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Bartram's Covered Bridge
Old St. David's Church

WELCOME TO THE NEWTOWN SQUARE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Welcome to the Newtown Square Historical Society. Founded in 1981 by civic minded residents, the society continues its mission to preserve the rich history of Newtown Township. We offer multiple programs to reach out to our community, volunteer opportunities for residents of all ages and events throughout the year at our many historic locations.  Please browse our website and vast pictorial history of our town and consider becoming a member. 

The Paper Mill House History Center and Museum will be open on Saturday from 12 to 4:00pm.  Tour guides will be available on site.



Memorial Day   Honoring Our Veterans

On Memorial Day we remember and honor the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The holiday originated in the years following the Civil War and was initially known as Decoration Day. It was officially declared a federal holiday in 1971 to recognize the sacrifices of those who have died in wars and military conflicts. Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May and is often marked by parades, memorial services, and the decoration of graves with American flags. 

In 2017, the theme for Historic Newtown Square Day was “Honoring our Veterans”.  In our program book that year, we wrote about the service and sacrifice of those from the Newtown community who served in the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Civil War, the Spanish American War, WWI and WWII, and Vietnam.    

Through the wonders of modern technology, we have been able to republish our annual program books in a new format, the “Flipbook”, so that those stories live on.  Scan this QR Code or click on this link to read those stories, and please feel free to share these links with your family and friends.

 2017 22nd Historic Newton Square Day Honoring Our Veterans (fliphtml5.com)

For more information email info@nshistory.org

Saturday June 8 



Upcoming events

ABOUT NSHS

In 1981 several historically minded residents of Newtown (Delaware County, PA) decided to host a celebration for Newtown’s 300th anniversary. A year of activities and a wonderful parade were the impetus to the creation of the Newtown Square Historical Society in 1984. The main purposes of the Society are to protect, preserve and promote the historic resources of the Township, as well as to tell its story. We are an all volunteer, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization funded through member donations, fundraising and grants. All contributions to the Society are tax deductible, and go to support the work and programs of the Society.

The Founding of Newtown Township

Newtown Township dates to 1681, when William Penn planned two inland “new towns” (the second one is Newtown, Bucks County) in which buyers who bought plots of farm land would be entitled to a “Townstead” plot in the new town planned for the intersection of Newtown Street Road and Goshen Road. The original settlers were Welsh Quakers, drawn to the new world by relatively cheap land, Penn’s promise of religious tolerance, and the prospects of new beginnings. Newtown remained a farming community from that time until after World War II, when it began growing into a suburban bedroom community outside of Philadelphia, 15 miles due east.


WHY PRESERVE HISTORY?

As historians and preservationists, we must decide what to work to preserve, determine how best to preserve it, and then what to do with it. Pictures and newspaper clippings in folders in filing cabinets are a beginning, but not an ending.  Our history is recorded in photographs, documents, census records, tax records, but also in household goods, tools, diaries, and oral histories that recount daily life. We can bring particular stories to public view through articles in local newspapers, blogs, and social media posts. All of these items help to bring history alive. Education programs can bring that history to the community – through monthly programs aimed at adults, and through educational programs aimed at children. Having a museum that preserves these historic items is a wonderful way to educate our residents, young and old alike, about the importance of our history. We do all of this and more. But it takes a lot of volunteer effort to make it all happen. The wonderful thing is that for every interest, and for every skill, there is a place for you to shine in the Society – a place for artists, photographers, writers, teachers, catalogers, guides, program and ad sellers, event planners, and business people who can coordinate the multifaceted efforts that are needed.

NSHS Board of Directors

President: Cathy Cavalier-Gach
Vice President: Vince Gutierrez
Treasurer: Louis Rosenthal
Secretary: Mary Reaney
Solicitor: John Custer
Curator, Communications, Programs: Doug Humes
Membership: Larry Fischer

Guides: Nancy Falcone

Events: Cathy Cavalier-Gach
Facilities: Vince Gutierrez

Library Liaison:  Arlene Caruso

Creative Arts Director:  Kathy Agostinelli

Performing Arts Director:  Ceil Mann

Historic Renovation & Construction Specialist: Frank Falcone

Newtown Trails and Greenways Liaison: Joe Kasuka

At Large: Walt Albert


Contact board members by sending an email to info@nshistory.org and including their name in the subject.

Contact Us

info@nshistory.org • 610-975-0290 • P.O Box 3, Newtown Square, PA 19073


The Newtown Square Historical Society is a community volunteer organization. We get our principal funding from you, our members, patrons, neighbors, and friends. Without your support, we cannot do all that we do. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and your donations are charitable deductions as permitted by law.

©2021 Newtown Square Historical Society
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