Chadds Ford is a census-designated place in Chester County, Pennsylvania. It is located in the Brandywine Valley area and is known for its historic houses and its proximity to the Brandywine River. The Chadds Ford area is also known for its wine production. Loved for its continental climate, natural beauty, and booming economy, it creates a unique charm that attracts both visitors and residents.
History
Centuries ago, the Lenni Lenape Indians occupied the land around Chadds Ford. The area was discovered by Swedes in 1638 and quickly adopted by Quakers. A major road connected Philadelphia to Chester ran through Chadds Ford in 1707.
John Chads ran a ferry across the Brandywine for nearly a decade and his crossing place became known as Chadds Ford. 1827 saw the construction of a bridge to span the river. At this time, water-powered mills drastically changed the economic landscape of the region.
On 11th September 1777, George Washington chose Chadds Ford to halt the British advance toward Philadelphia at the Battle of Brandywine. Though they held strong, they eventually retreated due to superior numbers and attacks on nearby homes ensued.
During the late 1700s and early 1800s, mills processed grain and timber allowing the settlement’s growth to skyrocket. In 1858, two rail lines came to Chadds Ford, the East-West running Philadelphia and Baltimore Central RR. These railroads came bringing people from nearby cities to enjoy its lush rolling hillsides and summerhouses soon become popular in Chadds Ford.
People soon started taking weekend trips to be near nature and enjoy summer houses throughout Chadds Ford and consequently came Howard Pyle’s summer classes which gave birth to the celebrated Brandywine School of Art headed by three generations of Wyeth family members after WWII.
Nowadays, better roads and a population boom have transformed this rural area into a bustling suburban community.
Demographics
Chadds Ford saw an increase in population from 3,715 to 3,923 according to the 2020 census. The latest racial makeup for Chadds Ford shows that there’s a massive increase in Hispanic residents but the town is predominantly white, followed by other races as seen below.
| Race/Ethnicity | 2021 | 2017 | Change |
| White | 71.1% | 76.1% | -6.57% |
| Black or African American | 1.6% | 2% | -20.00% |
| Native | 0.1% | 0.3% | -66.67% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 9.2% | 4.1% | +124.39% |
| Asian | 17.2% | 14.3% | +20.28% |
| Hawaiian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0.00% |
| Two or More Races | 0.3% | 3.2% | -90.63% |
| Other (data missing for 2021) | 0.5% | – | – |
Health
Residents of Chadds Ford area have access to varied health resources within their community. These services range from primary care and mental health services to specialty clinics and hospital care.
Chadds Ford is served by Alliance for Health Equity, formerly known as Brandywine Health Foundation. The Foundation provides healthcare services to the local community, including primary care, mental health, and women’s health services. Several specialty clinics exist as well, including a cancer center, a sleep center, and an orthopedic center.
The region has multiple hospitals and urgent care centers available. Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Hospitals of Pennsylvania-Presbyterian, and UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside are all situated near Chadds Ford.
The Chester County Hospital receives high patient recommendation rates due to its quality service. The Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Riddle Memorial Hospital are also offering basic medical services for emergency care and outpatient procedures. Urgent care centers are present for minor illnesses or injuries that may arise unexpectedly.
Transportation
This small town of Chadds Ford, PA in Chester county offers several public transportation services. Visitors can use the Wilmington Transportation Center, Media Station, and West Chester Transportation Center. Taking advantage of Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)’s local trains and buses makes traveling around the area a breeze. For those in need, there are special commuting services available to help them move around.
Those who are looking for a more luxurious form of transportation can enlist private chauffeured services from companies such as Ace Limousine and Airport Service, King Limo Inc., and Kevin Smith Transportation Group. They provide customized services for weddings, corporate events, private functions, and other occasions. Their experienced drivers guarantee an enjoyable experience.
Chadds Ford provides citizens with flexible transportation solutions whether they want a quick ride to work or an elegant ride to their next event. From public buses to private limos, the town offers all the amenities and comforts that travelers need.
Education System
Chadds Ford belongs to the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, which serves a total of approximately 4,000 students. With 20% minority enrollment, its offices are located in Unionville High School in Kennett Square.
Private schooling is prevalent in Chadds Ford. Over 29% of K-12 students are educated in private schools compared to the Pennsylvania state average of 13%. These are Fairville Friends School Inc., Wilmington Montessori School, Chesterbrook Academy Elementary School, Wilmington Friends School, and The Independence.
Public school education is also available for Chadds Ford students. Hillendale Elementary and Chadds Ford Elementary rank near the top in the Pennsylvania area. With both public and private schooling options, Chadds Ford families have plenty of options to consider when preparing a child’s education.
Points of Interests
Chadds Ford area is a great place to visit for those looking for a unique and memorable experience. With its rich history, iconic landmarks, historic houses, and beautiful scenery, the area is sure to be an unforgettable experience for all who visit.
Here are some of the most popular tourist attractions in Chadds Ford:
1. Brandywine River Museum of Art: The museum is located in a beautifully restored 1703 stone cottage and is world-famous for its collections of art of the Wyeth family namely N. C. Wyeth, Andrew Wyeth, and Jamie Wyeth. The museum also has an outstanding Heritage Collection of American art focusing on Brandywine valley. It has a collection of magnificent 19th and 20th-century landscapes, portraits, still lifes, and illustrations that make the museum’s holdings diverse and broad.
2. Chadds Ford Historical Society: The society manages The Barn Visitors Center and offers tours of The John Chads House and The Barns-Brinton House. The society also organizes a range of seasonal festivals such as Chadds Ford Days, the Candlelight Christmas Tour, and the Great Pumpkin Carve.
3. Chaddsford Winery: The winery is located in a fairytale-beautiful 17th-century barn in Chadds Ford between the Longwood Gardens and the Brandywine River Museum. It makes a range of wines for every taste, from fruity, light whites to rich, earthy, full-bodied reds, ciders, and sweet wines. The winery is open for visits daily, so go have fun and stock up on your favorite wine.
4. Christian C Sanderson Museum: The museum showcases collections of objects that reflect the life of Chadds Ford and various collections of objects Christian Sanderson acquired during his life that describes the history of the area and the country and some of its more important moments. There are artifacts from the American Civil War, the Revolutionary War, two World Wars, and the Battle of Brandywine.
5. Pennsbury Chadds-Ford Antique Mall: This antique mall is located near the Longwood Gardens and has been attracting antique hunters from Philadelphia and even further for the last 36 years. Known for its large selection of high-quality antiques, the mall occupies two stories of air-conditioned space filled with 180 display cases and booths from more than 100 antique dealers.
6. Brandywine Prime: Located in the beautifully restored 1703 stone cottage, Brandywine Prime is an elegant and upscale restaurant very tastefully decorated with original details that give it a special charm. Chef Jason Barrowcliff offers traditional American fare with excellent chops, steaks, and seafood, adding organic produce from his own garden.
7. Brandywine Battlefield State Park: This state park marks the site of the largest engagement of the Revolutionary War, fought on September 11, 1777, between the Continental Army led by General George Washington and the British forces led by General Sir William Howe. It offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, and picnicking.
8. Harvey Run Trail: This trailhead in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania provides both visitors and residents alike with access to approximately five miles of natural surface trails that stretch across a total of three hundred acres of open space established for preservation.
9. The Turkey Hill Experience: This attraction is located in Columbia, Pennsylvania, and offers interactive exhibits that showcase Turkey Hill’s ice cream and iced tea-making process.
10. Longwood Gardens: This public garden is located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, and features over 1,077 acres of gardens, woodlands, and meadows. It has a conservatory that showcases exotic plants from around the world.
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