Delaware County Historical Society

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.

05/20/2026

History Under the Stars is still on tonight, rain or shine! And we have a special lecture this evening on the fascinating history of sandwiches from the Delco/Philly area. Presented by Mike Madaio, based on his recently published book, “A History of Philadelphia Sandwiches: Steaks, Hoagies, Iconic Eateries & More.” Join us by 8-815 tonight at Delco Historical Society!

History Under the Stars at Delco Historical Society
9 W. Front Street, Media PA. Free and open to the public.
Rain or shine! Will be held inside if due to inclement weather.

From the Archives:
A photo from the early 1990's of the first established Wawa at the corner of Swarthmore Avenue and MacDade Boulevard in Folsom. The first Wawa food market opened on April 16, 1964, and remained in operation until June of 2016, when it was closed down and moved down the street. Lots of good memories of these old Wawa's, especially the hot breakfast signs and the old logo!

05/19/2026

Big Announcement!

The Delco Summer Social returns! Saturday June 27th at The Mill at Rockdale!

The Delco Summer Social brings together the community of Delaware County to celebrate the incredible musical history of the area with a live performance of local talent. Delco Historical Society hosts the Delco Summer Social at the Mill in Rockdale, nestled along Chester Creek, for an evening of music, fun, prizes and of course history. Your support helps Delco Historical Society continue to provide stewardship for Delco history and to share it with the community. Delco Historical Society helps promote and protect Delco history for the next generation of archivists and historians!

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

Knifeplay: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7oT0M95uIX2aJGN4we092i

Radiator Hospital: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0HMLp79IAd9Z8zMgxqpyxn

Sun Organ:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/13ZwcU5VGUsd4nB6hsUYCp?dl_branch=1

Thanks to Frances Beaver for the poster design!

Thanks to our supporters and sponsors:
The Mill at Rockdale
Visit Delco, PA
National Endowment for the Humanities
The Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semi-Quincentennial

05/18/2026

Happy to include to our growing collection of records The Sounds of Delco Vol. 1, produced by the good folks at greatesthits.official and Delco Field Recordings. Congratulations on producing a unique record that captures the spirit and cultural milieu of Delco. Field recordings are an important tool in capturing local history, and we are excited to include this into our collection for the public. The record will be on display through June, just in time for our Delco music display, highlighting the incredible history of music in Delco.

Delco has produced such talents as Ethel Waters, Todd Rundgren, Kurt Vile, Bill Hailey, Estelle Rickets, Joan Jett, Jim Croce, Alex G, and more! To celebrate, Delco Historical Society will be announcing the Delco Summer Social tomorrow, with tickets going on sale. We hope you can join us on Saturday June 27th to help support Delco Historical Society and our mission, with live music, prizes and more. Details to be announced tomorrow! Keep your eyes peeled for more information and lineup details.

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

05/15/2026

We hope you have a good weekend! Be sure to check our upcoming events this summer, including our Delco Summer Social on Saturday June 27th at the The Mill at Rockdale! Tickets and information will be announced on Monday May 18th.

May 20th: History Under the Stars with Delco/Philly sandwich historian Mike Madaio at Delco Historical Society 8:00 pm!

May 25th Memorial Day: Delco Historical Society will be at St. Paul's Episcopal Church to celebrate Declaration of Independence signer John Morton with the Friends of Old St. Paul's and Swedish Burial Ground at 9 AM.

June 3rd: History Under the Stars with Robyn Young on PHMC Markers, 8 pm!

June 6th: Delco Historical Society will be in the Delco Pride Parade in Media at noon, come out and say hi!

June 7th: Delco Historical Society will be at the Haverford Heritage Festival from 10 am to 4 pm, come on out!

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

From the Archives:
A photo from1927 of Pierson's Stable and Garage, near the corner of Baltimore Avenue and Orange Street. The building was once a livery stable known as Broadhead's Hall. After the invention and spread of the automobile it became an auto garage. Built about 1865, it was destroyed by fire in March 1975. Today the Pierson building serves as an office space, and the old garage is a parking lot.

05/12/2026

Delco Historical Society will be in Chester on Memorial Day celebrating the life of Delco's signer of the Declaration of Independence. Thanks to the Friends of Old St. Paul's & Swedish Burial Ground for having us and the Delco Chapter of the NSDAR!

Monday May 25th at Old St. Paul's & Swedish Burial Cemetery. 9 am to Noon. Delco Historical Society will feature on display at St. Paul's Episcopal Church two framed surveys created by John Morton himself!

From the Archives:
A small map featured on the back of a land deed dated 1754. The deed was from Thomas and Richard Penn to John Knowles for the sale of a small island (possibly Long Hook). The map shows Darby Creek and Long Hook Creek adjoining Long Hook Island. This island sits right across from the Morton Mortonson House in Norwood, where today the Wetland Loop Trail is. The house was built in 1750 by Morton Morton, first cousin of John Morton. (The Morton's tended to have a lot of similar names so it gets confusing lol)