The Chester County History Center has a packed calendar of events in October that are sure to inform, fascinate, and spook participants:

Discover the who, what, where, when, why and how of researching your ancestor’s military service and history. Hear about military resources at the Federal, State and local levels of government. Find out the benefits and learn how to navigate some of the difficulties of researching at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. In addition, you will learn techniques and strategies to conduct effective searches for these valuable records both on and off the Internet.

This event will be held in person at the Chester County History Center. Light refreshments will be provided.

Since William Penn presided over the state’s only official witch trial in 1684, witchcraft and folk magic have been a part of the history of the Keystone state. English and German settlers brought their beliefs in magic with them from the Old World—sometimes with dangerous consequences. Folklorist Thomas White traces the history and lore of witchcraft and the occult that quietly live on in Pennsylvania even today.

Can’t make the live presentation? It will be recorded and available to registered attendees for a limited time.

Chester County History Center brings back its immensely popular Chilling West Chester walking tours for the Halloween season.

Led by CCHC staff in eighteenth and nineteenth century costume, the tours pull information directly from Chester County’s dark past.  On the walks guests will hear stories of terrible accidents and bizarre occurrences, participants will learn the history of the town’s prison, details of a grotesque murder trial held at the historic Courthouse, and the tragic repercussions of an outbreak of contagious disease.

Jennifer Green, author of the book Dark History of Penn’s Woods: Murder, Madness, and Misadventure in Southeastern Pennsylvania, is one of the tour guides. She explained, “These are not ghost stories. These are true accounts of some of the darker aspects of West Chester’s history. As we all know, the past was not often a pretty place. This tour explores how human beings and the world they lived in have changed—but also how shadows of the past remain with us.”

Chilling West Chester also serves as one of CCHC’s fundraising programs. The History Center safeguards over 700,000 documents and manuscripts, over 100,000 photographs, and over 70,000 objects, and public programming like this directly supports the preservation of those collection items.

The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes, starting from the Chester County History Center and winding its way through the streets and alleys of West Chester. Tours run rain or shine, and due to the graphic nature of the content, this tour is NOT recommended for children.

The History Center is going all out for West Chester’s Fall Gallery Walk 2022 hosted by the West Chester Business Improvement District on Friday, Oct. 7, from 4 to 8 PM.

Visit CCHC for a one-night only opportunity to see side-by-side portraits by famed artists Horace Pippin and Charles Willson Peale.  Pippin and Peale, well-known while alive, made a lasting impact. In 1937, Pippin painted his friend and fellow veteran, Col. Paul Dague. Both paintings capture the spirit of their eras, the artist’s unique talents, and the individuality of each sitter.  In 1806, Peale painted the portrait of his sister-in-law Mary Moore Heston.

Enjoy and purchase artworks by visiting artists Emie Hughes, a visual multimedia artist with original artworks and products using the cyanotype process, and Ted Woods, a renowned illustrator and comic book artist. Wine will be provided by Chaddsford Winery.

Gallery Walk at the History Center is possible thanks to the generosity of our partner Xfinity. Admission is free for this one night only event!