Barn Again in Chester County

Barn Again in Chester County - Aug 22nd
Sponsor: East Bradford Historical Commission

Tour Information: Parking is located at the site, 825 Sconnelltown Road, West Chester.
Southwest of West Chester

The Barn Again in Chester County Town Tour will be held rain or shine.
The tour will be a self-guided tour inside this fascinating Ice Museum.
If you arrive early, please understand that doors will not open until 5:30 p.m.

In 2009, Joann and Peter Stack purchased a dilapidated stone barn c. 1834 in
East Bradford Township which had once housed the Darlington Seminary for Girls
 from 1877-1933. For the next three years, a remarkable transformation took place
which resulted in a fully renewed historic structure. Today, this adaptive reuse
project has resulted in a museum which features Mr. Stack’s collection of artifacts
from the Ice Industry. The remarkable story of this industry began in 1805.
At its height in 1920, over 1 billion dollars was added to the US economy from
the ice industry that served the world. Come tour the barn and learn about this
vanished part of our history.

Soldier-Statesman-Leader: The Legacy of Richard Thomas III

August 8: Soldier-Statesman-Leader: The Legacy of Richard Thomas III (1744-1832)
Sponsor: West Whiteland Historical Commission

Tour Information: Parking will be located behind 233 West Lincoln Highway, Exton,
across from Exton Nissan.

Richard Thomas III struggled with loyalty to his pacifist Quaker upbringing and belief in the Patriot cause. His duty to country prevailed and he took up arms during the Revolution. As the new nation formed he participated in its politics at state and federal levels. On this tour, costumed guides will take participants on a tour of the homes and businesses built by Thomas and describe the life and times of this famous Exton citizen.

A representative from Pennsylvania; born in West Whiteland, Pa., December 30, 1744; educated at home by private teachers; served in the Revolutionary Army as colonel of the First Regiment, Chester County Volunteers; elected as a Federalist to the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Congresses (March 4, 1795-March 3, 1801); engaged in agricultural pursuits; died in Philadelphia, Pa., January 19, 1832; interment in the Friends Western Burial Ground at 16^th& Race in Philadelphia.

Historic Nantmeal Village

Town Tour today of Historic Nantmeal Village is cancelled due to rain. We are hoping to reschedule for September. Thank you for your support during this hot and rainy summer.

August 1: Historic Nantmeal Village,

                the “Sweet Water” Meeting on Coventry RoadSponsor: East Nantmeal Historical Commission and Society

Tour Information: The Village is located at the intersection of Coventryville and Fairview Roads in Glenmoore. Parking will be at Camphill Soltane, 224 Nantmeal Road. Turn off route 100 onto Nantmeal Road which runs between the Horse Show Grounds and Ludwigs Corner Firehouse. Go 1 mile to parking on right. There will be no parking in Nantmeal Village the day of the tour.
Stroll through Nantmeal Village, Welsh for “sweet water.” Our village began as a “quiet” Quaker settlement in the early 1700’s, convenient to nearby forges. When the meeting closed in strife, the village was reborn through the “wheelings and dealings” of John Murray and others. By the 1880’s, it had become quite the destination with a church, two schools, band hall, store, smithy, wheelwright, cabinetmaker and more! This now sleepy residential hamlet hides a colorful past illuminated for you on the Town Tours!

East Nantmeal History

Goshenville - July 25th

July 25: Goshenville 1863
Sponsor: East Goshen Historical Commission
Tour Information: Historic Goshenville and parking are located at the corners of Rt 352 and East Boot Road in East Goshen. (1600 East Boot Road, West Chester PA 19380)

TOWN TOURS & VILLAGE WALKS COMES TO EAST GOSHEN

 

Mark your calendars for July 25 and take advantage of a unique experience.  Today, East Goshen’s Historical Commission will be presenting their program on the Civil War in East Goshen.  Temperatures will remain comfortable with help from the cloudy conditions.  Goshenville is located at the corners of Route 352 and East Boot Road in East Goshen Township, address to search directions is 1600 East Boot Road, West Chester.

Since this is the 150^th Anniversary of the third year of the American Civil War, the theme is A TIME OF CHANGE -- CIVIL WAR 1863.

Tours begin at 5:30 p.m. and generally last about 50 – 60 minutes.  The last tour leaves at 7:00 p.m. unless daylight allows for additional tours.  There is no need to pre-register this year.  Be sure to wear comfortable shoes. Please remember that there can be a wait of up to 15 minutes.   Light refreshments follow your tour.

As you walk around this rural village you hear the clanging of the hammer in the Blacksmith Shop.  Over at the General Green Tavern you join a group of villagers talking about the battle of Gettysburg. You can also look at a display of military weaponry and see the Post Office that has been sent up.  Near the tavern, soldiers are talking about their experiences at war.

Outside the Plank House a few nurses are telling the story of medicines being sent to the troops.  Nearby, a group of Quaker women and girls rolling bandages and shipping goods to the recently opened Chester Military Hospital at Upland where freed Union prisoners received medical care.  

In another room in the farm house the local telegraph operator is busy sending messages up and down the East Coast.  The garden outside the house supplies food for the families that live nearby.  The herbs planted provide ingredients for many of the medicines that will be needed.

During your visit, you will learn that women, children, and old men planted, cultivated, and harvested the crops, kept the family businesses going, as well as made bandages, organized fundraisers, and shipped food and clothing to their soldiers and to hospitals.

We look forward to seeing you!

See this link for more about Goshenville Historic District.

Restaurants:
Pepper Mill - Pizza and pasta. 
At the Goshen Villages shopping center down Paoli Pike there's Athena Pizza and Oriental Pearl restaurnats
Otherwise, you're not far from the restaurants on West Chester Pike.

Weather should be nice, Hi of 75 with a very slight chance of rain. (Kind of like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs!?]

Phoenixville Churches of Church Street

July 18: Inside the Churches of Church StreetSponsors: The Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area

Tour Information: Signage will direct you to parking areas in and around Phoenixville. To get started go to 204 Church Street, Phoenixville.

Take a stroll down Church Street, one of the oldest streets in Phoenixville, and learn about the six churches that once occupied the street. Learn how immigration fueled the building of places of worship in the early 19th century. Many ethnic groups had their own religious identities and as a result, many churches were built in Phoenixville. We will visit the interiors of several of these churches and hear about their architecture and histories.

The free Tours will begin at 5:30 pm at the Society and the last tour will leave at 7 pm.  You can also learn about two early churches that are no longer there.  This will be an opportunity to see Sacred Heart Catholic Church, which is now a worship site for the St. Ann Parish, and to learn more about St. Peter's Episcopal Church in its 175th year.

See pictures of the Churches on Church Street on the Phoenixville Historical Society web site.

Restaurants:  Unlike last week where there we few choices, Phoenixville has a lively restaurant scene.

Parking:  Read carefully the instructions on the signs.  Zone A is 2 hour parking until 8pm.  After 8pm you can get a ticket.  The parking lots are $1 per hour and are convenient to the Bridge St restaurants.  Street parking is available sometimes.

Yellow Springs Update 3pm

The Historic Yellow Springs celebration of "The Blob" will be held rain or shine tonight.

Weather is looking great.....now let's hope The Blob doesn't get us!

Historic Yellow Springs

July 11: It Creeps, it Crawls, it Will Get us All!
Sponsors: Historic Yellow Springs

Tour Information: Signage will direct you to parking once you reach 1685 Art School Road, Chester Springs.

What else but THE BLOB! This science fiction classic, starring Steve McQueen, was made at Yellow Springs. Director Yeaworth always said, “The cinema is magical.” Share the magic!! Visit the sites where the film was made and meet the people who made it. View our exhibit on moviemaking and continue the fun at Phoenixville’s Colonial Theatre BLOBFEST on the weekend.

Restaurant Recommendations:  This location is really tough since there's not much around Yellow Springs. 
Vinny's at 401 & 113 is the closest.
Otherwise, for dinner, you're heading north into Phoenixville or West to Lionville area.

Blobfest 2013 - Run Out from Colonial Theater in Phoenixville. (Theater show is Sold Out).  However, you can have a nice dinner in Phoenixville and watch the Run Out from the street around 9pm.  The movie The Blob is available for DVD rental from Netflix.

Blob Movie Trailer

The Real Housewives of Kennett Square June 27th

June 27: The Real Housewives of Kennett SquareSponsor: Kennett Square Borough Historical Commission

Due to the severe weather warning just posted by the National Weather Service the Real Housewives of Kennett Square Town Tour has been cancelled for this evening and rescheduled for September 5^th – same time and same place.  Hopefully this weather pattern is over for the summer.  Thank you everyone for your patience!

Good news!  The West Chester Town Tour has been rescheduled for Thursday, August 29^th!  Plans are being made to meet at one of the historic churches in the southwest quadrant of the Borough.  Thank you West Chester HARB!!  Stay tuned.

Tour Information: FREE parking in municipal garage at 120 E. Linden Street, Kennett Square. (off Rt 82) Exit garage from main stairway onto Genesis Walkway. Registration in walkway.
From Rt 1, get off at the Rt 82 exit. Head a mile towards town and E Linden Street will be on your left.
Free parking everywhere in Kennett Square after 5pm.  Municipal garage is probably still best location.
Guides will lead visitors through the Borough to hear costumed actors reveal the roles that women played at different periods in Kennett Square’s history. From nurses and teachers to poets and world travelers, these ladies were as educated and talented as their fathers, brothers and husbands. And like their modern TV counterparts, just as feisty and surprising. Live music and refreshments at end of tour.

Kennett Square Borough Historical Commission

Restaurant Possiblities:
Half Moon  Rooftop dining   Large beer selection, wild game
Kennett Square Inn  ($15-33) Offer 'petite' plates and full - reservations accepted
Enzo's Italian  ($10-$17)  BYOB (Restaurant.com coupons)
La Verona Italian   Happy hour til 6. ($15-26 entree)  pizza, outside dining,
                                across from Town Walk registration
Other restaurants I am not familiar with:
Byrsa Bistra - Mediterranean  ($24-$26)
Portabellos - ($19-$30)
Lily Asian - (11-$22)
There are also other restaurants on the edge of town that may be of interest. 

Other things of Interest in Kennett:
Early December: Candlelight Holidy Home Tour

Kimberton Crossroads

June 20: Kimberton Crossroads
Sponsors: East Pikeland Historical Commission & Pikeland Historical Society

Tour Information: Signage will direct you to parking areas in and around Kimberton Village. To get started go to 2208 Kimberton Rd, Kimberton, PA. (This is the Kimberton Fair Grounds)

Kimberton crossroads forms the anchor for the sixty-two building Kimberton Village National Register Historic District. Today all four corners retain original structures constructed prior to 1797. The oldest is the Black Bear Tavern (aka ‘Sign of the Bear’) building, constructed some ‘many years prior’ to 1771 when a tavern petition was granted to Geo. Chrisman. The Chrisman grist mill c. 1796 is today’s village Post Office. The Kimberton Boarding School (a 1787 farmhouse enlarged into that school) is now home to the Station Bistro eatery as well as several residential apartments. The Kimberton Inn, originally built as a still house, continues to serve the beverages and fine cuisine to travelers as it has since c. 1796. East Pikeland is celebrating its 175th year in 2013!

Kimberton History courtesy of the Kimberton Inn website.  The John Pierce Paining is interesting.
History of East Pikeland Township (1838)

The Kimberton Fair is July 22-27. First started in 1929.



Dining options within walking distance:
Kimberton Inn - ($25-38) Reservations accepted
Station Bistro ($9-$24) Sandwiches, pasta, meat & seafood. Reservations accepted.  BYOB

Down the road a mile towards Phoenixville
Sly Fox Brewhouse & Eatery  Happy hour til 6.
Joe's All American Pub   Happy hour til 6.

Many Other Dining Choices:
A little further north (1 mile) there are many restaurants along Rt 23 and 113 in Phoenixville
Sorry, if you're heading from West Chester or Exton there's not many choices until your reach Kimberton.

West Chester Kick-off and Tour June 13th

Rescheduled to August 29th

Good news!  The West Chester Town Tour has been rescheduled for Thursday, August 29^th!  Plans are being made to meet at one of the historic churches in the southwest quadrant of the Borough.  Thank you West Chester Historical and Architectural Review Board!!  Stay tuned.

Meeting Location to be determined.

Lukens Band 5:30
Kick Off Ceremonies  6:00
Tours Leave 6:30

We usually go out for dinner at the tour location each week. West Chester has so many restaurants within walking distance of the Historical Society, parking or the Southwest tour area.  A few recommendations (and by no means a complete list include):
Barnaby's - outside back patio, $2 beer, low cost appetizers til 6:30. American bar food
Iron Hill Brewery - Patio out front on Gay St.
Kidares Irish Pub (Happy hour 6-8) Patio out front
Side Bar - Happy hour 5-7, Patio out front
Landmark - Happy hour 5-7
Mas Mexicali Cantina - rooftop patio
Rams Head - Patio out front

Amore Pizza, Piece A Pizza, Buddy's Burgers, New Haven Pizza

After tour recommendations unless you like to dine early
Limoncello's - front patio area, Italian, may take a little longer to eat here
Avalon - rustic Italian, BYOB, one of my favorites
High St Cafe - Creole Fusion, ($15-$24)
Pietro's Prime - Steak/Seafood  ($22-$37)

I would encourage you to check out other restaurants (about 20 more) that may fit your tastes.

Parking: The parking garages are $3 for 2 hrs or $4.50 for 3 hours. More or less for other times.
Very limited free on-street parking is available but possible. Watch out for areas requiring PERMITS. 
Meters run until 10pm each night (bring quarters $1/hr).   You Tube Video on parking.
Link to WC Parking Map

Welcome to the Unofficial 2013 Chester County Town Tours & Village Walks

2013 Tour:     Official Chester County Tour Link
                           (see this for Official information)

     June 13th  West Chester Kick-Off and Tour
     June 20th  Kimberton Crossroads
     June 27th  Real Housewives of Kennett Square
     July  4th    no tour
     July 11th   It Creeps, It Crawls  (Yellow Springs)
     July 18th   Inside the Churches of Church Street (Phoenixville)
     July 25th   Goshenville 1863  (East Goshen Twp)
     Aug  1st    Historic Nantmeal Village
     Aug  8th    Legacy of Richard Thomas III  (West Whiteland)
     Aug 15th   Lukens Historical District  (Coatesville)
     Aug 22nd  Barn Again in Chester County  (East Bradford)