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Radnor Hunt Archives manuscripts collection, 1887-2016 (inclusive)

Extent:
3.2 linear feet
Abstract:
Founded in 1883 in Radnor, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia, Radnor Hunt is the oldest continuously active fox hunt in the United States, as recognized by the Masters of Foxhounds Association of America (MFHA). The Hunt remained in Radnor until 1931, when encroaching development in the area led it to move about seven miles west to a new location near Malvern, Pennsylvania. While Radnor Hunt has remained at the Malvern location, it acquired additional hunting territory elsewhere in the region in the late 1990s as other hunts in the area disbanded. For more than 130 years, Radnor Hunt has been the focal point of an active sporting community carrying on not only its traditional activity of fox chasing, but also encouraging a great many other activities involving countryside pursuits, horses, hounds and good sportsmanship. Many prominent families and leading businessmen of the greater Philadelphia area have been among Radnor Hunt's members over the years. The Radnor Hunt Archives...(see more)

Held at: Radnor Hunt Archives [Contact Us]

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Malvern Retreat House records, circa 1910s-2016

Extent:
200.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Located in Malvern, Chester County, Pennsylvania, Malvern Retreat House (MRH) is the nation's oldest and largest Catholic retreat house, serving over 20,000 people annually. Owned and operated by Catholic laity since 1912, MRH serves the spiritual needs of lay men and women of all ages, as well as clergy and religious of many denominations, through the retreat experience. Malvern Retreat House records, circa 1910-2016, consist of subject files, files relating to the various groups that hold or have held regular retreats at Malvern Retreat House, board and committee minutes and administrative files, scrapbooks and binders, oral histories, newsletters and other publications, photographs and photograph albums, and framed and oversized materials.

Held at: William M. Lennox Archives Center at Malvern Retreat House [Contact Us]

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Radnor Hunt records, 1886-2016 (inclusive)

Extent:
53.1 linear feet
Abstract:
Founded in 1883 in Radnor, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia, Radnor Hunt is the oldest continuously active fox hunt in the United States, as recognized by the Masters of Foxhounds Association of America (MFHA). The Hunt remained in Radnor until 1931, when encroaching development in the area led it to move about seven miles west to a new location near Malvern, Pennsylvania. While Radnor Hunt has remained at the Malvern location, it acquired additional hunting territory elsewhere in the region in the late 1990s as other hunts in the area disbanded. For more than 130 years, Radnor Hunt has been the focal point of an active sporting community carrying on not only its traditional activity of fox chasing, but also encouraging a great many other activities involving countryside pursuits, horses, hounds and good sportsmanship. Many prominent families and leading businessmen of the greater Philadelphia area have been among Radnor Hunt's members over the years. The Radnor Hunt records,...(see more)

Held at: Radnor Hunt Archives [Contact Us]

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Tri-County Heritage Society obituary collection, circa 1970s-2016

Extent:
12.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The region of southeastern Pennsylvania where southern Berks, northern Chester, and eastern Lancaster counties meet is known locally as the "Tri-County" area. The Tri-County area was first settled by Welsh immigrants, and later by German, Irish, and Scottish immigrants. While the area was largely agricultural, it also developed into an important early industrial corridor. In the early twenty-first century, the Tri-County area is a mix of farmland, industry, and suburban real estate development. The Tri-County Heritage Society obituary collection, circa 1970s-2016, consists of obituaries from residents of the Tri-County area. There are original newspaper clippings as well as photocopies of the obituaries.

Held at: Tri-County Heritage Society [Contact Us]

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West Nantmeal Township Historical Commission local history collection, 1759-2015 (inclusive)

Extent:
4.0 linear feet
Abstract:
In the first decades of the 18th century, emigrants from Radnorshire, Wales settled in the area that would become Nantmeal Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Nantmeal Township was divided into East and West Nantmeal townships in 1739, and Honey Brook Township and Wallace Township later separated from West Nantmeal Township in 1789 and 1852, respectively. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, West Nantmeal was home to farms, mills and forges, including the Isabella Furnace. As of 2015, West Nantmeal remains a largely rural community. The West Nantmeal Township Historical Commission local history collection, 1759-2015, consists of a mix of primary and secondary source materials relating to the history, residents, businesses, and other topics related to West Nantmeal Township. The materials include manuscripts, subject files, oral histories, CDs and DVDs, maps, and other materials.

Held at: West Nantmeal Township Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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Malvern Historical Commission historic property research files, 1970-2015 (bulk) 1889-2015 (inclusive)

Extent:
6.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Around the time of the United States bicentennial, the Chester County (Pennsylvania) Commissioners formed a partnership with the Chester County Historical Society, the Brandywine Conservancy and many volunteers to organize a Chester County Historic Sites Survey. This survey, conducted between 1979 and 1982, included all of Chester County except for the Boroughs of West Chester and Downingtown (which initiated separate survey projects around this time). The Malvern Historical Commission historic property files, 1889-2015 (bulk 1970-2015), consist of research compiled on historic homes in Malvern, including deed research, maps, atlases, and historic property survey forms that were originally created as part of the Chester County Historic Sites Survey. The collection is arranged into three series: I. Subject files, II. Property files, and III. Oversized materials.

Held at: Malvern Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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Malvern Historical Commission subject files, 1985-2015 (inclusive)

Extent:
28.0 linear feet
Abstract:
In the 17th century, Welsh immigrants settled in the area that would later be known as Malvern, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Originally part of Willistown Township as a village called West Chester Intersection, the village was renamed Malvern in 1873 and incorporated in 1889 as the Borough of Malvern, formally separating it from Willistown Township. The Malvern Historical Commission subject files, 1985-2015, consist of topical files on the people, places, organizations, buildings, and events of Malvern Borough. The files consist mainly of secondary-source materials, such as newspaper clippings, printed matter, ephemera, and family genealogies, as well as a small amount of primary-source materials. The files are organized into six series: I. Business files, II. Citizens, III. Borough files, IV. Malvern files, V. General History, and VI. Malvern Area and Chester County.

Held at: Malvern Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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Downingtown Area Historical Society clippings collection, 1978-2014 (bulk) 1930-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
30.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Borough of Downingtown, Chester County, Pennsylvania is located halfway between Philadelphia and Lancaster. Known as Milltown in the 18th century since it was the location of the last mills on the edge of the unsettled western frontier, the village became known as Downingtown after the War of 1812; the borough was incorporated in 1859. Improved transportation, by stagecoach, railroad, and eventually highways, drew increasing population and investment to Downingtown over the 19th and 20th centuries. The Downingtown Area Historical Society clippings collection, 1930-2014 (bulk 1978-2014), documents the people, businesses, churches, organizations, and schools of the Downingtown area. It is arranged in two series: I. Family files and II. Topic files.

Held at: Downingtown Area Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Radnor Historical Society map, atlas, and blueprint collection, 1872-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
7.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Radnor Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania was founded in 1682, shortly after Welsh Quakers arrived on the lands previously home to the original inhabitants, the Lenni Lenape Indians. Development in the area increased when new transportation routes passed through the area, first the Lancaster Turnpike (the first toll road in America) in 1794, and then the Columbia (later Pennsylvania) Railroad in 1832. The township's population doubled between 1880 and 1890 with the birth of one of the country's first planned suburban developments, Wayne. Development and population boomed again in the wake of World War II and has continued to grow in the 21st century. The Radnor Historical Society map, atlas, and blueprint collection, 1872-2014, consists of several dozen atlases (including railroad maps, business atlases, property atlases, and other atlases); loose maps; and blueprints for private homes and for businesses. The geographic foci of the collection are Wayne, Radnor Township, the...(see more)

Held at: Radnor Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Uwchlan Township Historical Commission historic property research files, 1982-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
18.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Uwchlan Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania was settled by Welsh Quakers in the early 18th century, remaining a largely rural farming community until a post-World War II suburbanization boom. Uwchlan embraces the Lionville Historic District, a crossroads community registered as a national historic district with 39 contributing historic buildings. The Uwchlan Township Historical Commission historic property research files, 1982-2014, cover every building more than fifty years old in Uwchlan Township, plus some parks and open spaces. Each folder contains a master file with forms and materials from historic resource surveys (floor plans, maps, correspondence, tax duplicates, survey forms) as well as photographs, more recent research, and other relevant documents.

Held at: Uwchlan Township Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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Wallace Township clippings files, 1950-2014 (bulk) 1914-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
4.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Although the first official survey of Wallace Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania took place in 1729, the Township was formally created in 1852 and has had multiple changes to its boundaries since. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, farms, mills, and forges dotted the landscape, but the late 19th century brought the railroad and considerable development of the area. A Pennsylvania Turnpike entrance was created near Wallace in 1950, and during the late 20th century, many residential subdivisions were built in the Township resulting in a substantial population increase. The Wallace Township Historical Commission clippings files, 1914-2014 (bulk 1950-2014), consist of newspaper clippings about people, places, organizations, and other topics relating to Wallace Township, as well as topics of national interest.

Held at: Wallace Township Archives [Contact Us]

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Charlestown Historical Society subject files, circa 1900-2014 (bulk 1976-2014)

Extent:
16.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Charlestown Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania is named for Charles Pickering, who was granted the land from William Penn that today makes up a large portion of the Township. Charlestown was the site of the Valley Forge General Hospital during World War II. The Charlestown Historical Society subject files, circa 1900-2014 (bulk 1976-2014), contain materials that relate to Charlestown Township's history and residents; local historic districts, buildings, and organizations; other Chester County historic sites and organizations; and other topics of local interest. Although there are a small number of scattered primary source documents in the collection, materials are largely secondary-source, such as newspaper clippings, research notes, scholarly articles, photocopies of primary documents, and printed materials and ephemera. The collection is organized into three series: I. Subject files; II. Family files; and III. Scrapbooks.

Held at: Charlestown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Downingtown Area Historical Society ephemera collection, 1978-2014 (bulk) 1909-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
3.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Borough of Downingtown, Chester County, Pennsylvania is located halfway between Philadelphia and Lancaster. Known as Milltown in the 18th century since it was the location of the last mills on the edge of the unsettled western frontier, the village became known as Downingtown after the War of 1812; the borough was incorporated in 1859. Improved transportation, by stagecoach, railroad, and eventually highways, drew increasing population and investment to Downingtown over the 19th and 20th centuries. The Downingtown Area Historical Society ephemera collection, 1909-2014 (bulk 1978-2014), documents the people, businesses, churches, organizations, and schools of the Downingtown area. Newsletters, pamphlets, maps, programs, copies and print-outs of research articles, and other types of ephemera are included.

Held at: Downingtown Area Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Kennett Township Historical Commission subject files, 1980-2014 (bulk) 1847-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
10.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The first recorded mention of "Kennett Township" in Chester County, Pennsylvania is from 1705. An abolitionist stronghold, Kennett was popular with freedom-seekers escaping slavery prior to the Civil War due to the presence of progressive Quakers and a community of free blacks that was established as early as 1830. Later, the Kennett area became known for producing more than half of the mushrooms consumed in the United States. The Kennett Township Historical Commission subject files, 1847-2014 (bulk 1980-2014), focus on people, places, organizations, buildings, and events of Kennett Township. The files consist mainly of secondary-source materials, such as clippings, pamphlets/ephemera, and family genealogies, as well as a small amount of primary-source materials.

Held at: Kennett Township Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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Uwchlan Township Historical Commission subject files, 1979-2014 (bulk) 1928-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
30.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Originally inhabited by Leni-Lenape (Delaware) and Iroquoian-speaking Susquehanuck peoples, Uwchlan Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania was settled by Welsh Quakers in the early 18th century. The township was founded in 1712. It remained a largely rural farming community until a post-World War II suburbanization boom. The Uwchlan Township Historical Commission subject files, 1928-2014 (bulk 1979-2014), consist largely of secondary-source materials with some primary-source documents. The collection is arranged into five series, each relating to the local history of the township: Subjects, People, Schools, Government records, and Binders.

Held at: Uwchlan Township Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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Wallace Township local history collection, 1789-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
30.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Although the first official survey of Wallace Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania took place in 1729, the Township was formally created in 1852 and has had multiple changes to its boundaries since. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, farms, mills, and forges dotted the landscape, but the late 19th century brought the railroad and considerable development of the area. A Pennsylvania Turnpike entrance was created near Wallace in 1950, and during the late 20th century, many residential subdivisions were built in the Township resulting in a substantial population increase. The Wallace Township Historical Commission local history collection, 1789-2014, consists of a mix of primary and secondary-source material relating to the history and residents of Wallace Township. Materials include scrapbooks, maps and blueprints, deeds, financial and administrative records, photographs, audio recordings, ephemera, correspondence, posters, and genealogy and other research materials.

Held at: Wallace Township Archives [Contact Us]

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Chadds Ford Historical Society vertical files, circa 1968-2013

Extent:
7.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Chadds Ford in Delaware County, Pennsylvania was historically a crossroads, first a fording point across the Brandywine River and later near the intersection of two train lines. It is known for its role in the Revolutionary War--the Battle of the Brandywine was fought here in 1777--and in art history--Howard Pyle's studio and students gave rise to the Brandywine School of Art, fostered by three generations of the Wyeth family. The Chadds Ford Historical Society vertical files, circa 1968-2013, consist of secondary-source materials on various local history topics and people. There are also transcripts and copies of census and tax records, 1715-1790, and historic resource surveys of sites in Chadds Ford Township and along the Route 202 corridor, 1994.

Held at: Chadds Ford Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Downingtown Area Historical Society collection on schools, 1890-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
10.0 linear feet
Abstract:
A number of small, mostly one-room schoolhouses already existed in the area of Downingtown, Chester County, Pennsylvania when the first high school was constructed there in 1874. In 1958, the nearby townships of East Caln, Uwchlan, West Bradford, East Brandywine, and Wallace united with Downingtown Borough to form a school district system; West Pikeland and Upper Uwchlan townships joined the district in 1961. The Downingtown Area Historical Society collection on schools, 1890-2013, consists of yearbooks, photographs, programs/invitations, scrapbooks, and other materials relating to Downingtown area schools, especially Downingtown High School. Because the Chester County Farm Show was held at Downingtown High School for many years, scrapbooks, slides, and photographs from the farm show, 1944-1963, also form part of this collection.

Held at: Downingtown Area Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Historic Yellow Springs collection, 1823-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
140.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Historic Yellow Springs is a non-profit organization in Chester County, Pennsylvania that preserves and promotes the history and arts of Yellow Springs village. The village was the site of 18th and 19th century spas; the first military hospital in North America, built during the Revolutionary War; an orphan school for children of Civil War Soldiers; the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA)'s Country School; Good News Productions, the film studio that created The Blob; and Chester Springs Studio, a vibrant arts center that merged with Historic Yellow Springs in 2007. The Historic Yellow Springs collection, 1823-2013, is a combination of original records and collected secondary-source materials about the several organizations that have occupied the village of Historic Yellow Springs over its long history from 1722 into the 21st century.

Held at: Moore Archives at Historic Yellow Springs [Contact Us]

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Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society research files, circa 1940-2013

Extent:
12.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Both Tredyffrin and Easttown townships in the Upper Main Line area of eastern Chester County, Pennsylvania were settled by Welsh Quakers in 1682; they were incorporated in 1707 and 1704, respectively. Predominantly farming communities for most of their histories, commercial and residential development in both townships accelerated with the construction of the "Main Line" Pennsylvania Railroad Line in the 1830s and burgeoned after World War II. The Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society research files, circa 1940-2013, contain primarily newspaper clippings, with smaller amounts of printed matter, photocopies, researcher notes, and original research and artwork used to produce articles in the Tredyffrin Easttown History Quarterly. The files are organized into three series: I. Biographical Files; II. Files on Municipalities; and III. Subject files.

Held at: Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Westtown School records, 1799-2013 (bulk) 1682-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
600.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Westtown School in Chester County, Pennsylvania is the oldest continuously operating coeducational boarding school in the United States. It was founded by the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in 1799 with the goal of educating Quaker children in an environment that fostered moral development consistent with their religious ideals. The Westtown School records, 1682-2013 (bulk 1799-2013), include records created by Westtown Boarding School, including its various administrative offices, Board of Trustees, faculty, and students. It is organized into nine series: "19th century records," "20th century records," "Board of Trustees," "Farm and Orchard," "Student papers," "Westtown Old Scholars Association and Westtown Alumni Association," "Subject files," "Special formats," and "Publications." Inventories for some sections of the collection are available on site.

Held at: Westtown School Archives [Contact Us]

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Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area subject files, circa 1850-2013

Extent:
53.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Phoenixville, which was incorporated as a borough in 1849 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, evolved from an early 18th century village. The history of the town largely mirrored the history of the Phoenix Iron Company which became hugely successful in the mid-19th century with the advent of the railroad. The Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area subject files, circa 1850-2013, consist primarily of photocopied primary-source documents, newspaper clippings, and research articles that relate to numerous aspects of Phoenixville's history. It also contains a fair amount of original documents, principally pamphlets, small printed works, and ephemera, as well as some photographs, deeds, and manuscript pages. The collection is organized into series and subseries by subject; the largest series are Genealogy and Phoenix Iron Company / Phoenix Steel Company.

Held at: Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area [Contact Us]

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Kennett Township Historical Commission oral histories, 1987-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The first recorded mention of "Kennett Township" in Chester County, Pennsylvania is from 1705. An abolitionist stronghold, Kennett was popular with freedom-seekers escaping slavery prior to the Civil War due to the presence of progressive Quakers and a community of free blacks that was established as early as 1830. Later, the Kennett area became known for producing more than half of the mushrooms consumed in the United States. The Kennett Township Historical Commission oral histories, 1987-2013, consist of cassette tape recordings of the recollections of about thirty members of the Kennett Township community.

Held at: Kennett Township Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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Malvern Historical Commission records, circa 1980s-2013

Extent:
2.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Malvern Historical Commission in Malvern, Chester County, Pennsylvania was established by an ordinance of the Malvern Borough Council in 1983 to identify the various historic or otherwise significant structures, locations, and sites in Malvern and preserve them. The Malvern Historical Commission records, 1980s-2013, consist of administrative records from the Malvern Historical Commission and reference materials used by the organization during the course of its work.

Held at: Malvern Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area photograph and film collection, circa 1880-2013

Extent:
36.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Phoenixville, which was incorporated as a borough in 1849 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, evolved from an early 18th century village. The history of the town largely mirrored the history of the Phoenix Iron Company which became hugely successful in the mid-19th century with the advent of the railroad. The Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area photograph and film collection, circa 1880-2013, consists primarily of photographic prints, with some slides, picture postcards, film negatives, photograph albums, a few glass plate negatives, and 16mm film reels that document various aspects of Phoenixville's history.

Held at: Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area [Contact Us]

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West Caln Township Historical Commission local history collection, 1990-2013 (bulk) 1851-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
10.0 linear feet
Abstract:
West Caln Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, was officially recognized as a Township in 1744. The area developed due to its location along what was known as Kings Highway (now Route 340), the main road between Philadelphia and Lancaster. The West Caln Township Historical Commission local history collection, 1851-2013 (bulk 1990-2013), consists mostly of secondary-source materials such as newspaper clippings, photocopies, and research notes, with some original documents including maps, photographs, letters, oral histories, and deeds. The collection documents various West Caln Township individuals, families, organizations, and properties. It is organized based on document type and subject: "I. Subject files," "II. Obituaries," "III. Genealogy reference," "IV. Census records," "V. Deeds," "VI. Tax records," "VII. House histories," "VIII. Audiovisual materials," "IX. Photographs," "X. Maps," and "XI. Local manuscripts."

Held at: West Caln Township Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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Malvern Historical Commission photographs, slides, and negatives, 2001-2012 (bulk) 1954-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.5 linear feet
Abstract:
In the 17th century, Welsh immigrants settled in the area that would later be known as Malvern, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Originally part of Willistown Township as a village called West Chester Intersection, the village was renamed Malvern in 1873 and incorporated in 1889 as the Borough of Malvern, formally separating it from Willistown Township. As of 2015, the Borough of Malvern remains a small town with a railway station and a variety of cultural and civic organizations, and as a result of recent revitalization efforts, boasts a wide assortment of local shops in its business district. The Malvern Historical Commission photographs, slides, and negatives, 1954-2012 (bulk 2001-2012), consist of photographs, slides, and negatives pertaining to people, organizations, and events in Malvern, taken primarily by members of the Malvern Historical Commission.

Held at: Malvern Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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Will-Britt Books genealogy research files and books, 1965-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
44.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Mildred C. Williams and Janet R. Brittingham were genealogists who together self-published genealogy histories and genealogy-source transcripts, primarily focusing on Southeastern Pennsylvania, under the name Will-Britt Books. The Will-Britt Books genealogy research files and books, 1965-2012, consist of the working files, publications, and reference materials from the offices of Will-Britt Books. It is organized into three series: I. Genealogy research files; II. Will-Britt Books publications; and III. Reference materials and administrative records.

Held at: Doylestown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Spring-Ford Area Historical Society subject files, circa 1880s-2012

Extent:
45.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Previously a sparsely-settled farming area, early development in Spring City (Chester County, Pennsylvania) and adjacent Royersford (Montgomery County, Pennsylvania) coincided with the opening of the Schuylkill Navigation Canal in 1824. Industry in the two towns continued to grow during the 19th century, especially with the construction of major rail lines through both. By the early 20th century, Spring City and Royersford were booming industrial towns with extensive stove factories, glass and bottle works, and embroidery, hosiery, and knitting mills, among other businesses. The Spring-Ford Area Historical Society subject files, circa 1880s-2012, document various topics of local interest. The collection mostly contains photocopies, with some original materials, such as newspaper clippings, photographs, research notes, narrative histories, cemetery records and indexes, obituaries, and family histories. Major categories include: burial records, church histories and sacramental...(see more)

Held at: Spring-Ford Area Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Malvern Historical Commission oral histories, 1978-1989, 2000-2012

Extent:
4.0 linear feet
Abstract:
In the 17th century, Welsh immigrants settled in the area that would later be known as Malvern, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Originally part of Willistown Township as a village called West Chester Intersection, the village was renamed Malvern in 1873 and incorporated in 1889 as the Borough of Malvern, formally separating it from Willistown Township. The Malvern Historical Commission oral histories, 1978-1989, 2000-2012, consist of about fifty oral histories conducted by the Malvern Historical Commission during the 1980s and 2000s with residents or former residents of Malvern discussing their memories of the Borough and family members.

Held at: Malvern Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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Downingtown Area Historical Society General Archives collection, 1843-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
20.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Borough of Downingtown, Chester County, Pennsylvania is located halfway between Philadelphia and Lancaster. Known as Milltown in the 18th century since it was the location of the last mills on the edge of the unsettled western frontier, the village became known as Downingtown after the War of 1812; the borough was incorporated in 1859. Improved transportation, by stagecoach, railroad, and eventually highways, drew increasing population and investment to Downingtown over the 19th and 20th centuries. The Downingtown Area Historical Society General Archives collection, 1843-2012, consists of various small accumulations of records (less than one linear foot) from businesses, clubs, organizations, individuals, and families based in or near Downingtown.

Held at: Downingtown Area Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Spring-Ford Area Historical Society digital collection, circa 2000-2012

Extent:
50.0 gb
Abstract:
Previously a sparsely-settled farming area, early development in Spring City (Chester County, Pennsylvania) and adjacent Royersford (Montgomery County, Pennsylvania) coincided with the opening of the Schuylkill Navigation Canal in 1824. Industry in the two towns continued to grow during the 19th century, especially with the construction of major rail lines through both. By the early 20th century, Spring City and Royersford were booming industrial towns with extensive stove factories, glass and bottle works, and embroidery, hosiery, and knitting mills, among other businesses. The Spring-Ford Area Historical Society digital collection, circa 2000-2012, consists of over 30,000 digital images of various documents, particularly photographs and postcards, relating to Spring City and Royersford, Pennsylvania local history. Some, but not all, of the original items are owned by the Spring-Ford Area Historical Society.

Held at: Spring-Ford Area Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Wallace Township historic property research files, 1977-2011 (inclusive)

Extent:
3.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Around the time of the United States bicentennial, the Chester County Commissioners formed a partnership with the Chester County Historical Society, the Brandywine Conservancy and many volunteers to organize a Chester County Historic Sites Survey. This survey, conducted between 1979 and 1982, included all of Chester County except for the Boroughs of West Chester and Downingtown (which initiated separate survey projects around this time). Glenmoore Historic District, consisting of about 50 buildings in Wallace Township, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. The Wallace Township Historical Commission historic property research files, 1977-2011, consist of folders for buildings more than fifty years old in Wallace Township at the time of the survey. Most files contain photocopies of Chester County's Architectural Inventory Form (AIF), and/or Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission's Historic Resource Survey forms. Several files contain additional...(see more)

Held at: Wallace Township Archives [Contact Us]

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Kennett Township Historical Commission property research files, 1994-2011 (inclusive)

Extent:
7.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The first recorded mention of "Kennett Township" in Chester County, Pennsylvania is from 1705. An abolitionist stronghold, Kennett was popular with freedom-seekers escaping slavery prior to the Civil War due to the presence of progressive Quakers and a community of free blacks that was established as early as 1830. Later, the Kennett area became known for producing more than half of the mushrooms consumed in the United States. The Kennett Township Historical Commission property research files, 1994-2011, consist of two surveys of historic sites in Kennett Township completed in 1994-1996 and 2009-2011, covering approximately 350 properties.

Held at: Kennett Township Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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Graystone Society collection on Coatesville history, 1880-2011 (inclusive)

Extent:
11.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Coatesville in Chester County, Pennsylvania is home to the longest operating steel mill in America, Lukens Steel Company. Development in the area was spurred by convenient transport routes offered by America's first turnpike, the Philadelphia to Lancaster Turnpike (now U.S. Route 30), and the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad, built in 1834. The Graystone Society, Inc. is today a not-for-profit educational institution dedicating to collecting, preserving, exhibiting, and interpreting iron and steel's history and its relationship to Coatesville, the region, and the nation. The Graystone Society collection on Coatesville history, 1880-2011, includes photographs, scrapbooks, minute books, clippings, school books, and various other family papers and organizational records relating to the people and organizations of Coatesville and the surrounding area. Of special interest are several 18th and early 19th century manuscript volumes relating to the Pennock and Lukens family. Some records...(see more)

Held at: National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum [Contact Us]

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Thomas Shipley Brown papers, 1920-2011 (inclusive)

Extent:
6.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Thomas Shipley Brown (1912-2011) of Cheltenham Pennsylvania, was an active member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) who wrote and taught widely about Quaker thought, life, and practices. He graduated from Westtown School, a prominent Quaker boarding school (West Chester, Pa.) in 1929 and taught Bible, Latin, and English there for much of his life. He was involved with a number of other Quaker organizations including Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, Friends Council on Education, the American Friends Service Committee, and London Yearly Meeting. The Thomas Shipley Brown papers, 1920-2011, is largely made up of Thomas Shipley Brown's writings on Quakerism and materials from his involvement with several Quaker organizations, especially Quaker educational institutions (including Westtown).

Held at: Westtown School Archives [Contact Us]

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The Club of Little Gardens of Malvern (Pa.) records, 1930-2010 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Club of Little Gardens of Malvern was founded in May of 1930 to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening among amateurs, to aid in the protection of native trees, plants, and birds, and to encourage civic interest in horticulture. The Club has hosted and participated in various flower shows, planned trips to see local gardens and arboretums, and taken on projects to help beautify the local community. The Club of Little Gardens of Malvern (Pa.) records, 1930-2010, consist primarily of scrapbooks and yearly programs. The collection also includes some awards and administrative records.

Held at: Malvern Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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Nancy B. Schmitt scrapbooks and research on Malvern (Pa.) history, 1975-2010s

Extent:
8.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Nancy Blackstone Schmitt (1940-2013) was a Malvern resident, author, and community activist. She was the researcher and author of Malvern Treasures, the editor of A Century in Malvern, 1989, and the author of Malvern Items, 1870-2006. The Nancy B. Schmitt scrapbooks and research on Malvern (Pa.) history, 1975-2010s, consist of Nancy B. Schmitt's research for various books she wrote and edited on Malvern (Pa.), as well as several scrapbooks she compiled with clippings of newspaper articles she wrote for the Suburban Advertiser.

Held at: Malvern Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society manuscripts collection, 1732-2010 (inclusive)

Extent:
11.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Both Tredyffrin and Easttown townships in the Upper Main Line area and eastern Chester County, Pennsylvania were settled by Welsh Quakers in 1682; they were incorporated in 1707 and 1704, respectively. Predominantly farming communities for most of their histories, commercial and residential development in both townships accelerated with the construction of the "Main Line" Pennsylvania Railroad Line in the 1830s and burgeoned after World War II. The Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society manuscripts collection, 1732-2010, includes various small accumulations of materials from local individuals, businesses, and organizations in the area of Tredyffrin and Easttown townships. Minute books, financial records, genealogy and local history research materials, school records, correspondence, and other family papers and organizational records are represented.

Held at: Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Woman's Club of Phoenixville records, 1903-2010 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.5 linear feet
Abstract:
The Woman's Club of Phoenixville, one of the two oldest women's clubs in the state, was organized in 1884, granted state federation in 1897, and incorporated into the General Federation of Women's Clubs in 1901. As of 2013, its goal is "to develop the educational, civic and social interest of its members and to advance the welfare of the community." The Woman's Club of Phoenixville records, 1903-2010, consist of eight scrapbooks (1958-1978), about six minute books (1959-2010), annual reports/membership directories (1903-circa 2005, incomplete), and a few other materials from the Club.

Held at: Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area [Contact Us]

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Estelle Cremers papers, circa 1982-2008

Extent:
13.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Estelle Harrop Cremers (1925-2010) was active in historic preservation, especially in Chester County, Pennsylvania, from the 1970s to the 2000s. Cremers served on boards and commissions of local historical organizations, helped develop the French and Pickering Creek Trust, worked as the coordinator for the Chester County Comprehensive Historic Sites Survey, researched and wrote nominations for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, free-lanced as a historic property and land researcher, and wrote five books on local townships. Estelle Cremers papers, circa 1982-2008, consist primarily of research materials accumulated or created by Cremers that relate to Chester County locations, properties, businesses, people, and other history related topics. Some of the research in the collection relates to locations in Montgomery, Berks, Lancaster, and other Pennsylvania counties. There is also some correspondence and other non-research related materials in the collection.

Held at: Tri-County Heritage Society [Contact Us]

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Westtown School Archives small manuscripts collection, 1769-2008 (inclusive)

Extent:
13.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Westtown School in Chester County, Pennsylvania is the oldest continuously operating coeducational boarding school in the United States. It was founded by the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in 1799 with the goal of educating Quaker children in an environment that fostered moral development consistent with their religious ideals. The Westtown School Archives small manuscripts collection, 1769-2008, consists of correspondence to and from various students, teachers, school officials, and other individuals and families affiliated with Westtown School. There is only one or a few documents associated with most of the individuals. These include mostly handwritten letters with some typescript and email print-outs. Also included are other materials, such as ephemera, account books, addresses and writings, school documents such as student lists and report cards, and receipts and other financial papers.

Held at: Westtown School Archives [Contact Us]

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Woman's Club of Downingtown records, 1914-2007 (inclusive)

Extent:
15.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Woman's Club of Downingtown (Chester County, Pennsylvania) was organized in 1914 and is still active as of 2014. Its mission is "to develop the educational, civic, and special interests of its members and to advance the welfare of the community." It was federated in the General Federation of Women's Clubs for most of its history, but disaffiliated in 2001. The Woman's Club of Downingtown records, 1914-2007, consist of various administrative, financial, and other records from the club's founding in 1914 through the beginning of the 21st century. A detailed inventory of the collection is available on-site.

Held at: Downingtown Area Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Mill at Anselma Preservation and Educational Trust collection, 1844-2007 (inclusive)

Extent:
5.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Mill at Anselma (Chester County, Pennsylvania) was built in 1747 by Samuel Lightfoot to produce flour and animal feed. Its chain of private ownership, including the Oberholtzer and Simmers families, ended with the Collins family in 1982. After the passing of Oliver Collins, the mill was turned into an historic site. The Mill at Anselma Preservation and Educational Trust collection, 1844-2007, includes original manuscripts from previous owners of the Mill at Anselma, oral histories, photographs, blueprints of the mill and property, newspaper clippings, and other materials relating to the Mill at Anselma and surrounding locations.

Held at: Mill at Anselma Preservation and Educational Trust [Contact Us]

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Jane L. S. Davidson papers, 1984-2006 (bulk) 1952-2006 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.25 linear feet
Abstract:
Jane L. S. Davidson (1939-2012) of Chester County, Pennsylvania was an award-winning advocate for historic preservation, long-time county Historic Preservation Coordinator, and co-founder of the Chester County Historic Preservation Network. The Jane L. S. Davidson papers, 1952-2006 (bulk 1984-2006), relate mostly to her work as preservation coordinator for Chester County, such as historic site research, correspondence, and an historic resource atlas. Unrelated to Davidson's work for the county, there is also a folder of her family genealogy research, and a packet of clippings on Wallace Township history.

Held at: Wallace Township Archives [Contact Us]

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Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area collection of obituaries and wedding announcements, 1983-2005 (inclusive)

Extent:
5.25 linear feet
Abstract:
Phoenixville, which was incorporated as a borough in 1849 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, evolved from an early 18th century village. The history of the town largely mirrored the history of the Phoenix Iron Company which became hugely successful in the mid-19th century with the advent of the railroad. The Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area collection of obituaries and wedding announcements, 1983-2005, consists of newspaper clippings from The Phoenix, mostly obituaries with some coverage of other life events such as marriage announcements, birthdays, and profiles. The Historical Society tapered off clipping and filing in the late 1990s, but continues to maintain a database index of obituaries published after that time.

Held at: Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area [Contact Us]

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Rotary Club of Downingtown records, 1932-2005 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Rotary Club of Downingtown was established in 1926 in Downingtown, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Part of Rotary International, the Rotary Club of Downingtown is a social and service organization dedicated to promoting service through four "avenues": Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, and International Service. The Rotary Club of Downingtown records, 1932-2005, consist of minutes, financial records, correspondence, membership materials, newsletters, clippings, photographs, and other materials relating to the Rotary Club of Downingtown, and the state, district, and national chapters of Rotary International to which it belonged.

Held at: Downingtown Area Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Upper Uwchlan Township Historic Commission local history collection, 1829-2005 (inclusive)

Extent:
17.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Upper Uwchlan Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, was established in 1858 when it broke off from Uwchlan Township. Its boundaries include the historic district of Byers Station and the Wheelen House (Fellowship Farm), a Georgian-style farmhouse built in the mid 18th century. Remaining a rural community for most of its existence, Upper Uwchlan experienced large population growth beginning in the 1980s, leading to an increase in area development and the construction of several new subdivisions. The Upper Uwchlan Township Historic Commission local history collection, 1829-2005, contains a mix of primary- and secondary-source materials relating to the people, buildings, property, organizations, and other aspects of Upper Uwchlan Township. The collection is organized into four series: I. Manuscripts (organized by family/donor), II. Property files (organized by location), III. Subject files (organized into sub-groupings: people, clippings by date, and other), and IV. Subject binders.

Held at: Upper Uwchlan Township Historic Commission [Contact Us]

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Paoli Battlefield Preservation Fund records, 1996-2004 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.83 linear feet
Abstract:
The Paoli Battlefield Preservation Fund is a non-profit corporation that was established in 1996 to preserve the historic battlefield in present-day Malvern, Chester County, Pennsylvania and to prevent the site from suburban development. The Paoli Battlefield Preservation Fund records, 1996-2004, consist of donation accounts, meeting minutes, agendas, brochures, fundraising materials, and newspaper clippings.

Held at: Malvern Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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