Delaware County Historical Society invites the community to its 2019 Annual Meeting and Open House, Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 6 to 8 p.m., with guest speaker Beverly Rorer presenting a brief timeline and overview of the history of the Mills in Delaware County.
Alongside the event, DCHS opens its newest exhibit, “Another Glimpse of Delaware County’s History,” with a special component celebrating “The Year of the Mill” in the Record Room.
The exhibit is comprised of 13 unique displays from Civil War-era artifacts, to pharmacological elements, such as those used in a Chester pharmacy for over 50 years, to sewing machines, even two sets of china from the Lewis family - one monogrammed dating back to the 1700’s and another harkening back to the 1800’s.
Touches of Abraham Lincoln’s impact on Delaware County can be seen throughout the main floor. One is a remembrance issued by the City Councils of Philadelphia upon the death of the 16th president, proclaiming, “A Nation Mourns A Patriot Gone!” Another are the “Union Blues” badges worn by those responding to his first call to war service.
DCHS itself has embarked on an aggressive campaign to restore and preserve the 1860 Lincoln presidential campaign banner used by Lincoln while garnering support here in Delaware County both in 1860 and in 1864.
Updates about the campaign will be presented at the Annual Meeting, along with the presentation of Annual Awards, and guest speaker Rorer’s verbal tapestry of the origin of Mills in Delaware County, as well as light fare and refreshments. Tours will be available.
“Delaware County Historical Society has been hosting its Annual Meeting for members for decades, last year DCHS decided to open its “home” for this gathering to all residents as well, in order to update county residents on new pieces of Delaware County’s story and to welcome all residents to share their own stories,” Laurie J. Grant, DCHS executive director, said.
For more information about the Annual Meeting & Open House, on Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the home of DCHS at 408 Avenue of the States, please visit: padelcohistory.org or call 610-359-0832.
In addition, DCHS is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday; and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month. It is closed on Tuesdays. Appointments are also available upon request. Parking is free in the lot behind the building or across the street in the city’s municipal lot.