Focus on a Notable Resident - Pete Martin Forsakes Words for Pictures

- Cindy Clark, Historic Resources Committee, 05/31/2023

“I’d rather have a tarpaper shack in Chester County, where I can look up at the sky all powdered with stars, than the most luxurious condominium.” - Pete Martin in an interview for Discover, The Sunday Bulletin Philadelphia, August 1, 1971.

He was describing his home, Timothy Farm, Hilltop Road in West Vincent Township where he resided with his wife, Virginia Bird Martin, a recognized artist. At the time, Pete Martin was known as the author of the widely read I Call On…. series of celebrity interviews published in the Saturday Evening Post (Lucille, Ball, Gary Cooper, Clark Gable, Jackie Gleason, Ava Gardner, and Bob Hope among others).

Upon retirement, Pete Martin became absorbed with his own community of Birchrunville. He began creating watercolors that told a story about his neighbors. He painted their faces, homes, and local buildings. He wanted to capture their likeness and spirit before they disappeared. He donated 30 of his drawings to the West Vincent Township Supervisors to form “the nucleus of a village archive”.

Many of these drawings have been recently reframed and hung in the Township Building Meeting Room. A display board titled “Pete Martin Remembered……. 1901-1980” is located in our lobby. Please stop by and enjoy the uniqueness of many past residents, some of whom you may have known.

The Historic Resources Committee is seeking volunteers to help in research into the Township’s history. No experience necessary! Just fun. Please contact us at office@westvincenttwp.org to be connected with a member of the Historic Resources Committee.