Chester Springs Villages and its 20 attractions, environmental organizations and neighborhood partners have come together under a unifying message, proclaiming the area as Chester Springs Surrounds: Natural Charm.

The new identity and packaging includes a portal to the area -- www. ChesterSpringsSurrounds.org -- and the creation of a Guide to Chester Springs Surrounds, that will be available initially through the Independence Visitor Center, The Welcome Center at Valley Forge and The Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau, in addition to being available by download from the web portal.

Eight Marketing led this endeavor by providing strategic marketing and project management, with Caspari McCormick creating the brand identity, brochure and portal.

Leading the collaboration were Heather Reiffer, executive director of The Mill at Anselma and Rob Lukens, executive director of Historic Yellow Springs. This project was made possible through a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development.

Chester Springs Surrounds encompasses the green space bounded by Pottstown to the North, Exton to the South, Phoenixville to the East and Elverson to the West. Defining the area are French Creek and Pickering Creek, surrounded by small clusters of state parks, natural preserves, historical attractions and family destinations. Chester Springs Surrounds is just a 15-minute drive from Valley Forge National Historic Park and 30 miles from downtown Philadelphia.

"Chester Springs Surrounds is all about the simple pleasures and is a place where people can take time out from a hectic schedule to relax and unwind," said Reiffer. "Whether it's going hiking or fishing or even just taking a hayride to a pumpkin patch, it's all here in the Surrounds."

"The history in this region dates back to the 1700's and was part of our country's industrial heritage," said Lukens. "From an 18th century water powered flour mill to a Revolutionary War military hospital, Chester Springs Surrounds has remained true to its historical roots."

Much of the scenic beauty and lands that encompass Chester Springs Surrounds are under the protection and care of land preservationists, namely the French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, Green Valleys Association and the Natural Land Trust.

Historic Germantown may be only 15 minutes from downtown Philadelphia but a new passport can help you get around. Historic Germantown has launched a passport admission booklet good for one-time admission to each of the 14 historic sites and attractions comprising Freedom's Backyard.

The passport is valid for one year from purchase and is affordably priced at $15.00 for individual admission and $25.00 for a family of four consisting of up to two adults and two children age 12 or under.

Passports can be purchased at the Independence Visitor Center or at each participating attraction during their regular operating hours. Advance passports can be purchased online by visiting the Freedom's Backyard portal at www.freedomsbackyard.com.

The passport includes one-time admission to all 14 attractions comprising Freedom's Backyard: ACES Museum, Awbury Arboretum, Cliveden of the National Trust, The Concord Schoolhouse, Deshler-Morris House, Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion, Germantown Mennonite Historic Trust, Germantown Historical Society, Grumblethorpe, Historic RittenhouseTown, Johnson House, LaSalle Art Museum, Stenton and Wyck.

For more information and attraction hours, call (215) 844-1683.

Eight Marketing is a tourism and attractions marketing firm that specializes in increasing revenue for its clients through partnerships, promotions and strategic planning.

To learn more, call us at (610) 667-2400.