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Posted on: May 11, 2023

Join the Oaklands Cemetery Tour on May 30

Cemetery Tour 5-2023

On May 30, 2023 at 6 p.m. West Goshen Historical Commission and the Borough of West Chester will hold a free walking tour of the Oaklands Cemetery.

Additional Info... Historical Commission
Posted on: April 19, 2023

Oaklands Cemetery by Mike Pillagalli

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One of the earliest burial grounds in the West Chester area was at Hannum Hill which is the present-day sight of St. Agnes Church in the borough. There was a small burial area there documented as early as 1793. In 1885, all those buried there were moved t...

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Historical Commission
Posted on: February 15, 2023

Blacksmithing in West Goshen by Michael Pillagalli

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If we were to go back to 18th Century Goshen Township, we would come across one of the most wanted and needed crafts and skills of the time and that would have been the services of the blacksmith. Before we split in 1817 into East and West Goshen...

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Historical Commission
Posted on: November 14, 2022

Matlack House History

Matlack House (1)

The Matlack House, situated near the Chester County Government Services Center, is a wonderful example of local history that has been preserved.

Additional Info... Historical Commission
Posted on: June 23, 2022

Historical Commission Aims to Establish Historic Resource Protection Standards

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West Goshen’s Historical Commission is currently engaging in the review and revision of an existing zoning ordinance from 1990 to amend and add definitions related to historic resources and to adopt a new policy to establish historic resource pr...

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Historical Commission
Posted on: March 14, 2022

Early West Goshen Clock Makers

West Goshen Historical Clocks article

Very little is known about two of the clock makers from Chester County, in the early 19th Century, who resided in the Goshen/West Goshen area.  One of them was Joseph Cave who is believed to have resided in the old serpentine farmhouse on the ben...

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Historical Commission
Posted on: September 9, 2021

West Goshen and the Battle of the Clouds

West Goshen History American Revolution

When we remember the many battles fought in Chester County during the American Revolution, we often think of the Battle of the Brandywine and the Paoli Massacre. Most of us have learned about these two horrific battles fought among the hills and valleys o...

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Historical Commission
Posted on: May 20, 2021

Free Virtual Lecture: Chestnut Grove Cemetery

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Host: West Goshen Historical CommissionDate: Sunday, May 30, 2021Time: 2:00pmJoin us virtually on the original Memorial Day as we hear from local historian Thomas Walsh who will speak on the history of the Chestnut Grove Cemetery. This c...

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Historical Commission
Posted on: March 18, 2021

General George Archibald McCall of “Belle Aire,” West Goshen Township

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On August 22, 1853, George Archibald McCall, after 31 years of military service in the United States Army, resigned his commission as colonel and Inspector General of the Army.  The Philadelphia-born McCall retired to a 42-acre farm east of West ...

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Historical Commission
Posted on: September 15, 2020

Preserving Local History | The Matlack House

Traveling around the township of West Goshen, it is sometimes difficult to locate historic homes and buildings. Over the years, many cherished structures rich in local history have been demolished to make room for the future. It is always sad to watch his...

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Historical Commission
Posted on: November 16, 2020

West Goshen History: Dr. William Darlington

Dr. William Darlington was born on April 28, 1782, in Chester County and went on to lead a most unique life here.  It was 1804, he was 22 years old, and he graduated from the Medical School of the University of Pennsylvania.  He was the ...

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Historical Commission
Posted on: December 11, 2020

West Goshen Township Through the Years

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As 2020 comes to a close, the West Goshen Historical Commission would like to cap off the year by taking a look back at some of the significant moments in the history of the township and surrounding area. Over the past three centuries, our township has ex...

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Historical Commission