Pennsylvania Battlefields Protection Act of 1999
PL 106-86 (H.R.659), enacted 10/31/1999

113 STAT. 1298 
PUBLIC LAW 106-86—OCT. 31, 1999 
Oct. 31, 1999 
[H.R. 659] 
Pennsylvania 
Battlefields 
Protection Act of 
1999. 
16 u s e 410aa 
note. 
Public Law 106-86 
106th Congress 
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 "PennsylvEinia Battlefields Protec-
tion Act of 1999". 
TITLE I—PAOLI AND BRANDYWINE 
BATTLEFIELDS 
SEC. 
1
0
1
. 
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 
"PaoU Battlefield" numbered 80,000 and dated April 1999 (referred 
to in this title as the "Paoli Battlefield"). The map shall be on 
file £ind available for public inspection in the appropriate offices 
of the National Pgirk Service. 
(b) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.— 
The Secretary shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the 
borough of Malvern, Pennsylveinia, for the management by the 
borough of the Paoli Battlefield. The Secretary may provide tech-
nical assistance to the borough of Mgilvem 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 Secreteuy is authorized to provide 
funds to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a political sub-
division of the Commonwealth, or the Brand3nvine Conservancy, 
for the acquisition, protection, and preservation of Isuid in an 
area generally known as the Meetinghouse Road Corridor, 
PUBLIC LAW 106-86—OCT. 31, 1999 
113 STAT. 1299 
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 
16 u s e 410aa 
note. 
16 u s e 410aa 
note. 
113 STAT. 1300 
PUBLIC LAW 106-86—OCT. 31, 1999 
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. 
16 u s e 410aa 
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. 
Approved October 31, 1999. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 659: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 106-139 (Comm. on Resource.s). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 145 (1999): 
June 22, considered and passed House. 
Oct. 14, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Oct. 18, House concurred in Senate amendment.