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The Bulletin Newsletter: September of 2025

The handwritten first draft of the Delaware County Historical Society bylaws by Henry L. Broomall. On September 3rd, local residents such as H.G. Ashmead, A.G.C. Smith, Elizabeth Worrell, Henry L. Broomall, and Horace L. Cheyney, decided to form a county historical society. DCHS was officially founded on September 26th, 1895, Delco's 106th birthday.
The handwritten first draft of the Delaware County Historical Society bylaws by Henry L. Broomall. On September 3rd, local residents such as H.G. Ashmead, A.G.C. Smith, Elizabeth Worrell, Henry L. Broomall, and Horace L. Cheyney, decided to form a county historical society. DCHS was officially founded on September 26th, 1895, Delco's 106th birthday.

Events and Programming:

Poster created by Frances Beaver. Thanks to our partners, Visit Delco, Delaware County Institute of Science and America 250 Delco.
Poster created by Frances Beaver. Thanks to our partners, Visit Delco, Delaware County Institute of Science and America 250 Delco.

DCHS Turns 130 on Delco's Birthday!

Please join us for a day-long celebration of Delco's past and history on Friday September 26th!

For 130 years, the Delaware County Historical Society (DCHS) has been the guardian of our shared past, collecting and preserving the stories of the people, businesses, and places of our county. Today, you can help us keep that history alive and accessible to all, ensuring it's celebrated for America's 250th anniversary in 2026.

America250PADelco, the local, nonpartisan initiative to engage all Delaware County residents in America's 250th anniversary, is working with 100+ Community Program Partners to foster civic awareness and historical understanding by Delco residents. With your support, our Delco's A250 will be a celebration of local civics and American history, including diverse and underrepresented perspectives. 

Join us for a day of history, community, and celebration as we mark Delaware County's 236th Birthday and the 130th anniversary of the Delaware County Historical Society (DCHS)!


To learn more how to support DCHS and America 250 Delco, and for tickets to the Cheers Reception at the Delaware County Institute of Science, please visit this link:


When: Friday, September 26, 2025

12 PM - 4 PM: DCHS Open House, 9 W. Front Street Media, PA 19063

Step back in time at the Delaware County Historical Society. Explore rare and unique items on display, including deeds from figures such as William Penn, John Morton and items highlighting the history of the Crozer Family and the Crozer Medical Center. This portion of the event is free and open to the public.


4 PM - 4:30 PM: Remarks & Cake Cutting, Delaware County Courthouse, 201 W Front St, Media, PA 19063

Gather with us on the Courthouse steps for special remarks and a festive cake-cutting ceremony.We'll commemorate the installation of the America250PADelco banners, featuring the themes of "Life, Liberty & Pursuit of Happiness," accompanied by a special rendition of "Happy Birthday."  In honor of America's upcoming 250th birthday, we'll also be launching Delco Volunteers 250, an exciting new initiative that invites you to give a gift of service to our community.(Rain Location: Delaware County Institute of Science, 11 Veterans Sq., Media, PA 19063)


5 PM - 7 PM: Birthday Cheers Receptions ALL ACROSS DELCO!!

  • DCHS 130th Anniversary Celebration at Delco Institute of Science, 11 Veterans Sq., Media, PA 19063. $25 pp.

  • Participating bars & restaurants include:

Support Delco's Future

All proceeds from this event will be shared by the DCHS and America250PADelco to fund free community and educational programs in 2026 as part of our nation's 250th birthday celebration. If you can't make it to Media, but would still like to participate at your local bar or restaurant, learn more here on how you can participate: Cheers for Delco’s Birthday & DCHS 130th Anniversary - America250PADelco


Poster by Frances Beaver. Special thanks to our partners at Visit Delco, Media Borough, Three Potato Four, Greatest Hits Records and Books, S.R. Rosati Water Ice, and Riddle Village!
Poster by Frances Beaver. Special thanks to our partners at Visit Delco, Media Borough, Three Potato Four, Greatest Hits Records and Books, S.R. Rosati Water Ice, and Riddle Village!

September 27th: Delco Downhill Derby in Media!

On Saturday September 27th, DCHS will host the greatest Delco event of the year, the Delco Downhill Derby in Media, PA! The event is a kinetic sculpture derby, where we encourage folks from Delco and beyond to create gravity powered vehicles to send down North Edgmont Street. There will be three ribbon prizes awarded, and a $500 cash prize for the top winner. The event will also feature local non-profits with tables to learn more about their organizations, as well as tables from local businesses. The event is free and open to the public to attend and will run from about noon until 5 pm.


We are welcoming all kinds of vehicles, whether they are bikes, skateboards, carts, whatever you can design and build that is powered kinetically! If you would like to register a vehicle, you can sign up here: Registration Form-Delco Downhill Derby


If you are a non-profit and you're interested in having a table at our event, you can register here: Vendor Application: Delco Downhill Derby Saturday Sept. 27th

Local businesses must pay $100 registration fee to register and to table at the event. Spaces are free for non-profits.


Frances Beaver helping to put together the DCHS Sponsor Cart for the Delco Downhill Derby!
Frances Beaver helping to put together the DCHS Sponsor Cart for the Delco Downhill Derby!

Thanks to Media Borough
Thanks to Media Borough

DCHS is hosting for Media Porchfest 2025!

On Saturday September 20th, from about 1 to 5, DCHS will be hosting some musical friends at our location for Media Porchfest. Stop by our location to see some wonderful performances by local artist in our parking lot and have an opportunity to see the DCHS collection with our open house. We will have our display featuring items from Elwyn, with thanks to their archivist Caitlin Angelone. Plus, while there you can learn more about the Delco Downhill Derby with a chance to register. Free and open to the public, donations are encouraged.

DCHS: 9 W. Front Street, Media PA.


Poster created by Frances Beaver.
Poster created by Frances Beaver.

History Under the Stars Returns on Wednesday September 3rd!

Please join us for our public lecture series, History Under the Stars, returning on Wednesday September 3rd at 7 pm. The lectures are free and open to the public. There is limited seating, but guests are welcome to bring their own chairs. As we are entering the fall season, we encourage you to please dress a little warmly. Please do not park in our lot, you can find parking on either Front or Jackson Streets.

Held at our location: 9 W. Front Street, Media, PA 19063


September 3rd: Caitlin Angelone, Archivist at Elwyn Institute, discussing the history of Elwyn.



September 17th: Paul Hewes, director of DCHS, discussing the history of DCHS and its upcoming 130th



October 8th: Jennifer Green, Chester County History Center, discussing the history of hauntings and folklore in the Delaware Valley.



October 15th: Professor Matthew Kowalski, Temple University, showing the original Nosferatu and discussing its historical themes.


On Display at DCHS through September 24th

Now on display at DCHS, a new display featuring items from Elwyn Institute, with special thanks to Elwyn archivist, Caitlin Angelone. Come by our location in Media Tuesday through Thursday, from 10 am to 3 pm to see the display! Free and open to the public.

Delaware County Historical Society

9 W. Front Street

Media, PA 19063

Also on display is a new portrait we received of John Price Crozer, painted in about 1862. Come to our open house on September 26th to see more items related to the Crozer family!

Items from Elwyn, with thanks to their archivists Caitlin Angelone!
Items from Elwyn, with thanks to their archivists Caitlin Angelone!

From the Archives:

A portrait of John Price Crozer dated 1862. The artist has not been identified. This portrait was recently accessioned to our collection from the Crozer Medical Center.
A portrait of John Price Crozer dated 1862. The artist has not been identified. This portrait was recently accessioned to our collection from the Crozer Medical Center.
A sugar crock that belonged to Wm. Hoskins of Chester. The piece is dated March 24th, 1798, and is possibly the oldest piece of locally made pottery in the DCHS collection.
A sugar crock that belonged to Wm. Hoskins of Chester. The piece is dated March 24th, 1798, and is possibly the oldest piece of locally made pottery in the DCHS collection.
A photo of the intersection at 4th and Market Streets in Chester, PA. Photo taken by Fred Peel Studios in 1933.
A photo of the intersection at 4th and Market Streets in Chester, PA. Photo taken by Fred Peel Studios in 1933.

Pictured here in 1896, is one of the first preservation actions taken by DCHS, when we put a historical marker plaque on the Benjamin West house in Swarthmore. This photo is from the commemoration in1896.
Pictured here in 1896, is one of the first preservation actions taken by DCHS, when we put a historical marker plaque on the Benjamin West house in Swarthmore. This photo is from the commemoration in1896.

Special Thanks to our Partners:

Delaware County Community College

Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum

Willows Park and Preserve

Media Arts Council

Media Borough

Delaware County Institute of Science

YES, Center of Chester

The Mill at Rockdale

Elwyn Inc.

America 250 Delco

Visit Delco

Visit Media

Greatest Hits Records and Books

Three Potato Four


Special Thanks to the DCHS 2025 Sponsors:

Delaware County Council

Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semi-Quincentennial

Delaware County Interactive Gaming Authority

The Burman Family Charitable Fund

Mr. Andrew Saul

Visit Delco!

The Philadelphia Foundation

Anthony Makowski and Elise Brand

2SP Brewing Company

Burmans Health Shop

Oliver HVAC

Entrepreneur Works!

Delco Gives!

S.R. Rosati Inc.

Riddle Village

Arasapha Farms


Please consider supporting DCHS today by donating or becoming a member. Funding by members and friends help DCHS continue our mission of collecting and preserving Delaware County history and culture and making it available to the community!

 Venmo- @Delcopahistory

You can send a check or money order made out to Delaware County Historical Society, and mail it to our address at: 9 W. Front Street, Media, PA 19063


Links and Contact Information:


Email:

Director, Paul Hewes: outreach@padelcohistory.org

Library and Program Manager, Zach Beaver: research@padelcohistory.org

General Inquires: info@padelcohistory.org

Phone: 610-750-0622

Address: 9 W. Front Street- Media, PA 19063. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 am to 3pm.


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