The Avenue of the States, a main artery in downtown Chester, has seen a surge of interest from developers and investors in recent months. Most recently, the Delaware County Historical Society moved its offices to the street, writes Vinny Vella for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

“Our goal is to try and instill some pride in Chester’s residents about where they live, and stress the importance of where they live, to help them develop ownership and a sense of being in the community,” said Laurie J. Grant, the society’s executive director.

Grant took over the leadership role at the historical society in April. She said the move to Chester was a long time coming. The society’s museum has been at the downtown Chester address since 2008, but its leadership stayed in a separate office in Media, the county seat.

[uam_ad id=”52851″]

Advertisement

A $30,000 grant from County Council is helping transform the building, a former bank across the street from the office of State Rep. Brian Kirkland, by tackling decades’ worth of “deferred maintenance,” according to Grant.

Grant, a marketing and community relations veteran most recently employed by Widener University, is trying to rehabilitate the society’s image. Steps in that direction include clearing nearly five tons of clutter from the building and developing new exhibits to appeal to a wider audience in Chester and beyond.

Read more about the Delaware County Historical Society in The Philadelphia Inquirer by clicking here.

[uam_ad id=”52850″]