What made Anthony Wayne an “unlikely general”? He was not President George Washington’s first choice to lead an army against the confederation of Ohio tribes blocking America’s advance across the Ohio River in 1792. Wayne, a notorious womanizer, heavy drinker, and spend-thrift, had just been removed from Congress for voter fraud. Though he had fought […]
Join Chester County History Center book discussion about thought-provoking history books and connect with others in the community. A New York Times bestseller, this definitive history of Ukraine is “an exemplary account of Europe’s least-known large country” (Wall Street Journal). Situated between Central Europe, Russia, and the Middle East, Ukraine has been shaped by empires that exploited […]
Born in Philadelphia, Thomas U. Walter was internationally renowned in the mid 1800s, rising to the position of architect of the U.S. Capitol from 1851 to 1865, during which time the current dome was added. While his work spanned the globe, he designed a number of buildings in West Chester during his career, including the […]
Dr. Cheryl Renée Gooch, author of Hinsonville’s Heroes: Black Civil War Soldiers of Chester County, Pennsylvania (The History Press), traces the stories of 18 residents of Hinsonville, a free black community in southeast Pennsylvania, who fought for the Union Army during the American Civil War. The former 19th century village of Hinsonville near Lincoln University […]
Traveling exhibit featuring U.S. Colored Troops during the U.S. Civil War, curated by Ms. Shayne Davidson, professional illustrator and amateur genealogist. On view February 10 through July 1. Free with regular admission. To learn more click here.
Take an in-depth look at the oldest record preserved at the Chester County Archives and learn about its significance over 340 years. On February 14, 1683, local residents assembled at the House of Defense for their regular court session. When the court clerk, Thomas Revell, opened the court docket, however, he did something a little […]
Click Here for Additional Event Information You can't miss this opportunity to enjoy amazing beer and period costumes while supporting the History Center. Bring your good spirits and cash for the tip jars and join us for this relaxed, fun afternoon among friends. We will have a great raffle and a surprise gift for the biggest […]
Illustrator Shayne Davidson, who curated the exhibit, will discuss how she came upon a historic photo album, the treasures it contained, and creating the exhibit. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Shayne Davidson holds a BFA from California Institute of the Arts and an MFA in Medical and Biological Illustration from the University of Michigan. […]
This is the first major biography of the free Black abolitionist William Still, who coordinated the Eastern Line of the Underground Railroad and was a pillar of the Railroad as a whole. Based in Philadelphia and well-connected to Chester County abolitionists, Still built a reputation as a courageous leader, writer, philanthropist, and guide for fugitive […]
Author Eugene L. Meyer tells the story of Osborne Perry Anderson, a native of Chester County, who joined with abolitionist John Brown in an ill-fated raid on Harpers Ferry in October 1859 to seize its federal arsenal, incite a slave rebellion, and end slavery. Anderson was one of five African Americans soldiers in Brown's raiding […]
In 1900 at the height of his fame, illustrator Howard Pyle founded the Howard Pyle School of Art in Wilmington, Delaware. His bold purpose was to train promising young artists to produce uniquely American work that would echo the nation’s spirit and challenge Europe’s artistic supremacy. Towards that end, Pyle championed imagination over technique and […]
Women make up half the population, yet their stories have often been neglected, excluded, or marginalized in public memory. West Chester, long the center of battles for equality and civil rights, has been home to several trailblazing women who left an indelible mark on the history of law, abolition, suffrage, education, politics and science. This […]
225 N. High Street, West Chester, PA 19380 | 610-692-4800
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