The Brandywine River, also known as the Brandywine Creek, is perhaps the most famous feature of the Brandywine Valley. Originating in the scenic area of Welsh Mountain, the Brandywine weaves and winds its way for 20 miles before opening up into the Christina River in Delaware. Its waters are calm in some places and wild in others, and its banks feature soft beaches and lush forests, perfect for enjoying the beautiful scenery of southeastern Pennsylvania. In fact, the river itself has been a source of life, culture, and inspiration for many in our region for hundreds of years. In the 1600s, it provided resources to some of our general area's earliest settlers, Delaware's New Sweden Colony. In my hometown of Chadds Ford, the river served as a notable obstacle during the Battle of Brandywine in the Revolutionary War. During the Industrial Revolution, it was the source of power to grist mills and the famous du Pont gunpowder mills located just over the line in Delaware. Ever since I was a teenager, I have loved strolling along its sandy, mossy banks, enjoying the placid, powerful beauty of its waters. It is a major inspiration for much of my creative work. 

When I close my eyes and think of my favorite local landmarks, Smith Bridge is always one of the first images that comes to mind. This iconic covered bridge was originally constructed in 1839 near the Pennsylvania-Delaware line, and it straddles the flowing waters of the Brandywine. It is one of two remaining covered bridges in Delaware; though it had to be refurbished after a fire in 1961 and again in 2002, it still bears a traditional, historic appearance with exposed wooden beams and red paint. When my children were small, they always loved the reverberating rumbles our car tires made as they rolled over the wooden planks of the bridge. I even have a framed print of this bridge in our living room, where the bridge sits front and center, covered in snow, exhibiting the unique and established beauty of our region.  

Birmingham Hill offers visitors a quiet place to reflect on the meaning and beauty of Chadds Ford and the Brandywine Valley. This hill, flanked by beautiful groves of trees and covered in a luscious meadow of soft grass, stood tall during the Battle of the Brandywine in the American Revolution, and is rich with history. There is a footpath that encircles the hill, offering walkers just over a mile of trail space to enjoy the view and information about the battlefield. I often come to Birmingham Hill for a walk, enjoying the beautiful foliage and birdsong that echoes through the meadow and the woods.

If you live locally or have an interest in the Industrial Revolution, then the du Pont family name is likely something you know by heart. The du Ponts arrived in the United States from France in 1800, and Éleuthère Irénée du Pont established a gunpowder mill in Wilmington, Delaware on the banks of the Brandywine River in 1802. As the du Pont family’s influence in the region grew, so did their presence in architecture, philanthropy, and commerce. Many of their estates and conservatories have been well-preserved: Winterthur, Longwood Gardens, Nemours, Hagley, and Mt. Cuba are just a handful of Brandywine Valley landmarks that draw thousands of visitors every year and provide sanctuary for plants and wildlife. The du Pont family estates feature expansive lawns, picturesque gardens, beautiful meadows, and verdant woodlands, and I’ve developed some of my best ideas for jewelry while walking on their grounds!