Thomas Chrostwaite was born in 1873 and established the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB) in 1911. A native of Ashley Borough, Mr.Chrostwaite was an 1898 graduate of Harvard and went on to serve as a successful school administrator for several years in Luzerne County.
By 1905, he was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar and opened a law office in York County were he dedicated his efforts as municipal solicitor for Hanover Borough. In this capacity, Mr. Chrostwaite became fascinated with community organization, municipal law and the history of local governments across Pennsylvania, where he would often converse with citizens that lived under various styles of municipal government to gain a more comprehensive perspective of the Commonwealth. His personal enrichment also extended to his foreign travels, where Mr. Chrostwaite attempted to further develop his understanding of local governmental systems and their responsiveness to the citizens they serve.
His extensive experiences and knowledge were instrumental in establishing the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, which effectively aggregated the interests of local officials throughout Pennsylvania and improved the lives of community residents. In the early years, the Association advocated for health regulations to confront high incidences of disease, promoted infrastructure development, which led to job creation and served a vital role in helping to shape state programs that were important to citizens.
Mr. Chrostwaite retired as President of PSAB in 1957 at the age of 84 and permanently left his mark as a distinguished citizen who was undeniably passionate about Pennsylvania. To memorialize his immense contributions, PSAB fittingly created the Chrostwaite Institute to further elevate the ambitious initiatives Mr. Chrostwaite emphasized. His exceptional leadership, vision, passion for learning, and dedication to civic engagement will live on through the Institute and its diverse activities.