Preserving our Past
The historic Borough of West Chester, Pennsylvania is a treasure to be preserved. Incorporated in 1799, West Chester is home to Chester County's 1840 courthouse, was an 18th-century center of clockmaking, and was home to a major wheelworks and the Sharples cream separator company. From industry landmarks to private residences with historic significance, there are so many reasons to protect and celebrate our past.
Preservation Awards
The West Chester Downtown Foundation created this awards program to recognize and honor projects both large and small that help highlight and preserve West Chester’s historic character. By bringing attention to these projects, the WCDF hopes to encourage and engage business owners and residents of West Chester Borough in good preservation practices to strengthen the Borough’s historic fabric.
The Bricks and Mortar Awards
These may be awarded to recognize construction projects of exceptional quality that have a positive impact on the preservation of West Chester’s historic fabric.
The Preservation Service Awards
These may be awarded to individuals and organizations in recognition of projects that promote a better understanding of the history of West Chester and the need to preserve the physical evidence of that history.
The annual awards feature a full-color program with winning project details.
Our Annual Preservation Awards
will be held on
October 15, 2026
Thank you to our
2026 Sponsors:
Serpentine Sponsors:
Susan & Vijay Aggarwal
Blue Dog Printing and Design
Sarah & Allen Burke
The Jean Gross Team
Hazley Builders/Architects
E. Kahn Development
Patricia Burton Loew
Ray & Paula Ott
A. Roy Smith
Timlyn Vaughan Photography
Borough of West Chester
Marble Sponsors:
Archer & Buchanan Architecture
Brandywine Valley Heating and Air Conditioning
Chester County History Center
Thomas Comitta Associates, Inc. Town Planners & Landscape Architects
County Lines / Valley Del Publications
Megill Custom Homes and Renovations
R & B Restoration Carpentry
Umbreit Wileczek & Associates, PC
Zukin Realty
Limestone Sponsors:
Jeffrey P. Burke, Esq. of MacElree Harvey LTD.
Limoncello
Patterhn Ives
John & Barbara Spellman
Brick Sponsors:
Jeffrey C. Beitel Architecture
Church Street Gallery
James A Cochrane Inc. Realtor – Michael Wallacavage
Jane E. Dorchester, Architectural Historian
Rachel Kagen & Michael Galey, Esq.
Corinne & Joe Martino
Paper Moon Custom Stationery
Remmington & Vernick Engineers
Bill & Linda Scott
Kevin & Lynn Sherlock
Allan & Nancy Steenhusen
John Suplee
Visual Expansion Gallery
Tom Walsh, Long & Foster Commercial
David Wickard
Melissa & Joshua Willson
Philip & Sue Yocum
Become a Sponsor
Dear Friend of West Chester,
On October 15, 2026, we will celebrate the 15th year of the West Chester Downtown Foundation's West Chester Preservation Awards! It is going to be a special night.
We love getting together to recognize the efforts that help make West Chester great. We are grateful for the past support and we hope you will join us this year and become a sponsor.
The mission of the Awards Program is to recognize those projects and individuals who have worked to maintain the historic character and preserve the historic integrity of the Borough of West Chester.
Awards are given in three categories:
• Bricks and Mortar for construction projects
• Preservation Service for educational and advocacy projects
• Preservation Legacy Award for long-term or far-reaching contributions to the preservation of West Chester.
We will have hors d’oeuvres and a light buffet from Limoncello with beer and wine. It will take place on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 5:30 pm at the Chester County History Center at 225 N. High. Please consider supporting the program by becoming a sponsor. The categories and benefits are outlined on the sponsorship form. Attendees will have the opportunity to see the winners announced and to socialize with local decision makers, members of the West Chester business and preservation communities, and residents of the Borough of West Chester.
Profits from the event help WCDF's efforts, including funding for many of West Chester's most vital charitable institutions and events. We would be grateful for your support of this valuable community preservation program.
Sincerely,
Allen Burke
2026 Committee Chair
West Chester Preservation Awards Committee:
James Breen, Allen Burke, Jeff Burke, Cara Corridoni, Thomas Dougherty,
Chris Hazley, Joseph Martino, Ray Ott, Kathleen Penney, Philip Yocum
