Thirty Years of Town Walks

Celebrating its 30th year, the Chester County Town Tours & Village Walks program is a free event featuring Chester County’s cultural heritage through a series of lectures and evening strolls. You’ll come away with an increased awareness of Chester County’s rich heritage and historic landscape. Tours are from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

July 11 – West Bradford — Highland Orchards
Highland Orchards has been a long-time staple in the West Bradford Township community since 1941. Visitors will be guided on wagons through 200 acres of orchards and farmland to learn about agribusiness and how it has enabled the preservation of land, structures and viewsheds. Park: 1000 Marshallton Thorndale Rd., West Chester.

July 18 – East Whiteland
Explore the Village of White Horse, mapped and settled since the early 18th century. Primarily an agricultural and limestone mining area in 1777, the Village became associated with the Battle of Brandywine, the Battle of the Clouds and Paoli, and was a prime military and supply center. Park: 969 (Home of the Sparrow) or 967 (adapted barn) E. Swedesford Rd., Exton. Volunteers will direct you.

July 25 – Uwchlan
Tour the Baird House/Uwchlan Township Building and grounds. This property dates from 1735 with a log house that remains inside, existing alongside its other early additions. The grounds will be open for exploration and contain connecting ponds, outbuildings, log house replica, gardens and the Veterans’ Memorial. Park: 715 N. Ship Rd., Exton.

August 1 – Tredyffrin
The tour will focus on the Baptist Church in the Great Valley, founded in 1711 by Welsh settlers. Visitors will tour the 1805 structure, as well as learn the stories of burial ground residents, including Rev. David Jones (d. 1820), chaplain to Gen. Anthony Wayne, and Rev. Leonard Fletcher (d. 1859), leader of the anti-slavery Chester County Wilberforce Society. Park: 945 N. Valley Forge Rd., Devon.

August 8 – North Coventry
Enjoy a village walk at Coventry Woods. Multiple programs will be offered and focus on the Lenape presence in Chester County, the early iron industry in northern Chester County, “Free Love Valley” and the Battleaxe Movement, and Hopewell Big Woods, Camp Fernbrook and today’s Coventry Woods. Park: 1954 St. Peter’s Rd., Pottstown.

August 15 – Historic Yellow Springs
In 2024 Yellow Springs celebrates the 50th anniversary of their founding organization and continuous participation in Town Tours and Village Walks. The program features costumed characters from over 30 years, focusing on the eras of history evident here and the continued promotion of preservation goals of the organization’s founders. Park: 1701 Art School Rd., Chester Springs. Follow signs to park at the Chester Springs Library. Doors open at 5:30.

More at ChesCo.org/TownTours