Westtown Historical Commission to present ‘Abraham Lincoln and his West Chester Connection’ – Daily Local

What do Quaker abolitionists, Chester County, Abraham Lincoln, and public hanging have to do with each other? Find out at a free public lecture titled, “Abraham Lincoln and His West Chester Connection” at 10 a.m. Saturday. April 27. The talk will be given by local historian Malcolm Johnstone and is sponsored by the Westtown Historical Commission.

Johnstone is a program of the Chester County Community Foundation, located in the Lincoln Building, in downtown West Chester. It was there that Lincoln’s first autobiography was published, helping him in his bid for the presidency. Malcolm Johnstone was the former director of West Chester Business Improvement District, he is currently the cultural officer of the Chester County Cultural Alliance.

This fascinating talk will highlight Lincoln’s connection to West Chester, and many other lesser-known stories about our area’s history. Our area was very active in the Abolitionist Movement – a highly emotional subject among residents, even involving local riots. The presentation will be given at the Westtown Township building at 1039 Wilmington Pike, West Chester, and will also be streamed online, details at Westtown.org.

Readers can contact the Westtown Historical Commission at history@westtown.org