Historic Resources
Historic Resources Plan presentation, February 20, 2008 (PDF, 9.40 MB)
Chester County’s character comes from its enduring history. The County contains a great many historic resources that have retained their historic integrity and context, dating back centuries to our nation’s earliest settlements. The history and development patterns of the County have helped define current land use patterns, the road system, economics, various points of interest, and they provide an identity of place. Historic preservation is an important element in the planning process because it ensures the legacy of not only the County’s, but the nation’s, history for present and future generations. Preserving our historic resources is crucial to sustaining the quality of life that county residents enjoy.
As testament to the importance of our resources to American history, Chester County ranks second, only after Philadelphia, in the number of resources listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania.
In the public opinion survey conducted for Landscapes2, almost half of all respondents identified cultural and historic resources as an important asset contributing to the county character. Yet, historic resources continue to be comprised and threatened by development, changing building type needs, economic issues, and roadway expansions, among other issues.