What a wonderful gem of a museum within a stone's throw of Washington's HQ! I had no idea that this small museum existed, and only accidently discovered it because I passed the entrance to Brandywine Battlefield Park and turned up the first road I found to flip around and go back.

The map says Route 100, but this two-lane winding road is no major highway. The Sanderson museum is about 100 yards in from Route 1--which passes in front of the Battlefield and is a major route. There's a small parking lot on Rte 100 across from the museum and adjacent to the Brandywine Creek. I don't recall an entrance fee, but an annual membership to this museum is only $5. I ended up buying a biographical book about this fellow Sanderson for under $10 because it seemed a good way to support the museum and to find out about this pack rat of history.

Background
by Henry T. McNeil

Christian Carmack Sanderson was born to a historically minded family in Port Providence, Pennsylvania on the Schuylkill Canal, on January 7, 1882. His grandfather, Cpt. Christian Carmack was wounded in the Battle of Antietam. His grandfather Lt. Robert Sanderson was killed in the Battle of Chancellorsville.

The Wyeth painting of Sanderson

Chris graduated from West Chester Normal School (now West Chester University) in 1901 with his teaching certificate. In 28 years, he taught in 10 schools earning the respect and love of his students, who in later years would bring artifacts from around the world to add to his personal collection.

Perhaps the most important years in Chris' life were 1906 - 1922 when he and his mother Hannah lived in the house used as Washington's Headquarters before the Battle of the Brandywine (Sept 11, 1777). It was during these years that Chris welcomed thousands of people to "his home" and kept the story of the Battle of the Brandywine alive. It was Chris's wish and life's passion, that one day there would be a State park on the battlefield. (State Commission formed 1947)

In 1937, Chris and his mother moved to "The Little Grey House" -- the current museum.

In his lifetime he was teacher, fiddler, historian, speaker, collector, radio commentator and friend to all.

Chris died on November 19, 1966. As his funeral procession passed the Courthouse on High Street in West Chester, PA. the Henderson High School Band played "The Battle Hymn of the Republic", Chris's favorite song. He is buried in Morris Cemetery in Phoenixville.

His friends Arthur Beard, Bill Hoffman, Frank Rich, Tommy Thompson and Andrew Wyeth started this museum in 1967. Sanderson Hall at West Chester University was named for him.

THE MUSEUM

First Floor

Entrance Room- Children's toys, Rodgers statuettes, Toby mug collection, artifacts display case, the blue plate collection

Battlefield Room- Artifacts from the Revolution, Battle of Brandywine, the Civil War, the Jenny Wade purse, World War I and World War II artifacts, the Andrew Wyeth portrait of Chris

Chadds Ford Room- Bayard Taylor's "Story of Kennett" collection, West Chester Normal School collection, 1796 Encyclopedia Britannica.

The Archives- By permission only

Second Floor

Brandywine Room- Wyeth family art, photographs, correspondences and invitations. Chadds Ford pictures

Music Room- Ole Bull violin, viol d'amores


School Room- The Wyeth-Sanderson Map of Chester County, old school bench, class photos

Hall of Autographs-, Sitting Bull, Gen. Sherman, Patrick Henry, Helen Keller, Presidents, and more!

Chennault: The Flying Tiger from WWII

Hannah Carmack Room- 100 year old Easter eggs, Magic lantern slides, the Barclay Rubincam portrait of Chris, Hannah Sanderson's American flag, guest books signed by 3 generations of Wyeths.

Pocopson Room- Chadds Ford Barbershop sign by NC Wyeth, Chris's personal mementos. (Rest Room located here)

The Museum

The short description taken from the brochure in no way does justice to the collection. This fellow collected everything--local and otherwise--and all of it is literally mounted from floor to ceiling on the walls or crammed inside display cases. We spent a good 45 minutes there perring into corners, squinting to see some notes, and otherwise enjoying the collection.

Contact

Hours

March-December: Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00pm to 4:30pm.

PO Box 153
1755 Creek Rd.
Chadds Ford, PA 19317
610-388-6545
www.sandersonmuseum.org

Battle of Brandywine: Sep 11, 1777

Introduction and Driving Tour
The Battle
The Battlefield Today
Washington's HQ (Benjamin Ring House)
Lafayette's HQ (Gideon Gilpin House)
The Sanderson Museum

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