Bells Across Chester County Library System

Celebrate America 250 with the Chester County Library System and Bells Across Chesco. Bells Across Chesco complements the statewide Bells Across PA program. Pick up an America 250 booklet at any member library, then visit all 18 libraries to see the bells on display now through August 31. Collect a stamp at each stop along the way.

Chester Springs Library’s bell is on display at the Henrietta Hankin Branch Library. Decorated by Library Director Nancy Niggel, the bell was inspired by Historic Yellow Springs, Moore Archivist Cara Conley and depicts scenes from Washington Hall, the first military hospital commissioned by George Washington.

During the winter of 1777–78, when disease claimed more soldiers’ lives than battle, Washington authorized the construction of the hospital to save lives and strengthen the army’s chances of survival. https://yellowsprings.org/america-250/  The bell features artifacts, buildings, and biographical snippets of the real people who ran the hospital, nursed and comforted the sick and wounded, and dedicated themselves to supporting the war effort.

Many thanks to Cara Conley for allowing us to use her graphics and for sharing the rich historic information curated and preserved by Historic Yellow Springs.