Among the rows and rows of tomes stored at the Delaware County Historical Society Museum, Library & Research Center is a representation of eclectic taste sure to pique a variety of interests.

Some examples include three volumes of Soldiers of the Great War, Fawn Brodie’s account of Thomas Jefferson: An Intimate Journey, a bound version of The Pennsylvania Gazette from 1788 to 1789 and even a 1914 hardback on Chester and Vicinity, published by Hy V. Smith.

Opening the first page of the Smith publication, one can see the promise of Chester with the slogans, “What Makes Chester,” “The Power of a New Era,” and “Full of Opportunities.”

Smith wrote that his book was meant as a way to market all the highlights Chester had to offer, here and abroad.

“Chester, because of its favorable location, great industries, even climate, natural facilities and substantial advancement, affords most excellent opportunities for trade expansion and desirable habitation,” he wrote.

Smith saw life in Chester as abundant with blessings and hoped to share that with his words.

He wrote, “If this publication will be the means of increasing the prosperity and happiness of the residents of Chester, and the city’s population and greatness be further advanced by the introduction of more people and more industries, then the efforts of the publisher shall not have been in vain.”

The issue of The Pennsylvania Gazette gives some insight to life during the Revolutionary period. In the DCHS edition, Benjamin Franklin was at the helm of the famed publication and a quick perusal of the pages shows a corner of the newspaper dedicated to Poor Richard’s Almanack.

These books – and more! – are part of the collection at the Delaware County Historical Society Museum, Library & Research Center. 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.

Here displays only a few of the books available at the Delaware County Historical Society Museum, Library & Research Center.