Battle at Chadds Ford ~ Historic Chadds Ford Days (Saturday, September 19, 2026)

Battle at Chadds Ford ~ Historic Chadds Ford Days Saturday, September 19, 2026, 10:00am – 5:00pm Tavern Night in the Grove: 6:00pm -10:00pm PURCHASE SPONSORSHIP NOW Schedule Authors/Artisans Reenactors Foods Sponsorship Photos Journey back to the 18th century this September 19th 10 AM to 5 PM in The Countryside of Philadelphia as the Chadds Ford Historical Society hosts an event to commemorate and reenact the Battle of Brandywine. September 11, 1777 was the largest single-day battle of the American Revolution – with an estimated 30,000 troops. The American Continental Army was led by General George Washington, The Crown Forces by Sir William Howe. Battle skirmish will be held twice daily, reenactors will also perform military drills. Battlefield encampments will demonstrate life in the 18th century, including daily tasks performed by “camp followers.” Colonial crafters will demonstrate historic trades such as beer brewing, blacksmithing, wood carving and wool dying, to name a few, while modern artisans will also be on site selling their handmade items. Live music, food and local beer and wine will be available. At 6pm Start the evening with a Boom as the cannons roar to light off our new immersive event “Tavern Night in the Grove”! Featuring Beer brewing demonstrations, wine and food in a Colonial tavern style atmosphere. Join in dancing and see our entrainment. Join in our contest to toast the crowd. Dress in your favorite pirate garb! Additionally for the kids: 2pm Saturday and Sunday, “School of the Soldier” with 1st Delaware. Experience what it would be like to be a soldier in Washington’s Army. Youth will join the Regiment on the field using wooden muskets learning drill and firing commands. Mark your calendars for this wonderful event! AUTHORS and ARTISANS who would like to attend the event, please CLICK HERE REENACTORS and DEMONSTRATORS interested in taking part at the event, please CLICK HERE Hours: Time: Saturday 10 am -5 pm Saturday 6-10pm “Tavern Night in the Grove” Volunteer Sign up: Click Here Volunteer Sign Up Location: The Chadds Ford Historical Society Barn Visitors Center 1736 Creek Road Chadds Ford, PA 19317 Admission: Admission is available at the gate on the day of the event (no pre-sale tickets are available): Cost: $10 adults; $5 youth 7-17; Members, youth 6 and under, and parking is free. Note: We accept Cash & Credit Cards at Admissions, as will the food & drink vendors. Dogs are welcome and must be on a leash – Please clean up after your pet. Please note: noise levels will be high during the skirmishes at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30p.m., also during the firing demo at 1:30 p.m., so be aware when you bring your furry family member. Parking: Parking is located in a field adjacent to the festival on N. Creek Road. Police and attendants will be onsite to guide you. Please park only in lots designated for event parking. Please DO NOT PARK along Route 1 (Baltimore Pike), Creek Road (Route 100), in nearby business parking lots or neighborhoods. You won’t want to miss this unique celebration of the Battle of Chadds Ford! Join us and have a historically good time. September 19th: (Tavern Night in the Grove: 6:00pm -10:00pm) Join us for a lively and unforgettable day in the Grove as history comes to life! From morning until evening, enjoy a variety of activities that immerse you in the spirit of 1776. ✨ Special Evening Highlight – Tavern Night (6–10 PM): As the sun sets, gather under the trees for a spirited evening as British and Colonial soldiers set aside their differences for one night of camaraderie. Hear the sounds of the Revolutionary War era come alive with: 🎵 Traditional songs and ballads sung by soldiers and townsfolk alike 🍺 Ale and refreshments served in authentic tavern style 🕯️ Atmospheric candlelight and rustic charm to transport you back in time Dress in your colonial best or just bring your curiosity! This is a night for music, storytelling, and shared history. Schedule Authors/Artisans Reenactors Foods Sponsorship Photos Schedule of Activities on the Main Field Saturday, September 19th: 10:00am: Event Begins – Artillery Firing 11:30am: Battle 12:30pm: Continental Line Drill 1:00pm: 1 st DE Childrens Drill 1:30pm: Artillery Drill 2:30pm: Crown Forces Drill 3:30pm: Battle 6pm-10pm (Featuring a Tavern Night in the Grove) Battle at Chadds Ford Application for Authors & Artisans For Authors and Artisans wishing to be a part of this two-day, outdoor event, please see the appropriate form below: Battle at Chadds Ford ~ 2026 Author Form Battle at Chadds Ford – 2026 Author Battle at Chadds Ford ~ 2026 Artisan Form Battle at Chadds Ford ~ 2026 Artisan Battle at Chadds Ford ~ 2026 Info Sheet Battle at Chadds Ford ~ 2026 Info Sheet By Email: Please email to Sandi Johnson at events@chaddsfordhistory.org By Mail: Please mail your completed application to the following address: Chadds Ford Historical Society Attn: Sandi Johnson 1736 Creek Road Chadds Ford, PA 19317 Any questions or concerns, please email Sandi Johnson. events@chaddsfordhistory.org Local Food & Adult Beverages at the Battle at Chadds Ford Fletcher’s Kitchen Chadds Ford Winery Kettle Express Concessions Fletcher’s Kitchen Fletcher’s Kitchen is a family own business under the leadership of the founder and CEO, Devin Fletcher. Established in 2015, Fletcher’s Kitchen caters to outdoor events specializing in seafood. Check out their website Chadds Ford Winery Since 1982, their dedicated winemaking team has produced an evolving portfolio of dry, sweet, and sparkling wines in order to best appeal to a wide spectrum of personal tastes. Check out their website Kettle Express Concessions Schedule Authors/Artisans Reenactors Foods Music Sponsorship Photos Application for Reenactors, Demonstrators, and Regiments For Reenactors, Demonstrators, and Regiments wishing to be a part of this two-day, outdoor event, please see the attachments below: Demonstrators Include: Woodworking Candle Making Beer Brewing Spoon Carving 1st Person Interpreter’s Tape Weaving Lace Making Blacksmithing Printing Chair Caning Mountain Dulcimer Playing Seamstress Flax Production Colonial Peddler Colonial Sutlers Colonial Dancing For Reenactors, Demonstrators, and Regiments wishing to be a part of this two-day, outdoor event, please see the attachments below: Information Sheet Battle at Chadds Ford -2026 Info Sheet Application for Reenactor/Demonstrator Battle at Chadds Ford – 2026 Reenactor Application for Regiments Battle at Chadds Ford – 2026 Regiment Schedule Authors/Artisans Reenactors Foods Sponsorship Photos Battle at Chadds Ford Sponsorship Opportunities We’d like to invite both individuals and businesses to become a sponsor of this long-standing community tradition! This historic/educational event was so well received by the public in September 2021, its first year in the making, that we are continuing in that tradition. There are a variety of sponsorship levels to fit any budget. Whether you’re a local business looking to connect to the community or a family who wants to support this annual tradition, we have many levels for which you can support the event. You’ll receive recognition at the event as well as other benefits and also be supporting Chadds Ford Historical Society in our goal to preserve and maintain the local history of Chadds Ford for generations to come. PURCHASE SPONSORSHIP NOW Sept 19, 2026 Battle at Chadds Ford ~ Sponsorship Opportunities 2026 CFHS Sponsorship Opportunities.pdf Thank You to our 2025 “Battle at Chadds Ford” Sponsors! Schedule Authors/Artisans Reenactors Foods Sponsorship Photos Chadds Ford Days History and Photos In the late 1950s, local residents banded together to try and stop the installation of high-powered electric lines and towers along the Brandywine. They lost, but received a minor concession in that the towers would be painted green. The failed protest did bring the community together, neighbor meeting neighbor, resulting in the decision to organize a community day. The fair included people dressed in period costumes, a parade down Station Way Road led by village historian Chris Sanderson, an art exhibit (with original works by Andrew Wyeth, John McCoy and Peter Hurd) and a luncheon at the Chadds Ford Hotel. This would become our first Chadds Ford Day in 1958. Chadds Ford Day 1968 was noteworthy on many fronts. It was the first event sponsored by the newly founded Chadds Ford Historical Society. The Conservancy cosponsored with a week long Art Heritage show to help create a massive fundraising effort to purchase the John Chads House. Over 26,000 people attended, paying $1 each to view the art show featuring works by Howard Pyle, N.C. Wyeth, Andrew Wyeth, Rea Redifer, George Weymouth and others. The art display was set up in the old Hoffman Mill (not yet converted into the Brandywine River Museum of Art). A copy of Andrew Wyeth’s sketch of the John Chads House was given to each paying visitor. As with previous Chadds Ford Days, the festival was held on Station Way Rd and the Hoffman Mill property. In addition to the week long art show, there was a Colonial street with bakeshop, barbershop, saddlery, tinsmith, tavern, sutlers, apothecary and country store. It also marked the opening of the newly established Christian Sanderson Museum. After hundreds of volunteer hours, the successful event raised $34,000 which was used to purchase the Chads House in October and fund needed restoration. In 1970, the Brandywine Conservancy started restoring the mill to house the new art museum, so the fair moved to the meadow next to Pyle’s barn (across from Chadds Ford Barn Shops). In 1977, because of the Bicentennial Reenactment, the fair was moved to the meadow off Creek road (owned by the Conservancy). It stayed in the meadow until 1984, when it moved south on Creek Road to a field across from the John Chads House, now the location of the Chadds Ford Historical Society Visitors Center. In addition to the traditional colonial attactions, the fair added themes from 1984 – 1999 such as Pigge & Pippins, Fiddlin’ at the Ford, Hoof to Horn, Land of the Lenape and Wayside Inns & Taverns. Today the fair continues its colonial roots featuring reenactors, encampments and colonial demonstrators. This two-day community festival is fun for the whole family and a fun way to learn more about the local history.