named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Annual Encampment
Yearly gathering in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, featuring historical tours, a memorial service at Washington Memorial Chapel, a banquet, and family activities to celebrate the society's mission and accomplishments.
Member Illustrated Poem Contest
Annual contest for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade members to write and illustrate a poem about Valley Forge, with cash prizes for winners.
Member Scholarship Program
College and vocational scholarships awarded to members and their eligible family members based on academic merit, extracurricular involvement, and an essay on Valley Forge history.
Wreaths Across America Participation
Annual event on December 19 where members place wreaths at the Washington Memorial Chapel to honor veterans, in partnership with the Valley Forge Park Alliance and other patriotic organizations.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Memorial and Veteran Honor Services 2 activities
- Honors ancestors' service at Valley ForgeOrganizes commemorative activities and maintains historical records to honor the service of patriot ancestors who wintered at Valley Forge between December 19, 1777, and June 19, 1778.
- Organizes annual wreath-laying ceremoniesPlaces wreaths at Valley Forge National Historical Park and the Washington Memorial Chapel as part of the Wreaths Across America event on December 19, with setup on December 18 and cleanup on January 16; aims to place 1,000 wreaths by 2026.
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History Education Curriculum Development 1 activity
- Administers educational programs and activities for membersOffers educational resources including an interactive Valley Forge encampment scene with over 55 clickable links, downloadable puzzles, an interactive maze, and an illustrated poem contest for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade members to promote engagement with Revolutionary War history.
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Historic Site Public Programming 1 activity
- Hosts annual Encampment events at Valley ForgeOrganizes an annual summer Encampment featuring site tours, a memorial service at the Washington Memorial Chapel, a picnic with the Valley Forge Park Alliance, a banquet, family-friendly programming, and hospitality events including reserved hotel blocks and a Commander-in-Chief's suite; the event fosters fellowship and commemorates the Society's founding and ancestral legacy.
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Membership Program Administration 1 activity
- Offers non-voting membership and donor recognitionProvides a non-voting membership category for supporters who are not eligible for full membership and offers donor recognition including certificates, lapel pins, digital newsletter subscriptions, and invitations to the annual meeting.
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Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
- Presents history awards to studentsRecognizes student engagement with history through the presentation of history awards during annual events and programming.
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Local High School Scholarship Programs 1 activity
- Provides scholarships to members and their familiesAwards scholarships to members and their eligible family members based on academic merit, extracurricular involvement, volunteer service, and society participation; applicants must submit an essay on “Unsung Heroes of Valley Forge” by May 1, 2026, and may attend trade, vocational, community college, college, or university.
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Historic Preservation Support Grants 1 activity
- Supports Valley Forge Park Alliance and historical conservationContributes funding and support to the Valley Forge Park Alliance and has provided funding for specific conservation efforts, including William Trego's painting "March to Valley Forge" in 2011.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Manages membership and lineage verificationOffers full and junior (under 18) membership to individuals who prove lineal descent from patriots who wintered at Valley Forge; verifies ancestral service for membership applications and maintains the DVF Ancestors Roll and other lineage records to support eligibility determinations.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$66K
Contributions & grants$12K19%
Program service revenue——
Investment income$5K7%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$50K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out$13K
balance sheet
Total assets$300K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$300K
5 years on record · 2021–2025 · YoY revenue -11.3%
relationships · 32
Who they work with
- Civil Air Patrol 1007th Griffin Composite Partner — Participates in supporting the Wreaths Across America event at Valley Forge.
- EcoLab Partner — Supports the Wreaths Across America event at Valley Forge through partnership.
- General Society of Colonial Wars Network — Lineage documentation from this society is accepted as proof for membership applications.
- General Society of Mayflower Descendants Network — Lineage documentation from this society is accepted as proof for membership applications.
- Hilton Garden Inn – Valley Forge/Oaks Partner — Provides discounted lodging for Society members during the 2026 Encampment.
- Jamestowne Society Network — Lineage documentation from this society is accepted as proof for membership applications.
- L3Harris Partner — Supports the Wreaths Across America event at Valley Forge through partnership.
- Lockheed Martin Partner — Supports the Wreaths Across America event at Valley Forge through partnership.
- Museum of the American Revolution Partner — Partner organization where William Trego's "March to Valley Forge" is displayed, supported by the Society's conservation funding.
- National Archives and Records Administration Government — Source for military service records used by applicants to document ancestral service at Valley Forge.
- National Society Daughters of Colonial Wars Network — Lineage documentation from this society is accepted as proof for membership applications.
- National Society Daughters of the American Colonists Network — Lineage documentation from this society is accepted as proof for membership applications.
- National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Network — Lineage documentation from this society is accepted as proof for membership applications.
- National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims Network — Lineage documentation from this society is accepted as proof for membership applications.
- National Society Sons of the American Revolution Network — Lineage documentation from this society is accepted as proof for membership applications.
- National Society Sons of the Revolution Network — Lineage documentation from this society is accepted as proof for membership applications.
- Patriotic Order Sons of America Partner — Partners to ensure the success of the Wreaths Across America event at Valley Forge.
- The Colonial Dames of America Network — Lineage documentation from this society is accepted as proof for membership applications.
- The National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century Network — Lineage documentation from this society is accepted as proof for membership applications.
- The Society of the Cincinnati Network — Lineage documentation from this society is accepted as proof for membership applications.
- Tru by Hilton - Audubon/Valley Forge Partner — Provides discounted lodging for Society members during the 2026 Encampment.
- Valley Forge Chapter DAR Partner — Collaborates on the Wreaths Across America event at Valley Forge.
- Valley Forge National Historical Park Partner — Displays the Muster Roll used by the society for identifying qualifying ancestors at its Visitor Center.
- Valley Forge National Historical Park Partner — Holds the annual Encampment event at the park and includes site tours as part of the programming.
- Valley Forge Park Alliance Partner — Collaborates on programming during the annual Encampment, including a shared picnic event.
- Valley Forge Park Alliance Partner — Collaborates with the Valley Forge Park Alliance, which maintains a separate Muster Roll, while affirming both organizations are distinct entities.
- Valley Forge Park Alliance Partner — Partners to support the Wreaths Across America event at Valley Forge.
- Valley Forge Park Alliance Partner — Receives contributions from the Society of the Descendants of Washington's Army at Valley Forge.
- Valley Forge Park Alliance Partner — Receives contributions from the Society.
- Washington Memorial Chapel Partner — Collaborates with the organization to lay wreaths honoring modern-day Valley Forge patriots buried and inurned in the churchyard.
+ 2 more
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Commemorative Engagement Through Ritual and Reenactmentmethodology: commemorative_stewardshipBy reviving 18th-century terminology, practices, and annual ceremonies such as the Encampment and Wreaths Across America, the society fosters intergenerational commitment to liberty and historical memory, because immersive, ritual-based experiences deepen emotional connection and public engagement with the past.
- Educational Outreach Through Creative and Interactive Methodsmethodology: arts-based_educationBy using child-friendly materials, illustration contests, and interactive education, the society increases engagement with Revolutionary War history among younger audiences, because creative and age-appropriate formats improve accessibility and retention of historical knowledge.
- Inclusive Support Network for Non-Membersmethodology: inclusive_support_networkBy offering formal recognition and participation pathways for non-eligible supporters, the society expands public involvement and financial sustainability, because inclusive engagement models broaden impact beyond genealogical boundaries while reinforcing the mission of historical commemoration.
- Lineage-Based Membership as Historical Stewardshipmethodology: lineage-based_heritage_preservationBy requiring verifiable lineal descent from a patriot at Valley Forge as a condition of membership, the society preserves historical accuracy and strengthens members' personal investment in Revolutionary War heritage, because shared ancestry creates a unique stewardship responsibility toward remembrance and education.
- Scholarship Selection as Holistic Civic Engagementmethodology: holistic_reviewBy evaluating applicants based on academic performance, volunteerism, extracurricular involvement, and engagement with the society, the scholarship program promotes active citizenship, because combining merit with demonstrated commitment reinforces the values of service and historical responsibility.