Five Valley Forge National Historical Park employees were laid off in February of this year as part of the firing of over 1,000 National Park Service personnel, writes Melissa Jacobs for Main Line Tonight.
Two of the terminated staff members were actively working on restoration projects or data management tasks that would directly benefit Valley Forge Park.
One staff member, Jessica Malarik Fair, worked as a historical architect. She was managing the restoration of several historical structures throughout the park to ultimately lease out as event or office spaces, a role that she started in September 2024.
Similarly, an employee known as Heather worked as an archives technician. She reorganized Valley Forge’s records and filing system, a role she held for exactly one year until the layoffs.
A prominent historical site, Valley Forge Park makes powerful contributions to the local economy. Visitors spending in the park’s surrounding neighborhoods generated $27.2 million and supported over 400 jobs in 2023. An increase in contributions is projected the country’s upcoming 250th anniversary next year.
Heather said, “The parks are special and the people who work at the parks are dedicated civil servants who work for the betterment of this country.”
Read more about Valley Forge National Historical Park and park employees’ response to national layoffs in Main Line Tonight.
______
