William Penn created Chester County in 1682. It was one of the three original counties of Pennsylvania. At that time Chester County's borders were Philadelphia County to the north, the Susquehanna River to the west, the Delaware River to the east, and Delaware and Maryland to the south. Lancaster County was formed from Chester County in 1729. Berks County was formed from the northern section of Chester County in 1752, as well as parts of Lancaster and Philadelphia Counties. The original county seat was the naval shipbuilding city of Chester. However, it became part of Delaware County when it was formed from the eastern portion of the Chester County in 1789. West Chester became the new county seat and has remained so to today. The former Valley Forge Army Hospital, constructed during World War II, was one of the largest military hospitals in the United States. Offering a unique heritage and proud historic preservation of Chester County to residents and visitors.

Berwyn Veterans Memorial (610) 889-9966
Brandywine Battlefield Park (610) 459-3342,
Colonial PA Plantation (610) 566-1725,
Downingtown Historical Society (610) 269-1167
East Vincent Historical Commission (610) 933-4424
Historic Kennett Square (610) 444-8188
Historical Society of Delaware (302) 655-7161
Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area (610) 935-7646
Historic Yellow Springs (610) 827-7414
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site (610) 582-8773
Kennett Square Borough (610) 444-6020
Kennett Underground Railroad Center (610) 444-0169
Paoli Battlefield (610) 644-2602
Rockwood Park (302) 761-4340
The Mill at Anselma (610) 827-1906
Valley Forge National Historical Park (610) 783-1077
William Brinton House and Historic Site (610) 399-0913

For more information on Chester County History CLICK HERE