West Chester, Pa (December 29, 2025) – The Oxford Area Historical Association (OAHA) got a big boost in its effort to purchase the historic building that it calls home, thanks to state funding secured by State Senator Carolyn Comitta and State Rep. John Lawrence.
Comitta and Lawrence worked together to secure a $700,000 investment from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Local Share Account Program.
OAHA will use the funds to buy the former Union School Building at 119 S. 5th Street in Oxford, which it has leased since 2003. The nonprofit organization has an agreement of sale for the property and plans to continue to develop it into a gateway for regional tourism, welcoming visitors to the area and directing them to nearby historic sites.
Krys Sipple, OAHA Executive Director, thanked Comitta, Lawrence, and West Nottingham Township for partnering with OAHA on the project.
“This support arrives at a particularly meaningful moment for OAHA, as we celebrate our 25th anniversary and prepare to commemorate the 250th anniversary of our nation. Together, these milestones underscore the importance of preserving and sharing local stories that help connect our community to the broader American experience,” Sipple said. “This investment will help ensure that our History Center can serve as a lasting resource for education, engagement, and civic pride for generations to come.”
OAHA’s History Center features 6,000 square feet of usable space, a side yard, and a 40-car parking lot. In addition, the recently renovated building includes an accessible entrance ramp, handicapped bathrooms, a full-building HVAC system, a large generator, and the potential to expand into the basement and develop shared space on the second floor. The added space and ample room to grow mean OAHA can house its archives on site and collaborate with more volunteers, students, community organizations, and municipal historical commissions.
“This investment will help ensure that Oxford and Southern Chester County have a permanent home to explore, preserve, and share the stories of our past,” Comitta said. “I want to thank all of the volunteers, supporters, and community partners who continue to work to keep our heritage alive at OAHA and the many historical organizations and commissions throughout our region.”
“For the past 25 years, OAHA has done remarkable work telling the story of the greater Oxford area from colonial times to the present,” said Rep Lawrence. “With the 250th anniversary of our nation approaching, we will celebrate the key role Southern Chester County played in our nation’s founding, with several founding fathers calling our area home. This funding ensures a permanent home to share the rich heritage and history of our community, both now and for generations to come.”
For more information on the OAHA, visit www.oxfordhistorical.org