Our History

1974

Starting Off as Welcome Wagon

Welcome Wagon® was founded in 1928 by an insightful marketing man in Memphis, Tennessee–Thomas Briggs. Mr. Briggs was inspired by stories of early Conestoga “welcome wagons” that would meet and greet westward travelers, providing fresh food and water for the journey. Welcome Wagon® became one of the first all-female companies in the United States.

1975

Origins of Newcomers' Club

Kennett Square Welcome Wagon was founded in 1975 as indicated by our records. The organization's purpose was to introduce new residents to their new community through home visits. The club grew to activities and brought neighbors together in a social setting to include bowling, tennis, greenery sales, to coffees and couples' activities in the evening and trips to the Philadelphia, the Flower Show. One monthly potluck luncheons with one luncheon held at the Stone Barn at a cost of $3.25.

1978

Newcomers' Club

Welcome Wagon's purpose and mission became obsolete as two-income families grew. Welcome Wagon has since reorganized using direct mailers to replace that friendly home visit with a basket of gifts from local family-run businesses. Newcomers' Club became an independent club with no parent organization in 1978. They continued social activities for women, couples, and the community activities. They remained generally organized similarly since 1975.

1980-1985

Continued to Grow

The idea of activity groups was added. They included card groups, bingo, arts & crafts, adventurers, couples' socials, gourmet club, book club, and even a couples canoe trip down the the Brandywine during this time! For many years a babysitting co-op was also organized along with babysitting during monthly luncheons.

1986

Well-Established in the Community

KSANC is primarily a social club that continues to support the local community, supporting education through school-related needs and helping to accommodate the many newcomers populating Kennett Square and the surrounding areas.

2010's

KSANC Adds Activities 

Newcomers' Club was featured in this article on August 30, 2014.

For several year 2013-2015 a bell choir was formed. The Group activity was called Chimes and they performed in area senior care facilities and at holiday events 

2020's

The World Paused, We Did Not

KSANC stayed intact during COVID with 178 members! Zoom became a new member to the board and to several groups. As  vaccinations arrived and the mask restrictions were dropped,  2021 brought new us back together. For the first time in the club's history, the executive board stayed intact for a second term and met the goals of the club making up for "lost" time. We welcomed 24 new members! We  resumed monthly luncheons including our annual Spring Event Fashion Show with  196 members and guests attending and raised $2,455.00 for local charities.

2023

Happy Birthday to Us!

Celebrating 45 years of continued Service to the Community.

2023-24

A New Era

This was the year of refreshing and contemporizing the club. Due to increased advertising in local magazines, an updated website, the addition of Facebook, and the Munch and Mingle Calendar Party, we were able to attract 42 new members for a total of 178 members. We were the first group in the community to hold our board meetings at the new Kennett Library for $25/meeting. After each board meeting, the Board Members established KSANC in the community by holding our Social Time Lunch (STL) at different local restaurants. Bunco returned as an activity, Home & Garden was replaced by “Not Your Mother’s Craft Circle”, and Coffee and Conversation was started and grew to two offerings each month. .

In The News

Kennett Square Neighbors

November 2023, page 9.


KSANC Celebrates 45th Anniversary by Diane Pazdalski

Page 9

Kennett Square Life Fall/Winter 2023

November 2023


Kennett Square Area Newcomers Club enhances the lives of local women. The club recently celebrated its 45th year attracting a large number of members with its  fun programs and offerings.

Pages 44-46, 48