Chadds Ford Historical Society

10/17/2026

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for the last day of the Great Pumpkin Carve on Saturday, October 17th! After Friday night's rain ending our event early, we are anticipating a higher attendance on Saturday to come out for the cooler weather!

If you can come out for a few hours to help out (gets you in for FREE for the day), please sign up, as we count on our volunteers to continue our wonderful events! Sign up with a friend, as some shifts/areas needs 2 volunteers, then enjoy the event before or after your shift.

Please see the sign up sheet and come out! Thank you! 🧡🖤🧡🖤

Hello Friends! We are in the need of volunteers for the 2026 Great Pumpkin Carve of Chadds Ford!! Join us for a three-day Chadds Ford tradition where over 70 giant pumpkins are carved & lit by local artists on Thursday and will be lit and displayed on Friday & Saturday. All three nights enjoy a Haun...

10/16/2026

Pumpkin Carve Update (6:25pm)
Friday, October 16th

With the impending thunderstorms about to hit at 6:30pm, we are closing gates to wait out the storm and possibly re-open after it passes.

Stayed tuned....

10/16/2026

Announcing the 2026 Great Pumpkin Carve Winners!!
TOP WINNERS:
Best Overall
Pumpkin #72
"Medusa”
Carvers: Matthew Hrin, Allie Gallo, Joe Hrin, Evan Towt
Pumpkin Sponsored By: WSFS, Aston Office

Most Traditional Halloween
Pumpkin #19
"Jack 'O Menace”
Carvers: Alexander Adams, Nick Fisher, David Annan, Steve (Overlord) Annan
Pumpkin Sponsored By: Chadds Ford Tavern

Best Use of Pumpkin
Pumpkin #31
"Pumpkin Pizzeria”
Carvers: Tom Schubert, Rachael, Marley Mullen
Pumpkin Sponsored By: Hailey Bell

Best “Chadds Ford” Theme
Pumpkin #13
"Celestial Chadds Ford"
Carvers: Elizabeth Colly Kelly, Kelly Wood, Connor W. Wood, Brian Wood
Pumpkin Sponsored By: The Nanni Team

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Best Overall - Honorable Mention
Pumpkin #5
"Carnival”
Carvers: John & Audrey Bilek
Pumpkin Sponsored By: Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate

Most Traditional Halloween - Honorable Mention
Pumpkin #69
"Howlin' Werewolf”
Carvers: Jennifer MacNeill, Deb Parry, JP Parry & Zoe Traylor
Pumpkin Sponsored By: Brandywine Ace Pet & Farm

Best Use of Pumpkin - Honorable Mention
Pumpkin #44
"Feathered Fright”
Carvers: Nick Mottola & Tony Mottola
Pumpkin Sponsored By: The Mottola Group Of Compass RE

Best “Chadds Ford” Theme - Honorable Mention
Pumpkin #6
"Chadds Ford Web"
Carvers: Carolyn Gorham, Geni Grossman
Pumpkin Sponsored By: Hood's BBQ

BONUS CATEGORY!
Our Judges created an extra category as a surprise!!

Best Use of Natural Materials
Pumpkin #4
"The Great Pumpkin Palace”
Carvers: Craig Cashner Jr., Matt Delaney, Amanda Kashner, Sal Guzman
Pumpkin Sponsored By: Eagle Power Wash Services, LLC

Best Use of Natural Materials - Honorable Mention
Pumpkin #77
"Mr. Sanders' House” (Winnie the Pooh)
Carvers: Brooke, Ben & Jenny Hickinbotham
Pumpkin Sponsored By: Team Toyota of Glen Mills

Official Judges:
"Brandywine Conservancy Team"
Stephanie Armpriester
Julia Steiner, Public Engagement Coordinator
Libby Vieira da Cunha, Director of Education & Engagement

Photo Credits: Stephanie Armpriester

10/16/2026

PUMPKIN CARVE UPDATE
Friday, October 16, 2026

The Great Pumpkin Carve is on for Friday, October 16th! Possible t'storms in the later afternoon/early evening to pass through. We will be watching the weather closely and update Facebook with any changes. We ask that you maybe plan accordingly and know that the parking lot is a grass meadow.

In the event that a storm may be heading our way, we will make sure to ask visitors to go back to their cars and wait for it to pass. The building will also be open for any handicap or elderly attendees who cannot make it back to their car to sit out any storms.

*This is an outdoor event: The Carved Pumpkin area is in a grassy meadow where there can be divets and unlevel ground. The Haunted Trail is in the tree grove area where there is uneven ground and roots. We ask that you wear comfortable footwear and dress for outdoor weather.

Please come out and see the Pumpkins, enjoy the food, adult beverages, the awesome Bluegrass & Americana Bands! 🎃

10/15/2026

Take a spooky stroll through the Haunted Trail at the Great Pumpkin Carve starting today! It only gets scarier as the night goes on!

Thursday (2pm-9pm)
Friday (2pm-10pm)
Saturday (12pm-10pm)

Chadds Ford Historical Society
1736 Creek Road, Chadds Ford, PA 19317

10/14/2026

Pumpkins for The Great Pumpkin Carve of Chadds Ford arrived safely from Lancaster County! 🎃🖤🧡

10/13/2026

CALLING ALL PUMPKIN CARVE VOLUNTEERS!

We are in need of Volunteers for all 3 days of the Great Pumpkin Carve! Come help out for a few hours and enjoy the event before or after your shift. Some areas are in need of 2 volunteers per shift, so sign up with your friend and enjoy the event together! Volunteers get in for free for the day and get invited to our annual Volunteer Appreciation Party in November.

If you're interested, please check out the link to sign up!

Hello Friends! We are in the need of volunteers for the 2026 Great Pumpkin Carve of Chadds Ford!! Join us for a three-day Chadds Ford tradition where over 70 giant pumpkins are carved & lit by local artists on Thursday and will be lit and displayed on Friday & Saturday. All three nights enjoy a Haun...

06/03/2026

Hands On History Summer Camp 2026

Now offering four weeks!

Chadds Ford Historical Society invites students entering 3rd to 6th grade to join an immersive camp that explores life in the 18th century and beyond. Each day, campers will explore the past through nature, the arts, and colonial life. Various camp activities include fabric dyeing, candle making, papermaking, colonial games, a nature scavenger hunt, a simulated archaeological dig, and bread baking at the 18th century home of John Chads.

Campers will also participate in 18th century demonstrations, hike the Brandywine trail, and take part in a Revolutionary War themed escape room. In addition to these activities, plenty of time is provided for free play and unstructured fun. Campers will not want to miss this chance to experience Hands on History!

Camp Weeks: June 15-19, July 6-10,
July 20-24, - several openings
and August 3-7
Time: 9AM-3PM
Grades: Students entering 3rd-6th
Pricing:$350 (Member), $360 (non-member early bird), $375 (non-member regular)

currently accepting mail-in and over-the-phone registration

05/16/2026

We already want to thank so many people for stopping out to see us on this beautiful day! We are here till 4 PM with plenty of excitement!

05/16/2026

Stop out and see us at the Barns-Britton House for our 250 celebration open house! 10-4 pm Sat May 16th

We have great vendors, Authors, tour, fresh bread- baking demonstration in our beehive oven !

At 1 PM reading of the decoration of independence from the front steps !

Join us, as we make our own history today- Huzzah!