Following Up: 2025 Town Tours
Posted August 26, 2025
This summer's Town Tours and Village Walks brought history to life for the more than 800 visitors that came out for the annual program. The season kicked off on June 12, followed by a lineup of events showcasing the "Untold Stories" that shaped Chester County's past, concluding just last week on August 21.
This year's program paid tribute to the everyday citizens and places that served as the foundation of Chester County's history and heritage — not the ones you read about in books — but the ones that many have never head of: those connected to the Underground Railroad, the shift workers of our industries, educators, farmers, Revolutionary War soldiers, and others.
The lineup of tours included: June 12 — Kickoff at Church of the Holy Trinity, West Chester Borough; June 19 — Co-promoted Juneteenth events throughout Chester County (no town tour held); June 26 — Art Deco architecture of Coatesville's business district; July 10 — Warwick County Park, Warwick Township; July 26 — Lafayette Day, Thornbury Farm and West Chester Borough; July 31 — Barnard Station, Pocopson Township; August 7 — Self-guided Driving Tour in the Oxford region; August 14 — Hopewell Furnace, Warwick Township; August 21 — Historic Yellow Springs, West Pikeland Township.
As always, most of the tours were held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday evenings. However, a special Lafayette Day Celebration was held on Saturday, July 26, with support of American Friends of Lafayette and the national commemoration of Lafayette's 200 anniversary return to America, resulting in two walking tours and many other events in West Chester. The day garnered much attention and was very well attended!
The Oxford Region featured a self-guided driving tour of the region, rather than a traditional walking tour. Following the August 7 event, the Oxford Area Historical Association said on Facebook, "This was a great evening. Almost 70 people stopped by the History Center to see our exhibits and then go on a regional driving tour." There's a pamphlet available for the driving tour at the Oxford Chamber Office, and the tour is being continued beyond the Town Tour season.
As an event many look forward to each summer, the Town Tours were spotlighted in the Daily Local News, County Lines Magazine, Chester County's Brandywine Valley, and other news sources.
Thank you to the many hosts, volunteers, partners, and attendees who make Chester County's Town Tours and Village Walks possible each summer. We look forward to planning another great season and lineup of tours for 2026, which marks the 250th anniversary of our nation!
Learn more about the Town Tours and Village Walks Program.
Learn more about the celebration of our nation's 250th here in Chester County.