Chester County Historical Society offers a selection of 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.
Program Fees
At your meeting place: We provide the projection equipment. You provide a surface on which to project.
Not-for-profit organizations - $50 per program
For-profit organizations - $100 per program
At CCHS as part of a special interest programs:
$10 per person (includes regular museum/library admission). Minimum number of attendees is 10.
To make a reservation
Call the person listed below for the topic in which you are interested.
Topics
Chester County History A PowerPoint-illustrated lecture explores the complex relationships between people and the land where they live and work. Learn about people from many heritages and walks of life who came to live in Chester County, the area’s rich agricultural heritage, social and reform movements and the wheels of industry.
Contact: Ellen Endslow, Curator, at 610-692-4800 ext. 257.
Chester County Ceramics The soil of Chester County has nurtured a number of pottery traditions from slip- or sgrafitto-decorated redware to fine Tucker porcelain. This PowerPoint-illustrated lecture traces the styles, methods of manufacture and uses of ceramics made in Chester County from the 18th to late 19th centuries.
Contact: Ellen Endslow, Curator, at 610-692 4800 ext. 257.
Chester County Then and Now This 30 minute PowerPoint show provides an overview of how Chester County has grown and changed over the years. By comparing historical and contemporary views of each site, the evolution of the county’s businesses and community are explored. This program is the result of a collaboration between CCHS and Chester County Camera Club for an exhibition in 2004 and a companion book which is still available from Arcadia Publishing titled: Then and Now: Chester County
Contact: Pamela Powell, Photo Archivist, 610-692-4800 ext. 260.
Genealogical Research at the Chester County Archives The Chester County Archives houses and makes available the historic county government records of Chester County. This program provides an overview of the types of records available at the Archives, the information they contain and how they are indexed. Records discussed include probate, taxes, deeds, vital records and court records. Emphasis will be given to records dating from the 1700s to the early 1900s.
Contact: Laurie Rofini, Director of Archives, 610-344-6760.
Meeting for Equality: The 1852 Pennsylvania Woman’s Rights Convention The first Pennsylvania women’s rights convention was held in West Chester’s Horticultural Hall on June 23, 1852. Among the rights the Pennsylvania meeting claimed for women were the right to vote, the right to receive equal pay for performing the same work as men and the right to study the sciences. This slide-illustrated program discusses the men and women who played a major role in the convention and provides an overview of the issues that they raised. The program also highlights the connections between the early women’s rights movement and other social movements such as abolitionism and temperance.
Contact: Laurie Rofini, Director of Archives, 610-344-6760.
How Old Is That Photograph? How old that picture in the attic? How can genealogists research photos from their family collections and date them? This PowerPoint lecture program will introduce a methodology used to assign a date range to historical photographs. Research tools to be demonstrated will include identifying the photographic process, how to research the photographer's imprints and visual clues found in costume and background details. Examples of the research process and the sources used to accurately date the photographs will be fully explained. A handout sheet will outline the methods used and will include a bibliography of sources for further information. Time will be allowed for questions and individuals may bring one image with them to be dated. Participants will come away with sharpened powers of observation and a new appreciation of the photographic medium.
Contact: Pamela Powell, Photo Archivist, 610-692-4800 ext. 260.
One Room Schoolhouses Ask any American about public education in America, and you will get stories about one room school houses and the “good old days” where students were motivated to learn and discipline was not a problem. Public schools developed as a result of legislation in the 1830s and compulsory education did not exist until the early 1900s. Based on the school record collection at CCHS, emphasis will be placed on what really happened in one room schools.
Contact: Carol Grigson, History Day Coordinator, 610.692.4800 ext. 266.
Photographic Treasures from Our Collection This lively PowerPoint slide show features some of the unique historical photographs found in the Chester County Historical Society photo collection. Learn the fascinating stories behind them. Some surprises include candid detective camera photographs taken in the 1880s. Learn what the earliest photo in the collection is and why a gentleman had his portrait taken in jail. Photos depict landscape and architecture from across the county as well as people in all walks of life. The program can be tailored for your region of the county.
Contact: Pam Powell, Photo Archivist, 610-692-4800 ext. 260.
Pieces and Patterns: Quilt History and Chester County How are 19th century quilts made in Chester County similar to or different from quilts made elsewhere or at different times in history? This illustrated slide lecture explores materials, construction and styles of Chester County quilts and their place in the history of quilted handiwork. It also describes a 2003-2004 county-wide quilt documentation initiative.
Contact: Ellen Endslow, Curator, at 610-692-4800 ext. 257.
Samplers and Schoolgirl Art From darning samplers to mourning pictures, needlework sheds light on the lives of 19th century women and girls from Chester County. Learn about the distinctive styles associated with the Westtown School and other female academies.
Contact: Ellen Endslow, Curator, at 610-692-4800 ext. 257.
Women and Social Reform in Chester County Slides and narrative trace the development of local women’s involvement in three reform movements: abolitionism, temperance, and women’s suffrage. Topics covered include the role of Quaker women, the 1852 Pennsylvania Woman’s Rights Convention and local women’s participation in two campaigns to amend the state constitution (prohibition in 1889, women’s suffrage in 1915).
Contact: Laurie Rofini, Director of Archives, at 610-344-6760.
Please click here to print the information on the Speaker’s Bureau
Program Fees
At your meeting place: We provide the projection equipment. You provide a surface on which to project.
Not-for-profit organizations - $50 per program
For-profit organizations - $100 per program
At CCHS as part of a special interest programs:
$10 per person (includes regular museum/library admission). Minimum number of attendees is 10.
To make a reservation
Call the person listed below for the topic in which you are interested.
Topics
Chester County History A PowerPoint-illustrated lecture explores the complex relationships between people and the land where they live and work. Learn about people from many heritages and walks of life who came to live in Chester County, the area’s rich agricultural heritage, social and reform movements and the wheels of industry.
Contact: Ellen Endslow, Curator, at 610-692-4800 ext. 257.
Chester County Ceramics The soil of Chester County has nurtured a number of pottery traditions from slip- or sgrafitto-decorated redware to fine Tucker porcelain. This PowerPoint-illustrated lecture traces the styles, methods of manufacture and uses of ceramics made in Chester County from the 18th to late 19th centuries.
Contact: Ellen Endslow, Curator, at 610-692 4800 ext. 257.
Chester County Then and Now This 30 minute PowerPoint show provides an overview of how Chester County has grown and changed over the years. By comparing historical and contemporary views of each site, the evolution of the county’s businesses and community are explored. This program is the result of a collaboration between CCHS and Chester County Camera Club for an exhibition in 2004 and a companion book which is still available from Arcadia Publishing titled: Then and Now: Chester County
Contact: Pamela Powell, Photo Archivist, 610-692-4800 ext. 260.
Genealogical Research at the Chester County Archives The Chester County Archives houses and makes available the historic county government records of Chester County. This program provides an overview of the types of records available at the Archives, the information they contain and how they are indexed. Records discussed include probate, taxes, deeds, vital records and court records. Emphasis will be given to records dating from the 1700s to the early 1900s.
Contact: Laurie Rofini, Director of Archives, 610-344-6760.
Meeting for Equality: The 1852 Pennsylvania Woman’s Rights Convention The first Pennsylvania women’s rights convention was held in West Chester’s Horticultural Hall on June 23, 1852. Among the rights the Pennsylvania meeting claimed for women were the right to vote, the right to receive equal pay for performing the same work as men and the right to study the sciences. This slide-illustrated program discusses the men and women who played a major role in the convention and provides an overview of the issues that they raised. The program also highlights the connections between the early women’s rights movement and other social movements such as abolitionism and temperance.
Contact: Laurie Rofini, Director of Archives, 610-344-6760.
How Old Is That Photograph? How old that picture in the attic? How can genealogists research photos from their family collections and date them? This PowerPoint lecture program will introduce a methodology used to assign a date range to historical photographs. Research tools to be demonstrated will include identifying the photographic process, how to research the photographer's imprints and visual clues found in costume and background details. Examples of the research process and the sources used to accurately date the photographs will be fully explained. A handout sheet will outline the methods used and will include a bibliography of sources for further information. Time will be allowed for questions and individuals may bring one image with them to be dated. Participants will come away with sharpened powers of observation and a new appreciation of the photographic medium.
Contact: Pamela Powell, Photo Archivist, 610-692-4800 ext. 260.
One Room Schoolhouses Ask any American about public education in America, and you will get stories about one room school houses and the “good old days” where students were motivated to learn and discipline was not a problem. Public schools developed as a result of legislation in the 1830s and compulsory education did not exist until the early 1900s. Based on the school record collection at CCHS, emphasis will be placed on what really happened in one room schools.
Contact: Carol Grigson, History Day Coordinator, 610.692.4800 ext. 266.
Photographic Treasures from Our Collection This lively PowerPoint slide show features some of the unique historical photographs found in the Chester County Historical Society photo collection. Learn the fascinating stories behind them. Some surprises include candid detective camera photographs taken in the 1880s. Learn what the earliest photo in the collection is and why a gentleman had his portrait taken in jail. Photos depict landscape and architecture from across the county as well as people in all walks of life. The program can be tailored for your region of the county.
Contact: Pam Powell, Photo Archivist, 610-692-4800 ext. 260.
Pieces and Patterns: Quilt History and Chester County How are 19th century quilts made in Chester County similar to or different from quilts made elsewhere or at different times in history? This illustrated slide lecture explores materials, construction and styles of Chester County quilts and their place in the history of quilted handiwork. It also describes a 2003-2004 county-wide quilt documentation initiative.
Contact: Ellen Endslow, Curator, at 610-692-4800 ext. 257.
Samplers and Schoolgirl Art From darning samplers to mourning pictures, needlework sheds light on the lives of 19th century women and girls from Chester County. Learn about the distinctive styles associated with the Westtown School and other female academies.
Contact: Ellen Endslow, Curator, at 610-692-4800 ext. 257.
Women and Social Reform in Chester County Slides and narrative trace the development of local women’s involvement in three reform movements: abolitionism, temperance, and women’s suffrage. Topics covered include the role of Quaker women, the 1852 Pennsylvania Woman’s Rights Convention and local women’s participation in two campaigns to amend the state constitution (prohibition in 1889, women’s suffrage in 1915).
Contact: Laurie Rofini, Director of Archives, at 610-344-6760.
Please click here to print the information on the Speaker’s Bureau