By Richard L. Gaw
Staff Writer

There is a mural, 87 feet wide by 17 feet in height, that is clearly visible to anyone who passes by the Kennett Library on South Willow Street. 

It is a snapshot history lesson of Kennett Square in full and resplendent color. 

Created by community mural artist Al Moretti over the past year, the mural was one of the artistic cornerstones in the development of the new, 33,425-square-foot library, which officially opened on Aug. 27, 2023. On the one-year anniversary of that beginning, more than 100 patrons and library officials gathered on Aug. 27 to celebrate the library’s milestone and acknowledge Moretti’s work as a symbol of history and progress.

Library Board President Brad Peiper told the audience that the creation of the mural was a creative response to the removal of a former mural that stood for several years on the side of a vacant building on South Willow Street that depicted Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad movement through Kennett Square. The building was taken down during the construction of the new library, but through a proposal by library trustee Dr. Brenda Mercomes and assistance from the library’s arts committee, an effort was made to hire Moretti to reimagine a new mural that would commemorate not only Tubman but other key figures and attractions in the area: the mushroom industry, Longwood Gardens, the Lenape Indian legacy, equestrian life, the Latino culture and author Bayard Taylor.

“The mural is an impressive and beautiful piece of artwork, but it really is so much more than that,” Peiper said. “It is a reflection of who we are as a community, it tells a story, honors our history and celebrates our diversity. It is a visual reminder of our shared values and our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for all.”

Moretti said that it took six months to put together a plan for the mural, which led to his extensive research on the subjects included in it.

“The arts committee outlined exactly what they wanted,” he said. “They wanted to tell the story of Kennett and the surrounding area. They wanted to highlight the individuals, the events, the places and the things that are most meaningful for us.”

Moretti thanked his sons Aaron and Rueben, Rob DiTeodoro, Sean Nieder and library art consultant John Baker for their assistance with the project. 

Kennett Library Executive Director Christopher Manna listed several achievements the library has made during its first year, including the goal to expand its hours of operation from 63 hours a week in 2024 to 72 hours a week by August of 2025. In addition, the library now offers110 programs per month that will by year’s end be attended by 30,000 people.

“Since opening, we’re up 25 percent in book circulation versus the old library,” he said. “The investment in this library by the community has been rewarded by seeing the increase in checked-out items, and also by the number of people reading. Questions asked of library staff are up 500 percent. People see this library as the community resource, and when you have a question, we can point you in a direction and serve you. We serve all populations and all people.

“Foot traffic is up 300 percent. In the old library, we saw 5,000 people a month. We’re now regularly exceeding 17,000 people per month in this building.”

“We’ve been on quite a journey with this library,” Peiper said. “It’s almost like reading a good book. The early chapters were all about the planning and construction stages, working with the County Commissioners and our local representatives and most importantly, all of you who worked together through the groundbreaking, the topping off ceremony and the grand opening just one year ago.”

Chester County Commissioner Josh Maxwell thanked the staff of the library for their dedication to “one of the best public spaces in Pennsylvania and definitely in Chester County.”

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email [email protected].