The Brandywine Valley is so rich in history, you can come upon an historic site or marker quite frequently as you travel around Chester County. William Penn’s “holy experiment” wasn’t the first step: Native Americans lived here for centuries before Europeans arrived. The Battle of the Brandywine is not the only conflict which touched the area; hundreds of men from Kennett Square and the surrounding region fought in the Civil War. Scientists, statesmen, inventors, authors and artists have lived and worked here—and their impact is still around today, showcased magnificently in the Kennett Heritage Center, the creation of Lynn Sinclair, a local resident and history buff.

Located at 120 North Union Street in a house built in 1901 by Dr. Isaac D. Johnson, the Kennett Heritage Center includes colorfully displayed panels, descriptions, artifacts, photograph and paintings which tell the fascinating story of the area. The center officially opened in June 2021. As you walk inside, you see a section devoted to William Penn, who made it his life’s work to start a colony where people could live their lives in religious freedom. Strolling through the rooms, you can sense the care and attention Sinclair devoted to all the displays, which focus on three main topics: the Battle of the Brandywine, the Underground Railroad and local agriculture.

Although it did not officially become a Borough until 1855, Kennett Square’s roots go way back. Francis Smith, originally from Kennet in Wilshire County, England emigrated here and in 1686 purchased 200 acres of land, giving the Township its name. William Penn granted his daughter Letitia a 15,500-acre tract in 1701 which included present day Kennett Township and Pennsbury Township. Quakers quickly settled the region. The Kennett Meeting was established in 1710, and their Meetinghouse still stands today on Baltimore Pike/Route 1 just outside of town. The Unicorn Tavern was once owned by Robert Morris, signer of the Declaration of Independence, known to many as the “financier of the American Revolution.” It was operating on a late summer day in 1777 when the British came to town.

The Battle of the Brandywine raged on September 11, 1777 mostly around Chadds Ford to the east and in Birmingham Township to the north—but Hessian soldiers camped in Kennett Square before the conflict, giving a nickname to a local spot: Hessian Hill. Two future Presidents— George Washington and James Monroe—served in this battle, as did Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury and John Marshall, a future Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

As slavery spread throughout the young nation, opposition developed to thwart its existence. Quakers were the first major group to officially oppose slavery—and southern Chester County became a hotbed of abolitionist activity. Sinclair’s favorite display is one showing a night scene with a bright star and a small house on the horizon, which sets the tone for the Underground Railroad exhibit, as the North Star was a “guiding beacon” for slaves escaping to freedom.

Kennett Square became a vibrant community by the mid-to-late 1800s, with several inventors using their skills to advance agriculture in the area. Moses Pennock and his son Samuel were granted several patents on farm machinery tools which aided in planting and harvesting crops. One exhibit mentions Samuel and his brother Morton who opened the S&M Pennock Company to manufacture a variety of farm instruments.

The Civil War was not fought anywhere near Kennett Square, but several local citizens joined in the fight. Charles F. Taylor, the brother of Kennett Square’s most famous son, Bayard Taylor, was the youngest Colonel in the Army of the Potomac. He was killed at the Battle of Gettysburg while defending Little Round Top on July 2, 1863. Both Quakers and blacks picked up weapons to defend the Union. One display at the Heritage Center mentions that the horrific conflict was sometimes called the “boy’s war” because of the many young males who served as drummers and in other positions. It is ironic that thousands of blacks fought in this war, defending a government which did not recognize most of them as legitimate citizens or give them the right to vote. That would not come until enactment of the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Sinclair is rightfully proud of her creation. She has done a masterful job encapsulating more than three centuries of local and regional history in a concise narrative which is a joy to behold. She is always thinking of ways to expand and improve the museum. A “Speaking of History” series covers a variety of interesting topics, and four speakers are lined up for 2024. Sinclair has plans for a “Heritage Harvest” in the fall, inviting people to bring photographs, artifacts and other items to the Museum for scanning and documentation.

Asked what her wish is for the Center, Sinclair said she wants visitors to “…learn at least one thing they never knew about Kennett.”

Walking through her suite of wonderful exhibits, it is likely that, for most people, her wish will come true. The Kennett Heritage Center’s website is https://kennettheritagecenter.org. Admission is free, and they welcome volunteers. Contact them at 484-905-4170 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Gene Pisasale is an historian, author and lecturer based in Kennett Square. His 11 books focus mostly on the history of the Chester County/mid-Atlantic region. Gene’s latest book is “Heritage of the Brandywine Valley”, a beautifully illustrated hardcover book with over 250 images showcasing the fascinating people, places and events of this region over more than 300 years. His books are available on his website at www.GenePisasale.com and also on www.Amazon.com. Gene can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].