should be a seamless transition for park visitors.  The new Visitor Center is co-located in our main parking lot and offers the same information and orientation services that we provide to park visitors on a daily basis.”

The Encampment Store and the current interpretive exhibits in the Visitor Center (1976) will remain open to the public through December 9, 2018. The Encampment Store will re-open to the pubic in the new Visitor Center on December 14, 2018. The Encampment Store, the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, and the National Park Service will co-manage the new Visitor Center’s retail bookstore, regional travel information desk and park information desk that serve more than 250,000 visitors each year.

The renovations of the existing Visitor Center (1976) will be completed in the late spring of 2020. The $12 million renovation will provide for new windows, new finishes including flooring, carpets and signage, energy efficiency improvements, updated collections storage, expanded physical accessibility, modern fire protection and security systems as well as a new HVAC system.

More information the new temporary Visitor Center is available at go.nps.gov/vafovc

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