09/04/2026
The Commission is sad to report that our longtime chair Thomas "Tom" M. Walsh passed away today, in the early morning. He had been diagnosed with cancer only last week or so. Many of us rushed to visit him at his home in the historic “Portico row," in the 300 block of Miner. Others called him. He seemed fine, if not tired.
It’s always sad when we lose those longtime residents known for their institutional knowledge, but Tom was in a category of his own. We [the members of the Historical Commission] called him our history hero because he showed us how knowledge is power and informing residents about the history of the Borough was one way to create a community. Many of us did not know that Tom had been a professional educator - he taught for years in the Owen J. Roberts School District - since we saw him as our fearless leader who made the study of local history memorable and accessible.
He would never just say, " This old building was built in so and so date, and in this architectural style. He told you stories about the West Chester residents of the past such as what they did for a living and the improvements they made to their home. It was always about the people, regardless, though Tom also had a special interest in Civil War veterans, Native Americans, or celebrated heroes such as Lafayette.
You may remember that Tom worked hard to include the Borough in "Lafayette 200" the grand bicentennial celebration commemorating the Marquis' visit here on July 26, 1825. RIP Tom.
