Delaware County Historical Society

09/04/2026

We are now just 22 days away from the biggest Delco event of the year, the Delco Downhill Derby! Join us on September 26 from noon to 5 pm on North Edgmont Street in Media. There will also be vendors and local non-profits on hand, so be sure to come out support!

Of course, a derby is nothing without a top prize, and our biggest prize is the famed and legendary William Penn Stump of 1682, first rolled down by William Penn in an effort to begin a derby. (Of course, no one had idea what he was actually talking about, and yes this not a real stump from 1682.) Last year, Danger Dom of greatesthits.official secured their place in derby history with their name on the stump. Will Danger Dom be able to defend their title? Or will a new winner rise and take the ultimate prize? Come down to the Delco Downhill Derby on Saturday September 26 to find out!

Programming like this is only made possible with the thanks of our friends and neighbors, who support our mission of promoting and protecting Delco history. Support us today with a donation, to help Delco Historical Society provide fun and engining events for the community: https://www.padelcohistory.org/donatetoday

09/03/2026

On Front Street in Media, between Orange and Citron Streets, you will see this tiny little marker, commemorating the location of Packard's General Store, one of the first established in the borough in 1854. While doing some research yesterday, I stumbled upon the deed of sale from Sarah Briggs to Mark Packard, outlining the exact location of the former general store!

Sarah Briggs and her family owned a farm of about 140 acres in present day Media and sold off large portions when the county seat was being relocated between 1849 and 1850. This deed dates from February of 1852, with Packard paying a down payment of $650, owing a total of $1,500.00 over time. Packard opened a general store here, and it even functioned as first bookstore in Media Borough. In his 1862 draft registration, Packard noted himself as a "bookseller".

Packard was also friends with the 15th president of the United States, James Buchanan, with his store acting a political headquarters for his campaigns. However, Buchanan did not seek a second term, and the 1860 presidential turned in favor for a young Abraham Lincoln, who is featured on our wonderful campaign banner!

Be sure to come out to Delaware County Institute of Science from 6 pm to 8 pm for an opportunity to see the 1860 Lincoln Banner up close in person. Folks will have an opportunity to see the other incredible exhibits and treat themselves to drinks prepared by Tony Shahan.

Tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/delco-historical-society-131st-birthday-celebration-tickets-1998896649688

09/02/2026

We are less than 25 days away from our Delco birthday celebration on Friday September 25 and Saturday September 26!

Friday September 25
Noon to 5 pm: Open House at Delco Historical Society, free and open to the public. On display will feature unique items of Delco history, including pieces from William Penn and other prominent folks of Delco history.

(9 W. Front Street, Media PA. Parking is available on Front or Jackson Streets)

6 pm to 8 pm: Join Delco Historical society at the Delaware County Institute of Science for an opportunity to see the 1860 Lincoln Banner up close in person. Folks will have an opportunity to see the other incredible exhibits and treat themselves to drinks prepared by Tony Shahan.

DCHS Members: Free Admission! (Must be a due paid member by 9.25.26)

General Admission: $20.00 (w/ light fare and drinks)

Membership Admission: $30.00 (w/ membership and a poster!)

Family Membership Admission: $50.00 (w/ membership, T-shirt and poster!)
For tickets and information click here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/delco-historical-society-131st-birthday-celebration-tickets-1998896649688

Thanks to our program sponsors and supporters:
Visit Delco, PA
National Endowment for the Humanities
America250PADelco
Visit Media PA
Wawa
Sun East Foundation
Mr. Andy Saul
The Burman Family Charitable Fund
The Moore Family

September 26 from noon to 5 pm on N. Edgmont Street in Media, the Delco Downhill Derby returns! Join us for this full day of fun!

09/02/2026

The board said the move to shutter the museum, which was founded in 1828, follows an extensive process aimed at strengthening the academy for the future.

09/02/2026

09/01/2026

It's that time of year again when the school year begins and the summer starts to wind down. This wonderful photo dates from sometime around 1892, showing the Oak Grove Primary School class. Oak Grove was established in 1860, and was the oldest public school in the city of Chester. Today, the grounds are currently the John L. Wetherill School. We hope you all have a good school year and be sure to consult Delco Historical Society for any local research projects!

Don't forget to get your admission now for the Delco Historical Society 131st birthday celebration on September 25:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/delco-historical-society-131st-birthday-celebration-tickets-1998896649688

Support Delco Historical Society today to continue our mission to promote and protect Delco history: https://www.padelcohistory.org/donatetoday

08/31/2026

This may look like the scene of a serious accident or the aftermath of a horrific event, but it's actually part of an organized scrap metal drive. This photo dates from October of 1942 during the "Salvage for Victory" campaign during the Second World War, showing piles of scrap collected by the Delco community lining in front of the Delaware County Courthouse. The federal government encouraged communities to salvage and collect anything that could be repurposed, including grease from cooking, rubber, paper, and a variety of metal objects like bicycles, cars, machinery, etc. The campaign helped to raised hundreds of thousands of tons of materials.

Be sure to support Delco Historical Society for our 131st birthday celebration on Friday September 25. Details on tickets and information can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/delco-historical-society-131st-birthday-celebration-tickets-1998896649688

Support Delco Historical Society today to help us continue to promote and protect Delco history to share with the community:
https://www.padelcohistory.org/donatetoday

08/28/2026

At Delco Historical Society, we have a collection of remarkable portraits of historic Delco families and folks much like these two brothers. Here we have two portraits of Joshua P. Eyre (1803-1872) and his brother William Eyre Jr. (1807-1863). The Eyre's were a prominent family in Chester during the 18th and 19th centuries in Delco.

In 1824, Joshua P. Eyre (with an incredible beard) established a general store at the southwest corner of Third and Edgmont streets in Chester. With his brother William, they established and operated a lumber and coal business until 1847, when they retired as some of the wealthiest individuals in Delco. In 1862, Joshua was appointed Deputy United States Marshal to enroll soldiers from Delco under the Conscription Act during the Civil War. Both were buried in Chester Rural Cemetery in the Eyre Family plot.

Both of these portraits were painted by Samuel Bell Waugh (1814-1885) a prominent Philadelphia portrait artist whose work includes portraits of the presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Abraham Lincoln. Today, Waugh's work can be found at PAFA and the National Portrait Gallery.

Be sure to come to the Delco Historical Society's 131st birthday celebration on September 25! Details and information can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/delco-historical-society-131st-birthday-celebration-tickets-1998896649688

Support Delco Historical Society in our mission to protect and promote Delco history: https://www.padelcohistory.org/donatetoday

08/27/2026

Here are two more wonderful pictures from the Chester F. Baker Collection. Both photos are from sometime after 1892, when electric trolleys were first introduced to Delco. Baker took thousands of photos, and these two capture a changing county, when only 15 years before this, most folks got around by horse!

Be sure to get your tickets for the Delco Historical Society's 131st birthday celebration at Delaware County Institute of Science on Friday September 25: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/delco-historical-society-131st-birthday-celebration-tickets-1998896649688

Support Delco Historical Society today: https://www.padelcohistory.org/donatetoday

08/26/2026

In one month, we are turning 131 and we are having a celebratory weekend! Delco Historical Society will be hosting back-to-back events, with unique displays, locally made kinetic sculpture vehicles, vendors, and more! Here are the details:

Friday September 25:
Noon to 5 pm: Open House at Delco Historical Society, free and open to the public. On display will feature unique items of Delco history, including pieces from William Penn and other prominent folks of Delco history.

(9 W. Front Street, Media PA. Parking is available on Front or Jackson Streets)

6 pm to 8 pm: Join Delco Historical society at the Delaware County Institute of Science for an opportunity to see the 1860 Lincoln Banner up close in person. Folks will have an opportunity to see the other incredible exhibits and treat themselves to drinks prepared by Tony Shahan.

DCHS Members: Free Admission! (Must be a due paid member by 9.25.26)

General Admission: $20.00 (w/ light fare and drinks)

Membership Admission: $30.00 (w/ membership and a poster!)

Family Membership Admission: $50.00 (w/ membership, T-shirt and poster!)

For tickets and more information click here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/delco-historical-society-131st-birthday-celebration-tickets-1998896649688

Saturday September 26:
Delco Historical Society brings you the Second Annual Delco Downhill Derby aka The Triple D; a kinetic sculpture derby held on N. Edgmont Street in Media, PA. The top prize winner will of course be immortalized in Delco history with their name carved into the famed William Penn stump of 1682!

$25.00 registration fee. Free and Open to the Public. Participants must agree to the rules and regulations.

Register here:
https://pci.jotform.com/form/251614352791053

Special thanks to our program partners and sponsors:
Visit Delco, PA
National Endowment for the Humanities
America250PADelco
Wawa
Visit Media PA
Delaware County Institute of Science
Sun East Foundation
Mr. Andy Saul
The Burman Family Charitable Fund
The Moore Family