Built by Col. Richard Thomas 3d in 1782, the house remained in Thomas' family until 1900 and subsequently was used by a number of community organizations. It was, for example, the first home of the Chester County Library.
The commission's new office will house files on historic resources in the township.
The office is open by appointment only, but the commission welcomes visitors at its monthly meetings, held at 8 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the lodge.
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Robert W. Stratton of West Chester has been named Guild Optician of the Year by the Guild of Prescription Opticians of America. President of Michener & Stratton, he received the award for excellence in optical dispensing and products.
Stratton, Pennsylvania's Optician of the Year in 1990, is a director of Opticians Association of America, Tissue Banks International and the National Contact Lens Examiners.
"Developing an Internationally Competent Chester County" is the aim of the county's second annual export forum from 9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Sept. 13 at J & J Caterers in Exton.
Keynote speakers will be John LaRue, Philadelphia Regional Port Authority director, and Frederick Heldring, Greater Philadelphia International Network chairman. Andrew Dinniman, director of West Chester University's Center for International Programs, will be the coordinator.
The forum is sponsored by a coalition of industry and labor groups and educational institutions: the Business and Industry Chamber of Chester County, Chester County AFL-CIO, Chester County Chamber of Commerce, Chester County Development Council, Chester County Intermediate Unit, Chester County Partnership for Economic Development, Immaculata College, Lincoln University, Pennsylvania State University and West Chester University.
The $15 fee for the forum includes lunch.
Dr. Richard J. Conti has joined the staff of Southern Chester County Medical Center. He is also affiliated with Bryn Mawr Hospital and Springfield Hospital.
A graduate of St. Mary's College, he received his degree in podiatric medicine from the Univeristy of Pennsylvania.
Topcall Corp. of Austria has opened its first U.S. office in Wayne to market its computer hardware and software.
The firm's products link mid-range and mainframe computers and personal computer networks with fax, telex and E-mail carriers.
Topcall has offices in 17 European and Middle Eastern countries, according to Ben J. M. Gall, president of the U.S. subsidiary.
Tanya K. Hammel of Shillington has been named placement department coordinator for Handi-Crafters Inc. in Thorndale.
A graduate of Glassboro State College, she joined the nonprofit agency in May 1990 as a job coach, training workers with disabilities, and most recently worked as a placement specialist, matching job-ready clients with area employers.
A business plan seminar sponsored by the Service Corps of Retired Executives will be held Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 117-123 Gay St. in West Chester. The session is designed for those interested in starting or expanding a business. For information, call 344-6910.
