September 15, 2022

The fields of Sandy Hollow will be alive with Revolutionary War re-enactors to mark the 245^th anniversary of the Battle of Brandywine.

About 800 troops, almost equal numbers for Colonial and English armies, are expected to attend the two-day event. Also, 16 mounted re-enactors and about 10 field pieces are scheduled to be part of the celebration.

“This will be one of the major historical events for 2022 in this area, if not the nation,” said Randell Spackman, Chair of Brandywine 2022. “Five years ago, our last re-enactment at Sandy Hollow, we had a large crowd to witness the commemoration of this important event in our history. This year we expect the turnout will be greater.”

The two-day event takes place on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Sandy Hollow Heritage Park, South New Street, and Birmingham Road, Birmingham Township. The public is encouraged to attend, and there is no admission charge.

Historical re-enactors will include persons portraying George Washington, Lafayette, Alexander Hamilton, and Ned Hector. There will be battle re-enactments on both days. The Saturday engagement is slated for 2 p.m. and the Sunday one at 1 p.m. The times are approximate and could start earlier or later, depending on a number of factors. The public is encouraged to arrive early and enjoy all the activities being offered. During the 2017 event, a traffic jam took place just prior to the battles, and some spectators didn’t have time to park.

Brandywine 2022 will have activities for all members of the family. Food trucks will be offering meals.

“This will be an immersive historical experience,” Spackman said. “The sutlers will be selling time-appropriate goods. The vendors will have a historical connection. Colonial games for children will be played. We’ll have period music. Spectators will be able to visit the army camps. It will be an opportunity to walk back in time. You can’t do that very often.”

Historical presentations will be given by area authors and The Brandywine Battlefield Park will show a movie on Brandywine.

Officials of both Birmingham and Thornbury townships are supporting the event, along with Chadds Ford Historical Society and Thornbury Farm CSA. The liaison to the British troops is Paul Loane of the 43^rd Foot, while Tom Bowen is the Continental forces liaison.

“Artists and authors will be taking part,” Spackman said. “Adrian Martinez, who produces wonderful paintings with historical themes, has just completed his second painting on Lafayette. We’re honored that members of the American Friends of Lafayette will join us, and author Bruce E. Mowday will talk about his book Lafayette at Brandywine: The Making of an American Hero. Bruce also wrote the first book on the history of the battle, September 11, 1777: Washington’s Defeat at Brandywine Dooms Philadelphia.

 “This is our third re-enactment at Sandy Hollow,” Spackman said. “The first two were in 2014 and 2017. The first two were very successful. You won’t want to miss Brandywine 2022.”

• Brandywine River Museum’s next exhibit, Fragile Earth: The Naturalist Impulse in Contemporary Art, opens Saturday, Sept. 24. The exhibit showcases the diverse approaches taken by today’s ecologically concerned artists, illustrating their role in advocating for environmental causes.

• Unionville High School has partnered with Chester County Health Department again this year to serve as a community flu vaccine clinic. The Unionville Flu Clinic will take place on Thursday, Oct. 13, from 3 to 6:45 p.m. at Unionville High School. All families, staff, and members of the community are encouraged to attend and receive a flu vaccine from the Health Department. If you wish to participate, you must register here.

• It’s another reenactment of The Battle of Brandywine. Brandywine 2022 is scheduled for Sept. 24 and 25 at Sandy Hollow in Birmingham Township and is being held in honor of the 245^th anniversary of the battle. More than 800 military reenactors, along with camp followers, are expected to take part in the free, two-day event. The bulk of the actual fighting took place on and around Sandy Hollow. Activities go from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days.

• The Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates will hold their first Wine and Paint Night at the Brandywine Battlefield Park on Oct. 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. Guests to this plein air event are encouraged to bring their easels and paint brushes to paint a scene at one of our historic homes – the Benjamin Ring home (Washington’s Headquarters) and the Gideon Gilpin home as well as at our Quaker meetinghouse styled Visitor Center. Acadian Wine Company and Chaddsford Winery will on hand to provide samples of their wines. For novice artists, we will offer art lessons in our Visitor Center from artist Annette Alessi. Charcuterie, crudité cups with hummus, and bruschetta cups from Gia Bella Catering are included in the ticket price. Ticket prices are $20 for a designated driver, $45 for general admission, and $60 for general admission and art lesson. Tickets are available on Eventbrite Wine and Paint Night. Must be 21 or over to participate.

• The coming of autumn brings new activities to Mt. Cuba Center. There will be hayrides and hikes, sunsets and s’mores, and hay bales and brews. Check out the center’s activities page for more information.

• There was witchery afoot when English and German immigrants brought their beliefs in the occult and magic to Pennsylvania. Folklorist Thomas White traces the history and lore of witchcraft and the occult in a virtual talk, Witches of Pennsylvania: Occult History and Lore, that quietly lives on in Pennsylvania even today. The talk is through the Chester County History Center at 7 p.m. on Oct. 4. Go here for more information or to register.

• The general election is approaching. Monday, Oct. 24, is the deadline for new voters to register – and for existing voters to file name or address updates. The deadline for voters to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot (either a no-excuse mail-in ballot or a traditional absentee ballot) is Tues., Nov. 1. Election Day itself is Tues., Nov. 8, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Offices on the ballot will include U.S. senator, U.S. representative, governor, lieutenant governor, state senator (in even-numbered districts), and state representative (in all districts).