Mission Statement and goals

Several years ago we began to collect and catalog our family's history, and many of the relics handed down from previous generations. Our family settled in Pennsylvania before the US existed, and the region was under British colonial rule. Over the years, many items were lost or destroyed, stories and names forgotten and roots disconnected. Our aim is to catalog and preserve our heritage, and share it with all interested parties.

Initially we started out with just genealogy, but has since expanded to photos, news articles, actual relics, old films and now DVDs. We're trying to capture today for future inquires, so we've entered the digital age especially with imaging.

The strongest demand is for our revolutionary firearm exhibit. Please feel free to browse these pages and gain whatever you can from our archives. All we ask is please properly credit any images or resources you use from this page.We also encourage anyone with similar interest to consider archiving their own family's history, as the task just gets harder as time passes. This is why it's easier for families that have more recent history. We hope you enjoy our collection, and feel free to copy anything you wish.

This web archive provides:

  • Historical archives & reference, especially Chester County local history
  • Resource opportunities for local teachers, researchers and students of history -- gives students an opportunity to "connect" with history.
  • Source of local historical reproductions
    • The purpose of this exhibit is to connect the present generation to some of the artifacts from the past. It provides history students with visual aides, and an opportunity to connect with history by physically handling either original specimens, or reproductions.

    These reproduction 18th century items were purchased specifically for educational use. This allows students to safely touch and handle them, resulting in a personal experience and a connection with the past. This is where we differ from museums -- we encourage contact instead of placing these relics behind glass. By making contact with functioning examples, students connect with history and take away experince rather than rote memorization of facts and dates.

    If you take a moment to read the student's reactions, it's clear that personal experiences teach very fast. Please refer to the References Section to read some of the comments from the students.

    Click here for presentation and planning details