Brandywine Battlefield Historic Site

Don't forget! Tomorrow is #GivingTuesday and the Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates, a 501(c)3 community based non-profit organization, need your support! See the information listed below on how YOU can help support our organization and educational initiatives underway to support those who are socially distanced at home. Your support will assist with the development and implementation of digital programming for school students, seniors, and adults. Please consider support...ing history and these great efforts in this time of uncertainty! To Donate to the Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates, please visit: www.brandywinebattlefield.org/donate For information about the Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates, please visit: www.brandywinebattlefield.org We thank you in advance for any consideration & support!

Here is a modified YouTube version of our 2020 Remembrance Day Program for your viewing pleasure. Again, we apologize to those that were in attendance on Zoom last night and for the unfortunate occurrences that were beyond our control. We hope you enjoy our virtual tribute.

Thank you all who attended the Virtual Remembrance Program. Unfortunately, we were hacked during the program and could not prevent what ensued. We deeply apologize for any offense this may have caused to our attendees. Please know that it was out of our control. We will be posting the program that was intended to be shown in its entirely in the coming days for your enjoyment. Again, we thank those that were in attendance and look forward to sharing our program with you and those that missed it.

The battle had raged all morning and into the afternoon at Chadds Ford by this time in 1777. Throughout that time, both armies gave each other everything they had in the form of firepower. Knyphausen was doing his job well, and Washington was thinking he was doing his. That was until a report came in from Lt. Col James Ross. Ross was situated just north of modern Longwood Gardens with about 70 men. He was at a vantage point to see in all directions. Looking west he saw a lar...Continue reading

At this time in 1777, General George Washington, after having built up defenses for two days along the eastern side of the Brandywine River, was toe to toe with a British column under the command of Hessian General, Wilhelm von Knyphausen. After leaving Kennett Square at approx. 5:30am, Knyphausen was ordered to take a column of approximately 7,000-8,000 soldiers, a large portion of the Royal Artillery, and a 3.5 mile long baggage train from the eastern heights of Kennett Sq...uare, down modern day Rt. 1, and set up a feint on the western side of the Brandywine across from the bulk of Washington's defenses. After colliding with a detachment of American Light Infantry under General William Maxwell and being harassed since 6:30am, Knyphausen had finally made it to where he was to position himself until he heard his cue from Howe and Cornwallis’ attack in the afternoon. Maxwell had done his job well after having his men set up in strategic positions along the Great Nottingham Road in order to slow the column's advance. As Major Patrick Ferguson recollected, " the Americans were planted like cabbages" behind fences, think trees, and other obstacles in order to make this defense so effective. As effective as it was, Maxwell's men were eventually forced back to the eastern side of the Brandywine to rejoin the rest of the American forces. From this point up until the afternoon, a large cannonade between both armies ensued; a cannonade that could be heard clearly from Philadelphia, approximately 20 miles away. As Knyphausen was positioning his column and unleashing his artillery, a larger body of the enemy under Generals Howe and Cornwallis, with the elite soldiers of the British army, were marching north to cross two fords that Washington at two unguarded fords and complete an pincer movement. Washington thought he had the entire British army in front of him at Chadds Ford, but he would soon learn that was surely not the case.... Follow us today as we give play-by-play updates of the actions that took place on September 11, 1777 and join us tonight on Zoom as we hold our virtual annual September 11th Remembrance Ceremony, where we will reflect on this battle as well as the events in 2001. Access information can be found in our event page and on our website www.brandywinebattlefield.org

Join us this Friday, September 11, 2020, via Zoom, for our annual Remembrance Day program. Although this year will be a bit different, we hope to make it just as memorable. This program features: -An overview of the Battle of Brandywine... -First Hand Accounts of participants read by period interpreters - Tribute by Chester County Daughters of the American Revolution - Remarks given by US Representative Chrissy Houlahan - More Access information provided in event page. We hope to see you on zoom to commemorate the 243rd Anniversary of the Battle of Brandywine and remember those who lost their lives in the 2001 Terrorist attacks.

Digital/Online Programming is becoming the new norm in the museum world and our sister site, Historic Ephrata Cloister is holding a program that falls within our realm. On August 13, join them from 7:00-8:00pm for a discussion on the Ephrata Cloister's role as a hospital in the American Revolution. This is sure to be an interesting program. Currently at Brandywine Battlefield, we are undergoing a major shift to Digital/Online Programming as well and available programs & content are in development and forthcoming. Stay tuned for more information and content!

On July 4, 1776 the 2nd Continental Congress approved and adopted the document known as the Declaration of Independence formally announcing and explaining the resolution known as the "Lee Resolution" that was voted on two days before. On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia had proposed a plan which called for establishing the United States of America as an independent nation by declaring independence from Great Britain. On June 11, 1776, in preparation that the resol...ution passed, the "Committee of Five" was established to draft a document declaring that formal independence. This committee was made up of Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. The vote to adopt the independence portion of the Lee Resolution was set to be held on July 1, but at the request of South Carolina, it was delayed until July 2nd so that it would be adopted unanimously. Before July 2nd, there were several colonies that were against the idea. South Carolina and Pennsylvania were in the negative and Delaware was split down the middle. Over the course of one night, things changed dramatically. South Carolina was persuaded to vote in favor, two of Pennsylvania's delegates were convinced to be absent during the vote, and Caesar Rodney of Delaware was called upon to ride through the night to Philadelphia in order to break the tie. The delegates from New York were still waiting on further instructions on how to proceed so they abstained from the vote. Therefore, on July 2, 12 out of the 13 colonies voted in favor of Independence. As a result, two days later, the Declaration of Independence was approved. With the stroke of a quill, the delegates of the 2nd Continental Congress knew they were putting their lives on the line by signing the document. No one had ever dared to commit such an act and the uncertainty was great, although the delegates knew it was necessary. Although this declaration was meant for the eyes of King George III, it was also meant for another monarch across the Atlantic; King Louis XVI of France. By declaring formal Independence, they had hoped that the vote and document would bolster their image in the eyes of Great Britain's longtime enemy. In order to establish the Foreign Alliance they desperately sought, the delegates would have to formally announce that they were in no way tied to the mother country anymore. The French Alliance was absolutely crucial if the young United States wanted to defeat the military might of Great Britain. From all of us at Brandywine Battlefield Park, we wish you and yours a great and safe holiday. We will see you all soon!

**UPDATE FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA HISTORICAL AND MUSEUM COMMISSION** "The Brandywine Battlefield Historic Park a property of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), remains closed to the public. As part of the Commonwealth’s network, the Brandywine Battlefield Historic Park will reopen at the direction of the Governor’s administration. We apologize for this inconvenience.... The public can access our grounds for recreation. However, all facilities remain closed including restrooms, and visitor centers. All site rules & regulations apply along with CDC and DOH guidelines regarding masking & social distancing, and gatherings are prohibited. Buildings and grounds continue to be monitored."

For #TechThursday we are looking at the big guns of the Battle of Brandywine; the artillery. At the Battle of Brandywine, two types of artillery pieces were used; field cannons or guns and howitzers. A field cannon or gun (Image 1) was the primary piece of artillery on the battlefield. As mentioned above, they were classified by the size of solid shot they fired. The most common sizes in the American Revolution were 1 , 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12 pound shot, but they could be much...Continue reading

In honor of #FlagDay, our #CollectionsHighlight is this silk flag carried by the Chester County Regiment of the Pennsylvania militia at the Battle of Brandywine... on September 11, 1777. Although we don't know when the flag was made, perhaps its maker was influenced by the Flag Act of three months earlier when Congress established that the United States flag would have thirteen stripes of alternating red and white and thirteen white stars in a blue field. Early in the 20th century, descendants of the Chester County Regiment's commander donated the Brandywine flag to Independence Hall. See more

Dear Friends, COVID-19 is bringing all of us many challenges. BBPA has been able to meet these challenges thanks to your past support. As many of you know, BBPA made the responsible decision to cancel all face-to-face programs to ensure the safety of our staff, beneficiaries and community at large.... We face additional obstacles as we travel through this uncharted landscape. While we have applied for the stimulus incentives, that charities are eligible for, we still do not have a determination. Can you help BBPA continue to move forward and plan for our future reopening? Because of you we will all be here when we safely arrive at the other side of this pandemic. Your gift in any amount is greatly appreciated. Please remember that the CARES Act provides a temporary Universal Charitable deduction of $300. If you have been impacted by COVID-19 please ignore this request and take care of yourself and your family. Self-care is a priority, not a luxury. You can donate to us via Facebook, via PayPal on our website www.brandywinebattlefield.org/donate, or by check at: Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates P.O. Box 202 Chadds Ford, PA 19317 Please accept our grateful thanks from all of us at the Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates.

For #techthursday we are once again focusing on Benjamin Ring, who lived on the current park grounds and whose home was used as Washington’s Headquarters from September 9-11, 1777. In the brief history of Benjamin Ring, we mentioned that he was a wealthy miller and farmer. Today, we will dive into his milling operation and give a brief overview of what it would have looked like. Benjamin Ring owned and operated the only Fulling Mill in the region at the time of the Battle of...Continue reading

On September 11, 1777, the American Revolution was just two years into it's eight year span. 30,000 American and Crown soldiers clashed over a 35,000 acre landscape making the Battle of Brandywine the largest single-day land engagement of the war. At the end of the day, Washington's army was forced to retreat from the field and approximately 1,000 brave American soldiers became casualties of war. Of that 1,000, it is estimated that approximately 350-450 lost their lives that... day in the struggle for independence. Today we honor those patriots and all of the others in the engagements before and after who were never able to see what their sacrifice would produce six years later when the British formally signed the Treaty of Paris in 1783 that officially recognized the United States of America as an independent nation. Today we also honor the brave men and women who gave the same sacrifice to preserve the same cause through the present day. In a time of uncertainty, let us all come together and reflect on the gratitude they so very much deserve.