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Start Over Repository Philadelphia History Museum Record Source Other PACSCL Partners Place Philadelphia (Pa.)

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Philadelphia History Museum local history collection, circa 1682-2014

Extent:
150.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was founded in 1682 by William Penn. Because of its central location among the American colonies, Philadelphia became a gathering place for American revolutionaries during the Revolutionary War era and served as the temporary capital of the United States from 1790 to 1800. In the 19th century, Philadelphia became a major hub for railroad transportation and home to a variety of industries. As of 2014, Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, known for its arts, culture, and parks. The Philadelphia History Museum local history collection, circa 1682-2014, consists of a wide variety of paper materials from, or relating to, the Philadelphia region from the late 17th century to the 21st century. The collection is particularly strong in visual documentation and in printed materials, although there are also a large quantity of manuscript and other written documents. An extensive number of individuals, families, businesses,...(see more)

Held at: Philadelphia History Museum [Contact Us]

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Reeves Wetherill scrapbooks, circa 1800-1989 (bulk 1935-1985)

Extent:
3.75 linear feet
Abstract:
Reeves Wetherill (1912-1992) was a Philadelphia socialite who served as the Vice President for Public Relations at Wanamaker's department store from 1960-1987. He descended from Samuel Wetherill, a textile manufacturer involved in founding the Free Quakers during the American Revolution, and Christopher Wetherill, an early settler in Burlington County, New Jersey. The Reeves Wetherill scrapbooks, circa 1800-1989 (bulk 1935-1985), consist of about a dozen scrapbooks that document the activities of members of Philadelphia's upper class, including the lives of Reeves Wetherill and his wife, Sally Ann, as well as a small amount of 19th century documents relating to Reeves Wetherill's ancestors.

Held at: Philadelphia History Museum [Contact Us]

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Harold E. Cox transportation photograph collection, 1915-1950 (bulk) 1901-1950 (inclusive)

Extent:
3.25 linear feet
Abstract:
The Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company (PRT), founded in 1902, constructed subway and elevated train lines and managed public transportation in Philadelphia for nearly half of a century. In 1940, the Philadelphia Transportation Company (PTC) was established, absorbing PRT and taking over all of its functions. PTC was purchased by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) in 1968. The Harold E. Cox transportation photograph collection, 1901-1950 (bulk 1915-1950), consists of approximately 800 gelatin silver print photographs, about 50 film negatives, and a few PRT and PTC company newsletters, ephemera, and programs from employee events. Depicted in the photographs are Philadelphia street scenes, maintenance and repair work, vehicle interiors and exteriors, and employees from PRT and PTC.

Held at: Philadelphia History Museum [Contact Us]

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William W. Matos papers on the Sesqui-Centennial International Exposition, 1920-1928 (bulk) 1831-1928 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.25 linear feet
Abstract:
William Warder Matos (1872-1935) owned an advertising company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the early 20th century. He was heavily involved in planning the Sesqui-Centennial International Exposition of 1926. The William W. Matos papers on the Sesqui-Centennial International Exposition, 1831-1928 (bulk 1920-1928), primarily consist of correspondence, newspaper clippings, photographs, and ephemera relating to the Sesqui-Centennial International Exposition. Other materials in the collection include some personal papers of William W. Matos and a scrapbook documenting Women's Committee fundraising tea parties for the 1876 Centennial Exposition.

Held at: Philadelphia History Museum [Contact Us]

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Aachen Printing Company sample books, circa 1945-1985

Extent:
2.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Aachen Printing Company was a commercial printing service owned by William R. Turner and located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, active from about 1946 to 1986. The Aachen Printing Company sample books, circa 1945-1985, consist of 16 scrapbooks that seem to include a copy of every item printed by Aachen Printing Company such as wedding invitations, company letterhead and memos, and other printed materials. Many items in the sample books are for prominent client Columbia Records.

Held at: Philadelphia History Museum [Contact Us]

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Philadelphia Bureau of Police, Detective Service mugshot books, circa 1895-1911

Extent:
4.4 linear feet
Abstract:
In 1841, a police department directed by the Mayor was created in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, replacing the daily and nightly patrol that had been in place since December of 1830. One of the major factors driving the Consolidation Act of 1854 unifying the various municipalities within Philadelphia County into the City of Philadelphia was the need for a unified police force, which was established around that time. The Detective Division, later known as the Detective Service, was established in 1859. The Philadelphia Bureau of Police, Detective Service mugshot books, circa 1895-1911, consist of 12 volumes of identification photographs, also called rogues' galleries, of criminals and suspected criminals in Philadelphia. In addition to the individual's name, there is often other personal information listed with the photographs.

Held at: Philadelphia History Museum [Contact Us]

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Buckley and Co., Inc. construction photographs, 1927-1971 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.75 linear feet
Abstract:
John Buckley and Company was established by John J. Buckley (1896-1974) in 1928 as construction contractors specializing in foundations. Buckley and Co., Inc. is still active as of 2014 as a major highway and heavy contractor business located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Buckley and Co., Inc. construction photographs, 1927-1971, consist primarily of images of construction sites, but also include film negatives, and small numbers of letters, bid forms, and other documents.

Held at: Philadelphia History Museum [Contact Us]

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Stan Lee and Esther Broza papers, 1940-1970 (bulk) 1922-1990 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.25 linear feet
Abstract:
Stanley A. Broza (1897-1970), better known as Stan Lee Broza, was a pioneer in radio and television broadcasting and programming. He is best known for creating and hosting the popular radio show "The Children's Hour," which aired on WCAU-AM in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1927 to 1958. Several well-known celebrities worked on "The Children's Hour" before they became famous including Frankie Avalon, Rosemary Clooney, Eddie Fisher, and others. Broza's wife, Esther Malis Broza (1898-1990) worked as a producer, writer, and director on the show. The Stan Lee and Esther Broza papers, 1922-1990 (bulk 1940-1970), primarily consist of photographs, correspondence, scrapbooks, and newspaper clippings documenting the careers of Stan Lee and Esther Broza, particularly their work on "The Children's Hour" radio and television program. Other materials in the collection relate to the Brozas' children, Elliot Lawrence and Stanley Broza Jr., and various members of Esther's family.

Held at: Philadelphia History Museum [Contact Us]

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American International Shipbuilding Corporation photographs of Hog Island shipyard, 1917-1920 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.5 linear feet
Abstract:
The Hog Island Shipyard was constructed on the outskirts of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1917 to 1918 in response to the United States' need for cargo and troop transport ships after it entered World War I. At the time, Hog Island was the largest shipyard in the world and the first to use an assembly-line process on such a large scale. From the time of the shipyard's completion in 1918 until its closing in 1921, 122 ships were built. As of 2014, Philadelphia International Airport sits on most of the land once occupied by the shipyard. The Hog Island photographs, 1917-1920, consist of about 2,000 photographs from de-constructed photo albums by the American International Shipbuilding Corporation documenting the construction of the Hog Island Shipyard and its operations.

Held at: Philadelphia History Museum [Contact Us]

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Herbert Pullinger prints and drawings, circa 1910-1950

Extent:
1.75 linear feet
Abstract:
Herbert Pullinger (1878-1961) was a painter, printmaker, and commercial illustrator active in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His art is considered part of the Ashcan School movement of the early twentieth century. Pullinger taught for almost forty years at what is now University of the Arts. The Herbert Pullinger prints and drawings, circa 1910-1950, consist of over 250 prints and drawings produced by Pullinger depicting buildings and streetscapes of Philadelphia and nearby areas.

Held at: Philadelphia History Museum [Contact Us]

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