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Start Over Subject Local history Place Chester County (Pa.) Year 1900 to 1949

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Stinson Markley family papers, circa 1850-1995

Extent:
20.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Stinson Markley (1898-1995) was a prominent farmer, conservationist, and historian in Charlestown Township, Pennsylvania. He also was a founding member of the Charlestown Historical Society. Stinson's wife, Kathryn Donahue Markley (1903-1981), was a well known educator and elementary school principal in the same region. The Stinson Markley family papers, circa 1850-1995, contain material relating to Stinson Markley's farming operations, personal life, and interests and hobbies; Kathryn Donahue Markley's personal and professional life; and others in the Markley, Donahue, and Kerk families. The collection includes numerous photographs and slides, personal papers, farming business records, scrapbooks, and printed materials.

Held at: Charlestown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Jane L. S. Davidson research files for "A History of Downingtown", 1914-1985 (bulk 1981)

Extent:
1.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Jane L. S. Davidson (1939-2012) of Chester County, Pennsylvania was an award-winning advocate for historic preservation, long-time Chester County Historic Preservation Coordinator, and co-founder of the Chester County Historic Preservation Network. The Jane L. S. Davidson research files for "A History of Downingtown," 1914-1985 (bulk 1981), consist of research materials and notes used by Davidson to write A History of Downingtown (1982).

Held at: Downingtown Area Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Downingtown Area Historical Society General Archives collection, 1843-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
20.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Borough of Downingtown, Chester County, Pennsylvania is located halfway between Philadelphia and Lancaster. Known as Milltown in the 18th century since it was the location of the last mills on the edge of the unsettled western frontier, the village became known as Downingtown after the War of 1812; the borough was incorporated in 1859. Improved transportation, by stagecoach, railroad, and eventually highways, drew increasing population and investment to Downingtown over the 19th and 20th centuries. The Downingtown Area Historical Society General Archives collection, 1843-2012, consists of various small accumulations of records (less than one linear foot) from businesses, clubs, organizations, individuals, and families based in or near Downingtown.

Held at: Downingtown Area Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Worrall and John family papers and business records, 1830-1939 (inclusive)

Extent:
4.0 linear feet
Abstract:
During the 1840s, Sharpless Worrall moved with his family to Sugartown in Willistown Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, where he took over ownership of a general store and served as postmaster for 20 years. Upon his retirement, Worrall's son-in-law Hillery John took over the store, which he ran until his death. At that point it was taken over by Hillery's son, Clyde B. John, who eventually turned the business into an antiques shop. Worrall and John family papers and business records, 1830-1939, primarily consist of the business records of the general store under all three owners as well personal and family papers relating to the Worrall and John families.

Held at: Historic Sugartown, Inc. [Contact Us]

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Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area photograph and film collection, circa 1880-2013

Extent:
36.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Phoenixville, which was incorporated as a borough in 1849 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, evolved from an early 18th century village. The history of the town largely mirrored the history of the Phoenix Iron Company which became hugely successful in the mid-19th century with the advent of the railroad. The Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area photograph and film collection, circa 1880-2013, consists primarily of photographic prints, with some slides, picture postcards, film negatives, photograph albums, a few glass plate negatives, and 16mm film reels that document various aspects of Phoenixville's history.

Held at: Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area [Contact Us]

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Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area local manuscripts collection, circa 1800-2000

Extent:
27.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Phoenixville, which was incorporated as a borough in 1849 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, evolved from a late-17th century village. The history of the town largely mirrored the history of the Phoenix Iron Company which became hugely successful in the mid-19th century with the advent of the railroad. The Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area local manuscripts collection, circa 1800-2000, includes various original manuscript materials relating to the people, families, organizations, and businesses in the Phoenixville area.

Held at: Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area [Contact Us]

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Malvern Historical Commission historic property research files, 1970-2015 (bulk) 1889-2015 (inclusive)

Extent:
6.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Around the time of the United States bicentennial, the Chester County (Pennsylvania) Commissioners formed a partnership with the Chester County Historical Society, the Brandywine Conservancy and many volunteers to organize a Chester County Historic Sites Survey. This survey, conducted between 1979 and 1982, included all of Chester County except for the Boroughs of West Chester and Downingtown (which initiated separate survey projects around this time). The Malvern Historical Commission historic property files, 1889-2015 (bulk 1970-2015), consist of research compiled on historic homes in Malvern, including deed research, maps, atlases, and historic property survey forms that were originally created as part of the Chester County Historic Sites Survey. The collection is arranged into three series: I. Subject files, II. Property files, and III. Oversized materials.

Held at: Malvern Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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Spring-Ford Area Historical Society local history collection, 1880-1960 (bulk) 1789-2000 bulk, 1880-1960 (inclusive)

Extent:
34.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Previously a sparsely-settled farming area, early development in Spring City (Chester County, Pennsylvania) and adjacent Royersford (Montgomery County, Pennsylvania) coincided with the opening of the Schuylkill Navigation Canal in 1824. Industry in the two towns continued to grow during the 19th century, especially with the construction of major rail lines through both. By the early 20th century, Spring City and Royersford were booming industrial towns with extensive stove factories, glass and bottle works, and embroidery, hosiery, and knitting mills, among other businesses. The Spring-Ford Area Historical Society local history collection, 1789-2000 (bulk 1880-1960), consists of photographs, scrapbooks, manuscript volumes, pamphlets and ephemera, deeds, and various other documents relating to local history. Photographs form the largest portion of the collection.

Held at: Spring-Ford Area Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Brower family papers, circa 1750-1950s

Extent:
12.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Mennonites Hubert and Anna Brower left Germany and emigrated to Chester County, Pennsylvania in 1726. They settled in Coventry (now, East Coventry Township). Hubert and Anna's son, Henry Brower (1720-1784) purchased land and established a family farm in the Parker Ford area of Coventry. His descendents, many of who were farmers, doctors, and ministers, resided in this area of Chester County for several generations. The Brower family papers, circa 1750-1950s, consist of financial, legal, and property documents; letters; family records and genealogy research; school records and teacher certificates; photographs and scrapbooks; newspaper clippings, printed matter, and ephemera; and other materials. There are small amounts of materials from other families that are connected to the Brower family. Individuals well-represented in the collection include M. Bertha Brower (1900-2000), Dr. William Brower (1842-1919), Abraham Brower, and David Stiteler Taylor (1832-1925) and his second wife,...(see more)

Held at: Tri-County Heritage Society [Contact Us]

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Upper Uwchlan Township Historic Commission local history collection, 1829-2005 (inclusive)

Extent:
17.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Upper Uwchlan Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, was established in 1858 when it broke off from Uwchlan Township. Its boundaries include the historic district of Byers Station and the Wheelen House (Fellowship Farm), a Georgian-style farmhouse built in the mid 18th century. Remaining a rural community for most of its existence, Upper Uwchlan experienced large population growth beginning in the 1980s, leading to an increase in area development and the construction of several new subdivisions. The Upper Uwchlan Township Historic Commission local history collection, 1829-2005, contains a mix of primary- and secondary-source materials relating to the people, buildings, property, organizations, and other aspects of Upper Uwchlan Township. The collection is organized into four series: I. Manuscripts (organized by family/donor), II. Property files (organized by location), III. Subject files (organized into sub-groupings: people, clippings by date, and other), and IV. Subject binders.

Held at: Upper Uwchlan Township Historic Commission [Contact Us]

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