A History of Growing and Giving

EVERHART PARK is a 10-acre grove of hardwood trees and open fields that was originally part of the large Everhart Farm. The parcel was given to the Borough by the Everhart family in 1905. 

TIMELINE

1828 – William S. Everhart purchases a 102 acre tract of land that includes the present park from William Wollerton.

1840-61 – The park area is used for outdoor political rallies, abolitionist and temperance meetings, and camp revivals. Area used as a Civil War camp to train the First West Chester Volunteer Regiment.

1904-05 – On November 17, 1905, Dr. Isaiah Everhart, nephew of the deceased William S. Everhart, donates Everhart Grove to the Borough of West Chester.

1906 – Oglesby Paul, a Philadelphia landscape designer “prepares plans” for improvements to the grove. The layout of radiating paths, gazebo, and footbridge are attributed to Oglesby Paul, and were probably scaled back by the County Engineer, who was consulted on the design.

1908 – A rustic gazebo similar to the gazebo in Marshall Square Park is constructed over the stream to serve as a bridge and meeting place. Mr Farra reports that there are over 500 trees in the grove (L 10/27/08). This gazebo remains to this day.

1909 – The radiating walks and a pond are constructed, and the Everhart fountain is moved to the pond from downtown Market Street.(DLN 2/7/1980).

1920 – Construction of the Barnard Street entrance, including stone piers and bronze plaque. West Chester Band concerts begin in the gazebo and continue until 1940.

1943 – The pond is drained.

1987 – Severe summer storm destroys dozens of virgin oaks and other hardwood trees in the park.

1989 – Friends of Everhart Park (FOEP) forms in response to a planned utility pipeline that would have eliminated nearly 20 ancient hardwoods.

1990 – FOEP begins a 3-year project to clear walks and stone gutters.

1994 – FOEP assists the Borough in the reconstruction of the stone foundations of the Gazebo.

“Jack’s Entrance” is built to honor a great neighbor and friend of the park, Jack Dautle.

1995 – FOEP prepares a Master Plan for the Park that is approved by Borough Council

1997 – FOEP installs the Horace Pippen Bench to honor a nationally recognized West Chester artist who was acclaimed only after his death.

2000-08 – FOEP funds or assists in the funding of several projects: planting of the wetlands with the BVA and Hillsdale School volunteers, reconstruction of the footbridge, memorial tree marker program, rehabilitation of the Children’s Summer House, reroofing of the Gazebo, and repaving of the Activity Court with pervious paving.