Historic
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Hidden Historic Homes of Chester County: Looking Through Windows of the Past
Chester County is steeped in history, and the perfect way to look into the window of the past is through architecture. Over the decades, dozens of houses have been added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) for their antiquity, beauty, and reminders of the times. There are over 300 properties on the National…
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West Chester Home to One of Top 25 Historic Hotels of America in Film and Television History
West Chester is home to one of the Top 25 Historic Hotels of America in Film and Television History, according to a 2023 report from Hotel News Resource. The list is published by Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation that aims to recognize, celebrate, and promote the…
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Where the Revolution Lives Today: 5 Philadelphia Area Revolutionary War Sites to Visit This Winter (Plus a Bonus)
After spending a month living inside the stories and settings of the American Revolution and riding the excitement around Ken Burns’ new series (Now streaming for free for the next three weeks on PBS), it feels right to shift from watching history to walking through it. One of the remarkable things about living in Southeast…
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A Look at Four Unsung Female Heroes Who Shaped Chester County History
March is Women’s History Month, making there no better time to learn about the often overlooked contributions of Chester County women, writes Kim Andrews for County Lines Magazine. From the country’s inception to the present day, women play a vital role in the successes, global breakthroughs, and broader culture. Focusing specifically on Chester County history,…
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Reconstruction Underway of Phoenixville’s Historic Ferris Wheel, Unveiling Planned for June
Phoenixville expects to cut the ribbon on its Phoenix Wheel, the oldest Ferris wheel in existence, in early June. The 133-year-old Phoenix Wheel delighted thousands of visitors to Asbury Park, the crown jewel of the Jersey Shore, for nearly a century from 1895 to 1988. Steelworkers in Phoenixville originally crafted the wheel’s steel components in 1893. Now, through the efforts of the Schuylkill River Heritage Center (SRHC), the vintage wheel will proudly rise again, as…
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‘In Pursuit’ Docuseries Explores 400 Years of America’s History Through Philadelphia’s Lens
A new streaming series blends modern footage, historical reenactments, and interviews to tell the story of America through the lens of its birthplace, Philadelphia, writes Mike Newall for The Philadelphia Inquirer. History Making Productions released the first episode of In Pursuit: Philadelphia and the Making of America, directed by Andrew Ferrett and written by historian…
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The Philadelphia Fort That Bought Washington’s Army Precious Time: The Heroic Stand at Fort Mifflin
If you’ve ever flown into Philadelphia from the New Jersey side, you’ve passed right over one of the most dramatic and least-known battles of the American Revolution. Fort Mifflin, now sitting directly beneath the landing pattern of jets heading into Philadelphia International Airport, looks quiet today. But in the fall of 1777, this muddy island…
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Fate of Century-Old West Goshen House in Judge’s Hands Amid Preservation Fight
A privately owned West Goshen house that has remained vacant and been deteriorating for more than 20 years is now at the center of a preservation fight, writes Brooke Schultz for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Built more than a century ago and once regarded as impressive, the three-story fieldstone house, unofficially called Forsythe Farm, with its private bridge and stone mason…
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5 Places Where Washington Slept: A County-by-County Journey Across the Delaware Valley
You can’t have driven anywhere around the Delaware Valley without passing a place where George Washington is reported to have spent the night. From riverbank farmhouses to stone taverns and battlefield headquarters, the story of America’s first commander in chief is written across our back roads and boroughs, one restless night at a time. Washington’s…
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Dinosaur Tracks Discovered in Valley Forge Park
Valley Forge National Historical Park has a new and exciting feature, as dozens of fossilized dinosaur footprints have been discovered on rocks used for a hiking trail, writes Mark Scolforo for The Associated Press. The trace fossils are approximately 210 million years old and scattered along the winding trail. The slabs were purchased eight years…
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The Bazaar of All Nations Lives Fondly in Delaware County’s Memory
The building has been gone now for decades, but the Bazaar of All Nations that once stood between Oak and Bishop avenues off Baltimore Pike remains strong in the Delaware County memory. There are fond memories recounted in Facebook groups, old photographs, newspaper clippings, and a detailed 2010 documentary produced by Patrick Manley and Brendan…
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Presidents Day Explained: How the Holiday Began and the Delaware Valley’s Role
Today is Presidents Day. At the federal level, the holiday is still called Washington’s Birthday. It began as a tribute to George Washington after his death in 1799. Communities marked February 22 with speeches, parades, and public gatherings. In 1879, Congress made Washington’s Birthday a federal holiday in Washington, D.C. In 1885, it expanded nationwide…
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JFK Emphasized Importance of Declaration of Independence During July 4, 1962 Speech in Philly
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy traveled to Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was debated and signed, for a Fourth of July speech that highlighted its lasting importance, writes Michael S. Rosenwald for The Washington Post. During his Independence Hall speech, President Kennedy told the audience of more than 90,000 people that he had…
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Despite Owning Property in Chester County, Benjamin Franklin, Unlike Pal George, Never Actually Slept Here
Despite owning a sizable property in southern Chester County, there is no proof that Benjamin Franklin ever actually slept here, writes Michael Rellahan for The Phoenix Reporter & Item. Franklin’s connection to the area was highlighted last week by Chester County Archives and Records. “John Morton was not the only signer of the Declaration of…
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VIPs Gather for Kickoff of America250 PA Celebration in West Chester
Former Pennsylvania Gov. Mark Schweiker joined VIPs in West Chester for the kickoff of the America250 PA Chester County celebration, writes Bill Rettew for The Daily Local News. “We can’t miss a birthday party,” said Schweiker. “This is a unique one. It’s not just July 4th, but a buildup to July 4th, and it’s open to all Americans.” The event attracted a standing-room-only…
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A Look Inside Chester County’s Unique Food History
Inns and restaurants throughout Chester County bring the region’s intriguing food history to life, writes Kim Andrews for County Lines Magazine. With antique culinary equipment and food demonstrations still flourishing throughout the county, residents can get a glimpse of what life was like centuries ago by experiencing older foods and the surrounding culture. Throughout the…
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Historic 70-Foot Ferris Wheel Returns Home to Phoenixville
A historic 78-foot Ferris wheel, dubbed the Phoenix Wheel, is set to return home to Phoenixville next spring, reports the Phoenixville Regional Chamber of Commerce. The historic Phoenix Bridge Company, a subsidiary of Phoenix Iron Works, originally built the iron components to the wheel over a century ago. The wheel served as a popular attraction…
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Inside the History of America’s First Army Hospital Located in Chester Springs
Chester County’s many ties to the Revolutionary War continue with the historic Yellow Springs Army hospital, writes Peter Crimmins for WHYY. The structure at the Historic Yellow Springs campus, originally dubbed Washington Hall, served as the nation’s first ever Army hospital. Commissioned by George Washington in 1777, the hospital developed innovative new precautions to prevent…
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