It’s always good to try to find renewed hope and optimism as a new year gets underway. If you live or work in Chester County, there are lots of reasons to be excited about the year ahead.

We are certainly looking forward with optimism to how plans progress this year for the King’s Cross Development and the creation of the Pearl Theatre on Third. Under current plans, the Pearl Theatre on Third will seat 275 people for live theatre performances and movies. There will also be a 50-person black box theater—a flexible space for live performances like comedy shows, poetry readings, or private events. Local officials and community leaders have been working for decades to bring a theatre back to Oxford’s downtown because it could serve as a cornerstone to the revitalization efforts. It’s still going to take some time, but we can’t wait to see the results of the revitalized and reimagined downtown in Oxford Borough.

Similarly, we look forward to the development of a new community theater in the Borough of Kennett Square. Kennett Square Borough Council recently approved the sale of the two outbuildings at the Borough Hall Complex to The HUB for Arts and Culture, a collaboration between the William Lyster May Foundation, the Kennett Flash, the Kennett Amateur Theater Society, and If Not For Music for a new community theater. Kennett Square Borough long ago established itself as a hub for arts and culture, and a new community theater will be a good addition to the community.

Southern Chester County is fortunate to have some great downtowns, and a lot of work and planning goes into the ongoing revitalization efforts. Strong downtowns help alleviate some of the development pressures felt in the surrounding areas, and they can also strengthen the bonds of a community by being a hub for activities and events.

Another development that we’re excited about is the Oxford Area Historical Association successfully secured some significant state funding to help in its efforts to buy the former Union School Building at 119 S. 5th Street in Oxford. The plans are to ensure that the building will serve as the permanent home of a History Center. Projects that help celebrate the history of the area are great.

2026, of course, will feature the big celebration of America turning 250. Gene Pisasale, a local historian and writer who has published 12 books that focus mostly on the history of Chester County or the Mid-Atlantic region, will be writing a new, monthly column in the Chester County Press throughout 2026 that highlights various interesting aspects of our nation’s history. The first column, “America at 250: The words that helped ignite a revolution,” is featured on Page 1B. 

We look forward to publishing the history column, the larger celebration of America at 250, and all the great things that will happen in Chester County in 2026.