Philadelphia Area Archives

Start Over Online Content Not Available Form Clippings (information artifacts) Form Photographs Year 1950 to 1954

International Communication Association records, 1946-2016 (inclusive)

Extent:: 25 linear feet (60 boxes)
Abstract:: Originally established in 1950 as the National Society for the Study of Communication, the International Communication Association (ICA) has grown to be the largest worldwide academic organization devoted to the systematic study of communication. The collection is composed primarily of administrative records created and/or collected by various officers from 1946 to 2016, and serves to document the association's development over the years. Materials include correspondence, board meeting minutes and reports, bylaws and constitutions, conference proceedings, division records, financial records, membership records, and publication records.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Annenberg School for Communication Library Archives [Contact Us]

Conrad J. and Marian Linke papers, 1938-1985 (bulk) 1917-1991 (inclusive)

Extent:: 2.2 linear feet (7 boxes)
Abstract:: Conrad Linke was a German-American illustrator and painter from Philadelphia. This collection documents the political and charitable activities of him and his wife, Marian Linke, during the years 1917 to 1991. Prior to World War II they were involved in the movement to maintain American neutrality. After World War II they were involved in war relief efforts for Germany through several organizations they were members of or supported. Included are personal writings, notes and drafts, correspondence, speeches, pamphlets, leaflets, clippings, business reports and ephemera from many of those organizations.

Held at: German Society of Pennsylvania: Joseph P. Horner Memorial Library [Contact Us]

Erich Uhlenbrock papers, 1942-1985 (bulk) 1915-1991 (inclusive)

Extent:: 1.25 linear feet (3 boxes + 1 oversize folder)
Abstract:: This collection documents the personal and charitable activities of Erich Uhlenbrock, a German-American, during the years 1915 to 1991. Throughout his life, Uhlenbrock was involved with many German-American organizations, including the Steuben Society of America. His passion was for singing and he was very involved in a number of singing groups in Philadelphia and the region, including the Liedertafel-Saengerbund, the Vereinigte Sänger von Philadelphia, and the Nordöstlicher Sängerbund. Included are biographical information, business records, correspondence, photographs, clippings, pamphlets, and ephemera from many of these organizations. Uhlenbrock was also friends with the Philadelphia painter and illustrator Conrad J. Linke, and the collection contains sketches for two of Linke's historical paintings.

Held at: German Society of Pennsylvania: Joseph P. Horner Memorial Library [Contact Us]

James Brewton papers, 1902-2014 (inclusive) 1951-1967 (bulk)

Extent:: 2 linear feet (7 boxes, 5 oversize folders) and 1.2 gigabytes
Abstract:: James Edward Brewton (1930-1967) was an American painter and printmaker who attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and exhibited works in Philadelphia and in Denmark. Brewton's early works are said to be expressionist and his later works incorporate graffiti and the influences of "pataphysics." His life was cut short by suicide at the age of 37. The collection is arranged in four series: I. Personal material; II. Artworks; III. Books and audiovisual materials; and IV. Artifacts and memorabilia.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

Thomas Sovereign Gates, Jr. papers, 1902-1987 (inclusive)

Extent:: 15.22 linear feet (38 boxes, 7 oversize folders)
Abstract:: Thomas Sovereign Gates, Jr., was a lieutenant commander in the United States Navy during World War II, who went on to serve as the Secretary of the Navy (1957-1959), Secretary of Defense (1959-1961), and Ambassador to China (1976-1977). As a civilian he also pursued a career in investment banking at the Morgan Guaranty Trust Company (later J.P. Morgan & Co.). Gates' personal papers focus largely on his government service, with a small amount of additional personal items. Included are many military and government documents and correspondence with influential politicians--perhaps most notably with President Dwight D. Eisenhower, under who Gates served as both Secretary of the Navy and Secretary of Defense. The collection also includes many clippings and photographs that have been assembled into a remarkable collection of scrapbooks that bring Gates' service to life.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

Burton Rascoe papers, 1890-1957 (inclusive) 1920-1957 (bulk)

Extent:: 20 linear feet (27 boxes)
Abstract:: Burton Rascoe (1892-1957) was an American literary critic, journalist, editor, and author working in the first half of the 20th century. His confrontational style stirred up much debate and helped generate interest in up-and-coming writers that Rascoe believed showed promise; most notably, Rascoe was an early champion of writers such as James Branch Cabell, Theodore Dreiser, and H. L. Mencken. The collection consists of his correspondence, including some with famous literary figures; writings by Rascoe in draft and published form; papers relating to a lawsuit with Max Annenberg; diaries and notebooks; photographs; and clippings.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

Allan Solomonow papers, 1944-2016 (inclusive) 1960-2009 (bulk)

Extent:: 35 linear feet (37 boxes)
Abstract:: Allan Wayne Solomonow (1937-2020) was a Jewish peace activist who was active in New York City and the San Francisco Bay area from the 1970s through the 2010s. His particular concern was Middle East peace, especially the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This collection documents Solomonow's life's work and primarily comprise his professional papers related to the Jewish peace community as well as collected secondary material that informed his thinking.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

Philadelphia Orchestra Association records, 1900-2023 (inclusive)

Extent:: 570 linear feet and 36 linear feet (36 boxes. these are currently available for research.)
Abstract:: The Philadelphia Orchestra was founded in 1900, and has developed and maintained its status as a prominent symphonic ensemble throughout its existence. Its history informs and intersects with the broader history of music in the twentieth century, as well as numerous historical movements, events and developments on a regional, national and global scale. The records of The Philadelphia Orchestra Association document its activities from 1900 to 2023 through administrative records, concert programs, photographs, scrapbooks and audio and visual recordings. This collection is not fully processed. While materials listed here have been processed and are available for research, a significant portion of the collection, labeled "unavailable," remains in process and cannot be consulted at this time. As soon as additional portions of the collection are completed they will be made available via additions to this finding aid. The last addition of completed materials occurred on October 26, 2023.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

Rev. Shojo Honda papers, 1947-2015 (inclusive)

Extent:: 0.1 linear_foot (2 boxes)
Abstract:: Reverend Shojo Honda 本田正静 (1929-2015) was a priest of the Shin (Jōdo Shinshū) sect of Buddhism, and a former reference librarian at the Library of Congress in the Asian Division's Japanese Section. After his death in 2015, Honda's library was donated to the University of Pennsylvania Libraries by Tamon Honda. Rev. Honda's collection reflects both his interests and his life's work, with many books on Buddhist (particularly Shin Buddhist) philosophy and ritual, Indian philosophy and world religions, world history and Japanese local history, Japanese literature, and Sanskrit and English language study. Within many of these books were handwritten notes, correspondence, photocopies, and clippings, mostly serving as bookmarks. In addition to these inserts, the Rev. Honda Shojo Collection includes several folders and boxes of archival and ephemeral material. These disparate materials have been collected and organized as the Rev. Shojo Honda Papers.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

Helen, Ira, and Michael Wolfert papers, 1920-2001 (inclusive)

Extent:: 33 linear feet (35 boxes)
Abstract:: This collection includes material related to the lives and work of Helen (1901-1985), Ira (1908-1997), and Michael Wolfert (1936-2001). It contains correspondence between the family and others; manuscripts by all three subjects, as well as others; financial documents; personal documents; photos taken by and of the family; newspaper clippings collected by Helen and Ira; and notes and miscellanea from all three subjects.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]