Be a spy for Washington

Posted by Press Release on May 25, 2017

Your mission, should you accept it, is to find Gen. William Howe’s battle plan and defeat the British at Chadds Ford. That’s the basic idea behind Escape Brandywine, a new program at the Chadds Ford Historical Society.

Designed like other popular escape room games, Escape Brandywine places players in the roles of spies on the eve of the Battle of Brandywine. Players are charged with finding Howe’s battle plans that have been hidden in the Chads House. They then need to escape the house to bring the plans to Gen. George Washington. Using real Revolutionary War spy techniques, codes, and cyphers, players will have 60 minutes to solve puzzles that will allow them to locate the plans, and escape the house! No previous knowledge of history or the Battle of Brandywine is required to participate.

It all begins on June 3.

“We think Escape Brandywine is going to be an amazing way to interact with the historic Chads House and immerse yourself in history,” said CFHS Executive Director Mike Connolly. “While they are having fun, people will also be learning about the British strategy for the Battle of Brandywine, and using actual 18th century espionage techniques. What makes our escape room different than others is that it is heavily based on history, and takes place in an authentic 18th century building that was right in the midst of the Battle of Brandywine. It’s not a fabricated theme room like most commercial escape rooms. You will really feel like you are in 1777.”

Escape rooms started in Asia in 2007. Based on popular video adventure games, escape room popularity grew quickly and spread to other countries around the world. By 2016 there were over 1,500 escape rooms in the U.S. with more being opened every month.

According to Connolly, the game is also a great team-building experience for employees of local businesses.

“Escape rooms require players to be logical, creative and collaborative to win the game. Players need to work well as a team - communicating well and working respectfully together. Escape Brandywine will be a great offsite activity for local businesses, and we plan to market the program to them.”

Escape Brandywine is designed for groups of up to 8 people to play at a time so is an ideal activity for a day out with friends, a birthday party experience, or a way to meet new people. Because Escape Brandywine is a moderately difficult escape room with challenging puzzles the society recommends it for ages 16 and above. It’s being offered on limited Saturdays – June 3, June 17, July 8 and July 15. Advance tickets for these dates are $28.00 per person, and go on sale starting at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 26 through the Society’s website, www.chaddsfordhistory.org. Availability is limited, and additional dates will be announced soon.

Groups may inquire about scheduling Escape Brandywine adventures outside of the dates above by calling the Chadds Ford Historical Society at 610-388-7376 or emailing info@chaddsfordhistory.org. Escape Brandywine can be combined with the use of the Society’s Visitors Center Meeting Room for a truly special event or corporate outing. Additional fees may apply.