Group Tours

Programs and Group Tours

Chester County, one of the first settlements in Colonial Pennsylvania, welcomes you! Chester County is rich in history, culture and community, and the Historical Society provides a central role in remembering the past while celebrating the present and future of our area.

The Museum, located in historic downtown West Chester, features displays of decorative arts, the history of Chester County and a variety of changing exhibits in our temporary galleries. In addition to the Museum, visitors may want to take a peek or spend an hour looking through our Library, or visit our Archives, located a short drive away in the Government Services Building. Guests won’t want to miss our fabulous Museum Shop, which showcases Chester County artisans, authors, historians and beautiful souvenirs of the area.

William Penn's colony of Pennsylvania was a bold experiment in religious freedom. It was also a remarkable piece of real estate, one of the new world's richest agricultural regions. Who came here? How did they prosper? What made Chester County craftsmanship so extraordinary? How did the drama of America's quest for freedom contrast with the day-to-day struggles of men, women and children? You’ll find the answers as you visit the Museum and learn from one of our knowledgeable guides.

Group tours and programs may be structured around a special theme while visiting the galleries. For example, tours may lead groups through an extraordinary collection of decorative arts, revealing the craftsmanship that makes Chester County pieces unique. Or, a tour may introduce the people of the past and may examine the day-to-day struggles, rarely told in the history books, that are at the heart of America's greatness. The American Revolution, the Underground Railroad, the fight for women's rights all had a significant role in Chester County's story.

Programs can last for an hour or longer, depending on the group’s wishes. With prior notice, we can arrange catered or boxed lunches on-site, or lunch at local restaurants and inns, or morning or afternoon refreshments. The Historical Society offers walking tours through the picturesque borough of West Chester, as well as collaborative tours with Historic Waynesborough, the home of Revolutionary War hero General Anthony Wayne.

The Historical Society is located in downtown West Chester, in the heart of the Brandywine Valley. We are conveniently located near several area attractions, including Longwood Gardens, the Brandywine River Museum, Valley Forge National Park and the Brandywine Battlefield Park. Click here for detailed directions to the Chester County Historical Society. 

Group Admission Fees

STUDENT MUSEUM PROGRAMS - $4.00 per student, ONE free teacher/chaperone for every 10 paid students.

ADULT MUSEUM PROGRAMS - For groups of 15 or more, $4.00 per adult. Tour leaders and bus drivers receive a complimentary admission to the museum.

SPECIAL INTEREST TOURS AND MUSEUM PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST - The cost is $7/person with a minimum of 10 people (includes admission fee).

SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND TOURS FOR SCHOOL GROUPS - For more information, click here.

For more information or to schedule a tour, contact the Manager, Public Programs by calling 610.692.4800, or email us at CCHS@ChesterCoHistorical.org. 

Speakers Bureau

Chester County Historical Society Speakers Bureau: Chester County Historical Society offers a selection of slide programs highlighting its museum and archival collections. The programs draw upon the expertise of its professional staff and their research on various Chester County topics. Click here to view a list of speakers and topics (PDF).