We need to talk about Painter's Folly
and preserving the unique sense of place in Chadds Ford.
All photos courtesy of Emma Leuschner
Many of us likely moved into Chadds Ford, in part, for the magical sense of place it offers. When I tell people unfamiliar with Chadds Ford that I live in the woods, five minutes from Whole Foods and Target, and five minutes from rolling hills and horse farms, most hardly believe me. Such a location doesn’t even make sense! And yet, we are the lucky ones to live here.
Chadds Ford is rich in history. From art history to Quaker legacy to the founding of our country, we’ve preserved bits and pieces of those very American stories in our backyards. Painter’s Folly is an integral part of that, and the township wants you to participate in a discussion about its future.
I shared more about Painter’s Folly a while back in an interview with Chadds Ford resident Ed Worteck, who has been working with the township to devise a long-term, economical plan for the proper preservation of the historic property.
On July 16, the township invites you to attend a public meeting to weigh in on the future of Painter’s Folly. They want to hear from residents as well as historians, local organizations, and preservation advocates to ensure the property receives its due care.
What’s the significance of Painter’s Folly?
To art history and preservation experts, Painter’s Folly is kind of a BFD. It is associated with many influential artists and an esteemed art school. It was also the home to and subject of work by famous artists, such as the Wyeths.
Not all of us, however, are deep in the art history community (myself included). I probably don’t have the same appreciation for the historical and cultural significance of Painter’s Folly as those more connected to the space.
But Painter’s Folly means more to Chadds Ford than an ode to a handful of artists who once lived here. I noted in my last article about Painter’s Folly that it is the perfect confluence of the famous artists, notable American Revolution history, and idyllic open space that define Chadds Ford.
It’s a quintessential representation of what makes Chadds Ford so “Chadds Ford.” Its authentic presence is an important element of what makes Chadds Ford feel so special and unique.
Who owns Painter’s Folly?
The township currently owns Painter’s Folly. Chadds Ford used Open Space funding to purchase the property several years ago.
Now, the township is considering auctioning off the property. Many historians and preservation experts in the area believe there are more exciting ways to maintain and honor the property in a financially responsible way that also ensure it continues to protect the Chadds Ford open space and historic feel that uniquely define this township.
Does the building cost the township money?
According to the June 2025 Chadds Ford township finance committee materials, Painter’s Folly earns rental income and incurs expenses. In 2024, Painter’s Folly earned net income of $1,314.28 for the township. In 2025, it’s projected to cost the township about $4,750 over the year (about $1.20 per resident). All in, we’re not winning the lottery or breaking the bank as taxpayers.
However, the property is not being utilized to its fullest potential at present. Other similar historic sites in Delaware County have more active uses, making the financial prospects more attractive.
Furthermore, Painter’s Folly may qualify to be a National Historic Landmark. Local preservation advocates have volunteered to complete the application for this designation, taking the burden off the township. This designation would open up additional sources of funding to support maintaining Painter’s Folly in its fullest form.
Painter’s Folly is also adjacent to the Brandywine Battlefield Park, offering potential opportunities to connect the two historic sites more deeply and collaborate with the state of Pennsylvania to more appropriately honor the area's impact on our country’s history and the veteran community.
How could we use Painter’s Folly while preserving it?
Without the building being a tax burden on residents, there are many ways the property could be used to support community building while preserving and celebrating its historical integrity. We already do this in Chadds Ford and more broadly in Delaware County.
Chadds Ford Historical Society and other groups in Chadds Ford maintain historic properties that significantly contribute to the sense of place that makes our town so unique. In Delaware County, there are also nearly 20 historic sites that are owned by municipalities, managed by non-profit organizations, and used thoughtfully for community and historical activities.
Some potential ideas for productive use under a preservation model include:
List the property as a film location to generate interest and income
Host ticketed events about the property’s history and related people or events
Create a public lecture series, hosted at the home, on topics related to Chadds Ford's history
Use the space for seasonal open houses for events like plant sales, ice cream socials, pop-up art shows, live music, a farmers’ market, Christmas open house, and more
From the financial information above, you can see that it wouldn’t require significant operating income to maintain the property based on its current status (it’s in pretty good shape). A Friends group for the property could solicit grants or funding for any larger expenses that may arise.
Money matters, but it’s also about more than money
Money matters. As taxpayers, we don’t want to be responsible for money pits that materially impact the level of services we receive from the township. We want our township to be fiscally sustainable for the indefinite future.
On the other hand, the picturesque settings, greenery, and historic beauty of places like Painter’s Folly probably increase our property values relative to replacing those spaces with strip malls and car dealerships. The existence of Painter’s Folly and its acreage almost certainly supports more in shared property value for Chadds Ford residents than the $1.20 it costs each resident to pay for its upkeep. Imagine the value it might add if we maximized the benefit it offered to the community through some of the ideas mentioned above.
The Chadds Ford Open Space Committee also knows that many residents value the preservation of properties like Painter’s Folly. The township website states:
Chadds Ford constituents place the highest priority on land preservation and conservation to preserve the rural character. Chadds Ford Township is situated near the heart of the Brandywine Valley, which is a region that places great importance on open space and natural resource protection, history, culture, and outdoor recreation. This region sets a national standard for rich and diverse natural resources, historic and cultural resources, recreation, and open space preservation.
If we intend to “set a national standard for rich and diverse… historical and cultural resources,” preserving the integrity of Painter’s Folly and sharing it with the public meets that moment.
What can you do?
The township supervisors need to know that you, I, and our neighbors care about maintaining Painter’s Folly in a way that is fiscally responsible and historically authentic. The project requires support from a range of residents to maximize the expertise contributions from locals, such as Ed Worteck, and others outside Chadds Ford who have volunteered their time. Here are some ways you can help:
Send an email to the township supervisors and the township manager to express your wishes that Chadds Ford Township work with historical preservation experts to ensure the best possible outcome for the future of Painter’s Folly. Our township manager, supervisors, and their contact information are:
Lacey Faber, Township Manager, LFaber@chaddsfordpa.gov
Timotha Trigg, Chair, ttrigg@chaddsfordpa.gov
Kathleen Goodier, Vice Chair, kgoodier@chaddsfordpa.gov
Samantha Reiner, Supervisor, sreiner@chaddsfordpa.gov
Attend the July 16 meeting at the township building (10 Ring Rd) at 6 pm. Come to listen, learn, or share your opinion if you have something you want to contribute. The meeting will also be available on Zoom, so you can add it to your calendar even if you are unable to attend in person.
Ed Worteck has already volunteered many hours of his time to be the liaison to the township for a dedicated community engagement group that can bear the burden of this work. Connect with Ed (email him at eworteck@goucher.edu) if you’d like to get involved more deeply. As noted in the township’s flyer, they seek preservation advocates and experts, volunteers of all stripes, lending experts, and more. Ed would love to have your energy behind this community cause, no matter your level of experience.
