Heritage Commission of Delaware County - What We Do

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What We Do

The Delaware County Heritage Commission is made up of 11 residents who are appointed by Delaware County Council to promote the cultural heritage of the county and make recommendations to Council on preservation issues in the County. The Commission fulfills this charge through the following undertakings:
Hosting Educational Seminars
Making recommendations on annual Community Development Block Grant funding
Sponsoring Annual Preservation Awards
Advising Council on county owned historic resources
Acting as liaison between County Council and historic organizations in the County

Seminars

The Commission seeks to raise heritage awareness and provide education on preservation for citizens of Delaware County by hosting periodic seminars and workshops. Past subjects include restoring and maintaining historic homes, historic landscaping, interpreting and funding historic sites, and preservation strategies. A list of previous seminars can be found here.

CAMP With Heritage Commission
The 2024 Seminar was on Wednesday, November 13.

Local Historical Commissions, HARBs, and municipalities will benefit from these training sessions provided by the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions.

The Commission Assistance and Mentoring Program (CAMP) is the signature training offered by the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC). CAMP is led by qualified preservation professionals in support of NAPC's mission to build strong local preservation programs and leaders through education, training, and advocacy.

The goal of CAMP is to provide high quality, engaging and informative training to preservation related boards and commissions of all types through presentations, hands-on exercises, group discussions, networking and mentoring via live or virtual training. NAPC has an exceptional team of CAMP Trainers including commissioners, local, state, and federal staff members, attorneys, consultants, planners, and commission partners.

Learn more about CAMP

The 2025 Seminar will take place in October and the topic will be announced soon.

Annual Preservation Awards

The Heritage Commission traditionally sponsors the Annual Preservation Awards each May during National Preservation Month. Awards are bestowed to those who have contributed to retaining and maintaining our County’s heritage through a construction project, a special program or project, a planning effort, or a publication. Additional awards are granted to an individual and young person who has contributed significantly to our heritage. The Leedom B. Morrison Award recognizes a construction or special project in Chester City. The legacy award recognizes a long-term business in a historic resource.

The 2025 Preservation Awards was held on May 5, 2025 at the Redwood Center in Upland Park. Council Member Elaine Paul Schaefer presented a resolution proclaiming May as Preservation Month. Sixteen award winners were honored with a presentation of their certificates by Heritage Commission Chair Samuel A. Pickard and Council Member Elaine Paul Schaefer. Congratulations to all award winners!

Watch a video of the awards presentation here
Program- booklet for printing
Program- single page
Photos of event