Members of the Brandywine Battlefield Task Force took some time last week to look back at the group’s 30-year history. They met at Thornbury Farm for a chicken dinner, some talk, and some music.
Randell Spackman, owner of Thornbury Farm, and the president of the Chadds Ford Historical Society opened the evening by saying that despite the task force starting in 1993, the battlefield became a national landmark long before that, signifying the importance of that 1777 battle.
“The Brandywine Battlefield land was one of the first National Historic Landmarks in 1961. The importance of Brandywine goes back to 1961 when they were just starting the National Historic Landmark project.”
He went on to say that the bicentennial of 1976 brought more awareness of and interest in the battle. However, there was tremendous pressure for development during the 1990s.
“There was tremendous building pressure in Chester County, all the battlefield was threatened and that’s where a bunch of individuals saw the need to create a volunteer organization, the Brandywine Battlefield Task Force, to try to learn, interpret, protect, guide, and offer all these services to protect these resources,” Spackman said.
He noted that the task force’s actions have led to thousands of acres being preserved. It was determined in 1992 that the battlefield comprises 17 municipalities and 35,000 acres in two counties.
He said the task force’s goal now is to continue learning more about the Battle of Brandywine because there’s always something more to learn when it comes to history.
Also speaking were Chuck Laudner of the American Battlefield Trust and state Sen. John Kane, D-9.
Laudner said the role of the ABT is to acquire land to preserve key elements of American battlefields, “preserving that core battlefield, that hallowed ground. The reason also includes the fun stuff, inspiring Americans to learn about the wars that happened on this soil and the sacrifice that past generations of Americans made.”
ABT, he said, has 187 acres preserved within the Brandywine Battlefield area and more than 57,000 acres in 25 states. Laudner applauded the efforts made by the task force.
“More than ever, it is imperative that Americans take meaningful action to safeguard and steward battlefields. The Brandywine Battlefield Task Force is a shining example of that stewardship,” Laudner said.
Kane changed the mood slightly when he spoke. While he did read a resolution passed in the state Senate hailing the task force, he began with speculation of how life might be had the colonists lost the War of Independence.
“We wouldn’t have the Philadelphia Eagles, and we wouldn’t have the Philadelphia Phillies. I worry that we’d be watching soccer and rugby.”
But he did get to read the resolution that praised both the task force and one of the integral individuals.
“This gathering is a testament to the vision, leadership, and the collective efforts of the task force and our local communities. The Pennsylvania Senate and I are proud to support the incredible 30 years of accomplishments with the Brandywine Battlefield Task Force, as well as the other 20 years of dedication with our friend Jeannine Speirs.”
Speirs is a senior community planner with the Chester County Planning Commission who has been an integral part of growing the task force.
“You kept the inspiration alive,” Kane said to Speirs. We are forever grateful for your commitment to preserving our land, the battlefield, and the rich history that unites us.”
As for the Senate’s citation, Kane read that the task force was one of the organizations that adhere to “the highest standards of service, contributes in a meaningful way to a better and more productive society…and whereas, the Brandywine Battlefield Task Force is celebrating a momentous occasion of its 30th anniversary and now, therefore, the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania congratulates the Brandywine Battlefield Task Force upon its richly deserved recognition.”
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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