The Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board presented a $54,000 donation check to Valley Forge National Historical Park at the U.S. National Memorial Arch Wednesday morning.

The donation is comprised entirely of proceeds from the 12th Annual Valley Forge Revolutionary 5-Mile Run (Rev Run), an event that has raised more than $300,000 for Park and Visitor Center improvements since its inception.

The event also served as an introduction of the Park’s new Superintendent and two-time Rev Run participant, Steven Sims.

This event also celebrated the 100th anniversary of the U.S. National Memorial Arch, a significant historical landmark in Rev Run’s five-mile course.

Designed by Paul Philippe Cret, the National Memorial Arch was built to commemorate the arrival of General George Washington and his Continental Army into Valley Forge.

The day also included a special storytelling performance from Historic Philadelphia, Inc. (HPI), as a portion of the donated Rev Run funds will support HPI’s “Once Upon a Nation” storytelling program in the Park for the 2017 season.

Proceeds from Rev Run will also support various improvement projects in the Park, including:

• HPI’s free seasonal storytelling program “Once Upon a Nation” and interactive “Secrets and Spies” family program
• Enabling future maintenance needs for Sullivan’s Bridge over the Schuylkill River
• Expanding the outdoor garden in front of the Visitor Center entrance
• Designing and fabricating new park information and orientation panels at the new “Mid-Way Kiosk” along the trail between the Visitor Center and parking lot
• Designing and fabricating public trailhead and overlook improvements as part of a new Meadow Trail/Meadow Management Plan