Delaware County:
Where Pennsylvania Began

Join the Celebration uniting Delaware County
to promote our history, boost civic engagement, and
bring together special 250th anniversary festivities.

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Our mission is to engage all Delaware County residents in America's 250th anniversary by providing and supporting experiences, now through 2026, that ignite imaginations, elevate diverse stories, inspire service, and highlight the American founding and 250 years of American history through Delco’s unique lens.  

  • $0.00
  •  3/22/2024 12:00 PM
  • Online Event

In collaboration with Chester County 250, join America250PADelco at the Zoom into History Series. This session features Donna Ann Harris of Heritage Consulting reviewing What Does It Mean to Be "Visitor Ready" for 250? Participants will review a Self-Assessment Checklist for their site and/or organization.

  • $0.00
  •  4/26/2024 12:00 PM
  • Online Event

In collaboration with Chester County 250, join America250PADelco at the Zoom into History Series. This session features Donna Ann Harris from Heritage Consulting, Philly to discuss how your site or organization can get 'Visitor Ready' for 250.

  • $0.00
  •  2/23/2024 12:00 PM
  • Online Event

In collaboration with Chester County 250, join America250PADelco at the Zoom into History Series. This session features Rose Fennell, Superintendent, National Park Service, Valley Forge National Historical Park to speak about how Valley Forge National Historic Park is getting ready for America's 250th anniversary founding celebration in 2026. Valley Forge National Historical Park is open year-round, has no entrance fees, and welcomes around two million visitors each year. Historic buildings, statues and monuments, and 35 miles of trails can be found in this beautiful 3,500-acre landscape.

  • $0.00
  •  1/31/2024 06:00 PM - 1/31/2024 08:00 PM
  •   55 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, PA, USA

Stakeholders from the 80+ groups that preserve the rich history of Delaware County as members of the Delaware County Historic Preservation Network (DCHPN) are invited to participate in an interactive workshop to contribute to the ‘Delco Semiquincentennial Celebration Plan’ describing how Delco will celebrate activities and events that are relevant to the 250th anniversary of the nation’s independence. Refreshments will be served. This program was made possible by funding from the Philadelphia Funding Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial.

  • $0.00
  •  1/15/2024 09:00 AM
  •   Lathem Hall, Potter Street, Chester, PA, USA

All Delaware County residents are invited to join a Chester MLK Day of Service on Monday, January 15, 2024. This event will be an opportunity to reflect on Dr. King's life and work, while also taking action to improve our community. This event is hosted by Delaware County in partnership with Widener University, Philadelphia Union, the City of Chester, The Downtown Cultural Arts and Technology Center, and America250PADelco.

  •  11/12/2023 01:00 PM
  •   Widener University

Revolutionary Reads will culminate with a visit from Dr. Patrick Spero, author of Frontier Rebels: The Fight for Independence in the American West, 1765-1776, on Sunday, November 12 at 1:00 pm hosted by Widener University. This event is free and open to the public.

  • $0.00
  •  11/11/2023 11:00 AM
  •   512 Welsh Street, Chester, PA, USA

On Veteran’s Day, if you are close to Chester, PA you may hear a bell tolling at 11:11 AM. At the historic 1724 Chester Courthouse resides the Chester Liberty Bell, the very bell which rang out for freedom in 1776. You will hear the bell ring out as part of the nationwide the Bells of Peace ceremony. On 11th of November 1918, bells rang out to announce the end of the most catastrophic war the world had yet seen, and since November 2018, the 100th anniversary of the WWI Armistice, the Bells of Peace ceremony has been held nationwide. As we hear the bell toll, we ask residents of Delaware county to take a moment to reflect on and to salute all Americans who served their nation in both conflict and times of peace.

  •  11/2/2023 07:30 PM
  • Online Event

Join local historians for an America250PADelco Revolutionary Reads Book Club Discussion of Frontier Rebels by Patrick Spero. This event will take place on Zoom.

  •  9/19/2023 01:00 PM
  • Online Event

America250PA is announcing this year's Direct Effect™ Innovation Challenge (DEIC) theme with Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Dr. Khalid N. Mumin! Join in to hear about the official 2023 theme and challenge, timeline and major details, and answer participation questions. All Pennsylvania postsecondary students, faculty, staff, and interested partners and sponsors are welcomed to attend.

  •  8/8/2023 11:00 AM
  •   412 Avenue of the States, Chester, PA, USA

The County received a Semiquincentennial Grant from the National Park Service in the amount of $522,872 for the rehabilitation of the 1724 Chester Courthouse in Chester City. This impactful grant was obtained through the hard work of the County Planning Department. We are planning to announce receipt of this grant in a press conference in front of the Courthouse on Tuesday, August 8th at 11:00am. It will also be at this event that we will announce the hire of Andrea Silva, who will serve as the Director of the County’s efforts to commemorate the Country’s 250th Birthday. Councilwomen Elaine Paul Schaefer and Christine Reuther will be present. Join America250PADelco at the press conference!

  •  7/29/2023 11:00 AM - 7/29/2023 03:00 PM
  •   1256 Thornbury Road, West Chester, PA, USA

Lafayette Day festivities begin the bicentennial celebration of America’s hero in Chester, Delaware counties on July 29. Randell Spackman of Thornbury Farms is hosting the free-family event at his farm, 1256 Thornbury Road, West Chester, from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. In addition to Lafayette displays, the day will include food, music, a Heritage Walk and activities for children. The Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard will mark the beginning of the celebration.

  •  6/19/2023 01:00 PM - 6/19/2023 05:00 PM
  •   Rose Tree Park, Media, PA, USA

The celebration, hosted by Delaware County Council, the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association, and Taylor Made Vets will feature live music, artistic performances from local schools, vendors, food, and more.

  • $2
  •  6/4/2023 11:00 AM - 6/4/2023 04:00 PM
  •   1682 Karakung Drive, Havertown, PA, USA

Fun for the whole family! Demonstrations, crafts, food, music, beer, etc. Craft vendors and non-profits are invited to register. The theme this year is first responders! Suggested donation $2.

  •  5/29/2023 10:00 AM - 5/29/2023 02:00 PM
  •   poore park, team road, aston, 19014

Parade (including bike parade) starts staging at 10:30 at Rockdale Art Center (starts 11:15). Ends at Monument at New/Mount Roads where there will be music, food, gifts, raffles, etc. from 10 am onwards.

  •  4/25/2023 06:30 PM
  •   Middletown Free Library, 464 South Old Middletown Road, Media, PA, USA

Help celebrate over 250 years of American History in Delco! The program is designed to tell the story of Delaware County people, places, and events from before the founding of America to the present time for the celebration of America 250 occurring in 2026. This presentation would be a "how-to create" an online presence, click link below for one example, for those people, places, or events. https://www.theclio.com/entry/121969

America250 launches  “America’s Field Trip,” — a nationwide scholastic contest with awardees receiving behind-the-scenes experiences at iconic American historical and cultural sites.

America250 launches “America’s Field Trip,” — a nationwide scholastic contest with awardees receiving behind-the-scenes experiences at iconic American historical and cultural sites.

3/4/2024

America’s Field Trip invites elementary, middle, and high school students to submit artwork, videos, and essays reflecting on what America means to them. 75 first-place awardees and their designated chaperone will be provided free travel, lodging, and access to unforgettable field trip experiences at select historical and cultural sites across the country, and second-place awardees will receive $500 cash awards.

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America250PADelco partners with the 2nd Annual Delaware County MLK Day of Service

America250PADelco partners with the 2nd Annual Delaware County MLK Day of Service

1/17/2024

Joined by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, America250PADelco partnered with Delaware County, Widener University, the Philadelphia Union, the Downtown Cultural Arts and Technology (CAAT) Center, and to host the 2nd Annual Delaware County MLK Day of Service on January 15 in Chester. Hundreds of people came together to give back to the community where Dr. King once lived. The day included a Peace March and community building activities created to foster unity, sense of purpose, and shared responsibility among residents. www.delcopa.gov/mlk

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The Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act

11/15/2023

The bipartisan, bicameral Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act, which would authorize the Architect of the Capitol to create a time capsule as part of the nation’s planned Semiquincentennial celebration and have it buried on the west lawn of the Capitol, to remain sealed until July 4, 2276, the nation’s 500th Anniversary. Cosponsors of the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act are U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bob Casey (D-PA) and Mike Rounds (R-SD).

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Delaware County also officially establishes the America250PADelco Commission

Delaware County also officially establishes the America250PADelco Commission

8/16/2023

Delaware County also officially established the America250PADelco Commission on August 15, 2023. The new commission will work with community partners to facilitate the raising of funds to support commemoration efforts in conjunction with the America250PADelco Committee. Appointed by Delaware County Council, the America250PADelco Commission will include representatives from Delaware County Council, Visit Delco, the America250PADelco Committee and up to sixteen community leaders from a broad range of backgrounds and have a diversity of expertise and experience in tourism, economic development, museum, cultural, and historic sites, business, education, labor, charitable giving, government, civic and faith-based organizations, and Tribal affairs.

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Delaware County Council Welcomes New Director of America250PADelco!

Delaware County Council Welcomes New Director of America250PADelco!

8/16/2023

Delaware County Council unanimously appointed Andrea Silva as the Director of the America250PADelco. “I’m excited about this amazing opportunity to engage all members of the Delco community in our county-wide celebration,” said Ms. Silva. “Leading up to July 4, 2026, our entire nation is preparing for a diverse commemoration. We have a chance to pause and learn from our history, celebrate our achievements, and build an engaged community for a strong future in Delaware County.”

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Delaware County Council Announces $522K Grant for the Rehabilitation of 1724 Chester Courthouse

Delaware County Council Announces $522K Grant for the Rehabilitation of 1724 Chester Courthouse

8/11/2023

Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer, Delaware County Councilwoman Christine Reuther, and Delaware County Planning Department Director Gina Burritt were honored to join Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, members of the Friends of 1724 Chester Courthouse including historian Carol Fireng, and various elected officials at the 1724 Chester Courthouse to announce that the County has been awarded a National Park Service grant in the amount of $522,872 for rehabilitation of the historic structure. Located less than a block from the current Chester City Hall, the 1724 Chester Courthouse is the oldest continuously occupied building in public use in the country and has served as the County Courthouse for Delaware County and Chester County, as well as the City Hall for Chester City. Funding for the National Park Service grant was made available through the Historic Preservation Fund’s Semiquincentennial Grant Program, created by Congress in 2020 to support a wide variety of historic preservation projects to help preserve the nation’s cultural resources.

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America250PADelco Announces Its 2023 Revolutionary Read

America250PADelco Announces Its 2023 Revolutionary Read

7/5/2023

Each year through 2026, the America250PADelco committee will select a title examining the lead up to the Revolutionary War and the Declaration of Independence to be that year’s Community Read. This year the committee has chosen Frontier Rebels: The Fight For Independence in the American West, 1765-1776 by Patrick Spero.

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Road to 2026

Road to 2026

3/31/2023

In an effort to promote a healthier Pennsylvania, America250PA is encouraging Pennsylvanians to live a healthier lifestyle by walking, running, biking or wheeling their way to 2026, all while taking in the #EPIC views of our Commonwealth. Participants can walk, run, bike or wheel their own race, at their own pace, and submit their times to track their progress. In partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and our county partners, America250PA will also highlight and encourage visitation to Pennsylvania state parks, county parks and local historic points of interests. Race managed by Wolf Creek Race Management in Butler County. Explore Delco parks and trails- Visit Delco- https://visitdelcopa.com/trails/ Delaware County Parks and Trails Explorer- https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/32d38a65de0e49408e6e500fec65807f AllTrails- https://www.alltrails.com/ Let us know you're participating through our Socials!

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History Talk: Party Like It's 1976! - At Nitre Hall

History Talk: Party Like It's 1976! - At Nitre Hall

7/13/2021

As we prepare for the country’s 250th birthday, join local historian Jim Segrave-Daly to discuss how Philadelphia & Delaware County celebrated America’s bicentennial. From President Ford’s visit to Valley Forge & Philadelphia to the film “Independence” by Academy Award-winning director John Huston, the area celebrated in style. Joint program with Haverford Township Historical Society, Haverford Township Free Library and America250PADelco. Click Read More to watch the video.

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Delaware County becomes official partner to America250PA

Delaware County becomes official partner to America250PA

7/21/2021

At the July 21, 2021 County Council meeting, Councilman Madden read out a Resolution supporting the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States semi-quincentennial (America250PA). Agenda item 7.A at the meeting. Item 9.E was for approval of applying for a PHMC HARC grant which, if successful, would involve America250PADelco in the third phase of the Collections Care project throughout Delaware County. Click the button to watch the video of both items.

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AMERICA250 LAUNCHES NATIONAL PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT CAMPAIGN: AMERICA’S INVITATION, KICKS OFF COUNTDOWN TO 2026 SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY

AMERICA250 LAUNCHES NATIONAL PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT CAMPAIGN: AMERICA’S INVITATION, KICKS OFF COUNTDOWN TO 2026 SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY

7/4/2023

Leaders from America250, Milwaukee Brewers and others announce at Cubs vs. Brewers game, a new partnerships to help make America’s 250th the largest, most inclusive commemoration. Read more and watch America’s Invitation launch video, which will play in MLB stadiums and be broadcast across the country.

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