Delaware County Historical Society Low on Funds, May Shut Down

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The Delaware County Historical Society building, shown here when it was still a bank.
Image via Delaware County Historical Society.
The Delaware County Historical Society building, shown here when it was still a bank.

The Delaware County Historical Society, preserving local history since 1895, is running out of money and may soon cease to exist, writes Kenny Cooper for WHYY.

The nonprofit survived the pandemic with help from PPP loans but now there are only four months of operating funds in the reserve.

“Times are tough and funding has reached a critical level. We can’t limp anymore,” said Executive Director Laurie Grant.

The historical society is in an older building at 408 Avenue of the States in Chester that needs repairs, including a new roof.  It threatens the collection inside, including the deeds of William Penn, and a presidential banner from a rally Abraham Lincoln held in Media.

The building houses a research library, museum gallery and a children’s education center, along with furniture dating back to the 17th century. It also houses genealogy records.

With the Society on life support, there’s talk of asking municipal historical societies to look after artifacts specific to their communities.

Delaware County has played a critical role in the nation’s history. For example, William Penn first landed in Chester, not Philadelphia, when he came to Pennsylvania.

Read more at WHYY about the troubles hitting the Delaware County Historical Society.

Find out more about the Delaware County Historical Society.

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