As schools begin to return into gear, the Delaware County Historical Society wants to remind the community of its last chance to see the Chester Arts, Culture and Education exhibit.
Visitors to the museum will be treated to slices of Chester High School, the J. Lewis Crozer Library and even a taste of the former “Hello Dollies of the 20th Century” exhibit, as well as other artifacts on display.
A variety of books can be seen in the case highlighting the programs of the J. Lewis Crozer Library. They range from the picture book, “A Mean Set of Drums” by Derrick Gantt to the cookbook “The People of Africa and Their Food” to ones like Stuart Stotts’ “We Shall Overcome: A Story that Changes the World.”
Besides the vibrant orange and black, the Chester High School section features various Chester Clippers who’ve reached great renown.
Among them are Joe Chambers, class of 1960, who played in the Chester High School marching band and three years later was performing in New York as one of the top jazz drummers and Charles Bowen, class of 1961, who began playing tenor saxophonist in 1957 and toured as a jazz musician.
Leonard Dorsey, who also played in the Chester High School Band, represents the class of 1974. He sang and recorded with gospel groups in Delaware County and sang with the Duke Ellington orchestra.
From the class of 1952 is Nancy Lee Rodgers, who began dancing on the Paul Whiteman Show when she was 14-years-old and had been the lead dancer for a number of years. She eventually was known for her part in The Fandango Three with Nancy Lee, a group who traveled throughout the Northeast and Midwest, as well as Las Vegas, Reno and Lake Tahoe.
At Chester High School, she was captain of the flag twirls for the band majorettes.
The exhibit also showcases a selection of dolls seen in “Hello Dollies of the 20th Century” display. Among those are the 52 dolls in vertical cases.
There, visitors can see handmade dolls, including one carrying a plate of sausage, a stack of pancakes topped with a pat of butter and coffee, baby dolls, African American Barbie dolls, a Gooseberry Girls doll in a blue and white polka dot dress, a Beanie Kids doll with fuschia bows in her hair and Michelle Obama in a red ball gown.
All this and more is on view in the Chester Arts, Culture and Education exhibit at the Delaware County Historical Society Museum, Library & Research Center while it’s still on display.
The museum is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday and Friday; 1 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The museum’s telephone number is 610-872-0502. Parking is free on the society lot behind the building or across the street in the municipal lot.
Membership in the Delaware County Historical Society ranges from $10 for students, $27 for individuals to $250 at the patron level. It includes free admission to the society’s Chester museum and library at 408 Avenue of the States, the society newsletter and preferred reservations and discounts for lectures and events. To join, please visit www.padelcohistory.org or call 610-359-0832.
Dolls on view at the Chester museum for a little while longer.
The orange and black of the Chester Clippers is on proud display at the Delaware County Historical Society Museum, Library & Research Center.