Five Chester County Museums Get State Grants

CHESTER COUNTY, PA —Culture is in abundance in Chester County, and thanks to the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission it will be preserved for future generations.

State Rep. Melissa Shusterman, a Chester County Democrat, recently announced that the commission awarded more than $44,000 in state grants to historical societies and museums across the county.

The grants fund projects designed to improve the preservation and accessibility of historically significant records maintained by local governments, historical societies and academic institutions.

Shusterman congratulated the recipients who advocated for funding.

“Tourism created by these historic sites is a lifeblood for our communities and significant for all of Pennsylvania.” Shusterman said. “Thank you to the Wolf administration for recognizing our region as a premier place to invest.”

“Not only do the awards reflect highly on the organizations themselves, but the investment also greatly benefits residents all across the county, because our shared cultural heritage is something we all know is precious."

Awarded were:

• Chester County Historical Society, 225 N. High St., West Chester, received a $16,956 grant. The museum features exhibits telling the history of Chester County. Private tours and lectures are available. The museum has documents, letters, diaries, toys, tools, furniture and more. More information is available here.
• Historic Yellow Springs, 1685 Art School Road, Chester Springs, was awarded a $10,454 grant. The museum features a village that spans 300 years of American history. There are 11 buildings and a wide range of art, sculpture and ceramic classes for people of all ages. The village also has a wedding venue and numerous trails. More information is available here.
• Wharton Esherick Museum, 1520 Horseshoe Trail, Malvern section if Tredyffrin Township. Wharton Esherick Museum, was awarded a $7,789 grant. The museum is a National Historic Landmark for Architecture. It is the home of the late American artist Wharton Eshbach on a 12-acre wooded area. The exhibits feature Eshbach’s sculptures. His motto was, “if it isn’t fun, it isn’t worth doing.” Reservations required. More information is available here.
• Graystone Society Inc., Coatesville, was awarded a $6,231 grant. It is private foundation that hosts community events and operates a steel museum. The National Iron and Steel Museum, 50 S. First Ave., Coatesville, features exhibits about Lukens Steel, iron and steel making. More information is available here.

• Historic Sugartown, Inc., 273 Boot Road, Malvern, was awarded $4,000. The 19th century village features a window into American life in a rural crossroads village. Visitors experience how people came together for business, exchanged new and shared their lives. Workshops on book restoration, marbling and more are offered. More information is available here.

Shusterman, who served on the House Tourism Committee last session and hopes to be reassigned to it in the new session, said she encourages any historical organization in the district to contact her office for help applying for funding of historical projects.