A plea to protect Valley Forge site

0 Comments | Philadelphia Inquirer, The, April, 2008 | by Howard Shapiro and Nancy Petersen Inquirer Staff Writers

At winter's end in 1778, the Continental Army had survived bitter Valley Forge weather and would go on to win the war for independence. At winter's end in 2008, the struggle at Valley Forge challenges the way we honor that winter long ago:

Who can build on some of that land - and what will they be permitted to build?

Valley Forge National Historical Park is the first example cited by the National Parks Conservation Association in a report, issued yesterday, cataloguing its concerns about private land within the boundaries of 55 national parks and what is to become of it. The association is asking Congress to appropriate $100 million so that the National Park Service can begin buying the land before private developers make plans for it.

The conservation group...