Rehabilitate Support Facilities at Washington’s Headquarters

This project includes changes to existing parking lots and circulation; enhancement of the cultural landscape; rehabilitation of the historic Valley Forge Train Station as a visitor orientation space; rehabilitation or addition of rest rooms; and the addition of interpretive elements on the history of the encampment and the village.

Trees at the Washington’s Headquarters Area

If you have stopped by the Washington’s Headquarters area recently, you’ve probably been startled by the removal of many of the large trees from the lawn between headquarters and the north-south tour road. It looks very different from the landscape we all are accustomed to.

Last year, as part of the planning process for the area, landscape architects assessed the condition of every tree. More than half were rated as having problems including loss of canopy vigor, or obvious disease or weakness in their trunks. Almost half were growing in conditions with restricted root space, which likely contributed to the problems seen in the trees. 

The tree work is part of the larger project to make the area a much more educational and engaging place to visit. Once construction is finished in about two years, a new landscape with commemorative and interpretive features, paths, seating, parking—and of course, new, healthy trees—will be in place. The historic train station will be reopened with exhibits describing the leadership of General Washington. 

Fall 2006

Phase I of this project began in late October 2006 and ended in February 2007. It included the removal of a number of trees from the village vicinity; demolition of a walkway; demolition of the road that ran between the major parking lot and the train station; and part of a non-historic wall. At the Train Station, the roof was replaced with a new slate roof and repairs were made to the wooden portions of the exterior. New water and underground electric and telephone lines will be installed.

Clean fill for this and other projects was stockpiled in the field between the amphitheater building and County Line Road.

Spring 2009

Phase II of the project will include demolition of the existing River Road parking lot and construction of a larger parking lot in the same location; construction of a restroom adjacent to the new parking lot; construction of a universally accessible path from the parking lot to the Train Station; construction of a bus drop-off area near the Train Station; completion of underground utility work; landscaping; and the removal of the large lower parking lot.

Fall 2009

The final phase, including new plantings, paths, interpretive landscape features, and exhibitry in the Valley Forge Train Station will continue through the summer of 2009 and will be completed in the fall.

This project was reviewed by the public in Summer 2006 and compliance was completed in September 2006. You may see a detailed description of the project in the environmental assessment by visiting http://parkplanning.nps.gov.