Delaware County Historical Society

06/05/2026

We hope you have a wonderful weekend! We will be having a busy weekend with some wonderful events, so be sure to stop by and say hi!

From the Archives:
A photo from 1965 of the corners of Market Street (now Avenue of the States) and Pennsylvania Avenue. Check out the brilliant Coca-Cola sign and the old "five and dime"!

Saturday June 6th: Delco Historical Society will be in the Delco Pride Parade with UDTJ in Media from noon to 1 pm!

Sunday June 7th: Delco Historical Society will be at the Haverford Heritage Festival with the Haverford Township Historical Society from 11 am to 4 pm.

Support Delco Historical Society today to promote and protect Delco history: https://www.padelcohistory.org/donate

06/04/2026

Did you get your tickets yet for the Delco Summer Social Concert on Saturday June 27th at The Mill at Rockdale ??? Line up today and get your tickets for an evening of live music, fun, food, drinks, prizes and more!

Tickets available here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-delco-summer-social-a-concert-fundraiser-for-delco-historical-society-tickets-1989311301654

Proceeds go to benefit Delco Historical Society to promote and protect Delco history, and to make it accessible to all!

From the Archives:
A local marching band lines up for a special performance outside of the State Theater in Chester, circa 1959. This may have been during the premier of the film Ben-Hur when it was released in November of 1959, the largest budgeted film produced at the time. The State Theater was on 7th Street in Chester, near the intersection of Sproul Street. It was originally opened as the Hargreaves Opera House in October of 1890 and became the State Theater in 1939.

Thanks to our program sponsors:
Visit Delco, PA
National Endowment for the Humanities=
Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semi Quincentennial

If you would like to donate a prize or sponsor the event, reach out to Delco Historical Society today! [email protected]

06/03/2026

History Under the Stars is on tonight but there is a change in the programming. Unfortunately, Robyn Young cannot make it tonight and will be back for our fall season in October.

Tonight, Paul Hewes (seen here in the captain's hat!), Director of Delco Historical Society will present on revolutions of the 18th century and the ripple effect of the War for American Independence. Please join us by 8:15 pm, as it will be outside tonight!

History Under the Stars at Delco Historical Society
9 W. Front Street
Media, PA 19063-come by at 8 pm!
Free and open to the public.
Bring your own chair if you wish, limited seating provided, BYOB.

Support from our friends and neighbors help Delco Historical Society provide free programming like this for the community. Donate today to support Delco history: https://www.padelcohistory.org/donate

Special thanks to Visit Delco, PA National Endowment for the Humanities and the Burman Family Charitable Fund for their support.

06/02/2026

We are now just 25 days away from the Delco Summer Social Concert on Saturday June 27th at the The Mill at Rockdale! Join us for live music, fun, food, drinks, prizes and more!
Tickets available here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-delco-summer-social-a-concert-fundraiser-for-delco-historical-society-tickets-1989311301654

From the Archives:
A photo of the Media High School marching band, Spring 1948.

Thanks to our program sponsors:
Visit Delco, PA
National Endowment for the Humanities
Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semi Quincentennial
If you would like to donate a prize or sponsor the event, reach out to Delco Historical Society today! [email protected]

06/01/2026

We hope you all are getting a good start to your week! We are getting ready for a whole month of wonderful events leading up to the big 250th celebration on the Fourth of July!

From the Archives:
A wonderful surviving example of John Morton's handwriting. Morton of course was Delco's own signer of the Declaration for Independence, born in Ridley in 1725. This piece is part of survey Morton drew up for the heirs of Stephen Ogden's tract in Springfield, dated March 30th, 1773. The very next year Morton would be elected to serve at the First Continental Congress at Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia.

Unfortunately, after Morton passed away in 1777, his house was burned down by the British, destroying practically anything that could give insight into his political thinking. Thankfully, at Delco Historical Society, we have wonderful examples like these that illustrate his service to his neighbors here in present day Delco!

Join us for these upcoming events and more to see pieces like these!

Wednesday June 3rd: History Under the Stars lecture series at Delco Historical Society, 9 W. Front Street, 8:15 pm.

Saturday June 6th: Delco Historical Society will be in the Delco Pride Parade in Media from noon to 1 pm, come say hi!

Sunday June 7th: Delco Historical Society will be at the Haverford Heritage Festival from 11 am to 4 pm on Karakung Drive!

Wednesday June 17th: History Under the Stars lecture with Amanda Burdan of the Brandywine River Art Museum, starts at 8:15 pm.

Saturday June 27th: Delco Summer Social at the The Mill at Rockdale! Come join us for music, prizes and more! Tickets available here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-delco-summer-social-a-concert-fundraiser-for-delco-historical-society-tickets-1989311301654?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

Special thanks to our sponsors:
Visit Delco, PA National Endowment for the Humanities, Sun East Foundation, Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semi Quincentennial, and the Burman Family Charitable Fund.

05/29/2026

Sometimes photos in our collection tells us very little. I could not find a listing for this bar in our Chester directories, and the photo just say's "Luke's Hotel and Bar, Chester, sometime in the 1950's."

Chester during the 1950's had a number of drinking establishments that hosted live music, especially acts that played country and blues. During this time, a young Bill Hailey and the Saddlemen played in numerous bars in Chester and the Philadelphia area, including local dance halls, where Hailey first heard the phrase "Crazy Man, Crazy", from the local youth. This would become the title of the first Bill Hailey with Hailey's Comets single, and arguably the first rockabilly recording to appear on the national American musical charts, peaking at #15 on the Billboard singles chart for the week ending May 23, 1953. (73 years ago this week!)

We hope you can join us to celebrate the history of Delco music at the Delco Summer Social on June 27th at The Mill at Rockdale. Be sure to get your tickets today!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-delco-summer-social-a-concert-fundraiser-for-delco-historical-society-tickets-1989311301654

Thanks to our sponsors:
Visit Delco, PA
National Endowment for the Humanities
The Philadelphia Funder Collaborative

If you would like to sponsor the Delco Summer Social or donate a raffle prize to help raise funds for Delco Historical Society, reach out today: [email protected]

05/28/2026

From the Archives:

A wonderful but unfortunately damaged lithograph of the Frick and Thomas Sawmill in Chester, aka Frick's Boatyard. The lithograph is signed by K. Volkman of Louisburg. In 1860, William Fick and William Wilson of Louisburg, PA, came to Chester and purchased a large tract of land along the Delaware River in Chester. Their specialty were canal boats (as depicted in the lithograph), which ultimately due to inflation and infrastructure costs ruined their business. The business ran for only about 17 years, putting the date of this lithograph sometime between 1860 and 1877.

Be sure to join us for these upcoming events to support Delco Historical Society!

Saturday June 6th: Delco Historical Society will be in Media for Delco Pride Parade, so come out and say hi! Thanks to UDTJ for organizing.

Sunday June 7th: Declo Historical Society will have a table and tent at the Haverford Heritage Festival, with thanks to the Haverford Township Historical Society.

Saturday June 27th: The Delco Summer Social concert fundraiser at the The Mill at Rockdale, with Knifeplay, Radiator Hospital and Sun Organ! Tickets available here at the link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-delco-summer-social-a-concert-fundraiser-for-delco-historical-society-tickets-1989311301654?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

05/26/2026

On the calendar for Saturday June 27 at the The Mill at Rockdale for the Delco Summer Social! Get your tickets today!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-delco-summer-social-a-concert-fundraiser-for-delco-historical-society-tickets-1989311301654?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

JUNE LINEUP 🗓️

Whether you love a good tribute band or a laid back comedy show- The Mill has it all this month! Find the show for you and get tickets NOW!

All Ticket Links are Live on our Website - LINK IN BIO + BELOW🎟️

https://www.tixr.com/groups/themillrockdale

05/26/2026

Are you a local Delco business? Do you want to support the greatest, most exciting Delco event of the year? Then add your business to the Delco sponsor cart for the Delco Downhill Derby, aka the Triple D, on Saturday, September 26th, 2026!

If you or your business would like to sponsor the Delco Downhill Derby to support DCHS, consider our sponsorship tiers!

$1,310 (In Honor of DCHS 131st birthday!)
• Public recognition during the Triple D
• Logo on marketing collateral
• Signage at event
• Stage time to promote your company during event.
• Your logo on the DDD Sponsor Car

$500
• Public recognition during the Triple D
• Logo on marketing collateral
• Logo on the DDD Sponsor Car

$250
• Public recognition during the Triple D
• Logo on the DDD Sponsor Car

$130
• Logo on marketing collateral

You can submit your sponsorship by check to Delco Historical Society at 9 W. Front Street, Media.
On our website: https://www.padelcohistory.org/donate
Venmo:

For more information reach out to Delco Historical Society at [email protected]

Thanks to our 2026 sponsors:
Visit Delco, PA
Wawa
Media Borough
Sun East Foundation
National Endowment for the Humanities
America250PADelco

05/22/2026

We hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! Be sure to get your tickets for the Delco Summer Social now while they are still available. The concert is a fundraiser for Delco Historical Society to support our mission to protect and promote Delco history. Get your tickets today for an incredible evening of music, history and fun!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-delco-summer-social-a-concert-fundraiser-for-delco-historical-society-tickets-1989311301654

From the Archives:
A wonderful photo from 1952 of the children's choir of St. Michael's R.C. singing Christmas carols at the 1724 Chester Courthouse. St. Michaels was one of Delo's oldest Catholic churches. The church was established in 1842 by Irish employees of Leiper's quarry, after complaints that traveling to St. Denis in Havertown was too far away. The church was completed in 1843, and designed by architect Napoleon LeBrun, Esq., who was also the architect of the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia. Today the building houses St. John A.U.M.P. Church.