American
Historic Small-Town Itineraries
Chester County William Penn established Chester County in 1682 as one of the
first three counties in Pennsylvania; West Chester is the county seat. Other
historic towns in Chester County include Kennett Square, Oxford and
Phoenixville. Each has its own unique agricultural, revolutionary and
industrial histories. These Main Streets of the Brandywine Valley are treasures
of a time gone by with lovely tree-lined streets filled with restaurants,
shops, galleries, markets, festivals and more.
West Chester nestled in the heart of the Brandywine Valley, West Chester is a
picturesque and historic community that offers small-town charm with a
cosmopolitan flair. Their downtown boasts 83 shops and 59 restaurants. The
Chester County Historical Society is a history museum which tells the American
story from a local perspective. West Chester's Main Streets offer a host of
diverse shops and galleries. Specialty shops featuring imported olive oils,
fine handmade chocolates, cigars and skate and surf equipment. The West Chester
railroad, one of the oldest in America, offers a 90-minute train excursion
through the beautiful Chester Creek Valley.
Kennett
Square the town was
originally called Kennet Square, with the name "Kennet", England, and
"Square" coming from the original William Penn one square mile land
grant. General Sir William Howe marched through Kennett to the Battle of
Brandywine during the American Revolution. Kennett is famous for being the
mushroom capital of the world; over 60 percent of the nation's mushroom crop is
from this region. This small-town main street is filled with an eco-boutique, a
rare book store, quilts, antiques and a spa. A walk down Kennett's State Street
is also a culinary adventure.
Oxford on
the way stop to view the historic covered bridges that surround the
countryside. Then, stroll down Oxford's Main Street where Amish buggy's share
the road, a vibrant art alliance hosts exhibits, shows and events, farmers
markets offer local foods and wares, and charming coffee and tea shops.
Phoenixville like many American towns and cities, Phoenixville owes its
growth to its waterways. The Phoenix Company Foundry, built in 1882, is home to
the Schuylkill River Heritage Center, a historic gateway to northern Chester
County that provides information about places of interest to visit throughout
the region. Originally called Manavon, Phoenixville was settled in
1732. In its industrial heyday early in the twentieth century, it was an
important manufacturing center and it was the site of great iron and steel
mills, boiler works, silk mill, underwear and hosiery factories, a match
factory, and Etruscan majolica pottery. The Iron Hill Brewery is a great
gathering spot on Bridge Street, Phoenixville's main drag; it specializes in
handcrafted beer and creative cuisine. Charming shops line the main street.
The
Brandywine Valley wind your way along the banks of the Brandywine
River through horse country and
rich farmland. The rolling hills and verdant pastures along the Brandywine
Valley Byway form a lovely and dramatic backdrop including Longwood Gardens, a
stunning horticultural display set on the more than 1,000 aces of the former du
Pont estate and the Brandywine River Museum, housed in a 19thcentury
gristmill. Its unparalleled collection of works by three generations of Wyeth’s
American illustration, still-life, and landscape paintings make it a mecca for
art lovers from all over the world.
Brandywine Valley Wine Trails beautiful estate vineyards in the rolling hills of Chester
County, charming tasting rooms and barrel-aging cellars filled with
premium wines that showcase a unique terroir. Spanning scenic southeastern
Pennsylvania between historic Philadelphia and the Amish countryside outside
Lancaster, the four wineries of the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail are located
within an easy drive of one another and are open year-round. Pennsylvania's
climate and terrain provide some of the best growing conditions on the east
coast, allowing Brandywine Valley to be one of the state’s premier wine
regions. Brandywine Valley's bucolic countryside is home to many fine wineries.
Make a stop at Chadds Ford Winery, the largest wine producer in the state or
visit any of the unique, family farmed wineries along the Brandywine Artisan
Wine Trail.
Historic
Small-Town Travel Experiences in Chester County Pennsylvania