Released: November 3, 2023
Delaware County Council is excited to announce that the America250PADelco Committee, in partnership with Delaware County Libraries and Widener University, is hosting Patrick Spero, author of the 2023 Revolutionary Reads Community Read book selection Frontier Rebels: The Fight for Independence in the American West, 1765-1776, at an Author Visit & Reception on Sunday, November 12, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., at Widener University.
Each year through 2026 — the U.S. Semiquincentennial (aka America’s 250th birthday!) — the America250PADelco Committee will select one book title connected to the history of the Declaration of Independence and American Revolution to serve as that year’s ‘Revolutionary Reads Community Read,’ and celebrate that book with a book event featuring the author and members of the community.
The book selection events are just one way the America250PADelco Committee is helping the community understand Delaware County’s unique role in history leading up to and after the American founding in 1776.
The 2023 book choice, Frontier Rebels: The Fight for Independence in the American West, 1765-1776, by Patrick Spero, tells the story of the American ‘West’ in Pennsylvania. The story recounts the drama and intrigue of how Pennsylvania frontier settlers attempted to stop the largest peace offering ever assembled before it could be delivered. The daring journey is led by British commander-in-chief George Croghan, a wily trader-turned-diplomat with close ties to Native Americans. The outcome of these interwoven struggles would determine whose independence would prevail on the American frontier—and whether freedom would be defined by the British, Native Americans, or colonial settlers.
“The Revolutionary Reads program presents an opportunity to reflect on our past and consider lessons learned for our present and future,” said Andrea Silva, Director of the America250PADelco Committee. “The 250th Commemoration aims to amplify lost and under-represented stories the American people. This book features lesser-known stories of Native Americans and people living on the frontier of the American West during the early history of our country. It was a tumultuous time.”
“Widener University is pleased to partner with the Delaware County Libraries and America250PADelco to once again host a distinguished scholar who illuminates less examined roots of the American Revolution. Dr. Spero’s well-researched study shows how white colonists’ animus toward Native Americans on the ‘western frontier’ (including the area that is now Pittsburgh) helped drive forward the war for independence from the British. Learning history like this is not always comfortable but it is history we benefit from knowing,” said David Leaman, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Widener University.
Delaware County residents are invited to join the 2023 America250PADelco Community Read. Registration is required. Click here to register.
The book is also available on the Libby App, from Delco Libraries or Main Point Books in Wayne, PA. Revolutionary Reads will also include Book Club in a Bag totes for checkout at Delaware County Libraries locations, book clubs hosted at libraries and other organizations across Delaware County, and there are two events planned for the public to participate in conversations about this story:
More about America250PADelco
America250PADelco is the local, nonpartisan project uniting Delaware County to promote our history, boost civic engagement, and bring together special 250th Anniversary festivities leading up to the U.S. Semiquincentennial on July 4, 2026. The America250PADelco project is managed by the Delaware County Economic Development Oversight Board in partnership with Visit Delco and with fiscal sponsorship provided by The Foundation for Delaware County.
For information about, programs and events, visit www.america250padelco.org or follow us on Twitter@America250D, Facebook, and Instagram@america250padelco.