The Brandywine Battlefield National Historic Landmark

What is a landmark?

…the “crème de la crème” of historic sites

…a historic site of EXCEPTIONAL significance to the history of the United States.

…the HIGHEST level of historic designation

Evolution of the Brandywine Battlefield National Historic Landmark

1961 - The important Landmark designation is given to the 10 square mile area by the National Park Service.

1989 - Brandywine Battlefield National Historic Landmark Cultural Resources Management Study is published, bringing attention to the Landmark.

1992 - The Landmark Revisited, a user-friendly version of the study is published. It recommends formation of a task force.

1990s - U.S. Congress lists the Brandywine Battlefield National Historic Landmark as a priority one endangered landmark.

1993 - Brandywine Battlefield Task Force is formed.

1997 - The Brandywine Battlefield National Historic Landmark is named Pennsylvania’s first "Commonwealth Treasure."

The Brandywine Battlefield Task Force

What is the Brandywine Battlefield National Historic Landmark?

Its geographic area includes:

• Parts of six townships and two counties (Birmingham, Thornbury, Pennsbury, Kennett, and Westtown in Chester County and Chadds Ford in Delaware County)
• Over 800 privately owned parcels of land
• An area of 10 square miles (about 6,400 acres)

Sandy Hollow

Between Birmingham Road and South New Street, Birmingham Township

This triangle of land was the site of furious combat between Cornwallis’s troops and Greene’s brigade on September 11, 1777. Nearby, on the Bennett farm, the young Marquis de LaFayette was wounded while trying to rally the American troops. 

In 1998, Birmingham Township was successful in placing deed restrictions on the 50 acre tract known as Sandy Hollow. In recognition of the Township’s efforts to save this significant terrain, Brandywine Battlefield Task Force held an outdoor ceremony and walking tour on June 13th of that year. Currently, the Township has plans to turn Sandy Hollow into an interpretive site for the Battle of Brandywine and the National Historic Landmark.