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Westtown School records, 1799-2013 (bulk) 1682-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
600.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Westtown School in Chester County, Pennsylvania is the oldest continuously operating coeducational boarding school in the United States. It was founded by the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in 1799 with the goal of educating Quaker children in an environment that fostered moral development consistent with their religious ideals. The Westtown School records, 1682-2013 (bulk 1799-2013), include records created by Westtown Boarding School, including its various administrative offices, Board of Trustees, faculty, and students. It is organized into nine series: "19th century records," "20th century records," "Board of Trustees," "Farm and Orchard," "Student papers," "Westtown Old Scholars Association and Westtown Alumni Association," "Subject files," "Special formats," and "Publications." Inventories for some sections of the collection are available on site.

Held at: Westtown School Archives [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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West Caln Township Historical Commission local history collection, 1990-2013 (bulk) 1851-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
10.0 linear feet
Abstract:
West Caln Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, was officially recognized as a Township in 1744. The area developed due to its location along what was known as Kings Highway (now Route 340), the main road between Philadelphia and Lancaster. The West Caln Township Historical Commission local history collection, 1851-2013 (bulk 1990-2013), consists mostly of secondary-source materials such as newspaper clippings, photocopies, and research notes, with some original documents including maps, photographs, letters, oral histories, and deeds. The collection documents various West Caln Township individuals, families, organizations, and properties. It is organized based on document type and subject: "I. Subject files," "II. Obituaries," "III. Genealogy reference," "IV. Census records," "V. Deeds," "VI. Tax records," "VII. House histories," "VIII. Audiovisual materials," "IX. Photographs," "X. Maps," and "XI. Local manuscripts."

Held at: West Caln Township Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area subject files, circa 1850-2013

Extent:
53.0 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 subject files, circa 1850-2013, consist primarily of photocopied primary-source documents, newspaper clippings, and research articles that relate to numerous aspects of Phoenixville's history. It also contains a fair amount of original documents, principally pamphlets, small printed works, and ephemera, as well as some photographs, deeds, and manuscript pages. The collection is organized into series and subseries by subject; the largest series are Genealogy and Phoenix Iron Company / Phoenix Steel Company.

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

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Kennett Township Historical Commission oral histories, 1987-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The first recorded mention of "Kennett Township" in Chester County, Pennsylvania is from 1705. An abolitionist stronghold, Kennett was popular with freedom-seekers escaping slavery prior to the Civil War due to the presence of progressive Quakers and a community of free blacks that was established as early as 1830. Later, the Kennett area became known for producing more than half of the mushrooms consumed in the United States. The Kennett Township Historical Commission oral histories, 1987-2013, consist of cassette tape recordings of the recollections of about thirty members of the Kennett Township community.

Held at: Kennett Township Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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Malvern Historical Commission records, circa 1980s-2013

Extent:
2.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Malvern Historical Commission in Malvern, Chester County, Pennsylvania was established by an ordinance of the Malvern Borough Council in 1983 to identify the various historic or otherwise significant structures, locations, and sites in Malvern and preserve them. The Malvern Historical Commission records, 1980s-2013, consist of administrative records from the Malvern Historical Commission and reference materials used by the organization during the course of its work.

Held at: Malvern Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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Malvern Historical Commission photographs, slides, and negatives, 2001-2012 (bulk) 1954-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.5 linear feet
Abstract:
In the 17th century, Welsh immigrants settled in the area that would later be known as Malvern, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Originally part of Willistown Township as a village called West Chester Intersection, the village was renamed Malvern in 1873 and incorporated in 1889 as the Borough of Malvern, formally separating it from Willistown Township. As of 2015, the Borough of Malvern remains a small town with a railway station and a variety of cultural and civic organizations, and as a result of recent revitalization efforts, boasts a wide assortment of local shops in its business district. The Malvern Historical Commission photographs, slides, and negatives, 1954-2012 (bulk 2001-2012), consist of photographs, slides, and negatives pertaining to people, organizations, and events in Malvern, taken primarily by members of the Malvern Historical Commission.

Held at: Malvern Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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Malvern Historical Commission oral histories, 1978-1989, 2000-2012

Extent:
4.0 linear feet
Abstract:
In the 17th century, Welsh immigrants settled in the area that would later be known as Malvern, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Originally part of Willistown Township as a village called West Chester Intersection, the village was renamed Malvern in 1873 and incorporated in 1889 as the Borough of Malvern, formally separating it from Willistown Township. The Malvern Historical Commission oral histories, 1978-1989, 2000-2012, consist of about fifty oral histories conducted by the Malvern Historical Commission during the 1980s and 2000s with residents or former residents of Malvern discussing their memories of the Borough and family members.

Held at: Malvern Historical Commission [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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Spring-Ford Area Historical Society digital collection, circa 2000-2012

Extent:
50.0 gb
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 digital collection, circa 2000-2012, consists of over 30,000 digital images of various documents, particularly photographs and postcards, relating to Spring City and Royersford, Pennsylvania local history. Some, but not all, of the original items are owned by the Spring-Ford Area Historical Society.

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

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Will-Britt Books genealogy research files and books, 1965-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
44.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Mildred C. Williams and Janet R. Brittingham were genealogists who together self-published genealogy histories and genealogy-source transcripts, primarily focusing on Southeastern Pennsylvania, under the name Will-Britt Books. The Will-Britt Books genealogy research files and books, 1965-2012, consist of the working files, publications, and reference materials from the offices of Will-Britt Books. It is organized into three series: I. Genealogy research files; II. Will-Britt Books publications; and III. Reference materials and administrative records.

Held at: Doylestown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Spring-Ford Area Historical Society subject files, circa 1880s-2012

Extent:
45.0 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 subject files, circa 1880s-2012, document various topics of local interest. The collection mostly contains photocopies, with some original materials, such as newspaper clippings, photographs, research notes, narrative histories, cemetery records and indexes, obituaries, and family histories. Major categories include: burial records, church histories and sacramental...(see more)

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

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Wallace Township historic property research files, 1977-2011 (inclusive)

Extent:
3.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Around the time of the United States bicentennial, the Chester County 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). Glenmoore Historic District, consisting of about 50 buildings in Wallace Township, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. The Wallace Township Historical Commission historic property research files, 1977-2011, consist of folders for buildings more than fifty years old in Wallace Township at the time of the survey. Most files contain photocopies of Chester County's Architectural Inventory Form (AIF), and/or Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission's Historic Resource Survey forms. Several files contain additional...(see more)

Held at: Wallace Township Archives [Contact Us]

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Kennett Township Historical Commission property research files, 1994-2011 (inclusive)

Extent:
7.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The first recorded mention of "Kennett Township" in Chester County, Pennsylvania is from 1705. An abolitionist stronghold, Kennett was popular with freedom-seekers escaping slavery prior to the Civil War due to the presence of progressive Quakers and a community of free blacks that was established as early as 1830. Later, the Kennett area became known for producing more than half of the mushrooms consumed in the United States. The Kennett Township Historical Commission property research files, 1994-2011, consist of two surveys of historic sites in Kennett Township completed in 1994-1996 and 2009-2011, covering approximately 350 properties.

Held at: Kennett Township Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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Graystone Society collection on Coatesville history, 1880-2011 (inclusive)

Extent:
11.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Coatesville in Chester County, Pennsylvania is home to the longest operating steel mill in America, Lukens Steel Company. Development in the area was spurred by convenient transport routes offered by America's first turnpike, the Philadelphia to Lancaster Turnpike (now U.S. Route 30), and the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad, built in 1834. The Graystone Society, Inc. is today a not-for-profit educational institution dedicating to collecting, preserving, exhibiting, and interpreting iron and steel's history and its relationship to Coatesville, the region, and the nation. The Graystone Society collection on Coatesville history, 1880-2011, includes photographs, scrapbooks, minute books, clippings, school books, and various other family papers and organizational records relating to the people and organizations of Coatesville and the surrounding area. Of special interest are several 18th and early 19th century manuscript volumes relating to the Pennock and Lukens family. Some records...(see more)

Held at: National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum [Contact Us]

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Thomas Shipley Brown papers, 1920-2011 (inclusive)

Extent:
6.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Thomas Shipley Brown (1912-2011) of Cheltenham Pennsylvania, was an active member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) who wrote and taught widely about Quaker thought, life, and practices. He graduated from Westtown School, a prominent Quaker boarding school (West Chester, Pa.) in 1929 and taught Bible, Latin, and English there for much of his life. He was involved with a number of other Quaker organizations including Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, Friends Council on Education, the American Friends Service Committee, and London Yearly Meeting. The Thomas Shipley Brown papers, 1920-2011, is largely made up of Thomas Shipley Brown's writings on Quakerism and materials from his involvement with several Quaker organizations, especially Quaker educational institutions (including Westtown).

Held at: Westtown School Archives [Contact Us]

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The Club of Little Gardens of Malvern (Pa.) records, 1930-2010 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Club of Little Gardens of Malvern was founded in May of 1930 to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening among amateurs, to aid in the protection of native trees, plants, and birds, and to encourage civic interest in horticulture. The Club has hosted and participated in various flower shows, planned trips to see local gardens and arboretums, and taken on projects to help beautify the local community. The Club of Little Gardens of Malvern (Pa.) records, 1930-2010, consist primarily of scrapbooks and yearly programs. The collection also includes some awards and administrative records.

Held at: Malvern Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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Woman's Club of Phoenixville records, 1903-2010 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.5 linear feet
Abstract:
The Woman's Club of Phoenixville, one of the two oldest women's clubs in the state, was organized in 1884, granted state federation in 1897, and incorporated into the General Federation of Women's Clubs in 1901. As of 2013, its goal is "to develop the educational, civic and social interest of its members and to advance the welfare of the community." The Woman's Club of Phoenixville records, 1903-2010, consist of eight scrapbooks (1958-1978), about six minute books (1959-2010), annual reports/membership directories (1903-circa 2005, incomplete), and a few other materials from the Club.

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

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Nancy B. Schmitt scrapbooks and research on Malvern (Pa.) history, 1975-2010s

Extent:
8.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Nancy Blackstone Schmitt (1940-2013) was a Malvern resident, author, and community activist. She was the researcher and author of Malvern Treasures, the editor of A Century in Malvern, 1989, and the author of Malvern Items, 1870-2006. The Nancy B. Schmitt scrapbooks and research on Malvern (Pa.) history, 1975-2010s, consist of Nancy B. Schmitt's research for various books she wrote and edited on Malvern (Pa.), as well as several scrapbooks she compiled with clippings of newspaper articles she wrote for the Suburban Advertiser.

Held at: Malvern Historical Commission [Contact Us]

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