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The American Revolution Center at Valley Forge is the first comprehensive presentation of the Revolutionary War, including the events and ideas that led up to the conflict and its consequences through history and for our future. The campus, envisioned as a showcase for environmentally responsible design, includes a museum, a study and conference center with guest rooms for scholars and other visitors, a trailhead stop for hiking and biking trails, and outdoor exhibits that present the lessons of the sustainable landscape. The 78-acre site slopes down the north bank of the Schuylkill River, opposite the Grand Parade grounds, where the Continental Army troops wintered in 1777-78. The bowl-shaped topography protects the Center from the visual and aural intrusions of the surrounding contemporary suburban landscape and allows new buildings that do not interfere with the historical landscape. Visitors are introduced to the lessons of the sustainable site at a permeable parking area that retains and reuses rainfall. Leaving their cars, visitors will pass by a Welcome Center that doubles as a trailhead for the Schuylkill River Trail, a natural corridor that connects the site to downtown Philadelphia. The 130,000-square-foot museum building is approached along a gently sloping path lined with markers that introduce key events leading up to the Revolution. The Museum's glass wall reveals a reception area, ticketing, visitor services, and a gift shop. An orientation gallery provides information about Valley Forge, and an auditorium dedicated to educational programs seats 300. A sequence of easily-negotiated stepped ramps leads visitors to the Great Hall on the second floor, a soaring space with continuous glazing that will provide panoramic views to the Park and the region. Opening off the Great Hall is a 350-seat theater housing an introductory multimedia show which combines live actors with advanced audiovisual techniques. A stepped series of galleries tells the story of the Revolution and displays major artifacts such as George Washington's campaign tent. The visitor's journey culminates on a terrace overlooking the surrounding landscape. Warped planes are carved out of the land to form an organic, dynamic composition that maximizes views outward to the historic site and minimizes disruption to the views from the site. Pennsylvania bluestone and hardwoods – and the potential for a vegetated roof – contribute to the building's environmentally responsive design. There will be many distinct users groups, each of which will contribute to the Center's educational mission. Members of the general public will visit the museum and walk the grounds. Scholars, researchers, and those who wish to explore the meaning of the Revolution and the Center's resources in greater depth will have the opportunity to gather for meetings, organize conferences, and even serve as scholars in residence at the Conference Center building. Artifacts not on display at the Museum will be conserved here for scholarly research. Other visitors will use the park and its environs primarily for recreation: biking, hiking, bird watching, and related activities.
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