Philadelphia Area Archives

Start Over Record Source University of Pennsylvania Form Photographs Year 1864

Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Records, 1862-2008 (inclusive) 2001-2006 (bulk)

Extent:: 12 cubic feet
Abstract:: To celebrate Benjamin Franklin's 300th birthday, which fell on January 17, 2006, five institutions in the Philadelphia area formed in 2000 an alliance named Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Consortium. The Consortium initiated a grand multifaceted and internationally-involving scenario for the celebration. The full name of the project is Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary, or "Ben Franklin 300, 1706-2006." This collection documents the organization, planning and operation of the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary from the time the BFT Consortium was established in 2000 till the project was wrapped up in mid 2008.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center [Contact Us]

John Barnard Gest Family Papers, 1861-1936 (inclusive)

Extent:: 0.3 cubic feet
Abstract:: Three generations of the Gest family attended the University of Pennsylvania from the mid nineteenth to early twentieth centuries, and were active members of the Philadelphia legal and banking communities. The John Barnard Gest Family Papers consists of photographs of the family - mostly individual formal portraits from the 1880s through to the early 1900s, as well as a few World War I correspondence.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center [Contact Us]

Christian Association Records, 1857-2000 (inclusive)

Extent:: 60.0 cubic feet
Abstract:: The Christian Association of the University of Pennsylvania was founded in 1901, with the mission to promote "spiritual welfare of the students of the University of Pennsylvania by encouraging Christian fellowship and cooperation." The records of the Christian Association reflect the history of a hundred-plus-year-old institution which, with large and diverse investments, strong ties to the Protestant church, and a long and involved relationship with the University, has been engaged in a wide range of programs and activities.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center [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]

Michael Zinman collection of World's Fairs and Expositions material, 1851-2000 (inclusive) 1873-1992 (bulk)

Extent:: 6 linear feet (8 boxes)
Abstract:: Wolrd's fairs and expositions have been held internationally from 1851 and continue into the present. This collection comprises written materials, memorabilia, and, to a more limited extent, other materials such as photographs and musical recordings from or related to world's fairs and expositions that took place between 1851 and 1992. Most expositions recognized by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) are represented, as well as many that are not officially recognized by the BIE. Some non-world's fair events are also represented to a limited extent. While events from around the world are featured in the collection, it primarily centers on expositions that occurred in the United States.

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

Maberly family diaries, 1817-1870 (inclusive)

Extent:: 5 volumes
Abstract:: Small collection of family diaries comprises five volumes written by two authors, presumably father and son Charles Hensley Maberly and Alexander Cahill Maberly. The first four volumes were written in French by Charles Hensley spanning the years from 1817 to 1821. The fifth volume was written by Alexander Cahill Maberly in 1870 during a European tour.

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

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]

Frothingham and Roberts family papers, 1862-1936 (inclusive)

Extent:: 1.2 linear feet (2 boxes)
Abstract:: The Frothingham and Roberts families were joined when Mary Foster Frothingham (1863-1934) and George Wood Bissell Roberts (1859-1941) were married on February 10, 1886. This collection documents three generations of the Frothingham family of Massachusetts and the Roberts family of Philadelphia and Riverton, New Jersey. The bulk of the material consists of extended family correspondence dating from 1862 to 1936 to and or from George W.B. Roberts and his wife Mary Foster Frothingham Roberts.

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