4th Annual Halloween Ball – Le Cirque

Join us at Chester County History Center’s 4th Annual Halloween Ball –Le Cirque. A sure-to-be memorable night of fun, celebration of friendship, and nostalgia. Fine fare by Spence Café, live music, skilled circus performers from Airplay Entertainment, a fabulous silent auction, and the opportunity to raise your paddle in support of Chester County History Center […]

Chilling West Chester: A Dark History Walking Tour

True tales of murder, mischief and misadventure, pulled from our archives. From the horrors of the Chester County Prison, to the cold-blooded killers tried at the courthouse, to the insidious devastation of contagious disease, West Chester's streets and alleys witnessed two hundred years of spine-chilling history. The historians and educators at the Chester County History […]

Chilling West Chester: A Dark History Walking Tour

True tales of murder, mischief and misadventure, pulled from our archives. From the horrors of the Chester County Prison, to the cold-blooded killers tried at the courthouse, to the insidious devastation of contagious disease, West Chester's streets and alleys witnessed two hundred years of spine-chilling history. The historians and educators at the Chester County History […]

Notable Houses of the du Pont Family (virtual)

This illustrated talk looks at some of the notable houses and gardens of the du Ponts. In the 19th century and first half of the 20th century members of this family created a wide variety of country houses in the Brandywine Valley. They chose architects such as T.P. Chandler, Harrie Lindeberg, Albert Ives, and R. […]

Chilling West Chester: A Dark History Walking Tour

True tales of murder, mischief and misadventure, pulled from our archives. From the horrors of the Chester County Prison, to the cold-blooded killers tried at the courthouse, to the insidious devastation of contagious disease, West Chester's streets and alleys witnessed two hundred years of spine-chilling history. The historians and educators at the Chester County History […]

Hybrid Book Discussion – Lost Kingdom (2017) OR A Short History of Russia (2020)

Join Chester County History Center book discussion about thought-provoking history books and connect with others in the community. In Lost Kingdom, award-winning historian Serhii Plokhy argues that we can only understand the confluence of Russian imperialism and nationalism today by delving into the nation’s history. Spanning over 500 years, from the end of the Mongol rule […]

Age of Invention (family program)

A fun family day exploring some of history's most interesting inventions! What’s the greatest invention in human history? Some might say the wheel, the printing press, the airplane, or the internet. The truth is that every invention has changed the way you eat, work and play—even the way you brush your teeth! During this family […]

The Red Rose Girls: An Uncommon Story of Art & Love (virtual)

Artists Jessie Willcox Smith, Elizabeth Shippen Green, and Violet Oakley captivated early-twentieth-century Philadelphia with their brilliant careers and uncommon lifestyle. Nicknamed "The Red Rose Girls” by their mentor, illustrator Howard Pyle, they rented the Red Rose Inn on the city's Main Line and set up an unconventional household. Joined by their friend Henrietta Cozens, the […]

Chester County Property Research (virtual)

Researching the history of your property can be a rewarding experience. Getting started, however, can seem overwhelming. It requires an understanding of the basic methods of historical research. Knowing where resources can be found and how to interpret them is a fundamental part of the process. Join Chester County, PA archivists for a presentation about […]

Festive Family Fun Day (children’s event)

'Tis the season--for creating wonderful crafts to give as gifts or hang in a special place at home! CCHC staff will guide visitors through the history and meaning of historic crafts (like tin punching) and children can make their own unique treasure to keep for themselves, or gift to a loved one. Tickets include all-day […]

Profiles: Chester County Clothing in the 1800s (virtual)

Throughout time, clothing has revealed a great deal about who we are. In the early 1800s, clothing in Chester County represented individual identity, personal choice, and place within the community. People here had access to global trends through Philadelphia and other regional ports. They accepted or rejected fashion styles based on what they could afford, […]

Unlikely General: “Mad” Anthony Wayne and the Battle for America (virtual)

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 […]