Chester County History Center

History, activism, and resilience in the LGBTQIA community. A conversation about history, activism, and resilience in the LGBTQIA community. Walter, who is the surviving partner of late American Civil Rights leader Bayard Rustin, is the Executive Director of the Bayard Rustin Fund, which commemorates Rustin's life, values, and legacy. He is also board member emeritus at the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice, an LGBTQIA safe space, community activist center, and educational enclave in Princeton, New Jersey dedicated to honoring Bayard Rustin through their mission and good works.  

Walking tour of downtown West Chester and stories of the people who helped freedom seekers on their northward journeys.The Underground Railroad was a network of people offering shelter and aid to enslaved men, women and children on their journeys to freedom. This small-group walking tour will visit eight locations around downtown West Chester that served as a backdrop for the people involved in this clandestine operation. The tour covers approximately 1.25 miles, lasts 90 minutes, and is entirely outdoors; sidewalks and terrain may be uneven. Event is rain or shine, so please dress for the weather.Once purchased, tickets are NONREFUNDABLE.

This walking tour will explore the origins of Historic Oaklands Cemetery and the famous (and infamous) people buried there.As you walk the streets of West Chester, you'll see names like Darlington, Butler, and Everhart. But do you know the history behind the names?Many of West Chester's leading citizens are buried at Oaklands Cemetery (founded 1854), but there are many stories that remain untold. Join the education staff of the Chester County History Center to learn true tales of the soldiers, statesmen, lawyers, doctors, musicians, athletes, artists and more that found their final rest at this garden cemetery outside of West