Originally published in the Daily Local

WEST CHESTER — Just in time for Presidents Day on Monday, the Chester County History Center is displaying a couple of presidential pieces of history.

Museumgoers can view a chair that Abraham Lincoln sat in for an artist and a note signed by George Washington.

“It’s exciting and gives people a chance to look at history in the flesh,” Ellen Endslow, History Center director of collections and curator, told county commissioners, County Administrator Robert Kagel and U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-6th of Easttown, about the presidential items on display.

Endslow said that the Washington note was written at about 11 a.m., on Sept. 11, 1777, while the Battle of Brandywine was ongoing. It features a clear, sharp signature by the first president.

The note reads that the general wanted an “intelligent sensible officer” to “find out the truth” of the location and number of British troops in Chester County.

Almost 30,000 troops fought that day in one of the largest battles of the Revolutionary War. Endslow said it was no secret that the British prevailed.

“It was a very short note on a very big battle,” Endslow said. She also said that every Chester County resident, regardless of his or her opinion or point of view, was influenced.

During February of 1864, farmer, artist, clerk of U.S. Department of the Treasury, Chester County resident and sculptor William Marshall Swayne created a bust of the 16th president, while Lincoln sat in the chair now on view at the History Center.

The upholstered chair is low to the floor. 

“It is a really short-legged chair for a really tall person,” Endslow quipped.

Chester County Commissioner Michelle Kichline is a board member at the history center and county representative for America 250 PA.

“This is just a small example of the many archives we have here at the history center,” Commissioner Kichline said about the extensive collection, much of it on display to the public in a new exhibit.

“People should visit,” she said.

Houlahan said she is proud of Chester County and Pennsylvania history.

“I brag about it all the time when in Washington,” the congresswoman said.

Commissioner Maxwell enjoyed touring the museum and hearing about more than 250 years of history held at the History Center.

Commissioners Chairwoman Marian Moskowitz was excited to see the artifacts on display.

She noted that there is “so much history in Chester County,” with much of it relevant nationally.

Conor Hepp is president of the History Center and enjoyed viewing the chair and note.

“We are proud to celebrate Presidents’ Day this year by displaying two unique pieces from our collection,” Hepp said. “Each represents the rich history of Chester County and our nation at two very tumultuous times, while celebrating the lives of two incredible individuals.”

Holly Heald Stoviak, chair of the history center’s board, said that both the exhibit and the history center are remarkable.

“If you delve into it you are going to find out that our country started here,” she said.

The Chester County History Center is located at 225 N. High St. in West Chester. The museum displays are open to the public, without reservation, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays. You can visit www.mycchc.org for more information.

The presidential exhibit is ongoing during regular hours through Saturday, Feb. 19.