Philadelphia Area Archives

Start Over Form Correspondence Form Photographs Year 1861

Janney family papers, 1800-1870 (inclusive)

Extent:: .1 linear ft. (6 folders)
Abstract:: This collection contains Janney family papers, and includes family correspondence, newspaper clippings, financial records, legal papers, maps, and photographs.

Held at: Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections [Contact Us]

Wood family papers, 1839-1885

Extent:: .2 linear ft. (5 folders)
Abstract:: This collection is comprised of the papers of the Wood family, and includes primarily sketches made by various family members, and engravings of Quaker leaders, though it also includes a single letter to Richard D. Wood, two unidentified photographs and the Will of Julianna R. Wood.

Held at: Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections [Contact Us]

Mayer Sulzberger Collection, 1857-1923 (inclusive) 1900-1923 (bulk)

Extent:: 18 linear feet (35 boxes)
Abstract:

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Archives at the Library of the Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies [Contact Us]

Gotham Book Mart records, 1723-2006 (inclusive) 1967-2006 (bulk)

Extent:: 79 linear feet (95 boxes)
Abstract:: The Gotham Book Mart (1920-2006) was one of New York City's most iconic bookstores during the 20th century. Founded by Frances Steloff (1887-1989), the daughter of poor Russian-Jewish immigrants, the Book Mart became a social center for the New York literati and a focal point for literary modernism in the United States. Steloff's successor, independent literary manuscript dealer Andreas Brown (1933-), maintained the store's focus on avant garde and small press publications while incorporating his own interests in postcards and genealogy. This collection contains 91 boxes of material relating to the daily operation of the Book Mart; correspondence, biographical, and legal material from both Brown and Steloff; postcard and genealogical material collected by Brown; photographs of the store, its employees, and events which took place there; and manuscripts and ephemera offered for sale.

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

Thomas W. Evans papers, circa 1850-1913 (inclusive) 1850-1897 (bulk)

Extent:: 5.5 linear feet (11 boxes)
Abstract:: Thomas Evans (1823-1897) was a Philadelphia dentist who moved to France in 1847 and became court dentist to Napoléon III, Emperor of France. Over the course of his career, he became a celebrated member of the social elite of fin de siécle Europe. He established confidences with many members of European royalty and kept company with such cultural luminaries as Edouard Manet and Stéphane Mallarmé. This collection largely documents Evans's social world and his interactions with influential people through correspondence, personal journals and writings, images, newspaper clippings and printed material, memorabilia, and awards. There is very limited material relating to his work as a dentist.

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

Charlotte Cushman Club records, 1818-2000 (inclusive) 1907-1998 (bulk)

Extent:: 16.6 linear feet (26 boxes)
Abstract:: Founded in 1907, the Charlotte Cushman Club was originally intended to provide respectable lodgings for actresses appearing in Philadelphia theaters. In the years of World War II the Club ceased to provide residential services, becoming a favorite gathering place of theater lovers as well as of the many actresses and actors visiting the city with their touring companies. The Charlotte Cushman Club Records offer insight into the activities, the administration, and the membership of the Club during the whole life of the organization, until its closure in 1998. The collection also includes part of the holdings of the former Club's museum and library.

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

Biddle family papers, 1709-2017 (inclusive) 1776-1952 (bulk)

Extent:: 14.5 linear feet (32 boxes)
Abstract:: The Biddle family has a long history on American land with Quaker ancestors emigrating in 1681 and settling in Philadelphia around 1725. This collection documents the family relationships, and to a lesser extent, the work and military service of six generations of one branch of that family, starting with Clement Biddle (1740-1814), and following the descendants of two of his sons: Thomas Alexander Biddle (1776-1857) and Clement Cornell Biddle (1784-1855). These papers tell the stories, to varying degrees, of more than 30 individual Biddle family members through correspondence, financial records, professional papers, diaries, scrapbooks, and photographs.

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

Walt Whitman collection, 1842-1957 (inclusive) 1867-1894 (bulk)

Extent:: 4 boxes (plus one oversized item.)
Abstract:: Materials include correspondence to, from, and concerning Walt Whitman; financial records; writings by and about Whitman; and memorabilia, such as sketches, photographs, and portraits of Whitman, his family, his friends, and his homes.

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

Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia Exhibits Department records, 1852-2001 (inclusive)

Extent:: 49.0 linear feet (50 containers)
Abstract:: Prior to the 1930s, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia had neither an education department nor an exhibits department. However, the museum clearly stated that “to see that our scientific work is shared with the public in ways that instruct and entertain is one of our direct responsibilities, for knowledge of Nature not only widens the mental horizon, but helps to ease the common burdens of life.” In 1920, Harold T. Green came to work at the Academy. At first, he was in charge of arranging the public lectures funded by the Ludwick Institute. However, within a year he was also “superintending” exhibits. His skills as a taxidermist and artist soon overtook his role as a program coordinator and, in 1930 his title was officially changed to “Curator of Museum Exhibits.” In 1929, Green created his first habitat group, or “diorama” which depicted a group of rocky mountain goats. Over the years, the priorities and goals of the Exhibits Department shifted and expanded based upon...(see more)

Held at: Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia [Contact Us]

J. Percy Moore papers, 1847-1963 (inclusive)

Extent:: 16.0 linear feet (45 containers)
Abstract:: John Percy Moore (1869-1965) was a Professor of Zoology at the University of Pennsylvania from 1912 to 1939, an Assistant Curator at the Academy of Natural Sciences from 1902 to 1938, and held several positions between 1920 and 1956 at the Ludwick Institute, which offered free lectures and courses in the natural sciences. He was also a world recognized authority on leeches. During his career, Moore named six genera, 229 species, five subspecies and four varieties of polychaetous annelids, or segmented worms (Loi 1980). The J. Percy Moore papers document Moore's professional career as a zoologist, primarily his study of leeches and other annelids; educator; and biographer. The collection dates from 1847 to 1963 and consists of his specimen notes, sketches, photographs, 16 mm film, travel logs, and field notes related to his study of leeches and other annelids. The collection also contains materials related to his involvement with The Academy of Natural Sciences (ANSP) Board of...(see more)

Held at: Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia [Contact Us]