Chester County's Historic Preservation Services
Honoring Chester County's Living Legacy
As one of three original counties founded by William Penn, Chester County enjoys a rich and vitally important role in the development of this country. The interpretation and preservation of historic structures, landscapes and other resources at the County level is a collaborative partnership of the County Archives & Records Services, Parks & Recreation Department and Planning Commission.
We are here to answer questions about the history of Chester County and to provide technical assistance to the County’s 73 municipalities, for profit and non-profit organizations representing historic resources, and history minded residents who are ultimately responsible for the wealth of historic resources that we all enjoy.
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Chester County Archives & Record Services
Focus: Preserve and make available the historic records of Chester County
The Chester County Archives was established in 1982 to preserve and make available the historic records of Chester County. The archives currently holds over 2,655 volumes and 1,779 cubic feet of original public records of enduring historic and cultural value. Serving over 3,200 researchers a year, the archives is a primary destination for genealogists, property researchers, local historians and academics researching all facets of Chester County history.
In 1985 the archives expanded to include micrographics and records management sections. To help facilitate the disposal, access, preservation and management of current public records, records management ensures that county departments follow the guidelines established by the State of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Courts
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The Chester County Archives is administered by the Chester County Historical Society in cooperation with the County of Chester.
The Chester County Archives is currently developing a research guide to historic house or property research. Upon its completion in spring 2010, the guide will be available on the Archives website. The Archives, along with Chester County Historical Society and the Department of Parks and Recreation, will also hold workshops in 2010 on historic property research that will be held at the Historical Society. The guide and workshops are funded by the grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
The purpose of Archives & Records Services is to:
1. Preserve and make available the historic records of Chester County. Historic records available for property research include deeds, taxes, and estate records. Records are kept in a climate-controlled storage room. Open to the public Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
2. Provide Services and Technical Assistance. On-site reference assistance to researchers using County records and online access to record indexes at www.chesco.org/archives. Education and outreach programs are available through Chester County Historical Society.
Contact:
Chester County Archives & Records Services
Laurie Rofini, Director
Government Services Center
601 Westtown Road, Suite 080, West Chester, PA 19380
610-344-6760
ccarchives@chesco.org
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Chester County Department of Parks & Recreation
Historic Preservation & Heritage Education Services
Focus: Provide heritage interpretation for Chester County's parks, information on historic resources to further knowledge about Chester County's role in American history, and to help preserve its cultural heritage
Heritage Interpretation & Education for County Parks & Trails
· Black Rock Sanctuary’s Phoenixville Canal relationship and coal desilting program
· Hibernia County Park's mansion, iron plantation and gentleman's farm
· Nottingham County Park's serpentine barrens & mining traditions
· Springton Manor Farm’s legacy of agricultural & land stewardship
· Warwick County Park's iron heritage, focusing on charcoal production
· Technical assistance relating to historic resources adjacent to or part of trail properties such as the Parkerford Historic District, Fricks Lock Village and the Phoenixville Canal
Chester County Historic Preservation Officer
The Chester County Historic Preservation Officer was created by the Chester County Board of Commissioners and approved by the federal government in 1981. It was created to provide necessary coordination between the county, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, state and federal agencies, and the general public when identifying and addressing the county’s individual historic resources and their history based upon the National Preservation Act of 1966 as amended.
· Chester County Historic Structures Certification Program
· Section 106 consulting party for state and federally-funded or assisted projects
· Section 106 reviews for County projects
· Historic Resource identification, registration and documentation
· Chester County Historic Resource Atlas Project -
GIS Mapping of Historic Resources updating the Historic Sites Survey 1979 - 1982
Technical Expertise and Educational Assistance to the Public
· Duties of municipal historical commissions, committees and societies
· Historic resource information for residents, businesses and property owners
· Assistance to resource task forces & organizations on historic preservation issues
· Assistance for historic structures preservation & maintenance standards
· Chester County Historic Preservation Network (CCHPN) Board Member
Heritage Tourism & Marketing
· Chester County's Cultural Heritage Interpretive Region collaborations & linkages
· Iron & Steel Heritage Tourism Strategy
· Section 106 reviews for County projects
· Town Tours & Village Walks: Free summer walking tours of historic areas througout the county
Contact:
Chester County Department of Parks & Recreation
Karen Marshall, Heritage Preservation Coordinator
Government Services Center
601 Westtown Road, Suite 160, West Chester, PA 19380
610-344-6415
kmarshall@chesco.org
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Chester County Planning Commission
Local Historic Resource Planning Assistance
Focus: Provide techinical assistance in the development of local historic resources planning policy and regulations
Support historic resources planning through Chester County Policy
· Landscapes/ Landscapes2
· Linking Landscapes: A Protected Open Space Plan for Chester County
· CCPC is the planning arm of the larger County directive to implement Landscapes/Landscapes2 historic resource policies through County programs
Provide consulting assistance for municipal historic resource planning
Professional planning staff provides planning consulting, technical assistance, and facilitation services on municipal planning programs such as a historic preservation plan element of a municipal comprehensive plan and historic preservation ordinances
Provide municipal historic resources planning grant funding
· Vision Partnership Program includes grants for municipal historic resources
· Monitor and assist grant projects related to historic resource planning
Prepare historic resources planning publications for municipalities
Preserving Our Places, A Historic Preservation Manual for Chester County Communities
Battlefield Protection Strategies, A Guide for Brandywine Battlefield Communities
The Community Planning Handbook - a "tool box" of planning strategies for municipalities
Coordinate with other agencies on the local historic resource planning
· Chester County Parks Department
· Brandywine Battlefield Task Force
· Chester County Department of Community Development
· PA Historical and Museum Commission
Contact:
Chester County Planning Commission
Jeannine Speirs, Senior Community Planner
Government Services Center
601 Westtown Road, Suite 270, West Chester, PA 19380
610-344-6285
jspeirs@chesco.org
Content Last Modified on 7/6/2009 10:35:24 AM
