Repository: Delaware County Institute of Science - Philadelphia Area Archives Search Results

Extent:: 8.0 cubic feet
Abstract:: T. Chalkley Palmer (1860-1934) was a chemist who worked for the Sharpless Dye-Wood Extract Company near Chester, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. He was also interested in botany and mineralogy and served as president of both the Delaware County Institute of Science (Media, PA) and the Academy of Natural Sciences (Philadelphia, PA). The T. Chalkley Palmer natural science teaching collection, circa 1880-1930, largely consists of biological, botanical, mineral specimens, and microscopic slides. A card catalog that corresponds to the specimens and some of Palmer's lecture notes are also present.

Held at: Delaware County Institute of Science [Contact Us]

Extent:: 20.0 linear feet
Abstract:: The Delaware County Institute of Science, located in Media, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, was established in 1833 by local residents with a common interest in science and natural history. Shortly after its founding, the Institute started its herbarium, a collection of pressed, dried plants. The Delaware County Institute of Science herbaria collection, 1833-2010 (bulk 1833-1910), consists of the Delaware County Institute of Science's herbarium and additional small herbaria donated by others. Over 5,700 specimens, mostly from the 19th century and the United States (although there are international and later specimens) are included.

Held at: Delaware County Institute of Science [Contact Us]

Extent:: 0.75 linear feet
Abstract:: Harold W. Arndt (1892-1979) was a design and structural engineer for various steel companies in and around Philadelphia, PA. He also had an interest in mineralogy, botany, and ornithology and served as president and vice president of the Philadelphia Mineral Society, president and treasurer of the Delaware County Institute of Science (Media, PA) and curator of the mineral collections at Bryn Mawr College (Delaware County, PA). The Harold W. Arndt Delaware County Institute of Science Geological and Mineralogical Section papers, 1938-1942, consist of minutes from the Geological and Mineralogical Section, drafts of lectures, newspaper clippings, a few photographs and film negatives, and some illustrations on blueprint.

Held at: Delaware County Institute of Science [Contact Us]

Extent:: 1.0 linear feet
Abstract:: Mark Robinson (1906-1965) was an electrical engineer and naturalist who lived in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Especially interested in entomology, mineralogy, wildflowers, and ferns, Robinson served as a curator at the Delaware County Institute of Science (Media, PA), research associate in the department of insects at the Academy of Natural Science (Philadelphia, PA), and president of the American Entomological Society (1947-1948). Mark Robinson slides and photographs, circa 1955, consist of nine binders with photograph and slide images of botanical specimens in the wild, such as plants, trees, and flowers (especially orchids); historic sites and monuments; birds and other animals; transportation; and other subjects.

Held at: Delaware County Institute of Science [Contact Us]

Extent:: 3.25 linear feet
Abstract:: Graceanna Lewis (1821-1912) was a published scholar, naturalist, lecturer, abolitionist and social reformer. This collection contains research and lecture notes on a variety of topics including: botany, ornithology, crystallography, mineralogy, zoology, ichthyology, embryology, neurology, and chemistry. There are botanical illustrations, leaf and ornithology charts, prints and sketches depicting the classification of the animal and plant kingdoms, and botanical sketches on wood blocks. In addition to scientific notes, there are notes and lectures depicting her views on the abolition of slavery, women's equality, and the force of nature and its place in the universe.

Held at: Delaware County Institute of Science [Contact Us]

Extent:: 20.0 linear feet
Abstract:: Delaware County was the first section of Pennsylvania to be settled by Europeans, specifically Swedes in 1643. The Borough of Media, located about 12 miles outside of Philadelphia, has been the county seat of Delaware County since 1850. A largely rural area prior to that point, the town grew rapidly in the second half of the 19th century and throughout the 20th century. The Delaware County Institute of Science manuscript collection, 1686-2014, consists of a variety of local history materials including organizational records, business records, personal papers, photographs, scrapbooks, blueprints, subject files, maps and atlases, and other materials. Most of the materials relate to Delaware County (Pennsylvania), but some items pertain to other locations in Pennsylvania and other states. Although the 19th century is the best represented among the materials, there is a significant amount of materials from the 18th century and a few items from the 17th century.

Held at: Delaware County Institute of Science [Contact Us]

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