Repository: Historical Society of Pennsylvania / Online Content: Not Available - Philadelphia Area Archives Search Results

Harry E. Adamson papers, 1880-2021 (inclusive)

Extent:: 11.1 linear feet (; 27 boxes, 6 volumes)
Abstract:: Harry Egan Adamson Jr. (1949-2021) was a Philadelphia AIDS and gay rights activist and restaurant manager. Infected in 1982, Adamson lived with HIV for nearly 40 years. He moved to Philadelphia in 1981 with his partner David Yontz. The couple stayed with Dr. John E. Fryer (1937-2003), who became one of Adamson’s lifelong friends. Yontz returned to Chicago in 1982, but Adamson remained in Philadelphia. Many of his friends and former lovers succumbed to AIDS between 1984 and 2000, but Adamson was a slow progressor and did not need to start medication for his disease until 1998. Though his HIV disease was under good control, neuropathy in his extremities became disabling in 1993. Adamson remained as active as he could, completing a master’s degree in pastoral counseling at La Salle University in 2002, acting as agent executor for Dr. John Fryer’s estate after his death in 2003, and serving on the board of Philly AIDSThrift from 2010-2013. Nonetheless, medical problems and depression...(see more)

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Montgomery, Scott, and Wheeler families papers, 1675-2018, bulk 1840-1995

Extent:: 60.6 linear feet (; 103 boxes, 142 volumes, 11 flat files)
Abstract:: This collection from the Montgomery, Scott, and Wheeler families, spanning 60 linear feet, documents the history of Ardrossan, an estate in Villanova, Pennsylvania -- one of the largest on Philadelphia's Main Line -- and its residents over the course of more than two centuries. In 1911, local investment banker Colonel Robert Leaming Montgomery (1879-1949) hired Horace Trumbauer to design the residence on the family's 800-acre plot, complete with a dairy farm and horse stables. The son of William Woodrow Montgomery and Rebecca Waln Leaming, Robert L. Montgomery would go onto to establish what is now the investment firm of Janney Montgomery Scott. He married Charlotte Hope Binney Tyler (1881-1970) in 1902, and the couple had four children: Helen Hope, Mary Binney, Robert Alexander, and Charlotte Ives. Their eldest daughter, Helen Hope Montgomery (1904-1995), became well known in Philadelphia's social circles, and she went on to marry Edgar Scott (1899-1995), grandson of Thomas A....(see more)

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The Right Angle Club records, 1922-2015, undated (Bulk, 1931-2009)

Extent:: 3.8 linear feet (; 10 boxes, 4 volumes, 1 flat file)
Abstract:

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The Links Inc. Eastern Area archival collection, 1946-2015, undated

Extent:: 6.7 linear feet (; 15 boxes, 1 volume, 1 flat file)
Abstract:: Founded in 1946 and incorporated as a national organization in 1951, the Links have continually developed and refined their means of effectively responding to the social, political, and financial challenges of the black community for over fifty years. Established in Philadelphia by Sarah Strictland Scott and Margaret Roselle Hawkins as a small association dedicated to the changing needs of professional African-American women, the Links today rely on the efforts of nearly ten thousand women from 274 chapters in realizing its national and international initiatives. In 1984, the Links, Inc. established an international headquarters in Washington, D.C. Initially started as a time capsule project to commemorate the new millennium, the collection has grown substantially with its reconfiguration as an archival effort, which Links members have sometimes dubbed the Eastern Area Archival Repository. As the project evolved, designated archivists and historians from each chapter contributed a...(see more)

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Brandywine Workshop records, 1982-2014 (bulk) 1972-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:: 8.4 linear feet ( (21 boxes))
Abstract:: The Brandywine Workshop of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is an urban arts organization dedicated to the “creation, documentation and preservation of a legacy of culturally diverse American art” while “ensuring the participation of multi-ethnic artists in the field of fine arts printmaking and related media technologies.” In addition to offering an array of educational programming and community outreach initiatives, the workshop has sponsored nearly 300 artist residencies and encourages the sharing of diverse international communities through its cultural exchange programs. In 2012, the Brandywine Workshop celebrated its 40th anniversary. The Brandywine Workshop records house the institutional records of the Brandywine Workshop. This collection dates from 1972 to 2014, with bulk dates of 1982 to 2014, and consists of a range of printed and graphic materials that document the workshop’s organizational initiatives and range of activities. Specifically this collection includes audio-visual...(see more)

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Viri Viginti (Twenty Gentlemen) Club of Philadelphia records, 1980-1985 (bulk) 1962-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:: 0.4 linear feet (; 1 box, 1 flat file)
Abstract:: Latin for "twenty gentlemen," Viri Viginti is an African American social club founded in 1914 in Philadelphia. It is believed to be the oldest such organization in the city. This small collection of its records includes by-laws, membership lists, minutes, photographs, correspondence, clippings, and financial records.

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Tony Reese papers, 1955-1970 (bulk) 1946-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:: 4.1 linear feet (; 11 boxes, 1 flat file)
Abstract:: Tony Reese, born Attilio Resci in Foggia, Italy in 1919, was a popular performer both in Philadelphia and nationally. He was raised in South Philadelphia, attended South Philadelphia High School, and served with the U. S. Army during World War II. He developed a partnership and comedy act with Pepper Davis, whose real name was David Asner, and the duo performed across the United States and Canada. Together they appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and other televised variety shows of the mid 20th century. They also performed overseas and gave a command performance for Prince Ranier and Princess Grace of Monaco. Reese died in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, in 2013. This collection of Reese's papers mostly covers his career as a performer and includes numerous transcripts of comedy routines, clippings and programs, and musical arrangements. There are also a few personal papers including his obituary, biographical material, photographs, and audio-visual items.

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University Glee Club of Philadelphia records, circa 1930-2012, undated

Extent:: 6.7 linear feet (; 17 boxes, 1 volume)
Abstract:: The University Glee Club of Philadelphia was organized in November 1933 with seventeen charter members under the musical direction of H. Alexander Matthews. The club performed its final concert in 2012. The University Glee Club of Philadelphia records, circa 1930s-2012, include administrative and financial records, membership lists, internal correspondence, and meeting minutes, as well as concert programs and ephemera, photographs, and audio recordings.

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Philadelphia Girls' Rowing Club records, 1938-2011 (bulk) 1913-2011 (inclusive)

Extent:: 34.0 linear feet (; 75 boxes, 13 flat files, 65 volumes)
Abstract:: The Philadelphia Girls’ Rowing Club (PGRC) was founded in Philadelphia in 1938 by a group of seventeen women who were interested in pursuing recreational and competitive rowing at a time when women were discouraged from the sport. The club owns one of the oldest boathouses on Boathouse Row on the Schuylkill River, the former home of the Philadelphia Skating Club and Humane Society, which was built in 1861. The club boasts among its membership some of the early pioneers of women’s rowing in the United States. PGRC is one of the oldest operating all-female rowing clubs in the country. The club currently hosts the Bill Braxton Memorial Regatta and is home to the Agnes Irwin School’s rowing program as part of their effort to encourage women to tap into their maximum potential as athletes. The primary mission of the club is “to ensure that all members develop the skills to feel confident on the river and safely participate in this athletic pursuit. Proficiency in the sport enhances the...(see more)

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Stuart F. Feldman papers, 1937-2011 (inclusive)

Extent:: 34.8 linear feet (; 88 boxes, 2 volumes)
Abstract:: Stuart F. Feldman (1937-2010) was a lawyer, author, consultant, and independent advocate who was active in a wide variety of civic and cultural programs and projects. Initiatives that he proposed and successfully spearheaded included creation of the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia; legislation that made billions of dollars available to Vietnam veterans for education, counseling, and jobs; and the Martin Luther King Memorial in Washington, DC. Mr. Feldman worked for the Securities and Exchange Commission (1961-1963), Appalachian Regional Commission (1965-1967), Department of Transportation (1967-1969), U.S. Conference of Mayors (1969-1979), and as senior vice president of the National Constitution Center (1994-1997), among other positions. Born in Philadelphia, he graduated from Cheltenham High School and received a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania, 1958, and a doctoral degree from Penn’s Law School, 1961. The Stuart F. Feldman Papers...(see more)

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Nelson A. Diaz papers, 1967-2011

Extent:: 85.6 linear feet (, 219 boxes, 7 flat files)
Abstract:: Nelson Diaz (1947- ) is a Philadelphia attorney who served on the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas (1981-1992) and as general counsel for the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (1993-1996). In addition, he has been highly active in the Hispanic and overall Philadelphia community as an activist, businessman, and journalist. He has served on many boards and committees in the Philadelphia area, and his interests and involvement have ranged from youth groups to the Temple University Hospital to the William Penn Foundation. This extensive collection documents Diaz's activities relating to Hispanic issues, organizations, and events; his work with and for various boards and committees; his work as a judge and an attorney; and his numerous other activities. Materials include correspondence, memos, minutes, reports, transcripts, by-laws, mailing lists, financial data, petitions, clippings, personnel documents, photographs, and audio and video cassettes.

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Saunders House records, 1862-1940 (bulk) 1853-2011, undated (inclusive)

Extent:: 3.6 linear feet (; 8 boxes, 7 volumes, 1 flat file)
Abstract:: The Old Man's Home of Philadelphia was chartered in 1860 and opened its doors in 1864 in West Philadelphia, as a residence for old men in indigent circumstances. The home evolved to be Saunders House and began admitting women in 1960. In 1973, it moved to its current location adjacent to Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pa. Today Saunders House provides long-term care and rehabilitation services to up to 180 older adult residents. The collection includes the original Old Man's Home minute book; admission records; record of inmates; annual reports; financial reports; deeds and other property-related documents; newsletters; court records from an inheritance dispute involving the Old Man's Home; a program from the organization's 125th anniversary celebration; a Christian Endeavor hymn book, typescripts, and clippings.

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Ronald M. Surak papers, 1949, 1961-2010, undated

Extent:: 6.4 linear feet (; 15 boxes, 3 volumes, 1 flat file)
Abstract:: Ronald M. Surak (1940-2011) was a musician and music teacher from Shamokin, Pennsylvania. He specialized in composition, was particularly interested in computer-generated music, and created several works that combined traditional instruments with electronic music. He taught at the Wilmington Music School in Delaware and Rutgers University at both New Brunswick and Camden in New Jersey. Additionally, he served a director of the Rutgers Center for Computer and Experimental Music. This collection of Surak's papers is comprised mostly of his musical compositions and spans the second half of the twentieth century. In addition to musical scores, there are also programs (for his own performances and performances of his works by others), flyers, clippings, personal notes, and ephemera. There is also a significant group of audio and video recordings of his work on cassettes, CDs, and computer discs.

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Junior League of Philadelphia records, 1955-1998 (bulk) 1912-2009 (inclusive)

Extent:: 11.4 linear feet (; 29 boxes)
Abstract:: The Junior League of Philadelphia, Inc. founded 1912, is an organization of women devoted to volunteerism and community improvement. It was initially established to help create settlement houses in Philadelphia. However, over time, the group became involved with a large number of causes, from war relief to children's care, and today continues its legacy of city-wide community involvement. The Junior League celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2012 and remains highly active in the Philadelphia community. The Junior League of Philadelphia records constitute the institutional records of this organization. The collection dates from 1912 to 2009, with bulk dates of 1955 to 1998, and contains board and committee meeting minutes, newsletters, member directories, and annual reports. These materials provide an excellent depiction of the governance of the organization as well as member lists and highlighted events and activities.

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Pisano and Siciliano families papers, 1910-2009, undated

Extent:: 0.8 linear feet (; 2 boxes, 5 volumes)
Abstract:: Members from both the Pisano and Silciliano families of Philadelphia and Camden first arrived in the United States in the early 1900s, both from the town of Gasperina, Italy. This collection, compiled by Donna Meidt, highlights their genealogies through vital records, passports, family trees, and images (including digital images on one CD). There are also original photographs and Italian magazines, as well as a sampling of plays, operas, and poetry handwritten or transcribed in Italian by Antonio Pisano (1894-1979). Pisano was a poet, playwright, and member of the theatrical group the Philadelphia Filodramatic Circle Gasperinese.

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Shee family papers, 1775-2009, undated; bulk 1775-1785

Extent:: 0.4 linear feet (; 1 box [5 folders])
Abstract:: Cecelia (circa 1750-1779) and John Parke (1755-1780) were the children of Thomas Parke of Kent County, Delaware. Around 1770, Cecelia married Bertles Shee. Cecelia lived in Philadelphia and Dover, Delaware. Both John Parke and Bertles Shee served in the Continental Army. This small collection of papers from the Shee family mostly consists of detailed letters Cecelia wrote to John in the army between July 1775 and February 1777. There are also genealogical notes, a copy of Bertles Shee's will, a letter concerning property in Ireland, a letter from John Chew concering Bertles Shee's debts, and a set of typed transciptions of most of the documents in the collection.

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Foerderer family papers, 1894-1994 (bulk) 1865-2009 (inclusive)

Extent:: 3.8 linear feet (; 13 boxes, 1 volume, 1 flat file)
Abstract:: Percival E. Foerderer (1884-1969) was a Philadelphia businessman, civic leader, and philanthropist, although lived most of his life in the city suburbs of Merion and Bryn Mawr. His college-age medical education was interrupted when his father, Robert H. Foerderer, became ill and could no longer run the family’s decades-old leather manufacturing business. In response, Percival quit school and, in the early 1900s, joined Robert H. Foerderer, Inc, manufacturers of “Vici Kid” leather. Later in life, Percival served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of Jefferson Medical College and Hospital, and on the boards of many other companies and organizations in Philadelphia. He married Ethel Brown (1885-1981), daughter of a Philadelphia textile manufacturer, who presided over the Women's Board of Jefferson and was active in several other civic and philanthropic activities. Percival and Ethel Foerderer had three daughters, Mignon, Florence, and Shirley. This family collection spans from the...(see more)

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Vauclain family papers and genealogical research files, 1904-circa 2008, undated

Extent:: 2.4 linear feet (, 6 boxes)
Abstract:

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St. David's Church (Radnor, Pa.) records, circa 1706-2008

Extent:: 15.0 linear feet (; 30 boxes, 34 volumes, 15 flat files)
Abstract:: The cornerstone for St. David’s Church was laid in 1715 by a group of Welsh settlers in what is currently Radnor Township. During the Revolutionary War, the parish faced turmoil and the absence of a minister for the parishioners. By 1788, the parish once again had leadership, and in 1792, Reverend William Currie incorporated the parish and drew up a charter. The parish continued to grow as railroad lines brought urban dwellers to areas like Radnor that surrounded Philadelphia. For the next century, the parish would erect buildings to accommodate its constituency, providing the parishioners with a new rectory, chapel, parish house, and education building. Currently, the church attends to the religious needs of over one thousand families and holds many events, including an annual fair and auction. The records of St. David’s Church span from 1706 to 2006 and offer insight into the activities of the parishioners and history of the church in Radnor, Pennsylvania. This collection consists...(see more)

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Batcheler, Hartshorne, and Sahlin families papers, 1789-2007 (inclusive)

Extent:: 40.0 linear feet
Abstract:: This collection contains the papers of the Batcheler, Hartshorne, and Sahlin families, descended from Axel (1826-March 5, 1909) and Axeline Sahlin (1834-1922), a Swedish couple whose children lived in Europe and the United States. Four generations of the family are documented here, with documentation centering around five families. In the United States, the family is represented by Gertrude Chandler (July 17, 1860-1953) and Axel Sahlin (1855-1937); their daughter Ellen Sahlin (February 21, 1895-June 4, 1988) and her husband, Judge Richard Hartshorne (February 29, 1888-September 19,1975); and their daughter, Penelope Hartshorne (1928-2007) and her husband, George Batcheler(1926-2009). The Swedish side of the family is represented by Axel and Axeline Sahlin and the family of their daughter, Essie Sahlin (1859-1950) and her husband, Simon Johannes Boëthius (1850-1924). The contents of this collection are mostly correspondence and other personal papers, including diaries, artwork,...(see more)

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Wuanda M. T. Walls family papers, c.1860-2007

Extent:: 2.07 linear feet (4 boxes, 10 volumes, 3 flat file items)
Abstract:: Wuanda M. T. Walls is a writer who was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, but raised in nearby Delaware County. She graduated from Chester High School in 1961 and Lincoln University in 1980. The Walls family was one of the core families of Hinsonville, Pennsylvania, a small African American community in Chester County that became the site of Lincoln University, the oldest black college in the United States. The collection documents the history of the Wallses and related families, Hinsonville, and Lincoln University Village. It includes family photos, correspondence, clippings, legal papers, diplomas and yearbooks, ephemera, an oral history audiocassette and transcript, a published essay (by Wuanda Walls) and two books on the history of Hinsonville, and other items. There is also some of Walls's own memorabilia, such as autographed photographs and programs, airplane tickets, and a program from the 1966 Newport Jazz festival.

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"My North Philly" project interviews, 2005-2007

Extent:: 1.2 linear feet (; 4 boxes)
Abstract:

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Grim-McFarland-Woodbridge family history collection, circa 1905-2007, undated

Extent:: 2.6 linear feet (; 7 boxes, 2 flat files)
Abstract:: This family history collection documents several members of the Grim, McFarland, and Woodbridge families over several generations and can be divided into two parts. Approximately one half of the collection documents family history and genealogy while the remaining material centers on the life and work of Katherine Adele McFarland-Gerken. The Grim and McFarland families came together with the eighteen-month marriage of Joseph McFarland (1833-1867) and Susan Elmira Grim (1842-1927) beginning in August 1866. Katherine Adele McFarland-Gerken, the granddaughter of Joseph and Susan McFarland, served abroad as a Red Cross nurse in the 1920s, and much of the material records her nursing and travel experiences from 1921-1925. The collection includes family correspondence, memoirs, photographs, travel souvenirs, genealogical charts, and other items. There are several Civil War letters addressed to Susan Grim McFarland from her cousin Nicholas Grim, who served with the 28th Regiment...(see more)

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Stiefel family papers, circa 1920-2007

Extent:: 2.6 linear feet (; 6 boxes, 1 volume)
Abstract:: Asher Shtevel/Stiebel and his wife, Miriam, lived in Poketilov, Russia (now part of the Ukraine) in the nineteenth century. Three of their sons came to Philadelphia in 1887: Abraham, Jacob, and Michael (1871-1954), who were followed by other brothers, including Hyman (1860-1927). Sometime after 1887, the American branch of the family started using the name Stiefel. In 1903, members of the Stiefel family set up a movie theater in Philadelphia, the Fairyland on Market Street. In the following years, they opened other theaters in Philadelphia, elsewhere in Pennsylvania, and in Baltimore, New York, Washington DC, and California. The Stiefels were also in the film distribution business and produced live shows and at least one film. Theaters run by the Stiefels, notably the Uptown Theatre in Philadelphia and the Howard Theatre in Washington, were part of the so-called "Chitlin Circuit" and gave starts to many black entertainers whose music later appealed to a wider audience. The...(see more)

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The Black Cop of Philadelphia collection, 1969-2006, undated

Extent:: 0.2 linear feet (; 1 box, 1 volume (inside box))
Abstract:

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The Weeders records, 1907-2006, undated; bulk 1920-1995

Extent:: 9.7 linear feet (; 22 boxes )
Abstract:: The Weeders, a non-profit garden society and member of the Garden Club of America, was founded in the early 1900s under the motto "Learn to labor and to wait." Since then, its membership has included many notable local women, such as Mrs. Nathan Hayward, Mrs. John Cadwalader, Mrs. C. Jared Ingersoll, Mrs. Stacy B. Lloyd and Mrs. Charles J. Biddle. In 1965, The Weeders joined the Garden Club of Philadelphia, the Planters Garden Club, and other local garden societies to form the Philadelphia Committee of the Garden Club of America. The Weeders' mission was to provide "a community which offers friendship and the opportunity to participate in horticultural, artistic, environmental, and civic endeavors." This collection contains the organizational records of the Weeders, a ladies' gardening club. The records include admission committee records, 1934-2004; committee minutes and treasurer's reports, 1914-2004; flower show records, 1932-1989; horticultural essays presented by members;...(see more)

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Alyce Hovsepian Gordon Armenian-Americans collection, 1969-2005, undated

Extent:: 1.4 linear feet (4 boxes)
Abstract:: Alyce Hovsepian Gordon was an active member of the Armenian-American community. She was heavily involved with the churches, educational institutions, and organizations in the tri-state area of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The collection mainly consists of publications by these groups and announcements for fund-raisers and other events. The materials highlight Gordon's activities and demonstrate her devotion to Armenian concerns, especially the campaign for recognition of the 1915 Armenian Genocide.

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Historical Society of Pennsylvania poster and broadside collection, 1777-circa 2005

Extent:: 2.2 linear feet (; 7 boxes, 9 flat files)
Abstract:: HSP staff assembled this collection of broadsides, circulars, facsimiles, prints, blotters, photographs, newspaper clippings, and other material largely related to Philadelphia businesses and institutions. Subjects within the collection are quite varied and include auctions, banks, insurance companies, museums, printing establishments, the Civil War, labor strikes, Washingtoniana, Lincolniana (mostly remembrances of his assassination), and transportation. In addition to items documenting Philadelphia, the collection includes materials from several other Pennsylvania counties and states along the Eastern seaboard. The collection is divided into four categories: three according to location and one solely for advertisements. It is further arranged alphabetically within each category according to subject. Oversized items have been moved to flat files. A detailed inventory is available in the Historical Society’s library.

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Judith Shuman Eden papers on Philadelphia urban affairs, 1983-2005, undated

Extent:: 2.9 linear feet (; 8 boxes, 1 flat file)
Abstract:: Philadelphia resident Judith Schuman Eden, who died 8 August 2008, devoted much of her life to Philadelphia activism and politics. She was appointed to the Zoning Board of Adjustment by Mayor John Street and later appointed to the Zoning Code Commission by Mayor Michael Nutter. She claimed a wide range of interests involving everything from the arts and Jewish community issues, to city improvements and land-use rights. This collection of publications and printed matter from various Philadelphia and Pennsylvania organizations dates from the 1990s and 2000s and covers many topics such as homelessness, graffiti, parking, transportation, zoning, Broad Street revitalization, parks/public lands, and vacant lots/property. Organizations represented include the City Planning Commission, Project Housing Opportunity Medical Education, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, and the John F. Street Transition Team. There is also a group of Polaroid photographs showing various...(see more)

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New Immigrants Initiative collection, 1976-2004 (inclusive)

Extent:: 4.0 linear feet (22 boxes)
Abstract:: This collection contains the records of the New Immigrants Initiative, a multi-year series of projects started by the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies and completed by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, which explored the history and experience of non-European immigrant communities in the Philadelphia area. The purpose of these projects was to document these communities for the historical record and to create interpretive exhibits, publications, and programs that educate about the recent immigrant experience. Five communities were initially part of the project, with four being fully finished: Indian, Arab, African, Latino, and Korean (started but not completed). Included in the collection are oral history transcripts, photographs, printed material, ephemera, and correspodence. There are also numerous audio cassette tapes and VHS tapes.

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Museum Council of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley records, 1939-1998 (bulk) 1939-2004, undated (inclusive)

Extent:: 12.3 linear feet (; 31 boxes)
Abstract:: The Museum Council of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley is a regional association of museums founded in 1939 in order to promote Philadelphia museums and tourism. In addition to supporting its member institutions and their collections, the council has served as a resource and networking organization for museum professionals and as a forum to present issues of public interest. It has been especially active in promoting school-museum cooperation and the preservation and conservation of cultural heritage through collection care seminars and disaster preparedness. It has served on four occasions as host to the annual meeting of the American Association of Museums. The collection consists of 12.3 linear feet of textual and graphic documentation produced by or related to the council from 1939 to 2004, including administrative, financial and committee records, as well as documentation of various projects and affiliations with other cultural organizations in the Philadelphia region.

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John Fryer papers, 1950-2000 (bulk) 1876-2004, undated (inclusive)

Extent:: 76.0 linear feet (; 219 boxes; 36 volumes; 10 flat files)
Abstract:: John Fryer was a groundbreaking gay psychiatrist best-known for his appearance in full disguise at the 1972 American Psychiatric Association (APA) convention. His speech at the convention is credited with convincing the APA to remove homosexuality from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1973. As a psychiatrist Fryer worked largely with gay men, lesbians, people who abused drug and alcohol, and those who were coping with death. He was also a professor at Temple University School of Medicine, and organist and choirmaster at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Germantown. The John Fryer collection consists of his personal and professional papers from 1876 to 2003 and is divided into five series: General files, Patient records (restricted to researchers until 2078), Photographs and audio-visual materials, Printed matter, and Miscellaneous papers.

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Wister and Butler Families Papers, 1700-2004, undated; bulk: 1848-1907

Extent:: 21.5 linear feet (; 46 boxes, 55 volumes, 17 flat files)
Abstract:: The Wister and Butler families were prominent in Philadelphia in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and had ties to numerous other prominent families in the Philadelphia region, Georgia, and Great Britain. The bulk of the collection concerns Pierce (Mease) Butler and his daughters Sarah Butler Wister and Frances Anne Butler Leigh. Butler's former wife Frances Anne Kemble (Butler), known as Fanny Kemble, and various other family members are also represented. The bulk of the collection is correspondence and estate papers; it also includes diaries, newspapers and newspaper clippings, business papers, real estate papers, ledgers and other financial documents, photographs, and other miscellaneous papers. The collection provides insights into a wide variety of topics, including women's history, the Civil War, African American history, family history, politics, culture, and the life of actress Fanny Kemble and her daughters. The materials concerning the Butler plantations both before...(see more)

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Ritter family papers, circa 1840-2004, undated

Extent:: 2.2 linear feet (; 6 boxes)
Abstract:: This family history collection documents the Ritter family and its ancestors beginning in the late 18th century. Diaries, autobiographies, memorandum books, family photos, and legal papers comprise the bulk of the material that spans almost 200 years (1773-1962). The collection focuses heavily on James Hansell Ritter (1859-1912) and his wife, Mary LeBaron Stoddard Ritter (1867-1949), both descendants of William Bradford, the governor of Plymouth Colony from 1622 until 1656. The couple’s lineage is documented in Series 1 which houses genealogical notes including a letter dated 25 December 1872 and an application for membership in the Pennsylvania Society of the Colonial Dames of America. Many of the ancestors appear in original or copied photographs in Series 2. Material related to ancestors and relatives of James Hansell Ritter - including his maternal great-great grandfather, Jacob Ehrenzeller, Sr. (1725-1798); his paternal grandfather, Jacob Ritter, Jr. (1784-1840); his father...(see more)

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Stout collection, 1925-2003, undated (bulk, 1980-1990)

Extent:: 5.3 linear feet (; 9 boxes, 6 volumes)
Abstract:: The Stout Collection consists of virtually all of Reverend Edmond Stout's efforts in researching the history of the Stout/Stoudt/Stoudt family that originated in Germany. The early research and German ancestry work in the collection was begun by Rear Admiral (RADM) Herald F. Stout, U.S.N. Retired, San Diego, California. The collection includes genealogical research and other information about many members of the Stout family. Materials include: listings of Stout family members; family charts and datasheets; correspondence; photocopies of clippings and primary sources; notes and extracts from marriage records, court records, church records and other sources; issues of the Stout family newsletter; bound, published family histories; copies of photographs, obituaries, churches, and other information related to various family members; and a small number of slides.

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Merchants Fund records, 1853-2003 (inclusive)

Extent:: 13.0 linear feet (; 9 boxes, 24 volumes)
Abstract:: "The Merchants Fund is a Philadelphia charity established in 1854 to provide charitable gifts to business persons facing financial hardships. It evolved from the Mercantile Business Association, an organization dedicated to providing business advice, networking opportunities, and protection from financial failure or defualt due to illness, old age, or disability." (From their website) The collection consists primarily of administrative, financial, and legal records of the Fund. There are board minutes, business and legal correspondence, and tax returns. There are also extensive files on beneficiaries that include wills and estate papers. Other financial records include audit reports, treasurer's reports, tax- and Social Security-related records, and reports on the "Oliver Fund." Among the records are also several volumes, some dating to the mid 1800s. These include ledgers, cashbooks, bound annual reports, and bound minutes.

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Richardson Dilworth papers, 1940-1972 (bulk) 1881-2002, undated (inclusive)

Extent:: 87.7 linear feet (; 258 boxes, 19 volumes, 7 flat files)
Abstract:: The papers of Richardson Dilworth include correspondence, office files, accounts, reports, political campaign materials, brochures, pamphlets, scrapbooks, and photographs that primarily pertain to the immediate years before and after he became mayor of Philadelphia (1956-1962). The collection also contains papers related to Dilworth’s role on the Philadelphia Board of Education, his failed run for Pennsylvania governor, and from his law firm Dilworth Paxson LLP.

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Historical Society of Pennsylvania trade cards collection, 1800-1900 (bulk) circa 1800-2000 (inclusive)

Extent:: 15.0 linear feet
Abstract:: The collection contains an extensive collection of 19th-century trade cards from Philadelphia and surrounding region, the majority of which are arranged alphabetically by name. This is an artificial collection that has been put together by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania over time and is still open for additional accruals.

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Lois Dare family history collection, 1856-2000, undated

Extent:: 0.5 linear feet (1 box, 1 volume, 1 flat file)
Abstract:

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Athena Tacha papers, 1942-2000 (inclusive)

Extent:: 3.4 linear feet (3.4 linear feet, 12 boxes, 2 volumes )
Abstract:: Athena Tacha (1936-) is a Greek American sculptor, photographer, and conceptual artist who received degrees from the National Academy of Fine Arts (Athens, Greece), Oberlin College (Oberlin, Ohio), and the University of Paris (Sorbonne). In the 1960s she settled in the United States and became a professor of sculpture at Oberlin College. Her commissioned pieces are installed as public art across the United States and in several other countries as well. This collection contains mostly early correspondence, education materials, publications, and artwork from 1950 through the 1980s, although it spans from 1950 to 2000.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Balch Institute ethnic images in advertising collection, 1891-1999

Extent:: 0.6 linear feet (; 2 boxes, 1 flat file)
Abstract:

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Hauck family papers, 1941-1969 (bulk) 1930-1999, bulk 1941-1969 (inclusive)

Extent:: 7.9 linear feet (; 21 boxes, 3 flat files)
Abstract:: The Hauck family consisted of Joseph B. Hauck Senior of Philadelphia; his wife, Darthe (Charlton) Hauck of Maple Shade, New Jersey; and their son, Joseph B. Hauck Junior. Joseph Sr. was drafted into the United States Army in March of 1941 and served in the European theater of the war from 1944 to 1945. Joseph Jr. also served in the United States Army following his participation in the ROTC program at Georgetown University. He was ordered to serve in Vietnam from November 1967 to October 1968. The collection includes correspondence, photographs, and ephemera mostly connected to Joseph Sr.’s and Joseph’s Jr.’s time in the United States Army. Joseph Sr.’s correspondence with Darthe from 1941 to 1945 mostly describes his daily activities, military camp life, and impressions of the war’s progress. The correspondence also includes the couple’s love letters. Joseph Jr.’s correspondence with his parents from 1962 to 1966 describes his experiences as a college student at Georgetown...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

F. Furman Betts papers, 1917-1919, 1997, 1998

Extent:: 0.4 linear feet (; 1 box)
Abstract:: This collection contains the letters and photographs of Germantown resident F. Furman Betts, who served overseas with the American Friends Reconstruction Unit of the American Friends Service Committee in association with the American Red Cross during World War I. Additionally, there are newspapers and other ephemera that he collected, a small diary from his time aboard the Rochambeau and his first few days in Europe, and collections of excerpts from Betts's letters and memorabilia by Richard F. Betts, 1997 and 1998.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Girls' Coalition of Southeastern Pennsylvania records, 1976-1998 (inclusive)

Extent:: 1.0 linear feet (; 3 boxes)
Abstract:: The Girls’ Coalition of Southeastern Pennsylvania was an advocacy group for girls and women that was active in the Philadelphia area from 1980-2001. The organization worked to promote the self-esteem and visibility of young girls as leaders through hosting conferences and forums covering various issues that included the education of girls, mother-daughter relationships, and girls in sports. Reports of these conferences were published and distributed nationally, impacting the advocacy and study of girls. The Coalition also established the annual Estey Award, named after one of the founding members that recognized the achievements of girls and programs in the community that promoted the self-esteem and leadership of girls. The collection consists mainly of the records of the board of directors as well as materials pertaining to the conferences and Estey Awards sponsored by the coalition.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Natalie Saxe Randall papers, 1960-1962 (bulk) 1923-1998, undated (inclusive)

Extent:: 19.0 linear feet (; 56 boxes, 25 volumes, 6 flat files)
Abstract:: This collection contains the papers of Natalie Saxe (later Natalie Saxe Randall), campaign coordinator and organizer of the Democratic Party in Philadelphia, director of the Committee for Philadelphia established by Joseph Sill Clark and Richardson Dilworth, executive assistant to Richardson Dilworth during both his stints as mayor of Philadelphia (1956-1962) and president of the Philadelphia Board of Education (1965-1970); and lobbyist in Harrisburg for Lincoln University, the Academy of Natural Sciences, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and Franklin Institute, among others. The collection is comprised of office and personal files, papers related to political campaigns in all Pennsylvania counties, and a set of her appointment books, agendas, work diaries, and travel journals.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Women's Way of Philadelphia records, 1977-1997 (bulk) 1966-1997 (inclusive)

Extent:: 62.4 linear feet (; 157 boxes)
Abstract:: In 1975, a group of Philadelphia area women’s organizations formed the Philadelphia Women’s Coalition to provide health, wellness, education, legal, and cultural resources to women and their children in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1977, members of the coalition formed Women’s Way of Philadelphia to be a fundraising umbrella organization for each of the member groups and, eventually, for other organizations dedicated to helping women and children in the surrounding region. The Women’s Way of Philadelphia records house the organizational records of Women’s Way, a women’s advocacy fundraising group serving the Philadelphia region. This collection, which dates from 1966 to 1997, with bulk dates of 1977 to 1997, consists of reports, correspondence, minutes, financial records, and planning materials created as a result of the fundraising and grant-giving activities of Women’s Way. Aside from evidencing the organization’s functions, this collection provides a unique perspective of...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

South Asian Immigrants in the Philadelphia Area Oral History Project, 1996

Extent:: 1.0 linear feet (; 6 boxes)
Abstract:: This collection contains records produced by the Balch Institute's South Asian Immigrants in the Philadelphia Area Oral History Project. The project was conducted in the summer of 1996, when project staff interviewed sixteen individuals about their heritage, country of origin, and experiences in the United States. The records in this collection are audiocassette recordings of the interviews and eight text transcripts.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Print Club archives, 1940-1980 (bulk) 1915-1995 (inclusive)

Extent:: 78.75 linear feet (; 175 boxes, 142 volumes)
Abstract:: Since its founding in 1915, The Print Club has achieved a national and international reputation and membership. Originally, its purpose was to establish in Philadelphia a medium for the dissemination, study, production and collection of works by printmakers, American and foreign. Renamed The Print Center in 1996, its mission has expanded to include appreciation and encouragement of the printed image in all forms, including photography. The membership has always included both collectors and printmakers, but the Center also strives to serve the larger community. The Print Center offers numerous educational programs and mounts between six and ten exhibitions each year. The Print Club archives consist of a variety of files covering its administrative, financial, exhibition, and general history, from the club's founding in 1915 to 1993. While the majority of the records are loose paper in format, the collection also contains several bound volumes, photographs, prints, proof sheets,...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Mutual Assurance Company (Green Tree) records, 1784-1995 (inclusive)

Extent:: 455.0 linear feet
Abstract:: The Mutual Assurance Company for Insuring Houses from Loss by Fire was organized in Philadelphia in 1784, in order to make fire insurance available to those citizens who wished to have trees in front of their houses. A group of sixty-one men met on July 8, 1784 at the City (or London) Coffee House and agreed to create a new mutual fire insurance company. A deed of settlement was adopted and a green tree was selected as a symbol to appear on the company's policies and fire marks. The company archives of The Mutual Assurance Company, familiarly known as the Green Tree, consist of financial accounts and receipts, correspondence, histories, cancelled insurance surveys and policies, and miscellaneous material. The records date from the formation of the company in 1784 to 1995.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Morris Milgram papers, 1923-1994, undated (inclusive)

Extent:: 188.0 linear feet (; 480 boxes, 3 flat files)
Abstract:: This collection documents the carreer of Morris Milgram, builder and developer of integrated housing. The bulk of the collection consists of Milgram’s office files related to the funding and administration of his housing projects. Also included are records of his involvement with several political and activist groups, correspondence between Milgram and several family members, correspondence with his wives, and papers reflective of his relationship with poet, author, and civil rights advocate Pauli Murray.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Guild of Patient Account Management of Philadelphia and Vicinity records, 1958-1994, undated (Bulk, 1961-1989)

Extent:: 1.0 linear feet (; 3 boxes)
Abstract:

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Alice Simon collection on the Slovak Gymnastic Union Sokol of America, 1975-1985 (bulk) 1966-1993 (inclusive)

Extent:: 1.75 linear feet (; 13 boxes)
Abstract:: The Slovak Gymnastic Union Sokol of America (now Sokol USA), was established in 1896 as a non-sectarian fraternal benefit society that offered insurance and social and athletic programs to its members. The Alice Simon collection on the Slovak Gymnastic Union Sokol of America, 1966-1993, contains minutes, financial records, newsletters, correspondence, bylaws, printed material, and various objects related to the Slovak Gymnastic Union of America as well as one of the branch sokols: the Byram, Connecticut lodge. A portion of the collection also documents the Sokol Woodlands Summer Camp, a Sokol USA-sponsored summer camp held in Barryville, New York.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Frank McGlinn collection, 1950-1993 (bulk) 1835-1993 (inclusive)

Extent:: 52.0 linear feet (; 51 boxes, 10 flat files)
Abstract:: The Frank McGlinn collection consists of the ephemera collection and professional materials of Frank Cresson Potts McGlinn (1914-2000) who was a Philadelphia lawyer, corporate executive, humanitarian, museum trustee, and patron of the performing arts. He earned degrees from the University of North Carolina and the University of Pennsylvania Law School. During World War II, he served as a naval officer on a minesweeper and was awarded the Purple Heart in 1944. After the war, he worked as a legal counselor, a marketing executive for several banks, and a consultant for over forty years. Outside of his career, McGlinn was a prominent fundraiser for the Republican Party, serving on the Executive Committee of the Republican National Finance Committee. He was also active in various community organizations, but especially those associated with theater, throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. Among other institutions, he served on the boards for Walnut Street Theatre, Theatre of the Living...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Boies Penrose pictorial Philadelphia collection, 1852-1992 (inclusive)

Extent:: 17.3 linear feet (; 56 boxes)
Abstract:: Boies Penrose II (1902-1976) was a Philadelphia collector, writer and lecturer, and president of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. He established the Boies Penrose fund for the collecting of photographs of old Philadelphia. The Boies Penrose pictorial collection is one of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania's best collections on Philadelphia's architectural history. The photographs depict a wide variety of subjects. Of particular interest are the photographs of Old City buildings that were demolished to build the Ben Franklin Bridge as well as the area demolished to build the Convention Center. There are also a number of photographs of the Centennial International Exhibition in 1876.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Pennsylvania Abolition Society papers, 1751-1992, undated; bulk 1780-1930

Extent:: 40.0 linear feet (; 81 boxes, 60 volumes, 6 flat files)
Abstract:: Growing out of egalitarian concerns of members of the Society of Friends, the Pennsylvania Abolition Society, as it is now known, was founded in 1775 as the Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage, but the Revolution caused its early Quaker members to suspend operations until 1784, when it reorganized with a broader base. From the beginning, the Abolition Society's programs were devoted not only to the abolition of slavery, but to the social and economic improvement of Black Americans as well. This collection of records documents the Pennsylvania Abolition Society's history and its work from mid 1700s to the 1990s, and particularly during the 1800s, through minutes and reports, manumissions and indentures, correspondence, financial papers, and a significant assortment of miscellaneous papers from other anti-slavery and humanitarian organzations.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Mary Bye papers, 1974-1991 (bulk) 1969-1992, undated (inclusive)

Extent:: 5.6 linear feet (; 15 boxes, 4 flat files)
Abstract:: Mary Bye (1913-2002) was a Quaker activist who lived in rural Bucks County. She became involved in the anti-war movement during the 1960s. She was also active in causes relating to social justice and the environment. During the 1970s she became involved with anti-nuclear activism, and was a principal opponent of efforts to expand the nuclear facilities at Limerick, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere. Late in life she became increasingly concerned with environmental protection, famously attempting to save a stand of oak trees near her home from destruction. Her other major causes included Native American rights and a continuing devotion to the anti-war movement. She was a Convener of the Friends Environmental Working Group, a leading figure in the Central Bucks Clean Energy Collective and the Movement for a New Society, and a supporter of numerous local and national activist organizations. The Mary Bye papers consist of 5.6 linear feet of textual documents recording Mary Bye’s activist...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Elizabeth Wurster photographs of Philadelphia, circa 1975-1992

Extent:: 0.6 linear feet (; 2 boxes)
Abstract:

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Palmer Cemetery records, 1833-1888 (bulk) 1805-1992 (inclusive)

Extent:: 1.4 linear feet (; 1 box, 8 volumes)
Abstract:

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Marilyn and Edward Fernberger collection on Philadelphia professional and amateur tennis tournaments, 1962-1992

Extent:: 110.0 linear feet (; 78 boxes)
Abstract:: The Marilyn and Edward Fernberger collection on Philadelphia professional and amateur tennis tournaments, 1962-1992, consists of large amounts of tournament files for the U.S. Pro Indoor, the Virginia Slims of Philadelphia, and other tournaments, as well as scrapbooks, scorecards, photographs, posters, audio-visual materials, and ephemera for the Virginia Slims of Philadelphia tournament, the U.S. Pro Indoor, and other tournaments and tennis activities, including the Fernberger's involvement in local youth tennis.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Valley Mutual Insurance Company records, 1900-1985 (bulk) 1831-1991 (inclusive)

Extent:: 25.3 linear feet (; 42 boxes, 82 volumes)
Abstract:: The Valley Mutual Insurance Company was incorporated in 1963 in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, and was formed as the result of the merger of five small farmers’ mutual insurance companies in the Cumberland Valley region: Centennial Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Cumberland Valley Farmer’s Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Lurgan Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Franklin County, Franklin County Mutual Insurance Company, and Friendship Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Franklin County. These companies provided property insurance to homeowners, farm owners, and rural communities in Cumberland and Franklin Counties and the surrounding region. The Valley Mutual Insurance Company records consist of the administrative and financial materials of that company as well as those of the five companies out of which it merged. This collection includes extensive information on the administrative activities and governance of the companies as well as some materials on policyholders and their properties. The...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania records, 1959-1987 (bulk) 1867-1991 (inclusive)

Extent:: 134.6 linear feet (; 343 boxes)
Abstract:: The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania was established in 1920 as a successor organization to the Pennsylvania Woman Suffrage Association, with the purpose of providing "education to increase the effectiveness of women voters and to further better government." The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania records document the history of this organization from 1867 to 1980, but the bulk of the material dates from 1959 to 1977. The majority of the materials consists of minutes, newsletters, reports and memorabilia. There is a small amount of early material, particularly relating to the suffrage movement. Of particular interest may be the photographs of the 1915 Women's Liberty Bell Tour in support of the vote.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

William Curtis Bok and Nellie Lee Holt Bok papers, 1905-1984 (bulk) 1836-1991 (inclusive)

Extent:: 26.0 linear feet (; 70 boxes, 36 volumes)
Abstract:: This collection documents the personal and professional lives of William Curtis Bok (1897-1962) and Nellie Lee Holt Bok (1901-1984). Curtis Bok (he rarely went by "William") worked as a lawyer in Philadelphia and was elected to the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas and later to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. During his tenure on the Supreme Court he oversaw the famous obscenity case Commonwealth v. Gordon, which has yet to be overturned. He married twice, first to Margaret Adams Plummer in 1924, and then to Nellie Lee Holt in 1934. Nellie Lee was born in Nebraska and worked as an educator at Stephen's College, Columbia, Missouri. Between 1926 and 1927 she traveled around the world on behalf of the college interviewing various educational and religious leaders, including Mohandas Gandhi. She maintained a tradition of civic engagement throughout her life. The collection also documents to lives of their children (Curtis had three children with his first wife...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Max Weiner collection on Consumer Education and Protective Association records, 1962-1991, undated (inclusive)

Extent:: 9.6 linear feet (; 24 boxes, 1 flat file)
Abstract:: Max Weiner was the founder and executive director of the Consumer Education and Protective Association (CEPA), founded in 1966; this organization fought utility companies, public transportation companies, automotive companies, and other major parties in order to secure rights for consumers. Weiner and CEPA also spoke out about a number of socio-political issues, including political corruption and police brutality. Included in the collection are newspaper clippings, press releases, leaflets, pamphlets, and other printed materials regarding rallies and activities, newspapers and newsletters, correspondence, speeches, radio program scripts, reports, court documents, cartoons, transcripts of hearings, and information about the groups and companies that CEPA fought. There are also videotapes and audiotapes of Weiner's appearances on TV and radio programs. Weiner ran for office unsuccessfully a number of times on the Consumer Party ticket.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Mass transit and transportation collection, circa 1960-circa 1991

Extent:: 0.8 linear feet (; 2 boxes)
Abstract:

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Shigezo and Sonoko Iwata papers, 1942-1991

Extent:: 0.6 linear feet (0.6 linear feet, 2 boxes)
Abstract:: Shigezo Iwata was born in Japan and immigrated to the United States in 1924. Sonoko U. Iwata was born in Los Angeles. The couple made their home in Thermal, California where they farmed and Shigezo was secretary of the Thermal Farmers' Cooperative Association. Separated in the initial part of World War II when Shigezo was arrested and detained by the FBI at the Lordsburg Internment Camp (New Mexico), the Iwatas were reunited in 1943 at the Colorado River Relocation Center near Poston, Arizona. The collection contains letters between the Iwatas and their friends detailing life in the relocation center and the internment camp. There are also personal documents and biographical materials.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Woodlands Cemetery Company papers, 1798-1990 (inclusive)

Extent:: 66.5 linear feet (50 boxes; 152 volumes; 1 flat file drawer)
Abstract:: The Woodlands Cemetery was founded in 1840 on the grounds of the Woodlands estate, formerly belonging to famed Philadelphia lawyer Andrew Hamilton (c. 1676 - 1741) and heavily renovated by his grandson, William Hamilton (1745-1813). Soon after its founding, the cemetery became a popular burial spot for prominent Philadelphia men and women. The historic mansion and carefully tended grounds also made it a frequently used public recreation spot. The cemetery is still functioning as of 2012. This collection documents the growth and activities of the cemetery from its founding in 1840 into the 1990s. It contains administrative materials, financial records, correspondence, burial records, deeds to land in West Philadelphia, deeds to burial lots, blueprints and maps of the cemetery grounds, and a small number of photographs. The heart of this collection is burial records and correspondence about burial lot maintenance, although there is also a good deal of Woodlands Cemetery Company...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

John Neagle papers and related items, 1818-circa 1926, 1990, bulk 1820-1860

Extent:: 1.2 linear feet (1 box, 7 volumes)
Abstract:: John Neagle (1796-1865) worked mostly as a portrait painter during the first half of the nineteenth century. Born in Boston, he worked primarily out of Philadelphia and studied under Thomas Sully. This collection of his papers and related items consists mostly of volumes and cased photographs. Among the collection items are his student notebook, personal blotter, listing of loaned items, and scrapbooks. There are also thirteen daguerreotypes and an assortment of miscellaneous engravings.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Price family papers, 1840-1990 (inclusive)

Extent:: 8.0 linear feet (8 boxes; 2 volumes)
Abstract:: This collection contains the papers of various members of the Price family, as separated from the Woodlands Cemetery Company papers (collection 3661). The main family members documented in this collection are Eli Kirk Price (1797-1884), John Sergeant Price (1831-1897), Eli Kirk Price II (1860-1933), Philip Price (1898-1989), Eli Kirk Price III (April 25, 1904-1976), and Philip Price Jr. (1934- ). Most of the members of this family were lawyers, and all were very involved in Philadelphia civic, cultural, and charity organizations. The personal materials in this collection favor the civic and charity work of the Price family members, especially work done with the Fairmount Park Commission. Aside from the Fairmount Park materials, this collection is mostly estate information, documenting the administration of the Price family estates.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Beatty J. Smith collection of Smith family papers, 1769-1989, undated

Extent:: 5.7 linear feet (; 15 boxes)
Abstract:

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

J.B. Lippincott Company records, 1833-1988 (inclusive)

Extent:: 149.7 linear feet (; 93 boxes, 768 volumes)
Abstract:: J. B. Lippincott Company was an American publishing house founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1836 by Joshua B. Lippincott. Joshua Lippincott's company began by selling Bibles and other religious works and then successfully expanded into trade books, which became the largest portion of the business. In 1849, Lippincott acquired Grigg, Elliot and Company, a major book distribution company. The acquisition helped make the company one of the largest publishers in the United States. In the 1950s the company expanded production of its successful line of medical and nursing books and journals. The company was sold to Harper and Row in 1978, but Joshua Lippincott's great-grandson Joseph Wharton Lippincott Jr. remained on the Board of Directors until 1987. In 1990, the company was acquired by the Dutch corporation Wolters Kluwer, which initated a series of mergers. First, Lippincott was combined with Raven Publishers in 1995 to form Lippincott-Raven, which was then merged with...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Kirk & Nice, Inc. records, 1831-1988, undated (inclusive)

Extent:: 36.88 linear feet (; 4 boxes, 148 volumes )
Abstract:: Kirk & Nice, Inc. is recognized as the United States' oldest continuously operating funeral establishment. Founded in Germantown, Pennsylvania, in 1761 by Jacob Knorr, originally the business was a carpenter shop that specialized in building furniture. Only on occasion was the request made for Mr. Knorr to construct a coffin. The Civil War and death of Abraham Lincoln in 1865 revolutionized funeral services by popularizing the process of embalming the deceased along with encouraging citizens to outwardly mourn the passing of loved ones. In 1869 Jacob Knorr's business was re-named Kirk & Nice, after Benjamin R. Kirk and William Nice. During the 1860s and 1870s the carpentry shop gradually changed focus to funeral services, and the company continues to offer services to the residents of Philadelphia at two locations: Kirk & Nice, Inc. at George Washington Park in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, and Kirk & Nice Suburban Chapel Inc. at Sunset Memorial Park in Feasterville, Pennsylvania....(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Joseph F. Lockard papers, 1928-1988 (inclusive)

Extent:: 13.3 linear feet (; 30 boxes)
Abstract:: Joseph F. Lockard worked in Philadelphia for the Democratic City Committee during the 1950s and 1960s. By signing up non-registered voters as Democrats, Lockard was instrumental in building the Democratic "machine" that assisted party leaders get elected during the 1960s. Lockard worked as administrative assistant to U.S. Representative William J. Green Jr. and maintained ties to many political players, such as Joseph S. Clark, Richardson Dilworth, Natalie Saxe Randall, Judge Charles Weiner, and Congressman Joshua Eilberg. Lockard later obtained a political science degree from Temple University and formed his own political consulting firm, Lockard Associates. The Joseph F. Lockard papers are primarily composed of papers describing his involvement in Pennsylvania politics, with particular attention to Philadelphia. Materials include correspondence, memos, reports, and clippings. There are numerous subject files that contain a wealth of information on city issues, politicians, and...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Gibbon family correspondence, 1890-1930 (bulk) 1784-1987 (inclusive)

Extent:: 9.2 linear feet (; 16 boxes)
Abstract:: The Gibbon family correspondence dates from 1808 to 1987 and contains the letters, postcards, and related material of the family of Dr. John Heysham Gibbon. Dr. Gibbon was a Philadelphia surgeon and professor at Jefferson Medical College, who also served as an Army surgeon in France during World War I. He was the son of Dr. Robert Gibbon of Charlotte, North Carolina and the grandson of John Heysham Gibbon and Catherine Lardner Gibbon, originally of Philadelphia. Through Catherine, the Gibbon family was related to the Biddle family of Philadelphia. Dr. John Gibbon was also the nephew of Civil War general John Gibbon and the son-in-law of another, Samuel Baldwin Marks Young. The majority of the collection consists of loose handwritten correspondence to and from members of the immediate Gibbon family as well as some of their extended relations. Included with these letters are a number of photographs, postcards, pencil drawings, and other assorted ephemera. This collection documents...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

John Wanamaker collection, 1827-1987 (inclusive)

Extent:: 193.2 linear feet (; 316 volumes, 438 boxes)
Abstract:: John Wanamaker (1838-1922) was a well-known merchant, entrepreneur, and lifelong resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was active in the city's religious, political, and philanthropic areas, founded several Presbyterian churches and Sunday schools, and served as postmaster general under President Benjamin Harrison from 1889 to 1893. He opened his first Philadelphia clothing store, Oak Hall, with partner Nathan Brown in 1861, and founded John Wanamaker and Co. in 1869. In 1876, he opened "A New Kind of Store" known as the Grand Depot at Thirteenth and Market Streets. This store later became the flagship store, with satellite stores eventually established in central and southeastern Pennsylvania, as well as New Jersey, Delaware, and New York City. Wanamaker was at the forefront in many areas of retailing including merchandising, employee relations and advertising. His sons Thomas B. Wanamaker and L. Rodman Wanamaker were also active in the business. Thomas ran John Wanamaker and...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Indian Rights Association records, 1830-1986, undated (inclusive)

Extent:: 185.5 linear feet (476 boxes; 38 volumes; 1 flat file)
Abstract:: Beginning in 1882 the Indian Rights Association was one of the most important organizations establishing and influencing American Indian policy in the 20th century. The records of the organization span from its origins to the 1980s and include correspondence, research papers, administrative files, photographs, publications, and papers of Herbert Welsh, one of its founders.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Emergency Aid of Pennsylvania records, 1889-1984 (inclusive)

Extent:: 70.8 linear feet (; 137 boxes, 34 volumes, 3 unboxed items)
Abstract:: Emergency Aid of Pennsylvania is a women’s volunteer organization that was founded by eight Philadelphia women in 1914. Its early efforts included foreign relief during World Wars I and II, combatting the 1918-1920 influenza pandemic, and providing help to people in the Philadelphia region experiencing poverty, unemployment, illness, or disability. The Emergency Aid of Pennsylvania records date from 1889 to 1984, with bulk dates of 1914 to 1978, and document the organization’s evolution from war-time relief efforts to philanthropic community service and grant-giving.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Frederick M. Yost collection on John Wanamaker's department store publicity, 1949-1980 (bulk) 1863-1984 (inclusive)

Extent:: 22.0 linear feet (; 45 boxes, 11 volumes, 94 flat files)
Abstract:: This collection chronicles several decades of displays and promotions at John Wanamaker's department store, much of it under the supervision of Frederick M. Yost. Yost began working at Wanamaker's in 1948. From 1952 to 1965 he was in charge of sales promotions, and in 1965 became the corporate vice president. Yost's background included theater and lighting design. The collection includes papers and scrapbooks documenting public relations, advertising, special events, and store design and display. Also included are internal office memos, photographs of displays and their construction, architectural drawings and blue prints, news clippings, and many materials pertaining to the elaborate Christmas displays and light shows that were a tradition at Wanamaker's.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

League of Women Voters of Philadelphia records, 1920-1984 (inclusive)

Extent:: 39.8 linear feet (89 boxes)
Abstract:: The League of Women Voters (LWV) was established in 1919, to help educate women on the civic responsibilities of voting. In addition to its primary focus of educating the public during elections, the LWV quickly extended its program, taking positions on several national issues, especially the legal status of women; foreign policy, like the institution of the United Nations and the Marshall Plan; as well as the on-going debate over the taxation of margarine. Locally, chapters were involved in public issues such as child care, city management, housing, public education and public health. The Philadelphia chapter communicated with the national and state League organizations, politicians, civic leaders, and organizations. The League of Women Voters of Philadelphia records include administrative documents and organizational papers for the Philadelphia branch of the League of Women Voters. The collection, which dates from 1920 to 1984, consists of materials from the national, state, and...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Philadelphia records, 1857-1984

Extent:: 14.25 linear feet (; 16 boxes)
Abstract:: The records of the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Philadelphia document a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and collection of coins, medals, and other antiquities. The records include minutes, membership records, correspondence, inventories, information on operating expenses, preinted materails, photographs, and other items. Most of the collection is unprocessed.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Newbold, Griscom, and Wysong families papers, 1727-1983, undated

Extent:: 6.2 linear feet (; 15 boxes, 1 flat file)
Abstract:

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Maria SS.ma del Soccorso di Sciacca Lodge of Norristown records, 1904-1983 (inclusive)

Extent:: 1.2 linear feet (; 13 volumes, 1 folder)
Abstract:: The Maria SS.ma del Soccorso di Sciacca Lodge of Norristown, Pa., founded in 1904, is a beneficial organization that provides sick and death benefits to its members. Membership is open to people belonging to the Roman Catholic Church who are either Sicilian or of Sicilian descent. The collection contains thirteen volumes including financial records, sick benefit records, and minutes of the society during the years of 1904 to 1983. There is also one folder of miscellaneous records.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Charles S. Cox letters and printed matter, 1926-1983 (bulk 1926-1929, 1944-1945)

Extent:: 3.0 linear feet (; 6 boxes)
Abstract:: The Charles S. Cox letters and printed matter consist of over 600 letters, postcards, and a few telegrams from Cox to his wife during their courtship and first years of marriage in the late 1920s, as well as during Cox's time in the Navy during World War II. During the war Charles served in the United States Navy as a motor machinist's mate on the USS Mona Island. The USS Mona Island was one of many ships anchored in Buckner Bay, Japan, in 1945. There are also some letters from Cox's wife and friends, newspaper clippings, and other printed matter in the collection. Charles Stanley Cox (1906-1992) was born April 18, 1906, in Eaglesmere, Sullivan County, Pennsylvania. Charles married Margaret Elizabeth Strauser (1907-1985) on March 17, 1928. Prior to enlisting in World War II, Charles worked at a lumber company and a rubber company. He died on April 22, 1992.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Societatea Banateana-Vasile Alecsandri records, 1906-1982 (inclusive)

Extent:: 4.2 linear feet (; 54 volumes, 1 flat file)
Abstract:: Founded in 1906 by immigrants to Philadelphia from the province of Banat in southwestern Romania, the Societatea Banateana was one of the first Romanian-American beneficial and cultural organizations created in the United States. In 1913, it merged with Vasile Alecsandri, a similar society that was founded in 1912, and formed Societatea Banateana-Vasile Alecsandri. Like many other ethnic organizations of the time period, the society offered social opportunities and economic relief for its members. Through the society, members enjoyed cultural events that celebrated Romanian heritage, and the society also provided its members with sick and death benefits. The society was also responsible for the establishment of Philadelphia’s first Romanian Orthodox parish, Descent of the Holy Ghost Romanian Orthodox Church (known today as Descent of the Holy Spirit Romanian Orthodox Church). The society’s headquarters was located on the northwest corner of Third and Brown Streets in Old Fellows...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Historical Society of Pennsylvania collection of World War II papers, 1938-1948 (bulk) 1920-1981 (inclusive)

Extent:: 46.0 linear feet (97 boxes; 38 volumes)
Abstract:: In late 1942, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania solicited materials to form an artificial collection to document the war effort of a number of community and social service agencies in Philadelphia. The bulk of the material donated came from the Office of War Information, the Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies, and the United Service Organization of Philadelphia. Smaller donations were made by other community organizations and volunteers such as Mrs. Weber, a member of St. Mark's church who corresponded with servicemen. The collection, which dates from 1938 to 1948, consists of press releases, administrative records, correspondence, financial records, photographs, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, posters, and ephemera.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Fenton and Remak families papers, 1844-1942 (bulk) 1821-1980 (inclusive)

Extent:: 4.5 linear feet (; 14 boxes, 6 volumes, 2 flat files)
Abstract:: This collection relates primarily to two local Philadelphia families, the Fentons and the Remaks, that were joined with the 1885 marriage of Thomas H. Fenton and Lizzie Remak. Several family members are highlighted in the collection, in particular Lizzie's mother, Susan M. Scott Remak, and Thomas and Lizzie's daughters, Doris and Beatrice Fenton. The collection is rich in genealogical source material and family documents, correspondence, and photographs. There are also scattered clippings, printed matter, glass slides and negatives, and several volumes.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Oliver H. Bair Company records, 1920-1980 (inclusive)

Extent:: 396.4 linear feet (; 991 boxes)
Abstract:: The Oliver H. Bair Company was founded in 1878 with the intent to offer the best service possible for families that had to make funeral arrangements for their deceased loved ones. Originating at 41 North Eighteenth Street in Philadelphia, the funeral home's most well-known location was at 1820 Chestnut Street, and it now operates from 8500 West Chester Pike in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, as a member of Oliver H. Bair Company & Monaghan Funeral Home. The collection contains records dated from 1920-1980 and includes records not only from Oliver H. Bair Company, but also from five other funeral homes that operated in Philadelphia and were purchased by the Oliver H. Bair Company. The burial records include information on the deceased, bills pertaining to funeral expenses, newspaper clippings, and correspondence between Oliver H. Bair and the person responsible for the payment for the deceased's funeral.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Marriott C. Morris collection on cycling, 1881-1897 (bulk) 1881-1980 (inclusive)

Extent:: 2.7 linear feet (; 15 boxes)
Abstract:: Marriott C. Morris (1863-1948) was a resident of the Germantown section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who attended Haverford College. He was an avid cyclist and accomplished photographer. The Marriot C. Morris collection on cycling, 1881-1980 (bulk 1881-1897), consists of materials that Morris collected regarding cycling and cycling organizations, including various published materials and ephemera. The collection also contains scrapbooks, photographs, journal entries from cycling trips taken by Morris, including a trip to Europe, and other materials.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Collection of matchbook covers from Pennsylvania establishments, circa 1930-1980

Extent:: 0.2 linear feet (; 159 items)
Abstract:

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Collection of matchbook covers from Pennsylvania establishments, circa 1890, circa 1930-1980

Extent:: 0.2 linear feet (; 241 items)
Abstract:

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Eugene S. Richardson, Jr., genealogical research materials, 1807-1980

Extent:: 7.0 linear feet (7 linear feet, 10 boxes, )
Abstract:: Eugene S. Richardson, Jr., was the Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, Illinois. The collection consists of genealogical research files on the Richardson family and allied families. There is also a significant amount of research on the Netherlands Antilles and family members who settled there. Materials include: photocopies of newspapers articles, correspondence regarding the research (and some personal correspondence), printed materials, family charts, photocopies of 18th and 19th century documents, calling cards and invitations from the 19th century, photographs, and a very detailed card file of information on various family members. Two significant older items are "Richardson's journal, 1807," which has been photocopied and transcribed, and a notebook titled "Records" that describes family-related events in the 18th and 19th centuries. There is a separate card file documenting the chronology of the Netherlands Antilles, as well...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

James D. B. Weiss, Jr. collection of hospital and miscellaneous genealogical records, 1851-1914 (bulk) 1845-1979 (inclusive)

Extent:: 1.8 linear feet (; 6 boxes, 1 volume)
Abstract:

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Gilbert And Joseph Cope genealogical research materials, 1908-1968 (bulk) 1729-1979 (inclusive)

Extent:: 22.4 linear feet (; 49 boxes, 11 volumes)
Abstract:: Gilbert Cope (1840-1928) was a well-known Quaker genealogist and local historian who compiled comprehensive genealogical records of Pennsylvania families. Cope was one of the founders of the Chester County Historical Society and served it as secretary, director, and honorary director. He was a member of the Friends’ Historical Association and a corresponding member of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and the New England Historic Genealogical Society. In 1912, he was elected an honorary member of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania and became one of its honorary vice presidents in 1924. Additionally, he served as president of the Pennsylvania Federation of Historical Societies from 1911 to 1912, overseeing 75 historical organizations in Pennsylvania. Gilbert’s son Joseph Cope continued his father’s work, augmenting the Cope family’s genealogy and those of other prominent families. Gilbert Cope’s collections were acquired by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and the...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Leon and Beatrice M. Gardiner collection, 1822-1979 (inclusive)

Extent:: 1.5 linear feet (; 4 boxes, 1 volume)
Abstract:: The Leon and Beatrice M. Gardiner collection, though small in size, spans over one hundred and fifty years of African American history. Gardiner, a historian and postal worker, was from Atlantic City, New Jersey, but lived most of his life in Philadelphia. He was an avid collector of African American ephemera, clippings, and other memorabilia. He died in 1945 at the age of 47 and his wife Beatrice M. Gardiner continued his collection. In addition to a few folders of personal papers and correspondence, the collection contains ephemera, essays, and an 1881 notebook from one Julia Buchanan. There are also several folders of newspaper clippings that focus on African American people, institutions, events, and achievements, and many photographs.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Dick, Brisbane, and Harris families papers, 1803-1978, undated (bulk 1820-1866)

Extent:: 2.2 linear feet (; 3 boxes, 5 volumes)
Abstract:

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

French Benevolent Society of Philadelphia records, 1804-1977

Extent:: 12.3 linear feet (; 29 boxes)
Abstract:: The French Benevolent Society was founded in Philadelphia in 1793. The society serves indigents of French descent and provides scholarships to local students of French extraction. The records include minutes, correspondence, financial and membership records, case files, histories, and uncataloged photographs.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Nellie Rathbone Bright family papers, 1885-1977

Extent:: 1.0 linear feet (; 2 boxes, 1 volume, 2 flat files)
Abstract:: Nellie Rathbone Bright, born in Savannah, Georgia, in 1898, was the only child of the Rev. Richard Bright and his wife, Nellie (Jones) Bright. Despite segregation barriers, the African American Bright family attained educational levels surpassing those of the general population of their generation. Rev. Bright, assigned to the Episcopal diocese in Savannah, Georgia, in 1891, was appointed two decades later to a Philadelphia parish and moved his family to that city. A student of Philadelphia public schools, Nellie Rathbone Bright qualified as a grade school teacher with a special certificate for sewing in 1916. She then entered the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1923 with a B.A. in English. Single all her life, Bright spent her entire career as a teacher and then principal in the Philadelphia school system. Her efforts as an educator, spanning more than thirty years, focused not only on the schools but also on the housing and neighborhoods in which her students lived. In...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Belfield papers, 1697-1977 (inclusive)

Extent:: 106.0 linear feet (235 boxes and 99 volumes)
Abstract:: The Belfield papers include materials from families who lived in the Belfield mansion in Germantown, Pennsylvania from 1826 until 1984; however, the papers span the years 1679 to 1977. Featured individuals include William and Sarah Logan Fisher Wister, their son John Wister and his wife, Sarah Tyler Boas Wister, their granddaughter Sarah Logan Wister Starr and her husband, James Starr, and their great-granddaughter S. Logan Starr Blain and her husband, Dr. Daniel Blain. The collection also houses papers from related individuals in the Emlen, Fisher, Hall, Lindley, Logan, Meigs, Wister, and other families. This collection includes correspondence, financial records, ephemera, photographs, scrapbooks, pamphlets, periodicals, and other items. Topics that are particularly well documented in the Belfield papers include: Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania; Colonial Dames of America; the Sesquicentennial Exposition; stamp collecting; world travel during the Great Depression;...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Slovak Gymnastic Union Sokol Lodges No. 93 and No. 66W (Bethlehem, Pa.) printed matter and photographs, 1965-1975 (bulk) 1922-1976 (inclusive)

Extent:: 0.25 linear feet (; 1 half-sized document box)
Abstract:: The Sokol movement began in the Czech region of Europe in 1862 and was brought to the United States by Eastern European immigrants shortly after. A fraternal benefit society that also offered athletic and social activities to its members, Slovak Gymnastic Union Sokol Lodge 93 was established in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in 1905. A women's lodge, Slovak Gymnastic Union Sokol Lodge 66W was added in the 1910s. Both of these lodges were active into at least the 1970s. The Slovak Gymnastic Union Sokol Lodges No. 93 and No. 66W (Bethlehem, Pa.) printed matter and photographs, 1922-1976, document the activities of lodges 93 and 66W and include images of members and activities, programs from conventions, newsletter articles, and other materials.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Elizabeth Sandwith Drinker diaries, 1758-1807, 1975, undated

Extent:: 1.5 linear feet (; 4 boxes, 41 volumes)
Abstract:: The diaries of Elizabeth Sandwith Drinker highlight the life of a Quaker woman living in Philadelphia in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Between 1758 and 1807, Drinker fastidiously wrote in her journals, usually about her family and their health and well being. Occassionaly, she also detailed medical practices and her own moral standards. She discussed major events insofar as they affected her family, such as the Revolutionary War and the 1793 Yellow Fever outbreak. As a member of the famous merchant family, the Drinkers, she also came in contact with many other well-known families, including the Shippens, Whartons, and Rawles, and such encounters are often noted. The collection includes her original diaries, as well as typescripts of excerpts from them and photocopies of the diaries from the years 1797 to 1807.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Historical Society of Pennsylvania cartoons and caricatures collection, (1754-1975, undated; bulk 1860-1880)

Extent:: 3.6 linear feet (; 12 boxes, 2 flat files)
Abstract:: The Historical Society of Pennsylvania's cartoons and caricatures collection spans almost two hundred years of imagery mostly lampooning local, national, and international political issues. Comprising the collection are reproductions of eighteenth century cartoons, prints and clippings of nineteenth and twentieth century cartoons, and a number of original drawings of cartoons that appears in newspapers during the mid 1930s. The collection is particularly strong in Civil War cartoons from 1861 to 1862 and 1864 and cartoons from the 1868 presidential campaign.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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