West Chester Products

Steeped in history, the borough of West Chester was established in 1799 in one of the three original counties in Pennsylvania. Serving as the county seat, West Chester is also the proud home of West Chester University of Pennsylvania, formerly West Chester State Normal School. In 1999, the bicentennial of West Chester will be celebrated, marking two hundred years of memories that are integral to Pennsylvania's renowned history.

Much of the rich history of West Chester is brought to life through a collection of over two hundred images, generously lent by the residents of the borough. These images offer a glimpse into the past, spanning from the dawn of photography up to the year 1920. Many of the images featured have never been seen in print before, ranging from authentic photograph postcards of the community to photographs taken between 1875 and 1910 by Gilbert Cope, the co-author of The History of Chester County (1881).

In addition to the photographs, the collection also includes old broadsides, one of which is the oldest existing Chester County broadside. Other noteworthy inclusions are the first newspaper printed in Chester County in 1794, and a sketch of one of the oldest homes in West Chester. Together, these illustrations form a captivating visual history that offers a unique perspective on the evolution of West Chester over the years.

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