One of Chester County's most unique landmarks, Baldwin's Book Barn, dates back to 1946 when William and Lilla first opened its doors. Once a barn for a Quaker's dairy farm, the barn has stood in the Brandywine Valley for nearly 200 years. Artists, able to omit the clutter from any landscape, portray this unique bookstore in a variety of ways; while this intrepid photographer bundled up during a heavy snow, donned a set of skis and captured this remarkable view.
     In our modern day of computers and e-books, some fear the worst when it comes to printed matter. Seen as an extreme, doomsdayers predict the end of libraries in the next decade. Book-lovers cringe at the thoughts of the disappearance of the hard back books, as Google’s Library Project continues to digitally scan just about anything out of copywrite.
     Baldwin's five story book haven, offering over 300,000 used and rare books, is not immune to the electronic age. Feeling the pressure of massive internet sales, the Baldwins have trimmed expenses wherever possible. Warmed with a wood-burning stove, the patrons may find it a little chilly on a cold Pennsylvania day. But surrounded with a sea of literature, maps and rare prints, it's easy to find a cozy corner to examine your next purchase.