Malcolm Johnstone. Photo by Timlyn Vaughan
The 2021 West Chester (PA) Preservation Legacy Award was given to Malcolm Johnstone by the West Chester Downtown Foundation (WCDF) during its Awards Ceremony held on October 21, 2021 at the Chester County History Center. Malcolm was honored for his efforts with the West Chester Business Improvement District (BID) as its executive director for 20 years.
“During that time he turned a struggling Main Street program into a successful revitalization operation,” according to Ray Ott, who presented the award. “He understood the economic potential for promoting the Borough’s unique historic character.”
Johnstone was also honored for his book For the Union, which focuses on the history of early local abolitionists who helped launch Abraham Lincoln’s presidential campaign in 1860. The Chester County Community Foundation (CCCF) nominated Malcolm for a service award based on the merits of the book alone.
Cover art of the book For the Union designed by Jamison Ludgate.
According to Allen Burke, who hosted the event, the core mission of WCDF’s awards program is to raise awareness and appreciation of West Chester Borough’s rich character and encourage its preservation.
From material submitted by the West Chester Downtown Foundation.