April 6, 2009
EDITORS: The following is for immediate release. If you have any questions, please
contact Glenn Mon, Brandywine Valley Bed & Breakfast Association, at 610 459-3000.
Reservations for Preservation program
by Brandywine Valley Bed & Breakfast Association
raises money to save Brandywine Battlefield Park
Donations will be matched by Brandywine Conference and Visitors Bureau
CHADDS FORD _ The Brandywine Valley Bed & Breakfast Association has launched a
“Reservations for Preservation” program to help save the historic Brandywine Battlefield Park.
“One of the major attractions in our area, the Brandywine Battlefield, is in danger of
closing due to a cut back in funding from the Pennsylvania Museum and Historical
Commission,” said Glenn Mon, Vice President of the Brandywine Valley Bed & Breakfast
Association. “This site is one of the most significant attractions in the Brandywine Valley, not
only from a historical perspective, but from a visitor perspective as well.”
The state commission announced last month that Brandywine was one of a number of
state sites under consideration to be closed. A final decision is expected in June.
According to Rick Carro, President of the Association, 87 percent of the membership of
the Bed & Breakfast Association has joined the Reservations for Preservation program. Each
member will donate $1 per reservation to the Brandywine preservation fund. The group averages
almost 5,000 reservations per year. The Brandywine Conference and Visitors Bureau has agreed
to match the contributions up to $5,000. The battlefield certainly needs more than the $10,000
that the Reservations for Preservation program expects to raise,” Carro said. “But we hope that
our efforts will spur support from other businesses and groups in the region and possibly
beyond.”
“The Brandywine Battlefield is one of the premier attractions in Delaware County and
Brandywine Country,” commented Tore Fiore, Executive Director of Delaware County’s
Brandywine Conference and Visitors Bureau. “The Brandywine Conference and Visitors Bureau
will work hand in hand with the Battlefield and the Bed & Breakfast Association and reach out
to our local and state elected officials for assistance and support in this endeavor to save the
battlefield.”
The Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates are looking into ways to maintaining the
battlefield park as a publicly-accessible historic site. The state has indicated it is looking for
another group to run the park or to turn the park into passive space but the associates group is
committed to maintain the historic integrity of the site.
“In 1777 we fought the Red Coats at the Brandywine Battlefield, now we’re fighting Red
Ink,” said Linda Kaat, President of the Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates. “We are very
appreciative of the efforts of the bed and breakfasts of the Brandywine Valley in their efforts to
assist us to maintain this valuable area attraction as a viable operation.”
“The Brandywine was the site of one of the most important events in the history of the
United States,” said Bruce Mowday, author of the book on the battle, September 11, 1777,
Washington’s Defeat at Brandywine Dooms Philadelphia, and former President of the Battlefield
Associates. “This was the main engagement of the Philadelphia campaign, the largest land battle
of the war, the first fight that included Lafayette. Future Supreme Court Chief Justice John
Marshall also fought there, among many other historic figures. The Continental Congress fled
Philadelphia that night because of the loss. This historic site should not be allowed to be turned
into a passive park. It is an outrage.”
Brandywine Valley Bed & Breakfast Association members that are participating in the
Reservations for Preservation program are:
1732 Folke Stone B&B 610.429.0310
1800 Tory Inne 610.431.2788
Bancroft Manor 610.470.4297
B&B at Walnut Hill 610. 444.3703
Fairville Inn 610.388.5900
Faunbrook B&B 610.436.5788
Hamanassett B&B 610.459.3000
Harlan Log House 610.388.1114
Kennett House 610.444.9592
Longwood B&B Inn 877.388.6080
Pennsbury Inn B&B 610.388.1435
Snug Hollow Farm B&B 610. 692.3281
Sweetwater Farm B&B 610.459.4711
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