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Start Over Place Delaware County (Pa.) Year 1950 to 1954

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Aston Township Historical Society local history collection, circa 1806-2015

Extent:
75.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The area that is known as Aston Township was incorporated as a township of Chester County in 1688 and became a part of Delaware County when the latter county was established in 1789. Today, due to its proximity to both Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, Aston Township is predominantly a residential area with various local organizations and community events. The Aston Township Historical Society local history collection, circa 1806-2015, consists of various materials, including organizational, church, township, and school records; scrapbooks and photographs; subject and vertical files; and other materials that document the history, residents, businesses, and other aspects of Aston Township.

Held at: Aston Township Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Concord Township Historical Society local history manuscripts collection, 1682-2004 (inclusive)

Extent:
11.3 linear feet
Abstract:
Concord Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania was incorporated in 1683, and includes the four villages of Concordville, Elam, Markham and Ward. Originally in Chester County, the township became part of Delaware County when Chester County was partitioned in 1789. The Concord Township Historical Society local history manuscripts collection, 1682-2004, includes organizational records, family and personal papers, photographs, and other manuscript materials relating to local people and groups from Concord Township.

Held at: Concord Township Historical Society [Contact Us]

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James A. Groff daybooks, 1929-1951 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.5 linear feet
Abstract:
James A. Groff (1887-1952) was an antiques dealer in Chester Heights, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The James A. Groff daybooks, 1929-1951, contain newspaper clippings of personal property and estate sale notices, with Groff's notes about items from sale and directions. Also included in the collection are some business cards of other antique dealers, and several pieces of correspondence.

Held at: Concord Township Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Willits family papers, circa 1850-1971

Extent:
1.25 linear feet
Abstract:
Francis P. Willits (born 1856) was a farmer in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. He is credited as among the first to cultivate mushrooms in the United States, importing spores in 1892 to grow on his farm. The Willits family papers, circa 1850-1971, consist largely of family photographs, with additional materials including deeds, genealogical materials, and correspondence. Of special interest are a minute book of the Concord Mushroom Co., Inc. (1959-1971), and a typescript draft of A Quaker Forty-Niner: The Adventures of Charles Edward Pancoast on the American Frontier.

Held at: Concord Township Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Darby Borough Historical and Preservation Society local history collection, circa 1900-2012

Extent:
25.0 cubic feet
Abstract:
The borough of Darby in Delaware County, Pennsylvania was settled by Quakers in the early 1680s. It had its first Town Meeting in 1683 and was incorporated in 1853. The Darby Borough Historical and Preservation Society local history collection, circa 1900-2012, focuses on the history of Darby Borough and surrounding areas. It consists principally of secondary materials, such as copies of photographs and documents, computer print-outs of articles and narrative histories, newspaper clippings, printed materials including newsletters and ephemera, and genealogy research, with a very small amount of original materials such as scrapbooks.

Held at: Delaware County Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Henry Shmith scrapbooks, 1950-1975 (bulk) 1924-1979 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Henry Shmith (also spelled Heinrich Schmitz and Henry Schmidt) was born on August 21, 1899 in Germany. Shmith traveled extensively, working as a professional chef at many locations in the Delaware Valley region of the United States and frequently returning to Germany for visits. He settled in Glen Mills, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, where he passed away in 1982. The Henry Shmith scrapbooks, 1924-1979 (bulk 1950-1975), consist of about 20 volumes compiled by Henry Shmith, with photographs as well as clippings, ephemera, stamps, greeting cards, and letters. The scrapbooks, heavily annotated by Shmith, mostly in German with some English, focus on areas in the Delaware Valley or in and around Germany (including Spiegelau).

Held at: Delaware County Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Lansdowne Stamp Club records, 1925-1960 (bulk) 1925-1994 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Lansdowne Stamp Club, founded in 1925 in Lansdowne, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, was one of the first stamp clubs on the eastern seaboard. The Lansdowne Stamp Club records, 1925-1994 (bulk 1925-1960), include administrative, membership, and financial records, as well as materials relating to stamp exhibitions, and copies of the club's newsletter, The Tattler.

Held at: Delaware County Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Kiwanis Club of Yeadon records, 1941-2006 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Kiwanis International is a coeducational service club founded in 1915 to "focus on changing the world by serving children, one child and one community at a time." The Kiwanis Club of Yeadon (Delaware County, Pennsylvania) was founded in 1939, and dissolved by the late 2000s. The Kiwanis Club of Yeadon records, 1941-2006, include a mostly complete set of annual reports, as well as some newsletters, reports of club elections, and photographs. There are also scattered materials relating to the club's history, club events, and club-sponsored scholarships, as well as some ephemera.

Held at: Delaware County Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Delaware County Historical Society collection on Lansdowne Borough, 1919-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.67 linear feet
Abstract:
Settled in the early 1700s and incorporated in 1893, the Borough of Lansdowne, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, has a rich industrial and commercial history. Located just six miles from the center of Philadelphia, the town became a haven for middle-class families beginning in the early 20th century as well as a popular design location for the area's best architects, including renowned Philadelphia architect Frank Furness. The Delaware County Historical Society collection on Lansdowne Borough, 1919-2012, consists of records and materials relating to numerous Lansdowne institutions, organizations, and events. About one third of the collection pertains to Lansdowne-Aldan High School (formerly Lansdowne High School) class reunions.

Held at: Delaware County Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Twentieth Century Club of Lansdowne records, 1897-1997 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Twentieth Century Club of Lansdowne, Delaware County, Pennsylvania was organized in 1897. The club organized social, educational, and philanthropic activities for its members to participate in. The club house building, designed by the architectural firm Heacock and Hokanson, opened in 1911 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Held at: Delaware County Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Delaware County Institute of Science herbaria collection, 1833-1910 (bulk) 1833-2010 (inclusive)

Extent:
20.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Delaware County Institute of Science, located in Media, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, was established in 1833 by local residents with a common interest in science and natural history. Shortly after its founding, the Institute started its herbarium, a collection of pressed, dried plants. The Delaware County Institute of Science herbaria collection, 1833-2010 (bulk 1833-1910), consists of the Delaware County Institute of Science's herbarium and additional small herbaria donated by others. Over 5,700 specimens, mostly from the 19th century and the United States (although there are international and later specimens) are included.

Held at: Delaware County Institute of Science [Contact Us]

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Elwyn records, 1852-2006 (inclusive)

Extent:
125.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Elwyn is one of the oldest service organizations in the United States for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Tracing its roots to a Philadelphia school for "mental defectives" founded in 1852, and officially incorporated in 1853 as The Pennsylvania Training School for Feeble-Minded Children, Elwyn has remained at the vanguard in the understanding, care, and treatment of intellectual disability for over 150 years. One of its most influential staff members, Superintendent Dr. Isaac Kerlin, was instrumental in organizing the field's national professional organization, today known as the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The Elwyn records, 1852-2006, consist of materials from Elwyn's administrative bodies and staff members including past superintendents and presidents, student records, materials published by Elwyn including publicity materials, photographs, and various audio and audiovisual materials. The collection is organized into six...(see more)

Held at: Elwyn Historical Archives and Museum [Contact Us]

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Samuel J. Bunting, Jr., Family Papers, 1789-1959 (inclusive)

Extent:
2 linear ft. (4 boxes)
Abstract:
Samuel J. Bunting, Jr., (1889-1966) was a birthright Hicksite Friend descended from a family that was associated for many generations with the Society of Friends in Pennsylvania and, in particular, with the Darby Monthly Meeting. A graduate of Swarthmore College and banker by profession, he was interested in genealogy and worked over a long period of time to compile family records. Included is material on the Bunting, Ridgways, Andrews, and Lloyd families as well as original documents, such as the correspondence of Josiah Bunting, Quaker minister, and others, and the genealogical manuscript written by Martha Bunting in 1934. The collection illustrates the correspondence and related materials which sometimes descended in Quaker families with deep roots in America.

Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]

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Edward V. Streeper book research scrapbooks on Delaware County (Pa.) history, 1923-1937 (bulk) 1833-1977 (inclusive)

Extent:
3.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Edward V. Streeper (1876-1951) was a resident of Delaware County, Pennsylvania for most of his life and an avid local historian. Streeper was involved with the Delaware County Institute of Science, serving as the chairman of its Historical Section. The Edward V. Streeper book research scrapbooks on Delaware County (Pa.) history, 1833-1977 (bulk 1923-1937), consist of 28 volumes of newspaper clippings, research notes, and a smaller quantity of photographs, ephemera, manuscript documents, and other primary-source materials. The volumes focus on local subjects such as biographies, schools, taverns/cafes/restaurants, and politics.

Held at: Media Historic Archives Commission [Contact Us]

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Musical Coterie of Wayne records, 1911-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
4.5 linear feet
Abstract:
The Musical Coterie of Wayne (Delaware County, Pennsylvania), established in 1911 and still active as of 2014, began as a women's choral group that performed in the homes of members. Its first public performance was held at the Saturday Club in Wayne in 1914, spawning the group's tradition of holding annual spring and winter concerts. In 1926, the group started the Junior Coterie as a means of fostering musical interest among children; in 1953 an orchestral section of the Coterie was formed, called the Coterie Strings. The Musical Coterie of Wayne (Pa.) records, 1911-2012, contain administrative, financial, and membership records, as well as scrapbooks, photographs, printed material, and other items documenting the group's history.

Held at: Radnor Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Radnor Historical Society map, atlas, and blueprint collection, 1872-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
7.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Radnor Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania was founded in 1682, shortly after Welsh Quakers arrived on the lands previously home to the original inhabitants, the Lenni Lenape Indians. Development in the area increased when new transportation routes passed through the area, first the Lancaster Turnpike (the first toll road in America) in 1794, and then the Columbia (later Pennsylvania) Railroad in 1832. The township's population doubled between 1880 and 1890 with the birth of one of the country's first planned suburban developments, Wayne. Development and population boomed again in the wake of World War II and has continued to grow in the 21st century. The Radnor Historical Society map, atlas, and blueprint collection, 1872-2014, consists of several dozen atlases (including railroad maps, business atlases, property atlases, and other atlases); loose maps; and blueprints for private homes and for businesses. The geographic foci of the collection are Wayne, Radnor Township, the...(see more)

Held at: Radnor Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Wendell-Heilner negatives, 1870-1951 (inclusive)

Extent:
4.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Herman Wendell (born 1852), along with Walter Bassett Smith, was a general contractor and manager for developers Anthony J. Drexel and George W. Childs. In this capacity, the firm of Wendell and Smith played a significant role in the planning and development of the suburban community of Wayne, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Herman's son, Evert "Ted" Jansen Wendell (1884-1973), was next-door neighbor to Marcus "Mark" Edmund Heilner (born 1886). The Wendell-Heilner negatives, 1870-1951, depict scenes from Wayne, Radnor Township, and other nearby locations in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Images depict trains, buildings, landscapes, and people, especially the Wendell and Heilner families. The earlier negatives are glass plates, the later ones are film.

Held at: Radnor Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Radnor Historical Society architectural drawings collection, 1885-1972 (inclusive)

Extent:
872.0 items
Abstract:
The Radnor Historical Society architectural drawings collection, 1885-1972, contains the records of a number of Delaware and Montgomery County (Pa.) and West Philadelphia residential developers, architects, and builders, much of which reflects the rapid suburban development of this area circa 1890-1930. The collection is organized in three series: I. Architectural drawings & prints. II. Maps, survey drawings and ground plans. III. Specifications and other manuscript project file materials. The collection is on loan to the Athenaeum of Philadelphia, with the support of the Pew Charitable Trusts through its Museum Loan Program; contact the Athenaeum of Philadelphia to access this collection.

Held at: Radnor Historical Society [Contact Us]

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School in Rose Valley records, 1938-2015 (bulk 1980s-2000s)

Extent:
65.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The School in Rose Valley is a progressive, co-educational, non-sectarian school for children in preschool through sixth grade situated on a wooded 9.5 acre campus in Rose Valley, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Established in 1929, the School aims to create experiences that arouse curiosity, stretch muscles, strengthen initiative, and stimulate questions, guiding children to know themselves, to delight in learning, and to understand their opportunities and responsibilities in the community and the world with a focus on hands-on experiences and a connection to nature. The School in Rose Valley records, 1938-2015 (bulk 1980s-2000s), consist of administrative and financial records; teaching materials; student publications; a variety of visual, audio, and audiovisual materials; and other materials that document the School in Rose Valley and the experiences of its students, faculty, and families.

Held at: The Archives at the School in Rose Valley [Contact Us]

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Thornbury Historical Society local history collection, 1881-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
8.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The area now known as Thornbury Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania was populated by Lenni-Lenape Native Americans when Europeans began to settle there in the 17th century. Influenced in part by its Quaker roots, Thornbury was an historically tolerant community, home of the oldest historically black college in the United States: the Institute for Colored Youth, now known as Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, relocated there from Philadelphia in 1902. Largely rural for most of its history, commercial and residential development in Thornbury expanded throughout the 20th century. The Thornbury Historical Society local history collection, 1881-2014, consists of various primary-source and secondary-source materials documenting people, places, organizations, and other topics relating to Thornbury Township and nearby areas. In addition to newspaper clippings, ephemera, and narrative historical essays, the collection features small amounts of World War I letters, Thornbury School...(see more)

Held at: Thornbury Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Upper Darby Historical Society local history collection, 1920-2013 (bulk) 1799-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
40.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Upper Darby in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, was one of the earliest settlements west of Philadelphia. It incorporated from Darby Township in 1736. Primarily an area of mills and farms, the township experienced rapid development beginning in 1907 when the Sixty-Ninth Street Terminal, a transportation hub for those going farther west, was built. The Upper Darby Historical Society local history collection, 1799-2013 (bulk 1920-2013), consists of various materials that document Upper Darby families, individuals, organizations, institutions, and events over time. Most materials are secondary-source, such as newspaper clippings, photocopies or photographs of original documents, narrative histories, research notes, and printed or published works. There are also some primary-source documents, including maps, scrapbooks, deeds, photographs, slides, ephemera, correspondence, autograph books, and more.

Held at: Upper Darby Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Crozerville United Methodist Church records, 1851-1983 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Rockdale Methodist Episcopal Church in Aston Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania was established in 1851 and formally became a separate charge in 1852. The following year, the congregation voted to change its name to Crozerville Methodist Episcopal Church in recognition of a generous donor, John P. Crozer. Crozerville United Methodist Church was discontinued around 2010. The Crozerville United Methodist Church records, 1851-1983, consist of: trustee, Leaders and Stewards, official board, and Quarterly Conference minutes; Charge Conference records; and membership and vital records such as baptisms and probationers lists.

Held at: Historical Society of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church [Contact Us]

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Upland United Methodist Church records, 1873-2003 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.75 linear feet
Abstract:
The congregation for Upland United Methodist Church began meeting in 1866, although it was not until 1873 that construction began on a new church building, at Church and Eighth Streets in the nearby Borough of Brookhaven, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The final service was held at Upland United Methodist Church on Sunday July 13, 2003. The Upland United Methodist Church records, 1873-2003, consist largely of minutes of the official board, administrative board, and board of trustees; Charge Conference reports; and membership and vital records such as baptisms, marriages, and deaths. Also included are a small amount of property-related records (featuring blueprints of the church organ and a photograph of the church building), directories, bulletins, budgets, and other documents.

Held at: Historical Society of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church [Contact Us]

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Mariner's Bethel United Methodist Church records, 1948-2006 (bulk) 1833-2006 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.25 linear feet
Abstract:
Mariner's Bethel United Methodist Church in Collingdale, Delaware County, Pennsylvania was founded as Central Methodist Church in 1924, and changed its name in 1948. The church closed in 2010. The Mariner's Bethel United Methodist Church records, 1833-2006 (bulk 1948-2006), include administrative records, such as minutes, treasurer's reports, and budgets; membership and vital records, including baptisms, marriages, and deaths; photographs; anniversary pamphlets; and various other materials relating to the church and its history.

Held at: Historical Society of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church [Contact Us]

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Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades records, 1888-2014 (bulk) 1746-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
150.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades (now known as Williamson College of the Trades) in Middletown Township, Pennsylvania (Delaware County) was established in 1888 with an endowment from Philadelphia merchant and philanthropist Isaiah V. Williamson. The tuition-free school initially offered vocational training for high school-aged men in areas such as bricklaying, carpentry, and machine shop. Since becoming a post-secondary institution in 1961, the school now offers associate degrees in various fields of specialized technology. The Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades records, 1746-2014 (bulk 1888-2014), consist of administrative and financial records; a variety of visual, audio, and audiovisual materials; alumni and student publications; alumni records and personal papers; blueprints, deeds, and other documents relating to the School's property; and several other materials that document the functions of the School and the individual experiences of its students,...(see more)

Held at: Williamson College of the Trades (Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades) [Contact Us]

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Haverford Township Historical Society vertical files, circa 1930-2014

Extent:
21.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Haverford Township is a suburb of Philadelphia situated near the wealthy "Main Line" west of the city. It encompasses the community of Havertown and parts of Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Ardmore, Drexel Hill, and Wynnewood in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The Haverford Township Historical Society vertical files, circa 1930-2014, contain materials relating to the people, places, historic sites, organizations, businesses, and other aspects of Haverford Township. The files are organized alphabetically by subject or name and largely consist of photocopies of primary-source documents.

Held at: Haverford Township Historical Society [Contact Us]

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The Brookline Club records, 1913-1984 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.75 linear feet
Abstract:
The Brookline Club was organized in 1912 as a social and service club for women in the Brookline neighborhood of Haverford Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The organization was active for over 70 years, serving its members and community until it disbanded in the mid-1980s. The Brookline Club records, 1913-1984, consist of administrative, financial, and membership materials including meeting minutes, officer reports, correspondence, and materials relating to various club committees and projects. Of special interest is a folder of reports from the Defense Committee, organized during World War II to assist with the war effort.

Held at: Haverford Township Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Haverford Township Historical Society local manuscript collection, 1759-1995 (inclusive)

Extent:
10.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Haverford Township is a suburb of Philadelphia situated near the wealthy "Main Line" west of the city. It encompasses the community of Havertown and parts of Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Ardmore, Drexel Hill, and Wynnewood in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The Haverford Township Historical Society local manuscript collection, 1759-1995, consists of a variety of original manuscript materials relating to the people, organizations, and property of Haverford Township. It includes family papers, organizational records, photographs, maps and architectural drawings, deeds, tax records, a small amount of secondary-source research material, and more. Of special interest is an 1864 Civil War diary written by Charles S. Bailey.

Held at: Haverford Township Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Christian C. Sanderson collection, 1900-1966 (bulk) 1842-1966 (inclusive)

Extent:
100.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Christian Carmack Sanderson (1882-1966) was an historian, collector, teacher, musician, lecturer, and radio broadcaster, who spent most of his life in the area of Chadds Ford, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The Christian C. Sanderson collection, 1842-1966 (bulk 1900-1966), consists of Christian C. Sanderson's personal papers and the papers of his family members, as well as materials collected by him. It includes diaries, ephemera, notes, postcards, scrapbooks, slides and scripts from lectures given by Sanderson, artworks created by members of the Wyeth family, photographs, financial records, and more.

Held at: Christian C. Sanderson Museum [Contact Us]

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Chichester Historical Society local history collection, 1980-2005 (bulk) 1880-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
9.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Chichester, located along the southeastern border of Pennsylvania in Delaware County, encompasses Marcus Hook and Trainer Boroughs as well as Upper and Lower Chichester Townships. Originally inhabited by Lenni Lenape, it was settled fifty years before William Penn by Swedes and Finns. The river tier area provided fertile water meadows for farming; later, the river made the location ideal for mercantile ventures and powered industrial development. The Chichester Historical Society local history collection, 1880-2013, consists primarily of secondary-source materials, such as newspaper clippings, copies of historical documents and photographs, pamphlets and ephemera. There is a small quantity of original and primary-source documents. The most prominent subjects are: Marcus Hook, Trainer, Upper Chichester, Lower Chichester, Delaware County, Delaware River and Ships, and Swedes and Finns.

Held at: Chichester Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Virginia M. DeNenno Concord Township scrapbooks, 1970-2012 (bulk) 1917-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
8.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Long-time president of the Concord Township Historical Society (Delaware County, Pennsylvania), Virginia M. "Ginny" DeNenno is widely considered "the" authority on the township's history. The Virginia M. DeNenno Concord Township scrapbooks, 1917-2012 (bulk 1970-2012), contain primarily newspaper clippings as well as some photocopies and a few original brochures and ephemera, all relating to Concord Township.

Held at: Concord Township Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Concord Township tax records, 1922-1958 (inclusive)

Extent:
4.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Concord Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania was incorporated in 1683, and includes the four villages of Concordville, Elam, Markham and Ward. Originally in Chester County, the township became part of Delaware County when Chester County was partitioned in 1789. The Concord Township tax records, 1922-1958, consist primarily of property tax assessment volumes with some school property tax transcripts and other tax-related records. There are also records from nearby municipalities: Bethel Township, Media Borough, Thornbury Township, and Birmingham (Chadds Ford Township).

Held at: Concord Township Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Chester F. Baker local history research and family papers, 1925-1960 (bulk) 1864-1960 (inclusive)

Extent:
28.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Chester F. Baker (1891-1963) was a municipal engineer and amateur historian from the city of Chester in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Among his many affiliations with historical and genealogical organizations, Baker was president of the Chester Rural Cemetery Association and director of the Delaware County Historical Society. The Chester F. Baker local history research and family papers, 1864-1960 (bulk 1925-1960), consist of well over 100 binders with research materials on history topics, papers from organizations with which Baker was involved, and papers relating to his work as a surveyor. There are also a few personal and family photograph albums and scrapbooks.

Held at: Delaware County Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Delaware County Historical Society vertical files, circa 1850-2013

Extent:
85.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Delaware County was the first section of Pennsylvania to be settled by Europeans, specifically Swedes in 1643. It was in the city of Chester, the original county seat of Delaware County, that William Penn and the General Assembly of Pennsylvania adopted Penn's "Great Law of Pennsylvania," which granted the right to vote, citizenship, freedom of religion and trial by jury to all settlers. Located adjacent to Philadelphia, Delaware County's suburban population grew rapidly in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Delaware County Historical Society vertical files, circa 1850-2013, cover various local topics. Materials are mostly newspaper clippings, photocopies of newspaper articles, pamphlets and ephemera, research notes, narrative histories, transcripts, indexes, printed materials, copies of church and civil records, death and funeral records, and census and tax records, as well as some original documents and oral histories on audiocassette tapes and CDs.

Held at: Delaware County Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Delaware County Historical Society map, atlas, and blueprint collection, circa 1870-2013

Extent:
15.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Delaware County was the first section of Pennsylvania to be settled by Europeans, specifically Swedes in 1643. It was in the city of Chester, the original county seat of Delaware County, that William Penn and the General Assembly of Pennsylvania adopted Penn's "Great Law of Pennsylvania," which granted the right to vote, citizenship, freedom of religion and trial by jury to all settlers. Located adjacent to Philadelphia, Delaware County's suburban population grew rapidly in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Delaware County Historical Society map, atlas, and blueprint collection, circa 1870-2013, includes maps, surveys, technical drawings, and atlases, mostly for the City of Chester and Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

Held at: Delaware County Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Delaware County Federation of Women's Clubs records, 1975-2012 (bulk) 1912-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
6.5 linear feet
Abstract:
The first county federation of the General Federation of Women's Clubs in the country and the largest organization of volunteer women in the country, the Delaware County Federation of Women's Clubs was founded by Mary Barton Luckie in 1912. It was federated in 1915. The Delaware County Federation of Women's Clubs records, 1912-2012 (bulk 1975-2012), consist of administrative and financial records, publications, and various materials relating to events and activities run by the organization as well as materials relating to its history.

Held at: Delaware County Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Township of Upper Providence records, 1954-1978 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Upper Providence Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania was settled in 1682 and incorporated as a township in 1687. The Township of Upper Providence records, 1954-1978, consist of tax records, insurance policies, and real estate/building information for the township.

Held at: Delaware County Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Delaware County Superintendent of Schools records, 1863-1972 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.0 cubic feet
Abstract:
An act of general public education for Delaware County, Pennsylvania, was passed in 1834. The Delaware County Superintendent of Schools records, 1863-1972, document teachers employed in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The collection consists largely of examinations of teachers and teachers' reports; there is also some financial information, several published volumes, a few photographs, and an audio recording.

Held at: Delaware County Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Spencer Stationery Company records, 1918-1988 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.33 linear feet
Abstract:
Spencer Stationary Company opened in Chester, Delaware County, Pennsylvania in 1899 and remained in operation for over 75 years. The Spencer Stationery Company records, 1918-1988, consist principally of company records including employee records, financial documents, and papers relating to the sale of the building and the company. A small amount of Spencer family papers is also included.

Held at: Delaware County Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Fellowship Club of Lansdowne minutes, 1911-1994 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.67 linear feet
Abstract:
The Fellowship Club of Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, a largely social and charitable organization, began as an ushers' association founded in 1907 by Rev. Croswell McBee of St. John's Episcopal Church. The Fellowship Club of Lansdowne minutes, 1911-1994, primarily consist of minutes with some gaps, as well as membership and attendance lists, a small amount of correspondence, clippings, ephemera, and a few other documents. There is one volume of history of the club with a few photographs, clippings, and a membership list, 1914-1920.

Held at: Delaware County Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Delaware County High Schools Track and Field Championships records, 1947-1970 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The annual Delaware County High Schools Track and Field Championships, co-sponsored by the Union Athletic Association of Lansdowne and Lansdowne-Aldan High School, began in 1924. Any high school in Delaware County, Pennsylvania was eligible to enter, and the event was usually held at Lansdowne-Aldan High School's Stewart Field. Delaware County High Schools Track and Field Championships records, 1947-1970, consist mostly of score sheets from the championships. Also included is some correspondence with participating high schools and event programs.

Held at: Delaware County Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Delaware County Choral Society collection, 1934-2001 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.33 linear feet
Abstract:
The Delaware County Choral Society, based in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1927. Although the society was a community choir that did not require auditions for its members, it compiled an impressive resume, performing with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and working with world-renowned soloists, composers, and musicologists. The society performed internationally and at the New York World's Fair and the White House. The Delaware County Choral Society collection, 1934-2001, consists of administrative and financial records, member information, photographs, scrapbooks, and ephemera. Also included are materials relating to the society's performances and concert tours, including audio and video cassettes and LPs.

Held at: Delaware County Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Eddystone School Board records, 1919-1966 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.67 linear feet
Abstract:
The Eddystone School District was established shortly after the Borough of Eddystone, Delaware County, Pennsylvania was incorporated in 1888. In 1966, the state mandated that the district merge with the Ridley Park and Ridley Township School Districts. The Eddystone School Board records, 1919-1966, include by-laws, board minutes, treasurer's reports, and legal documents, 1919-1965 (incomplete).

Held at: Delaware County Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Graceanna Lewis natural history papers, 1869-1890 (bulk) 1869-2006 (inclusive)

Extent:
3.25 linear feet
Abstract:
Graceanna Lewis (1821-1912) was a published scholar, naturalist, lecturer, abolitionist and social reformer. This collection contains research and lecture notes on a variety of topics including: botany, ornithology, crystallography, mineralogy, zoology, ichthyology, embryology, neurology, and chemistry. There are botanical illustrations, leaf and ornithology charts, prints and sketches depicting the classification of the animal and plant kingdoms, and botanical sketches on wood blocks. In addition to scientific notes, there are notes and lectures depicting her views on the abolition of slavery, women's equality, and the force of nature and its place in the universe.

Held at: Delaware County Institute of Science [Contact Us]

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Delaware County Institute of Science manuscript collection, 1686-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
20.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Delaware County was the first section of Pennsylvania to be settled by Europeans, specifically Swedes in 1643. The Borough of Media, located about 12 miles outside of Philadelphia, has been the county seat of Delaware County since 1850. A largely rural area prior to that point, the town grew rapidly in the second half of the 19th century and throughout the 20th century. The Delaware County Institute of Science manuscript collection, 1686-2014, consists of a variety of local history materials including organizational records, business records, personal papers, photographs, scrapbooks, blueprints, subject files, maps and atlases, and other materials. Most of the materials relate to Delaware County (Pennsylvania), but some items pertain to other locations in Pennsylvania and other states. Although the 19th century is the best represented among the materials, there is a significant amount of materials from the 18th century and a few items from the 17th century.

Held at: Delaware County Institute of Science [Contact Us]

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Darby Library Company records, 1743-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
11.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Darby Free Library is one of the oldest public libraries in the United States, and the first cultural institution in Darby, now part of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1743 as a subscription library, it became free to the public in 1898 and part of the Delaware County Library System in 1981. The Darby Free Library is still operational as of 2014. The Darby Library Company records, 1743-2012, include Board of Directors and stockholders' minute books, book acquisition and circulation records, financial records, other administrative papers, and various other materials from the Darby Free Library and the Darby Library Company, as well as other organizations that merged with the Darby Library Company, including the Delaware County Society for the Detection of Horse Thieves and the Recovery of Stolen Horses, and the Darby Home Protection Society.

Held at: Darby Free Library [Contact Us]

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Orphan Society of Philadelphia records, 1930-1965 (bulk) 1815-1965 (inclusive)

Extent:
4.5 linear feet
Abstract:
The Orphan Society of Philadelphia, founded in 1814, was the first non-sectarian orphanage in Pennsylvania. In 1965, due to low enrollment and financial and staffing issues, the Orphan Society merged with the Elwyn School, now known as Elwyn, in Delaware County, Pa. The Orphan Society of Philadelphia records, 1815-1965 (bulk 1930-1965), consist of administrative and financial records, legal documents, historical files, orphan records, and other materials. Of special interest is an Orphan Asylum register listing orphan admissions (name, birth date, admission date) and dates of discharge or death from 1815 to 1896.

Held at: Elwyn Historical Archives and Museum [Contact Us]

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Brookline Women's Club records, 1950-1984 (bulk) 1916-1984 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.5 linear feet
Abstract:
The Brookline Women's Club was a social and service organization for women in the Brookline neighborhood of Haverford Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The group was active from the early 20th century until the first years of the 21st century. The Brookline Women's Club records, 1916-1984, primarily consist of club financial records with a small amount of other materials including correspondence, guest books, and field trip planning materials.

Held at: Haverford Township Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Gibbons Home (Springfield, Pa.) records, ca.1880-ca.1987 (bulk: 1892-1969) (inclusive)

Extent:
1.25 linear ft. (3 boxes plus 2 boxes of photographs)
Abstract:
The Gibbons Home was a residential home in Springfield Township, Delaware County, Pa., for elderly women of limited income. It was established in 1918 by the will of Sallie P. Gibbons, the last survivor of a family which had local Quaker roots. The Home was finally opened in the family house on Baltimore Pike in 1940. The house was torn down in 1970 to make way for a mall, and the Gibbons Home moved to a new building on Lincoln Avenue in Springfield. In 2000 the assets of the Home were transferred to Presbyterian Homes, and the property was sold. The collection contains legal, property, and financial records of the Gibbons Home, and Gibbons family photographs, paintings, and some Gibbons family memorabilia which was retained when the Home moved to its new location.

Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]

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Darlington Family Papers, 1831-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
28 linear ft. (57 boxes (and photographs))
Abstract:
This collection contains the papers of the Darlington family of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and Woodstown, New Jersey. Quakers with strong ties to Swarthmore College, the family was involved in education, social and peace concerns, and businesses in the Philadelphia area. Charles J. Darlington (1894-1966) served as Clerk of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends during the reunification of the two Philadelphia Yearly Meetings. The collection includes family correspondence relating to the Darlington, Shortlidge, Gause, and Palmer families as well as genealogical research and 20th century Quaker activities.

Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]

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