The Chester County History Center (CCHC) promoted two staff members on Tuesday, Sept. 22, to manage its expanding archives at the downtown West Chester institution.

John Kovatch of New London is the new archivist, and Thomas Neufeld of Downingtown is the new photo archivist, the History Center announced. Both joined CCHC in 2024. The center said the promotions respond to increasing research requests at its 225 N. High St. location.

The moves put dedicated staff behind two sizable collections. The library holds about 750,000 personal papers and business records, including letters, diaries, newspapers and books. The photo archives contain more than 100,000 images dating to the 1840s. Both collections are growing.

Researchers worldwide use the archives for genealogy, property history and academic projects, according to the center.

Kovatch steps into archivist role

Kovatch graduated from Temple University with a bachelor's degree in Spanish and history. Before joining CCHC as assistant librarian in 2024, he worked as a library clerk at the University of Pennsylvania's Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center and as a law library filer at Library Services Group, both in Philadelphia. He also volunteered at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

"The collections are composed of documents that could have very easily not survived to the present day," Kovatch said in the announcement. "The research inquiries often involve attempting to answer obscure questions."

Neufeld brings National Archives experience

Neufeld brings audiovisual preservation experience from the National Archives in College Park, Md. He also worked at the former Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society. He holds a master's degree in media and film arts from American University, a bachelor's in film and English from Gettysburg College, and a graduate certificate in archival studies from the University of Arizona.

The staffing moves come during a period of leadership change at the History Center. Former president Conor Hepp stepped down June 26 after leading the organization since 2020. Kim Collison now serves as president.

Residents interested in researching Chester County history can contact CCHC at 610-692-4800 or visit the center's website.