American Revolution Center

Third time's the charm. After years of debate, two rejected sites and immeasurable frustration, plans for the Museum of the American Revolution are finally under way, with the announcement Tuesday that the architect chosen to design the museum is - again - Robert A.M. Stern. "The institution is incredibly important," Stern said. "It's a thrill to be part of the process. " And, no doubt, a test of patience. The New York architect, longtime dean of the Yale School of Architecture, has been selected twice before to design the museum - first in 2004, when it was to be built in Valley Forge National Historical Park, and a year later, when the site was moved to an adjacent property.

Bruce Cole, the former chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities who has been president and chief executive of the American Revolution Center for the last 21/2 years, has resigned. Cole, who is returning to writing and scholarship, will continue to serve as an adviser to the center's board. Last fall, the center completed a land-exchange deal with the National Park Service, and it has now taken over the site of the former Independence National Historical Park archaeology laboratory at Third and Chestnut Streets.

U.S. Rep. Bob Brady (D., Pa.) has endorsed the American Revolution Center plan for a Revolutionary War museum in the city's historic district. In a resolution introduced in Congress Wednesday, Brady cited the efforts of the National Center for the American Revolution, which seeks to build the museum at Third and Chestnut Streets. Brady said the planned museum would be "an invaluable resource and . . . of great historical importance to the nation, Philadelphia, the world. " - Stephan Salisbury

One Sunday early in 2009, H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest and Gov. Rendell perambulated around Philadelphia, looking at buildings. Lenfest, the philanthropist who is chairman of the board of the American Revolution Center, felt he needed one. Rendell, driver of many city building projects, thought he could find one. They went to one unsuitable building after another, until Rendell remembered "the old visitor center" at Independence National Historical...

Just as every battle reaches a turning point where the outcome seems certain, the long-delayed American Revolution Center (ARC) museum appears to be on the verge of taking a step that will assure its eventual launch in Philadelphia. The disclosure Thursday that National Park Service officials and founders of the private museum have come to financial terms on a land swap represents a win-win - for ARC, as well as for historic preservation. It means the Revolutionary War museum finally has secured a home to develop a unique visitor attraction that focuses solely on the nation's seven-year military struggle for independence.

A land swap that could bring a museum of the American Revolution to the city's historic district is approaching finalization, officials for Independence National Historical Park and the museum report. The deal - which would exchange 78 acres of private land within Valley Forge National Historical Park for a 0.87-acre parcel of National Park Service property at the southeast corner of Third and Chestnut Streets - has been awaiting agreement on deed restrictions related to the city site.

Among a thousand questions raised by the American Revolution Center's move from Valley Forge to Philadelphia is this: What happens to the bell? No, not the Liberty Bell. It's staying put. The Bicentennial Bell. The bell that hangs outside the Independence Living History Center, designated as the future home of the Revolution Center, known as ARC. The Bicentennial Bell is a replica of the Liberty Bell, cast at the same London foundry, transported to the United States, presented by Queen Elizabeth II in 1976 - and promptly forgotten.

The relocation of the American Revolution Center project from Valley Forge to Center City should be applauded for historical as well as environmental reasons. Both the proposed museum and Valley Forge will be better served by the move. The center is an ambitious effort to create a museum devoted entirely to the War of Independence. The United States' first war has not been given its due in popular culture. Most Americans are familiar with Gettysburg and Normandy, but they blink at the mention of Guilford Courthouse or Monmouth.

The American Revolution Center's decision to move to Philadelphia extends a nine-year record of switching rather than fighting. Instead of working to resolve issues with its partners and local officials, the proposed museum has moved twice from the place where it was originally conceived, Valley Forge. The Valley Forge Historical Society gave birth to the idea of a museum celebrating the American Revolution. It did all the heavy lifting that brought about the landmark federal legislation allowing it to be built within Valley Forge National Historical Park, in the first partnership of its kind with the National Park Service.