Rec. committee want to recognize 235th anniversary of Battle of the Brandywine
By Nicole Brown, Staff Writer, The Times
A Revolutionary War-era Prussian map shows details of the Battle of the Brandywine, fought largely in Birmingham and Chadds Ford townships. Birmingham’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space committee wants to put up signs including maps to teach about the battle to commemorate its 235th anniversary.
BIRMINGHAM — As the 235th anniversary of the Battle of the Brandywine approaches, the township’s Recreation, Parks, and Open Space Committee (RPOSC) hopes to increase the appreciation of the historical value of township. The RPOSC presented its plans for two signs, one on Birmingham Hill and one at Sandy Hollow, as well as a monument at Sandy Hollow to the Board of Supervisors on Monday night.
The purpose of the proposed signs is to make certain residents and visitors know “what took place on Birmingham Hill and at Sandy Hollow,” says committee member, Jim Rosenthal. Birmingham Hill and Sandy Hollow were both key battlefields in the Battle of the Brandywine.
The signs will be 24 inches by 36 inches and about 60 inches off the ground. In addition to text about the historical battles that occurred during the Revolutionary War at the two locations, the signs will have maps depicting the battles.
Anne Siemer, another RPOSC member, explained that the map on the Birmingham Hill sign will show what the battle field would have looked like at 4:30 a.m. on September 11, 1777. Similarly, the map on the Sandy Hollow sign will have a sequence of maps showing where and when the battles took place.
Rosenthal also discussed the proposed monument, which he says will “commemorate what was done here.” He presented a mission statement to the board, informing them of its two objectives: to keep the RPOSC on track and to keep the board and others aware of the historical significance of the monument. Siemer added that the RPOSC is in contact with artists and civic monument companies, but also said the size of the monument, wording of the text, and budget of the project have not been determined.
Supervisor William Kirkpatrick suggested that the committee go outside the township for resources about the Battle of the Brandywine. The committee has already involved the Historical Commission in the writing of the text; however, Kirkpatrick pointed out that there are people all over the country that have done research on the Revolutionary War and there is “a lot of information that could be useful and help us to be successful.” Siemer agreed that was a good suggestion.
Supervisor John Conklin added his recommendation that the theme of the monument revolve around freedom. He asked a series of questions such as why did the battle happen? Why did the continental army stay and fight? And finally, why did they die? His point being that this battle left an impact on the whole country, and the United States of America may not have been the same without the historical events that occurred over two hundred years ago in the very backyards of many township residents.
I am happy they are working to make sure the Battle of Brandywine is remembered. The next thing to do is make sure that the Battle is commemorated on its anniversary. If it isn’t done there it won’t be done anywhere.