The Chadds Ford Historical Society’s 2017 Spring Lecture Series commemorates the 240th anniversary of the Philadelphia Campaign of 1777. This year the series will be covering some fascinating topics that span the entire 1777 campaign:

Wednesday, March 29, 7:00 p.m.

The Battle of Brandywine, Mike Harris

Mike Harris, author of Brandywine: A Military History of the Battle that Lost Philadelphia but Saved America, September 11, 1777, will discuss the Revolution's longest single day battle that engaged more troops than any other. Mike will also be selling and signing copies of his book at the lecture.

Thursday, April 6, 7:00 p.m.

Remember Paoli!, Jim Christ

The Battle of Paoli, also called “The Paoli Massacre,” unfolded at midnight on September 20 to 21, 1777. After General George Washington’s defeat at Brandywine on September 11th, his forces retreated toward Philadelphia to regroup, and he ordered General Anthony Wayne to harass the British. But the attempt failed, and the result was the 9th deadliest battle in the American Revolutionary War. Jim Christ is the vice-president of the Paoli Battlefield Preservation Fund.

Wednesday, April 12, 7:00 p.m.

Present But Not Accounted For: Women at the 1777-1778 Valley Forge Encampment, Dr. Nancy Loane

Over 400 women camped at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-78. Dr. Loane's presentation will introduce you to the women who traveled with the Continental Army, those with Washington’s military family, and the wives of the officers, such as Martha Washington, Lucy Knox, and Catharine Greene. Through the women at camp, you’ll discover a Valley Forge encampment that you never knew existed.

Admission to the lectures is free for all CFHS members and $5 for non-members. All tickets are at the door; no advance ticketing is available. The 2017 Spring Lectures Series is held in the CFHS Barn Visitors Center at 1736 Creek Road (Rt. 100), Chadds Ford, PA 19317. For more information please visit our website www.chaddsfordhistory.org.