Brandywine, PA Rev War site Closing

[estephenson]

Brandywine historic site to close

By Anthony R. Wood
Inquirer Staff Writer

Like the Continental Army 232 years ago, the Brandywine Battlefield Historic Site has suffered a major setback.
This time, it is Harrisburg that has been cast in the role of redcoat.

With budget cuts looming, five employees will be laid off, and the site's museum, two farmhouses, and visitor center will be shut indefinitely when the park closes tomorrow, officials said yesterday.

"The grass will be available for picnics, but there will be no history available," Linda Kaat, president of Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates, said yesterday.

The budget ax also will affect four other historic sites, including the Conrad Weiser Homestead in Womelsdorf, Berks County, said Steven Miller, bureau director of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

"Everybody is packing up," Kaat said. "I think everyone is just shocked."

The agency has been negotiating with Chadds Ford Township and Kaat's group to keep the Brandywine facilities operating, but no agreement has been reached.

It would take about $350,000 annually to operate the site "properly," said George Thorpe, township supervisors chairman and past president of Brandywine Associates.

While Chadds Ford would not fund the park, Thorpe said, under any agreement with the state it would take responsibility for soliciting and collecting needed money from various sources. He said Delaware County and several neighboring townships have indicated they would contribute to the park.

It was unclear when the budget impasse finally will end, but Miller said that with the ax poised, the agency was forced to take "prudent" action now.

"This is based on the mildest version of cuts that we believe is realistic," he said.

The Brandywine site covers 52 acres and was the scene of the bloodiest battle of the Revolution. The Continental Army lost the battle, but eventually won the war.

[FlatLandFed]

Re: Brandywine, PA Rev War site Closing

That is a shame. I hope this can be re-opened sometime soon.

http://www.ushistory.org/Brandywine/index.htm

Paul Hadley
Far From The Action Faction

[Guy Gane III]

Re: Brandywine, PA Rev War site Closing

Ya... who cares about the history, as long as there is grass enough to sit...


WTF. :angry_smi

Hell, why you're at it, why not call Walmart and let them know there is land available.

[Fenianboy]

Re: Brandywine, PA Rev War site Closing

I used to have a P/T job mentoring Graduate Students at nearby Lincoln University.This area is rich in History,Art and Culture (Wyett Museum etc).Shame on them!

[Swag]

Re: Brandywine, PA Rev War site Closing

This is yet another travesty to add to the long and growing list...

[BarryDusel]

Re: Brandywine, PA Rev War site Closing

This area that became the fields on which the Battle of Brandywine was fought holds signifigance for me in that my Mothers ancestoral lines take me back to the Gilpins. Anyone knowing SE Pennsylvania history knows that ties me all the more to the others who witnessed the combat as well. This closure then is more then travesty in my books. Only a idiot with no connection to the AWI could even consider the closing. In Troops involved and land area involved it ranks nearr the top if not at the top of AWI Battle Sites. Unfortunately the bean counters and Politicians making these decisions have no idea. Even more so I suspect that ED himself has no connection to the generations who suffered the AWI. Of course then he would not care as those of us who really have a link to that era. Then again I fear the ouitlook for the site. Turning it over to the locals will definitely result in it's destruction . They only want a park for picnics and kite flying. That is unless they can turn a profit and strike a deal with Real Estate and Developers. Then more susbstandard housing, AKA McMansions will suit them just fine.
Granted the site involved that is owned by the Commonwealth saw very little combat action. It is however, or was open to the publick for the "Right" reason. Until this recent debacle. I'm afraid that unless someone steps up and organizes something for AWI sites. Much as the CWPT does for ACW sites. This site will be obliterated in a decade or less.

[OldState]

Re: Brandywine, PA Rev War site Closing

Can't they get their hands on any of that Stimulous money?

[chesnutmor]

Re: Brandywine, PA Rev War site Closing

I wonder if anyone approached Dupont. I am not in favor of private partnership but if it preserves a site it may help. The Dupont's were a very important family to that region.

Jill

[Marc]

Re: Brandywine, PA Rev War site Closing

While it is a shame about the closing and funding, I was dissappointed when I visited the Brandywine Battlefield this past spring. The movie was good in explaining what happened, but the rest of the sight including the two period homes are already a big picnic area. It appears that is what most of the people want or at least what directors think they want. I finally had to find a local historian of the battle to take me in front of the battlefiled park and explain to me how the flow of the battle went.

All in all the battlefield site needs preserved and funded, but I wish the battle could be explained better on site.

[BarryDusel]

Re: Brandywine, PA Rev War site Closing

Hi Marc,
You found the secret about Brandywine. The Park area saw very little action if any in the way of Combat. The actual battlefield while it's endangered still is pretty intact except for Osbourne Hill which is all but gone. Yet if someone without any knowledge of the Combat wants to visit the area it's hard to find someone ,especially locals , who know anything or want to share anything. For the most parts the locals consider the site a curse. They will tell you "absolutely nothing happened there" . In any case the Park is the only publick area that one can visit. Other then Birmingham Meeting House try walking the open areas and see how quickly you'll be confronted by a irrate Yuppie or the PO PO.

[RevWarTaylor]

Re: Brandywine, PA Rev War site Closing

Hello All

Im not sure if this is a repost but Brandywine Battlefield is due to reopen, this was posted on Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi's Website:

An agreement in principle has been reached which should allow all of the facilities at historic Brandywine Battlefield Park in Chadds Ford to reopen early next week, according to Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9) and George Thorpe, the immediate past president of Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates.

“There was a very good dialogue today between Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission,” said Senator Pileggi. “Everyone is optimistic that the park and all of the exhibit buildings will be open again very soon.”

The final details of a short-term “facilities agreement” between the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and the nonprofit organization Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates will continue to be hammered out over the weekend, but it is anticipated that the short-term agreement could be officially signed by Monday.

The exhibit buildings at the park, which closed temporarily today at 5 p.m., could reopen as early as Tuesday. (Under the park’s regular hours, the buildings are closed on Mondays.)

Under the facilities agreement, Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates will operate the park at no additional cost to the state. Park visitors should not see any change in the daily operations. Much of the park’s current staff has agreed to continue working as volunteers while a long-term solution is finalized.

“This is fantastic news,” said Thorpe, who is also Chairman of the Chadds Ford Township Supervisors. “The Battlefield was the site of the largest engagement of the Revolutionary War, and many people were heartbroken when it looked like the park would be closed indefinitely. We are thrilled that the full experience at this important piece of American history will continue to be available to visitors.”

“I am pleased that this agreement was reached promptly,” said Senator Pileggi. “The members of the Battlefield Park Associates and the township deserve a lot of praise for their hard work and dedication.”

Discussions regarding a long-term solution for the operation of Brandywine Battlefield Park will continue. The short-term facilities agreement can remain in place until an agreement is reached on a long-term solution.

[GrumpyDave]

Re: Brandywine, PA Rev War site Closing

Kids,
The problem is, our "leadership" (cough, cough, spit) in Harrisburg has not passed a State budget on time, again, for the 7th year in a row. Our state laws do not allow for a distribution of funds without a budget in place. When the goofballs in Harrisburg get things figured out; I'd guess things will re-open.

I'll say it again: If you live in Pennsylvania and voted for an incumbent or didn't vote at all, you're getting just what you asked for from your state government.