The Chester County History Center (CCHC) announces its 2025 History Maker Awards ceremony, celebrating an extraordinary chapter in local history that bridges the American Revolution with present-day preservation efforts. The awards ceremony and fundraising dinner, titled “HISTORY LIVED, PRESERVED AND UNEARTHED: A CHESTER COUNTY REVOLUTIONARY WAR STORY,” is scheduled for Friday, April 25, 2025, at 6:00 PM, and will honor three recipients whose work led to a remarkable Revolutionary War discovery.
In 2022, Ray Bentley and Jim Moore, working with the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, unearthed four 18th-century cannons on the historic Warwick Furnace property. These massive artifacts, each weighing over 4,500 pounds, were originally cast at Warwick Furnace to support the Continental Army and were buried to prevent British forces from capturing them during the 1777 campaign.
The History Maker Awards will recognize Ray Bentley, whose initiative and support led to the cannon discovery; Jim Moore, whose expertise guided the excavation process; and French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, for their ongoing stewardship of the historic Warwick Furnace property.
The Chester County History Center has been selected to receive one of these historic cannons as part of its permanent collection, ensuring this significant artifact remains accessible to the public and future generations.
“This discovery represents a direct physical connection to Chester County’s role in the American Revolution. The dedication of our honorees has literally unearthed a piece of history that had been hidden for nearly 250 years, and it will be available for our community to enjoy as part of an outdoor Heritage Center on CCHC grounds in West Chester,” says Conor Hepp, President of CCHC.
The History Maker Awards ceremony and fundraising dinner will support the History Center’s educational programs and collections preservation efforts.
Photo Credits: Pachy Banks-Cabral
