H. R. 659
One Hundred Sixth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE FIRST SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday,
the sixth day of January, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine
An Act
To authorize appropriations for the protection of Paoli and Brandywine Battlefields
in Pennsylvania, to authorize the Valley Forge Museum of the American Revolution
at Valley Forge National Historical Park, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Pennsylvania Battlefields Protec-
tion Act of 1999’’.
TITLE I—PAOLI AND BRANDYWINE
BATTLEFIELDS
SEC. 101. PAOLI BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION.
(a) PAOLI BATTLEFIELD.—The Secretary of the Interior (herein-
after referred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’) is authorized to provide funds
to the borough of Malvern, Pennsylvania, for the acquisition of
the area known as the ‘‘Paoli Battlefield’’, located in the borough
of Malvern, Pennsylvania, as generally depicted on the map entitled
‘‘Paoli Battlefield’’ numbered 80,000 and dated April 1999 (referred
to in this title as the ‘‘Paoli Battlefield’’). The map shall be on
file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices
of the National Park Service.
(b) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—
The Secretary shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the
borough of Malvern, Pennsylvania, for the management by the
borough of the Paoli Battlefield. The Secretary may provide tech-
nical assistance to the borough of Malvern to assure the preserva-
tion and interpretation of the Paoli Battlefield’s resources.
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized
to be appropriated $1,250,000 to carry out this section. Such funds
shall be expended in the ratio of one dollar of Federal funds for
each dollar of funds contributed by non-Federal sources. Any funds
provided by the Secretary shall be subject to an agreement that
provides for the protection of the Paoli Battlefield’s resources.
SEC. 102. BRANDYWINE BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION.
(a) BRANDYWINE BATTLEFIELD.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary is authorized to provide
funds to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a political sub-
division of the Commonwealth, or the Brandywine Conservancy,
for the acquisition, protection, and preservation of land in an
area generally known as the Meetinghouse Road Corridor,
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located in Chester County, Pennsylvania, as depicted on a
map entitled ‘‘Brandywine Battlefield—Meetinghouse Road Cor-
ridor’’, numbered 80,000 and dated April 1999 (referred to
in this title as the ‘‘Brandywine Battlefield’’). The map shall
be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate
offices of the National Park Service.
(2) WILLING SELLERS OR DONORS.—Lands and interests in
land may be acquired pursuant to this section only with the
consent of the owner thereof.
(b) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—
The Secretary shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the
same entity that is provided funds under subsection (a) for the
management by the entity of the Brandywine Battlefield. The Sec-
retary may also provide technical assistance to the entity to assure
the preservation and interpretation of the Brandywine Battlefield’s
resources.
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized
to be appropriated $3,000,000 to carry out this section. Such funds
shall be expended in the ratio of one dollar of Federal funds for
each dollar of funds contributed by non-Federal sources. Any funds
provided by the Secretary shall be subject to an agreement that
provides for the protection of the Brandywine Battlefield’s resources.
TITLE II—VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL
HISTORICAL PARK
SEC. 201. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this title is to authorize the Secretary of the
Interior to enter into an agreement with the Valley Forge Historical
Society (hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Society’’), to construct and
operate a museum within the boundary of Valley Forge National
Historical Park in cooperation with the Secretary.
SEC. 202. VALLEY FORGE MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
AUTHORIZATION.
(a) AGREEMENT AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary of the Interior,
in administering the Valley Forge National Historical Park, is
authorized to enter into an agreement under appropriate terms
and conditions with the Society to facilitate the planning, construc-
tion, and operation of the Valley Forge Museum of the American
Revolution on Federal land within the boundary of Valley Forge
National Historical Park.
(b) CONTENTS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AGREEMENT.—An agree-
ment entered into under subsection (a) shall—
(1) authorize the Society to develop and operate the
museum pursuant to plans developed by the Secretary and
to provide at the museum appropriate and necessary programs
and services to visitors to Valley Forge National Historical
Park related to the story of Valley Forge and the American
Revolution;
(2) only be carried out in a manner consistent with the
General Management Plan and other plans for the preservation
and interpretation of the resources and values of Valley Forge
National Historical Park;
(3) authorize the Secretary to undertake at the museum
activities related to the management of Valley Forge National
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Historical Park, including, but not limited to, provision of appro-
priate visitor information and interpretive facilities and pro-
grams related to Valley Forge National Historical Park;
(4) authorize the Society, acting as a private nonprofit
organization, to engage in activities appropriate for operation
of the museum that may include, but are not limited to,
charging appropriate fees, conducting events, and selling mer-
chandise, tickets, and food to visitors to the museum;
(5) provide that the Society’s revenues from the museum’s
facilities and services shall be used to offset the expenses
of the museum’s operation; and
(6) authorize the Society to occupy the museum so con-
structed for the term specified in the Agreement and subject
to the following terms and conditions:
(A) The conveyance by the Society to the United States
of all right, title, and interest in the museum to be con-
structed at Valley Forge National Historical Park.
(B) The Society’s right to occupy and use the museum
shall be for the exhibition, preservation, and interpretation
of artifacts associated with the Valley Forge story and
the American Revolution, to enhance the visitor experience
of Valley Forge National Historical Park, and to conduct
appropriately related activities of the Society consistent
with its mission and with the purposes for which the Valley
Forge National Historical Park was established. Such right
shall not be transferred or conveyed without the express
consent of the Secretary.
(C) Any other terms and conditions the Secretary deter-
mines to be necessary.
SEC. 203. PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION.
Nothing in this title authorizes the Secretary or the Society
to take any actions in derogation of the preservation and protection
of the values and resources of Valley Forge National Historical
Park. An agreement entered into under section 202 shall be con-
strued and implemented in light of the high public value and
integrity of the Valley Forge National Historical Park and the
National Park System.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.