Chadds Ford Historical Society President’s Report 2009

Posted by Press Release on May 5, 2010

This past year has been a tough one for the country
and for the Chadds Ford Historical Society. Mother Nature continues to be
downright unfriendly to us. Since
Pumpkin Carve in 2007, every one of our fund raising events has been affected
by weather. This past year we lost one day of Chadds Ford Days, one day of
Pumpkin Carve, and it snowed for Candlelight Christmas. However, while we may
be down, we are not out, and that is due in large measure to our dedicated
members, volunteers and staff and the support we receive from the community.

The year began with a new innovation, under the
leadership of board member Jacalyn Beam —our first Plein Air event in
February. It allowed us to
reconnect with our artistic roots and attracted over 40 painters from the
mid-Atlantic region. Spring saw
the opening of our exhibit, Moo to You: Dairying Around Chadds Ford,
demonstrating the curatorial skills of Sallie Corbishley and our Education
Coordinator Lynda Gillow.

Our legions of loyal volunteers pulled Chadds Ford
Days out of the mud and, with the addition of shuttle buses, we were able to
hold one day of our annual fair.
umpkin Carve was ably chaired by Jen Manderscheid and, had it not been
for rain on Saturday, might have set a record.

On a sad note, Honorary Member Susan Hauser lost
her battle with cancer this past year and Candlelight Christmas was dedicated
to her memory. Those who picked up the many pieces that Susan had skillfully
handled, such as Kathy Wandersee and Carla Westerman, did an outstanding
job. Friends and colleagues of
Susan Hauser memorialized her by contributing to the Society in her memory. We deeply appreciate those
contributions.

While the public events, such as Chadds Ford Days
and Pumpkin Carve, are the face of the Society, many people work behind the
scenes to keep things going, maintaining the properties, and caring for our
collections. Cheryl Trozzi,
Shirley Masse and Pat Mattson worked tirelessly in the Museum Shop. Lynda Gillow has assembled a wonderful
cadre of volunteers who labor weekly in support of our collections, the library
and the education program. Among
those volunteers are John Abramson, Susan Beach, Frank Mahoney, Ellen Struble
and Susan Poston. These
individuals have made a tremendous impact on the well being of the Society.

Over the years the Society has benefitted from of a
number of Eagle Scout Projects that have beautified and enhanced our
properties. This past year two
projects were completed and another begun (and completed in 2010). Vito Jacono installed a new entrance
walkway that is far more handicapped accessible. Kris Walls installed a new drain system, landscape screening
and repaired a stonewall at the Barn.
Bennett Jacobs constructed a new pedestrian bridge and drain for Chadds
Ford Days and Pumpkin Carve.

Once again this year we were the beneficiary of the
furniture making skills of Tom Densmore.
Last year he crafted a pencil post bed for the master bedroom of the
Chads House. This year we are the proud owners of a tilt top tea table for the
parlor.

Tom Burke has continued to share his classic
birdhouses with us, which are displayed around the grounds of the Barn and on
the cover of this Annual Report.
An article on his work is scheduled to appear in the June, 2010 issue of
"Architectural Digest."

Finally, there is our baker, Lisë Taylor, who
brings renown to the Society with her baking in the Chads House beehive oven,
and Jean Arscott, our veteran guide at the Chads House who is or public face to
visitors at the Chads House.

Last, but far from least, is our dedicated and
talented staff: Ginger Tucker,
executive director; Lynda Gillow, education and collections coordinator; and
Matt DiFilippo, office and media manager. They do amazing work and keep the
Society functioning in a professional manner, even in these trying times. Because of their efforts, we are
recognized as one of the best run historical societies in the region.

George W.Franz

President