WEST CHESTER, PA — After 12 years of meticulous research, the Brandywine Battlefield Phased Study is complete, providing new insights into the historic Revolutionary War battle of September 11, 1777. Covering approximately 35,000 acres in Chester County and neighboring regions, the study charts key roads, skirmish sites, and historic structures tied to the battle.
The three-phase project, led by the Brandywine Battlefield Task Force, examined the battlefield’s northern, southern, and eastern sections, including areas in Delaware County and New Castle County, Delaware. It unearthed significant findings, such as French and German journal entries from the time, and detailed 1777 property maps. These discoveries showcase a historic landscape that remains partially intact nearly 250 years later.
“It has been an honor to represent the Planning Commission on the Brandywine Battlefield Task Force for over 20 years, and especially to be part of this Study,” said Jeannine Speirs of the Chester County Planning Commission, a key leader in the effort.
Chester County’s Department of Archives & Records Services played an instrumental role in the project, offering historical records to reconstruct the battlefield’s 18th-century geography. Speirs noted, “Many elements of the Battlefield area, which we discovered through our 12-year study, can still be seen today thanks to the work of Chester County’s archivists, as well as property owners and municipal, county, state, federal, and nonprofit partners.”
The study also benefited from funding through multiple grants from the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program. “The grants made it possible to highlight the importance of the Battle of Brandywine in the pivotal British Philadelphia Campaign of 1777,” Speirs added.
Completion of the study sets the stage for future commemorations, including the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026 and the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Brandywine in 2027. The effort underscores the importance of ongoing preservation and ensures that history remains accessible for generations to come.
The Brandywine Battlefield Task Force is hosting a battlefield study celebration this summer! Follow the Chester County Planning Commission and Brandywine Battlefield Task Force on Facebook for updates and details.
For more about the Brandywine Battlefield Phased Study, including an interactive map of battle movements, visit https://chescoplanning.org/Historic/BattleBrandywine.cfm.
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