EXTON, PA — A revolutionary document that reshaped Pennsylvania—but remains overshadowed by the Declaration of Independence—will take center stage during an upcoming Chester County Library Trust program.
Local author and historian Lorett Treese will present “A Radical Shift – Pennsylvania’s State Constitution of 1776,” exploring the document’s creation, political significance, and lasting influence on the Commonwealth.
The program offers residents a chance to examine a lesser-known chapter of the American Revolution as the region marks the nation’s 250th anniversary. Pennsylvania’s 1776 Constitution represented a dramatic change in government and helped define the state’s transition from colony to commonwealth.
Treese is a longtime Chester County resident and former Bryn Mawr College archivist who has written about regional history for more than three decades. She graduated from Bryn Mawr College and earned a master’s degree in American history from Villanova University.
Her books include “The Storm Gathering: The Penn Family and the American Revolution,” “Valley Forge: Making and Remaking a National Symbol,” two editions of “Railroads of Pennsylvania,” and companion volumes examining railroads in New Jersey and along the Eastern Shore.
Event Details
- What: “A Radical Shift – Pennsylvania’s State Constitution of 1776” with historian Lorett Treese
- When: Wednesday, November 4, 2026, from 6:30–7:30 p.m.
- Where: Struble Room, Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA 19341
- Cost/Tickets: Registration is required, and seating is limited.
- More Info: https://ccls.libcal.com/event/17776097
The program is sponsored by the Chester County Library Trust, a nonprofit that raises money to expand library collections, programs, and services beyond what traditional operating budgets can support. More information about the Trust is available at https://chescolibraries.org/about/how-you-can-help/chester-county-library-trust/.
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