As COVID-19 Subsides, Tourism Rebuilds In Chester County

WEST CHESTER, PA — With the 250th anniversary of our nation just a few years away, the Chester County commissioners are already getting ready for the celebration by sprucing up tourist attractions.

While tourism has been on hold during the last two years due to the pandemic, county officials are preparing for a massive celebration in 2026.

Chester County is one of the three original counties created by William Penn in 1682.

The Battle of Brandywine during the Revolutionary War was fought in southeastern Chester County, and Gen. George Washington’s encampment in the winter of 1777-1778 was in Valley Forge in the northeastern edge of the county.

The commissioners this week announced that Heritage Strategies LLC, Luzerne County, was awarded a $156,000 contract to bolster historic tourism in the county.

“Our historic tourism sector of the economy was damaged by the pandemic,” Marian Moskowitz, commissioner chairwoman, said.

“The plan here calls for our consultant to help us rebuild the lost tourism, especially as we lead up to, and prepare for Chester County’s celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.”

Work on the plan will begin immediately.

The Chester County planning commission estimated it will take about 18 months to complete.

The Delaware Valley Regional Finance Authority is financing the cost for the consultant as part of the County’s VISTA2025 economic development strategy, a public-private partnership.

“The first year will entail conducting a needs assessment of existing conditions and creating a capacity building plan,” Brian O’Leary, executive director of the planning commission, said.

O'Leary said the final six months of the plan’s development will focus on a locational analysis, touring routes, wayfinding and a marketing plan.

County Commissioner Michelle Kichline, who is leading the county’s America250 semiquincentennial commemoration, said the goal of the project is to develop a comprehensive plan to support heritage tourism.

“The plan will give us clearer direction for the 250th celebration, and it will also encourage ongoing investment into the maintenance and preservation of historic entities, creating community pride in the unique history and identity of Chester County,” Kichline said.

These are the goals:

• Creation of new centers for information to tell the county’s full story;
• Better defined routing to increase connectivity to these resources;
• Marketing strategies to target audiences that increase the number of visitors.

County Commissioner Josh Maxwell said Heritage Strategies has demonstrated experience in heritage interpretation and marketing.

“We are confident that they can bring these groups together to develop a comprehensive program that provides robust experiences for visitors,” he said.

The planning commission is working with the County History Center, the Heritage Task Force, Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau, and America250PA Chester County Commission on the project.