Updates:
New location and hours:
Delaware County Historical Society (DCHS) has officially re-opened its doors to the general public! We are happy to announce that our regular hours are Tuesday through Thursday, from 10 am to 3! Guests are welcome to come knock on the door, come in to see our rotating displays, and browse our open library. Research requests are by appointment only and must be made with 48 hours’ notice. Please click the link here to make a research request today! - RESEARCH | DCHS Website (padelcohistory.org)
Top photo: The move to the new location made the front pages of the Delaware County Times!
Bottom photo: Our new sign at 9 W. Front Street, Media PA
5-dollar note for cash from the Bank of Delaware County, circa 1849. The president signature is that of Jesse J. Maris (Pres. 1841-1860)
200th Anniversary of Marquis de Lafayette’s Grand Tour in Chester:
On October 5th, 2024, DCHS helped to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s Grand Tour of 1824. Lafayette came through Pennsylvania’s oldest city of Chester and celebrated this incredible milestone at the historic 1724 Chester Courthouse, the oldest continuously used public building in the United States. DCHS was on hand to showcase two of the plates used at the historic celebration in 1824, along with other items related to the historic 1724 Courthouse.
A historical committee pendant from the William Penn Bicentennial of 1882, celebrated in historic Chester City. Most people believe that Penn made his first landing in Philadelphia, but he actually first landed in what is today Chester on either October 28 or 29 of 1682. This past year marked the 342nd anniversary.
From the DCHS Photo Archives
Alpha Boat Club
One of the earliest boat clubs in Delaware County along the Delaware River was the Alpha Boat Club located in Chester at the end of Welsh Street. The club was organized in 1874 as a social outlet for leisure boating and was active until approximately 1936 when Sun Ship expanded along the river to build ships for WWI.
Upon organizing some of our collections in our new home on Front Street in Media, we re-visited a photo album dedicated to the Alpha Boat Club belonging to J. E. Green, a prominent photographer in Chester at the turn of the 19th century. Green’s album is a photographic journey of life at the Alpha Boat Club during the early 1900s. As a civilian during WWI, Green also worked for the Department of the Navy documenting many ships coming out of the Sun shipyard. DCHS is fortunate to possess many photos taken by J.E. Green that document Chester and Delaware County during the early 1900s.
By Chris Gaydos, DCHS Research Manager- research@padelcohistory.org
Looking Back on 2024:
2024 was a year of immense change and rebuilding, and so much was accomplished! Here’s some of the highlights:
-DCHS successfully moved the collection and operations to a new, more central location in Delaware County.
-DCHS improved the storage and care of the DCHS collection. DCHS is beginning a serious effort towards digitization, improving preservation practices, and providing a consistent rotation of curated displays featuring historic artifacts of Delaware County.
-DCHS hosted and collaborated in two successful exhibit programs with the Media Arts Council (MAC), highlighting artifacts of Delaware County history and culture not often seen by the public.
-DCHS participated, hosted, and collaborated on 16 public facing events. In doing so, DCHS was able to promote our mission, create awareness of the DCHS collection, and highlighted local history through collaboration with like-minded institutions. Those institutions include MAC, YES Center of Chester, Delaware County Bar Association, Delaware County Council, The American Friends of Lafayette, Newlin Grist Mill, Haverford Township Historical Society, Tinicum Township Historical Society, Nile Swim Club, Campbell’s AME Church, Foundation for Delaware County, Delaware County Community College, Media Business Authority, and Saint Augustine Heritage Foundation.
-DCHS has expanded its outreach efforts and will continue to grow with accessible programming and events. In the past year, we have increased our social media presence, increased our mailing list, maintained above 85 members a month, and reached a younger and more diverse audience through our public programming.
Above: Several pieces of stonework from the Lenape nation on display at Delaware County Community College. The Lenape are the indigenous people of Delaware County, with archaeological evidence dating back several millennia. The Lenape were referred to as the “grandfather people” by other Algonquin nations.
New to the DCHS Collection!
DCHS is thrilled to announce that we have the personal diaries and ledgers of John Price Crozer, gifted to us by the Crozer Family! John Price Crozer was born in 1793, four years after the creation of Delaware County, in what is today, Swarthmore. Crozer was a textile manufacturer producing textiles for the U. S. Army, and owned mills along Chester and Crum Creeks. Crozer was president of the American Baptist Publication Society, president of the Women's Hospital of Philadelphia, and established the Normal Institute for Boys in 1857. This building, referred to as Old Main, would treat Union and Confederate soldiers during the Civil War, and upon Crozer's death, would become the Crozer Theological Seminary, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would attain his bachelor's in divinity nearly a hundred years later. Crozer was also an ardent supporter of the American Colonization Society and is the namesake of Crozerville in Liberia. Today the Crozer name is present throughout Delco, including Crozer Hospital and the J. Lewis Crozer Library, named in honor of his son. This addition is an invaluable part of our growing Crozer Family collection. DCHS is working to have these digitized, are available for research request.
Call for Interns and Volunteers!
Are you a college student looking to advance your experience working in history? Do you need an internship for college credit? Do you just have a passion for history? Then come intern or volunteer at DCHS! Please email a brief bio and CV to outreach@padelcohistory.org today!
DCHS Holiday Fundraiser a Success!
On December 8, DCHS held their Holiday Fundraiser at Warehouse 3 in Swarthmore, with food, drinks, live music, and prizes! DCHS wants to thank our sponsors for the event: Hedgerow Theater Company, Delco Steaks, Warehouse 3, Ms. Ida McCausland, Mrs. Robin Haines, and all of those who bought a ticket! Our new t-shirt is still available for purchase at our website, get yours today and show your support for local history!
Upcoming Events 2025:
Please save the date for Monday, January 20th for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at the Keystone Wellness Center in Chester (1929 W 9th St, Chester). This event is sponsored by the MLK Commemorative Committee of Chester & Vicinity and the YES Center of Chester. DCHS will be on hand with a table about Delaware County history, highlighting the period of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s time at Crozer Seminary. For more details, contact Ms. Twyla Simpkins at 856-803-0620 or visit the YES Center website here:
History Under the Stars: Public Lecture Series:
From March to October during Dining Under the Stars in downtown Media, DCHS will host a public lecture series in our parking lot. DCHS will provide some tables, chairs, and tents, for our guests to come after they enjoy their dinner on State Street for free public lecture in the evening. DCHS have the following speakers confirmed:
- March 19: Professor Jeffrey LaMonica, DCCC
- April 2- Dr. Sam Lemon, Delaware County Historian
- April 23- Professor O’ Donnell, Bryn Mawr College
- May 7-Zach Beaver, DCHS
- May 21-Rev. Alexis Washington, Campbell’s AME Church
- June 25-Dr. Kirsten Lee, Auburn University
- July 16- TBD.
- August 13-TBD.
- September 17- Paul Hewes, DCHS
- October 8- Jennifer Green, Chester County Historical Center.
Each event will be free to the public and will encourage guests to contribute donations to help support the series. DCHS is committed to providing accessible and quality programming about local history, and to offer a venue for scholars and enthusiasts alike. If you have any questions, please email outreach@padelcohistory.org, or follow us on our social media pages for updates!
Special Thanks to the DCHS 2024 Sponsors:
Foundation for Delaware County-Delco Gives!
PECO
Delaware County Council
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
Delaware County Interactive Gaming Authority
Thornbury Township
Mr. Andrew Saul
Briggs Auction
Links and Contact Information:
DCHS Website: Delaware County Historical Society (padelcohistory.org)
Follow DCHS on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/padelcohistory
Follow DCHS on Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/padelcohistory/
Email: outreach@padelcohistory.org
Phone: 610-750-0622
Address: 9 W. Front Street- Media, PA 19063. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 am to 3pm.
Support DCHS today by donating and becoming a member! - https://www.padelcohistory.org/support
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