2025 Mother Archie's Preservation Plan
August 20, 2025 Chadds Ford Township presented the 2025 Mother Archie's Preservation Plan. This effort was supported by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) and Open Space Funds. Please click on the link to view the 2025 Mother Archie's Preservation Plan.
Preserving History at Mother Archie’s Corner
In 1891, Lydia A. Archie—a pioneering Black woman and the first ordained female preacher in the African Union Methodist Protestant Church—purchased the property now known as Archie’s Corner. Reverently known as Mother Archie, she transformed the site into a place of worship and reflection. Her congregation gathered in the former Bullock Octagonal Schoolhouse, repurposed as a church, while the surrounding grounds became a sacred cemetery.
Mother Archie lived in a home she built on the same property, serving as a spiritual and community leader for Chadds Ford’s Black residents until her death in 1932. The cemetery is the final resting place of seventy-nine members of her congregation, including Mother Archie herself. The site’s legacy extends beyond its immediate history—renowned artist Andrew Wyeth found enduring inspiration in the church ruins, producing several works that memorialize its presence.
Following the decline of the congregation after Mother Archie’s passing, the property fell into disuse. In 1954, Chadds Ford Township acquired the land and has since worked to maintain its integrity by providing landscaping services, installing a historical marker, and creating a small parking area for public access.
Today, Chadds Ford Township—guided by the Mother Archie’s Steering Committee—is undertaking a comprehensive preservation initiative through the creation of a formal feasibility study. This effort is funded in part by a Certified Local Government Grant awarded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) in 2023. The study will guide the Township in identifying long-term strategies to preserve, interpret, and honor the history and cultural impact of Mother Archie and her congregation.
Mother Archie’s Steering Committee
The Steering Committee was established by the Chadds Ford Township Board of Supervisors as a recommending body to support the development of the Mother Archie’s Preservation Study. Members bring diverse expertise and deep community ties, ensuring a thoughtful and inclusive approach to this important work.
Committee Members:
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Timotha Trigg
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Craig Huffman
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Helene Badeau
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Gary Sharp
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Hank Somer
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Ed Pisani
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Elizabeth Burns
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Laura Lim
Chadds Ford Township was recently featured by CBS News Philadelphia in a story highlighting “Archie’s Corner” at the historic Chadds Ford Cemetery and the stunning drone footage capturing this special location.
Thank you to Chair Timotha Trigg for her continued efforts and dedication to preserving and sharing Chadds Ford’s rich history. Her work helps bring attention to the Township’s historic landmarks and the stories that make our community unique.
We are proud to see Chadds Ford’s history and character shared with a wider audience.
👉 Read the full story:
https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/archies-corner-chadds-ford-cemetery-church-drones/
Chadds Ford Township is proud to share an exciting development in the creation of the Archie's Corner Preservation Plan, a project made possible by a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC). This initiative reflects the Township’s ongoing commitment to honoring its rich and diverse heritage. The ongoing effort, spearheaded by Board of Supervisor, Chair Timotha Trigg, will serve as a lasting plan to protect and honor this sacred historical black cemetery located at the corner of Ring and Bullock Roads.
A key step in the plan development took place the week of June 23, to locate the unmarked graves at Archie’s Corner. In a respectful and methodical process, Len Strozier of Omega Mapping Services, utilized ground penetrating radar (GPR) to locate these hidden resting places.
Supporting this effort was Laura Lim, Chadds Ford Township’s Facilities Director. Laura brings a unique perspective to the project—prior to her work in local government, she served as a Mortuary Affairs Officer in the United States Air Force, a role that instilled in her a deep respect for the importance of honoring the deceased. As Len identified unmarked graves, Laura followed closely behind, carefully placing ground markers to respectfully identify each one. Her experience in mortuary affairs and her commitment to preserving the dignity of final resting places made her presence at Archie’s Corner especially meaningful.
Timotha, Laura, and the Mother Archie's Steering Committee's dedication underscores the Township’s thoughtful approach to preservation. Photo by Mike Lim
