Thanks to the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission members, the Chester County Historical Society in West Chester received a $16,956 grant. The community museum was one of five total recipients.
Located at 225 N. High St., the nonprofit center features exhibits telling the history of Chester County. Private tours and lectures are available. The museum has documents, letters, diaries, toys, tools, manuscripts, photographs, furniture and other furnishings. Museum representatives also deliver school and youth educational programs, and a National History Day year-round academic program. The Chester County History Center is the official coordinator for National History Day in Chester and Delaware Counties. Each year, 2,000-plus local students participate in their schools, 300 advance to compete at the regional level (the center's contest), and many continue on to the state and national competition.
This grant initiative funds projects designed to improve the preservation and accessibility of historically significant records maintained by local governments, historical societies and academic institutions. “Tourism created by these historic sites is a lifeblood for our communities and significant for all of Pennsylvania,” says Pennsylvania State Rep. Melissa Shusterman, who made the grants' announcement.
A total of $44,000 in state grants was awarded to historical societies and museums across the county. Other recipient entities were [$10,454] Historic Yellow Springs in Chester Springs; [$7,789] Wharton Esherick Museum in Malvern; [$6,231] Graystone Society Inc., in Coatesville; and [$4,000] Historic Sugartown, Inc., in Malvern.
“Not only do the awards reflect highly on the organizations themselves, but the investment also greatly benefits residents all across the county, because our shared cultural heritage is something we all know is precious," adds the state representative.
