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S TAY D O W N T O W N E X P L O R E T H E VA L L E Y
a fig速 west chester guide to the
B R A N D Y W I N E VA L L E Y
a free guide
B R A N DY W I N E H E
Enjoy and explore the
BRANDYWINE VAL LEY Perhaps the best part of Southeast Pennsylvania is the more than 100 attractions, each less than an hour’s drive from West Chester. This makes the Brandywine Valley an adventure for everyone, whether it’s canoeing on the Brandywine River, strolling through museums and art galleries, or exploring the vibrant downtowns. The lush estate gardens, with their seasonal displays and special events, are just the beginning of what is now called the Garden Capital of the World. Tour historic estates from the spectacular conservatory at Longwood Gardens to the whimsical gardens of Chanticleer. Encounter the gritty history of George Washington and his desperate troops at Valley Forge National Park or take a day trip to Old Town Philadelphia to see Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. When it’s time to relax, you can enjoy a meal at one of the unique eateries in downtown West Chester, from pizza to haute cuisine. Many have outdoor dining and even rooftop patios. Entertainment occurs nearly every day from street festivals to band performances at local clubs to classical music and dance at West Chester University, just a few blocks from downtown West Chester. Of course, The Fig® Brandywine Traveler can only provide a taste of what can be experienced in the Brandywine Valley. But the features found here serve as a great introduction for what is becoming one of America’s great vacation spots. Malcolm Johnstone, Executive Director of West Chester BID
CON T E N TS
PUBLISHER Moxie House, LLC moxiehouse.com
FEATURES 04 Chester County Historical Society 05 Shop, Dine, & See: Downtown West Chester 0 6 Chanticleer 07 Northbrook Canoe 08 - 09 Longwood Gardens
WHAT IS FIG®? Fig® is a seasonal buy-local guide to the Borough of West Chester. Sign up to receive your own copy of Fig® delivered to your doorstep free four times a year at figwestchester.com. WHY THE FIG® BRANDYWINE TRAVELER? The Fig® Brandywine Traveler is a collaboration between Fig ®, the West Chester Business Improvement District (BID), and the Borough of West Chester to better welcome travelers seeking to experience our world-class attractions when visiting this historic community.
Fig® is sponsored by the West Chester Business Improvement District (BID); they believe in the power of a unified downtown. downtownwestchester.com Moxie House, LLC has made every attempt to ensure that all information contained in this publication has been obtained from reliable sources, but all such information is provided “as is” with no guarantee of completeness or accuracy. The views of contributors do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of Moxie House, LLC. Moxie House, LLC cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions contained in, or reliance made upon the contents of, this publication. Copyright: Copyright 2015 © Moxie House, LLC. All rights reserved. Photography or page layout contained in Fig® shall not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the specific written permission of Moxie House, LLC. Contact 717.394.7737 or studio@moxiehouse.com.
1 0 Brandywine River Museum of Art 1 1 Chester County Art Association 1 2 -1 3 Winterthur 1 4 -1 5 Attractions and Map
THE CREATOR & PRODUCER OF FIG® moxiehouse.com studio@moxiehouse.com
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CHESTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
*Presenting Corporate Exhibition Sponsors: Wilmington Trust and M&T Bank for the 1960s exhibit.
The Chester County Historical Society (CCHS) inspires, informs, and builds community identity by preserving and sharing the remarkable story of Chester County and its people. Founded in 1893, CCHS is the official county history museum, history education center, and historical repository of Chester County, PA. As such, CCHS aims to preserve and share the county’s remarkable history in powerful and relevant ways. Recently CCHS opened an exciting new exhibit: The 1960s Pop Culture: Movies, Memorabilia and the Media, the Steve and Michell Friedman Collection*. This private collection is a fascinating and reflective journey
into the recent past— running through August 2015. A second, more comprehensive exhibit, The Sixties! will open on November 7, 2015. CCHS’s Library contains a wealth of information for the researcher. Discover resources on genealogy, local history, property research, and antiques. After a month of hard work and dedication during the library’s “Big Dig,” the staff, librarians, and volunteers at the Chester County Historical Society welcome the community back to see all that was accomplished!
EXPLORE TODAY!
225 North High Street West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 692-4800 chestercohistorical.org
TRAVELER INSIDE TIP Long-term parking is available across the street at the Chestnut Street Garage (17 East Chestnut Street). Pick up your downtown guide for restaurant and shopping opportunities.
Enjoy it all.
SHOP, DINE , & SEE
The perfect town—enjoy it all.
West Chester is esteemed for its bars and eateries, boasts of fine boutique stores, and is rich in history that can be seen, touched, and felt. Dine and delight the palate— whether looking for romantic fare or something more casual, West Chester accommodates all desires. Limoncello (9 North Walnut) offers homemade Italian dishes, while Roots café (8 West Gay) is all about farmto-table deliciousness. Want sushi? Visit Kooma (123 North Church). Have a brew at Iron Hill (3 West Gay) or Boxcar Brewing Company (306 Westtown Road) and enjoy a variety of drinks, appetizers, and even fun with the family. Need a break? Enjoy a glass of vino at the Kreutz Creek wine tasting room (44 East Gay). Going casual? Try a grilled cheese and milkshake from Penn’s Table (100 West Gay). West Chester has over seventy establishments to enjoy, refresh, and nourish. Browse downtown and enjoy an array of boutique style shops and curated galleries. Purchase a souvenir at Chester County Historical Society (225 North High), or make your
own at the Painted Plate (104 West Market). The 5 Senses (133 West Market) specializes in unique gifts from consigned local artists. Peruse the local galleries—from the Chester County Art Association (100 North Bradford Avenue) to Visual Expansion Gallery (126 North High) and The Art Trust (16 West Market). Take home goodies from Éclat Chocolate (24 South High) and taste the creations of West Chester’s own chocolatier. Stop at Sunset Hill (23 North High) and pick up a bauble—sure to be a memorable souvenir. Come and explore what West Chester has to offer. The Borough became the county seat in 1786, and the newly renovated Historic Courthouse (built in 1848) is open to the public (2 South High). Walk the brick sidewalks and discover the Lincoln Building (28 West Market) where the first biography of Abraham Lincoln was published in 1860. Enjoy the beauty of the stained glass windows in the West Chester Public Library (415 North Church) built in 1888. Come enjoy a 90-minute train ride along the beautiful Chester Creek on the West Chester Railroad (230 East Market) completed in 1834. Looking to enjoy the sun and relax? Take your lunch and sit in Marshall Square Park (405 North Franklin), or Everhart Park (Miner Street & Bradford Avenue). Shop, dine, & see all that downtown Historic 05 West Chester has to offer.
TRAVELER INSIDE TIP Bring a date, a group of friends, or just a book. Find some handmade chairs, sit back, and enjoy the beautiful view!
Chanticleer, a 35-acre pleasure garden in Wayne, PA, is one of the most visually exciting, imaginative, and romantic gardens in the U.S. Formerly the private estate of the Rosengartens, the garden is a study of textures and forms where foliage trumps flowers, the gardeners lead the design, and even the drinking fountains are sculptural. It is a garden of delights and learning—relaxing yet filled with ideas to take home. The garden has evolved greatly since opening to the public in 1993. Contemporary design complements the historic features of the property including terraces, sweeps of lawn, and magnificent trees. Plantings range from native to exotic, hardy to
tropical, and shade to sun. Staff-made furniture and decorative features add personal freshness to the overall effects. London’s Financial Times calls Chanticleer “planted to perfection...in the same high class as the famous gardens in England.” Through self-guided tours of the garden, a guided tour of the historic Chanticleer house, or a picnic lunch, the pleasures of the garden await. Open April through October, Wednesday through Sunday. Find more information at chanticleergarden.org.
EXPLORE TODAY! 786 Church Road Wayne, PA 19087 (610) 687-4163 chanticleergarden.org
Lisa Roper, courtesy of Chanticleer Garden
CHANTICLEER
NORTHBROOK CANOE Enjoy a day to remember on the Brandywine River. Northbrook Canoe offers peaceful, self-guided canoe, kayaking, and tubing trips for the entire family. Experience an Early American Chester County—a land populated by farms, wildlife, and the spirit of revolution. Cool summer breezes touched with the scent of flowers and the calming sound of flowing water encourage travelers to spend the entire day finding their way back to Northbrook.
October. Reservations are encouraged, but walkins are also welcomed. Northbrook Canoe can accommodate groups, picnics, and birthday parties.
EXPLORE TODAY! 1810 Beagle Road West Chester, PA 19382 (610) 793-2279 northbrookcanoe.com
Once the journey is complete, the fun continues with summer food favorites and a refreshing selection of cool drinks. Northbrook Canoe runs canoe, kayaking, and tubing trips through
07 TRAVELER INSIDE TIP Dress for the sun, water, and bugs. Bring snacks and water but leave the adult beverages for later.
LONGWOOD GARDENS Experience the everchanging nature of Longwood Gardens. This jewel of the Brandywine Valley got its start in 1906, when industrialist Pierre S. du Pont purchased a small farm near Kennett Square, PA, to save a collection of historic trees from being sold for lumber. Today, Longwood Gardens is one of the world’s great gardens, encompassing 1,077 acres of formal gardens, woodlands, meadows, fountains, and a 4.5-acre Conservatory. The Conservatory is a lush oasis of colorful and fragrant flowers and plants from around the world. From exotic orchids to unusual ferns and amazing bonsai, the Conservatory offers a glimpse of the varied plant life found around the globe. Each season showcases a new and exciting experience. A Longwood Christmas is a holiday tradition in itself with elegantly decorated trees, thousands of poinsettias, and more than 500,000 outdoor lights to explore.
Springtime in the Gardens means flowering bulbs— especially tulips, and Longwood Gardens boasts more than 125,000 of them planted in a colorful palette along the historic 600-foot Flower Garden Walk. Explore the newly expanded 86-acre Meadow Garden resplendent with flowering trees, buzzing bees, and wandering wildlife, inherent to the bucolic Brandywine Valley. July 1 through October 31, don’t miss Nightscape: A Light and Sound Experience. Created by Klip Collective of Philadelphia, this innovative nighttime display takes guests on an immersive journey around the Gardens where guests will encounter moving imagery and lights set to music brought to life by the natural canvas of Longwood Garden’s plants, leaves, trees, and lakes.
DIRECTIONS Longwood Gardens is located on US Route 1, near Kennett Square, PA, just 30 miles west of Philadelphia. To find directions using an internet directions website, please use the following address for Longwood Gardens: 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348. GARDEN HOURS Jan 12 – Nov 25, 2015 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM A Longwood Christmas Nov 26, 2015 – Jan 10, 2016 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM EXTENDED HOURS FOR NIGHTSCAPE Wednesdays – Saturdays, Jul 1 – Oct 31, 2015 Gardens: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM Beer Garden: 6:00 – 11:00 PM TRAVELER INSIDE TIP General Admission to Longwood Gardens is by timed ticket only, meaning that guests must select a day and time for their visit. Plan a visit today and purchase timed tickets in advance at longwoodgardens.org.
EXPLORE TODAY! 1001 Longwood Road Kennett Square, PA 19348 (610) 388-1000 longwoodgardens.org
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BRANDYWINE RIVER MUSEUM OF ART Discover an outstanding collection of American art housed in a nineteenthcentury mill with a dramatic steel and glass addition overlooking the banks of the Brandywine River. Renowned for its holdings of the Wyeth family of artists, the museum features galleries dedicated to the work of N.C., Andrew, and Jamie Wyeth. Outdoors, wildflower gardens surround the museum in glorious color from spring through autumn.
and programs throughout the year for families, adults, and children.
EXPLORE TODAY! 1 Hoffman’s Mill Road Chadds Ford, PA 19317 (610) 388-2700 brandywinemuseum.org
Explore the connection between art and life on guided tours of the Andrew Wyeth Studio, N.C. Wyeth House & Studio, and more. The Museum offers a variety of lectures, workshops,
TRAVELER INSIDE TIP Museum admission is free on Sunday mornings (through November 22, 2015). Enjoy “Breakfast on the Brandywine” in the Museum café with inspiring views of the river.
TRAVELER INSIDE TIP A pleasant walk west on Gay Street through Borough neighborhoods from downtown to the Chester County Arts Association is about six blocks. No fee for parking or entry.
The Chester County Art Association has a rich history and a vibrant future. Over the years, thousands of individuals from all walks of life have participated in CCAA’s art centered community— which prides itself on the principle of inclusion. The galleries and studios are a haven for art enthusiasts.
CCAA
Classes • Outreach • Exhibitions
Each year the CCAA showcases exhibitions by local and regional artists, classes, workshops, and events. Exhibitions run September through May, Summer Camps run June through August, Clay Days are October 2 and 3, and ticketed events occur two times a year (spring and fall).
CCAA was founded in 1931 by prominent artists and community leaders including N.C. Wyeth and William Palmer Lear, both renowned artists and illustrators, and Christian Brinton, internationallyknown art critic and early promoter of the Modernist Art movement. The original group met weekly to sketch and plan exhibits. The CCAA carries the group’s original intent as they continue to move forward and embrace new and exciting art-related endeavors.
EXPLORE TODAY! 100 N Bradford Avenue West Chester, PA 19382 (610) 696-5600 chestercountyarts.org
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Photos: Jim Graham, Russ Kennedy
WINTERTHUR More than 60 years ago, collector and horticulturist Henry Francis du Pont (1880–1969) opened his childhood home, Winterthur, to the public. Today, Winterthur is the premier museum of American decorative arts, showcasing an unparalleled collection of nearly 90,000 objects made or used in America between about 1640 and 1860. The collection is displayed in the magnificent 175-room house, much as it was when the du Pont family lived here. Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the house filled with fabulous antiques or select from seasonal tours such as Spring Tour and Yuletide at Winterthur. Set amidst a 1,000acre preserve of rolling meadows and woodlands, Winterthur’s spectacular 60-acre garden is among America’s best. Each spring, this masterpiece of design is transformed by showstopping blooms. Stroll the March Bank, Sundial Garden, Azalea Woods, and Peony Garden or take a narrated tram tour
through ever-blooming landscapes. Families will delight in Enchanted Woods, Winterthur’s award-winning children’s garden. Three exciting exhibitions will be open in the Winterthur Galleries in 2015: A Colorful Folk: Pennsylvania Germans & the Art of Everyday Life (now through January 3, 2016); The Diligent Needle: Instrument of Profit, Pleasure, and Ornament (now through July 5, 2015); and Tiffany Glass: Painting with Color and Light (September 5, 2015 through January 3, 2016). In addition, spectacular events such as the Pointto-Point steeplechase race (May 3, 2015) and Delaware Antiques Show (November 6 through 8, 2015) draw thousands of visitors annually.
DIRECTIONS Nestled in Delaware’s beautiful Brandywine Valley, Winterthur is located on Route 52 (5105 Kennett Pike), between I-95 and Route 1. HOURS Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Last tour tickets sold at 3:15 PM. Last tour is 3:30 PM. Closed Mondays (except during Yuletide), Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. TRAVELER INSIDE TIP Small guided group tours provide an intimate closeup feel of the mansion. Guests can then stroll the exhibits and grounds at their leisure.
EXPLORE TODAY! 5105 Kennett Pike Winterthur, DE 19735 (302) 888-4600 winterthur.org
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Experience BEAUTIFUL PENNSYLVANIA Pennsylvania Route 52 is a 20-mile drive between West Chester and Wilmington, DE. Considered one of the most interesting scenic drives in America, travelers will truly experience quintessential Pennsylvania. From Highway 95 at Wilmington, DE, head north to West Chester, PA. From West Chester, head south from High and Price Streets (Routes 322 and 52 junction). Chester County Arts Association
Brandywine Battlefield
100 North Bradford Avenue West Chester, PA 19382 (610) 696-5600 chestercountyarts.org Large selection of Brandywine Artists.
1491 Baltimore Pike Chadds Ford, PA 19317 (610) 459-3342 brandywinebattlefield.org The site of the bloodiest Revolutionary War battle.
Faunbrook Bed and Breakfast
699 West Rosedale Avenue West Chester, PA 19382 (610) 436-5788 faunbrook.com An elegant 1860 grand manor situated within a wooded two-acre setting. Baldwin's Book Barn
865 Lenape Road West Chester, PA 19382 (610) 696-0816 bookbarn.com A treasure trove of books specializing in the local area as well as general interest in a rustic farmhouse setting. Northbrook Canoe
Brandywine River Museum of Art | RiverWalk
Hoffman’s Mill Road Chadds Ford, PA 19317 (610) 388-2700 brandywinemuseum.org Quintessential Brandywine Valley art. Delaware Museum of Natural History
4840 Kennett Pike Wilmington, DE 19807-0937 (302) 658-9111 ext. 302 delmnh.org Dynamic displays of the wildlife in the region. Winterthur
1810 Beagle Road West Chester, PA 19382 (610) 793-2279 northbrookcanoe.com Experience the Brandywine River as the Lenape Indians did a millennium ago with a rented canoe.
5105 Kennett Pike Wilmington, DE 19735 (302) 888-4600 winterthur.org The classic example of the du Pont legacy.
Longwood Gardens
850 Alapocas Drive Wilmington, DE 19803 (302) 651-6912 Opulance personified.
1001 Longwood Road Kennett Square, PA 19348 (610) 388-1000 longwoodgardens.org The Brandywine Valley’s greatest treasure. Historic Kennett Square
106 West State Street Kennett Square, PA 19348 (610) 444-8188 historickennettsquare.com Perhaps the most charming small town in Pennsylvania.
Nemours Mansion & Gardens
Hagley Museum & Library
200 Hagley Creek Road Wilmington, DE 19807 (302) 658-2400, ext 301 hagley.org Outstanding interpretations of early gun powder development.
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120 North High Street, West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 692-6920 hotelwarner.com
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