Public Meetings

• 7 p.m.
• 1st Thursday of each month
• This is a hybrid meeting with options to attend in person or virtually via ZOOM. Check the Agenda and Calendar for the link to join the week of the meeting.
  
  *The public is encouraged to attend!

The Historical Commission meetings are to collect, study and disseminate the history of the township.

2021 Annual Presentation

If you missed Revealing Historic Home Secrets on April 29, 2021 (or want to watch it again), the Zoom presentation by historian Seth Hinshaw is available here: https://jmp.sh/ffRilz5

Agendas& Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.
View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Members & Terms

• Karen Marshall, Chair (12/31/2025)
• Diane McGovern, Vice Chair (12/31/22)
• Lars Farmer, Clerk (12/31/26)
• Fredda Pennock, Treasurer (12/31/25)
• Ed Rahme, Secretary (12/31/24)
• Denise Klein (12/31/25)
• Judy Merhar (12/31/23)
• Lori Stewart (12/31/2025)

This commission acts as an advisor to the Board of Supervisors and other Township agencies. The commission is concerned with identifying and preserving historical sites within the Township and promoting an awareness of the history of the Township.

Award

The Kennett Township Historical Commission has been presented with an achievement award by the Chester County Historical Preservation Network for its efforts in completing the 2011 Historical Resource Atlas Project. KTHC member David Shepherd was Project Director.

Hamorton Historic District

Secured the listing of the Hamorton Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places.

The Kennett Township Historical Commission and Chair Sara Meadows facilitated new PennDOT signs for Hamorton Historic District, summer 2012, along Rts. 1 and 52. The widening of these routes provided the opportunity to replace the deteriorating original signs. Click on Photos by Phil Fling:

Survey

A survey of historic sites and buildings in the township was completed in 2009, in an effort to identify and protect locations of historic significance.

• 2013 Barns of Kennett Township
• 2012 The British Are Coming: Are They Marching Through Your Backyard?
• 2011 Walkin' the Line
• 2010 The Civil War and "The Kennett Bucktails"
• 2009 Indians of Pennsylvania
• 2008 Trains and Trolleys

Activities

• Visitations
• Recognitions
• Bus Tours
• Kennett Underground Railroad Tours

History Resource Room

Do you have historical items belonging to anyone born in Kennett Township? The Historical Commission welcomes contributions of books, pamphlets, letters, photos, and other memorabilia for the History Resource Room. 

Obituaries

To receive a copy of any obituary, please email us.
List Updated July, 2013 (PDF)

Oral Histories

Twenty oral history cassette tapes and accompanying transcriptions are preserved in the KTHC Archives. Please contact the KTHC office 610-388-1300).

• William Buffington (1929-2007)
• Joseph D. Cloud (1906-2012)
• Wayne Coyle (1912-2009)
• Edward B. Darlington (1907-1997)
• Edward Fahey (1928-
• Harold E Groves (1919-2006)
• Joseph Cloud Hannum (1921-1997)
• Edward Thomas Hannum (1924-2009)
• Kay Hanway (1905-
• Emily Buffington Ironside (1906-2002)
• Oreste Leto (1921-2006)
• Bette Benge Leto (1922-2011)
• Valadia Macareth (1917-?)
• M. Elizabeth McCord (1909-2009)
• Jay Roland Minshall (1920-
• Dorothea Cloud Morse (1918-2008)
• Margaret Woodward Ostrom (1934-
• Herbert S Plankinton (1920-2003)
• Frances Richards Pyle (1915-2009)
• Frances Cloud Taylor (1921-
• Horace Thompson Woodward (1908-2006)
• J. Robert (Jimmy) Woodward (1914-2004)
• Ruth Way Woodward (1916-1997)