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Ashley Bryan papers, 1823-2019 (inclusive) 1928-2019 (bulk)

Extent:

85 linear feet (146 boxes)

Abstract:

Ashley Bryan (1923-2022) was an artist and storyteller best known for his award-winning children's book illustrations with particular emphasis on African folktales and African-American spirituals. Bryan authored, illustrated, published, and distributed his first book in Kindergarten, later graduating from Cooper Union and Columbia University, being awarded a Fulbright to study at the University of Freiburg, before becoming a professor at Dartmouth College. The collection documents his lifelong devotion to the arts including sketchbooks, artwork, and especially materials relating to the publication process of over sixty book projects. There is also material relating to his professional engagements; certificates, awards, diplomas, and plaques relating to his many achievements; and personal and family materials, notebooks, photographs, greeting cards and postcards, school children thank you cards and artwork, and research files and ephemera. Also included are foundational...(see more)

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

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University Relations, News and Public Affairs Records, 1912-1997 (inclusive)

Extent:

257 cubic feet

Abstract:

This collection is comprised of material either created or collected by the Office of University Relations, formerly known as the Bureau of Publicity, the Department of Public Relations, and the Department of Communications Services. The bulk of the collection consists of subject files that cover about two thousand topics, and biographical files on approximately 3,500 individuals. Several hundred photographs and a handful of audiovisual media is also present. The subject files contain both news releases created internally, and news clippings gathered from external sources. Topics are diverse and cover nearly every aspect of University life and operations. The biographical files are primarily of University administrators, faculty, students, and alumni, but also includes people who were invited to campus for various events or occasions.

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

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Walter D. Palmer collection of materials on the Black Bottom Project and other displaced Philadelphia communities, 1875-2017 (inclusive) 1962-2010 (bulk)

Extent:

3.2 cubic feet (3 record center boxes) and 13.9 gigabyte(s)

Abstract:

The Black Bottom Project worked to document the history of the Black Bottom neighborhood of Philadelphia, with particular emphasis on the displacement of thousands of community residents following redevelopment plans endorsed by the City of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania. Over time the project expanded to look at other Philadelphia neighborhoods that experienced similar community displacement and gentrification. The catalyst for the project was the course "Neighborhood Displacement and Community Power," (Urban Studies 448) taught by Walter D. Palmer (born 1934) and the research conducted by its students over many semesters from 1995 to 2010. The collection includes original student research, public records and other documentary sources, resident interviews, a short film, and digital files and paper printouts from the creation of a website.

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

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James G. Spady papers, 1920-2020 (inclusive) 1980-2020 (bulk)

Extent:

12.5 linear feet (21 boxes and 10 3.5 inch floppy disks, 3 dvds, 54 compact disks.) and 2.0 gigabyte(s)

Abstract:

James Garland Spady (1944-2020) was a writer, activist, journalist, and historian, and is credited for being one of the first scholars to document and study the evolution of Hip Hop. Broadly speaking, this collection reflects Spady's expansive interest in Black history and culture, particularly music, and is comprised of both his own writing and material that he collected on these topics. The collection contains notepads and notebooks, correspondence, manuscripts, photographs, newspapers, books, a large variety of articles and essays, interview transcripts, periodicals, audio compact discs, digital media, and ephemera. The collection primarily documents his professional and intellectual work from roughly 1980 until the end of his life, but very little is revealing of his personal life.

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

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Irene Eber gift of the Yedidya Geminder Memorial Collection of Sino-Judaica, 1912-2018 (inclusive) 1940s-2010 (bulk)

Extent:

20 linear feet (20 boxes) and 11.0 gigabyte(s)

Abstract:

Irene Eber (1929-2019) was a scholar and professor of Chinese intellectual history and the Jewish community in China. This collection, consisting almost entirely of photocopies of her research, is a resource for researchers interested in the Bible in China; Chinese and Yiddish literature and poetry; Jewish refugees in China, and specifically Shanghai; and the Jewish community in China before, during, and after World War II. In addition to Eber's research, there is a fairly robust grouping of her writings, although not all are complete. The collection, named by Eber in memory of her father, Yedidya Geminder who was murdered by the Nazis, contains no information about Geminder.

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

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Trustees Council of Penn Women records, 1987-2001 (inclusive)

Extent:

10.5 cubic feet (10 record cartons and 1 legal size doc box. media: 3 floppy disks, 3 videocassettes. 2 dvds)

Abstract:

The Trustees Council of Penn Women (TCPW) was established in 1987 to strengthen the University's commitment to the advancement of women throughout the Penn community. This collection documents the activities and internal organization of the Trustees Council of Penn Women from its creation in 1987 through 2001. It also documents the planning for the two-day 125 Years of Women at Penn celebration. The collection includes files on Council membership and chair selection, minutes and correspondence of both the Steering, Executive Committee, and the standing committees, as well as meeting files and information packets related to the Council's annual Spring and Fall Conferences, and other events. Also present are files concerning the publishing of the Council newsletter Communique, fund-raising activities, grants and awards sponsored by the Council, general administrative correspondence, photographs, and financial records.

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

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Philadelphia Orchestra Association records (audiovisual recordings), 1949-2016 (inclusive) 1960-2008 (bulk)

Extent:

250 linear feet (220 boxes) and 11,426 item(s) (11,146 recordings. these extents represent the total amount of material in the entire collection, inclusive of other series.)

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. This portion of the collection comprises audiovisual recordings from 1949-2016. Over 11,400 non-commercial recordings are currently processed and available. A majority are audio and audio-visual recordings of performances, rehearsals and broadcasts of The Philadelphia Orchestra. A small number represent other music ensembles such as the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra and the Philly Pops. Another small group of recordings include commentaries and remarks, intermission features, announcements, background noises, recordings for advertising and promotion, and recordings produced for applications for grants and awards. In addition, there...(see more)

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