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Start Over Place Philadelphia (Pa.) Year 1860 to 1864

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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]

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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]

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Pennsylvania Horticultural Society minute books, 1827-2001 (inclusive)

Extent:
7.3 linear feet (27 containers)
Abstract:
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) was founded on November 24, 1827 by fifty-three prominent Philadelphians; among them Horace Binney, David Landreth Jr., William Davidson, George Pepper, Nicolas Biddle and Moses Brown. Emulating similar societies existing in England at the time, the men formed their Society to promote “a highly instructive and interesting science for the purpose of improving the growth of vegetables, plants, trees, fruits and flowers.” Since that time, the Society and its membership has fostered “…an appreciation of plants, acquiring scientific knowledge about them, disseminating horticultural information, and involving the public in gardening and beautifying the City of Philadelphia.” More recently, the Society has worked specifically to beautify the city and help realize William Penn’s founding vision for Philadelphia to be a “greene countrie towne.” This is a collection of meeting minutes of the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Horticultural...(see more)

Held at: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society [Contact Us]

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Union League archives, 1833-2010 (inclusive)

Extent:
1643.0 items
Abstract:
Founded in 1862 as a patriotic society to support the Union and the policies of President Abraham Lincoln, the Union League of Philadelphia laid the philosophical foundation of other Union Leagues across a nation torn by Civil War. From its founding to the present, the League has been a leading civic organization and has played an important role in the history of our country and the City of Philadelphia. Over the past 150 years, this service has ranged from raising troops during the Civil War and lobbying for enforcement of the “freedom” amendments during Reconstruction, to feeding the hungry during the Great Depression, to finding jobs for returning veterans after World War II. The Union League archives houses a wide variety of records related to the general administration of the Union League, its mission, building and history. Additionally, researchers will find a small sampling of papers more generally related to the Civil War, including some letters written by Abraham Lincoln....(see more)

Held at: Union League of Philadelphia [Contact Us]

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Barry-Hayes papers, 1778-1861 (bulk) 1723-1875 (inclusive)

Extent:
23.0 boxes and [7 oversize volumes, and 1 oversize folder]
Abstract:
John Barry (1745-1803), often credited as the Father of the American Navy, served the Continental Navy and the United States Navy for seventeen years. He and his descendents, particularly his nephew Patrick Hayes and grand-nephew Patrick Barry Hayes, became prominent members of Philadelphia society, serving as seamen, merchants, businessmen and politicians. The Barry-Hayes papers are the business, political and personal papers of John Barry and of his family, especially Patrick Hayes and Patrick Barry Hayes. The collection includes correspondence, letterbooks, diaries, logbooks, legal and financial papers related to Barry’s career in the Navy, the business ventures of the Hayes, Keen and Somers families, and their personal lives.

Held at: Independence Seaport Museum, J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library [Contact Us]

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Conner family papers, 1832-1856 (bulk) 1832-1856 1816-1903 (inclusive)

Extent:
3.0 folders
Abstract:
Susan Dillwyn Physick was born on June 22, 1803, in Philadelphia, the second of four children. Her parents were Elizabeth Emlen, whose family was one of the wealthiest in Philadelphia, and Philip Syng Physick, the prominent physician. In 1824 she met naval Master-Commandant David Conner, and the two married on June 25, 1828. The Conner family papers consist primarily of 23 journals kept by Susan Dillwyn Physick Conner from 1832 to 1856. The collection also includes her unfinished autobiography with amendments by her son, a scrapbook, two notebooks, two journals by her son, one journal by Philip Conner’s wife, two letters (one by Mary Lewis, one by Philip Conner), three account books, two published books owned by Susan Physick Conner, and notes and drafts by Arthur Hale, Philip Conner’s son-in-law.

Held at: Independence Seaport Museum, J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library [Contact Us]

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John Dickinson papers, 1753-1808 (bulk) 1676-1885 (inclusive)

Extent:
5.2 linear feet and 13 containers, 5 volumes
Abstract:
John Dickinson (1732-1808), a Philadelphia lawyer and politician, was a major figure in colonial Delaware and Pennsylvania governments and during the early national period. He was an active presence and prolific writer during the American Revolution and early Republic from the passage of the Sugar Act (1764) until the Jefferson presidency (1801 to 1809). He also served in the military as colonel, private, and brigadier general. He married Mary Norris in 1770. John Dickinson died in Delaware in 1808. The John Dickinson papers contains incoming and outgoing correspondence; drafts and original manuscript documents from the revolutionary and early national government, Revolutionary War, Delaware and Pennsylvania government; land papers; legal papers; bills and receipts; collected essays, notes and commonplace books; and estate material. The papers provide a clear picture of the way in which colonists envisioned their new country and how these new Americans worked, compromised and...(see more)

Held at: Library Company of Philadelphia [Contact Us]

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Library Company of Philadelphia minute books, 1731-2000 (inclusive)

Extent:
46.0 volumes
Abstract:
In 1731, Benjamin Franklin and a group of intellectual Philadelphians established the Library Company of Philadelphia, a subscription library supported by its shareholders. The Library Company flourished because it adopted a purchasing policy responsive to the needs of its intellectually alert, economically ambitious, but non-elite membership. The Library Company of Philadelphia is now an independent research library specializing in American society and culture from the 17th to 19th centuries. The history of this organization is best documented by its minute books dating from 1731 to 2000. The collection consists of minute books documenting the meetings of the Directors (both the final approved version of the minutes and the rough drafts of the minutes), 1731 to 2000; the Trustees of the Loganian Library, 1853 to 1876; and the Committee for Fixing the Value of Lost Books, 1785 to 1848. In addition to meeting minutes, the minute books include financial reports, and supporting...(see more)

Held at: Library Company of Philadelphia [Contact Us]

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Stevens-Cogdell-Sanders-Venning collection, 1734-1982 (inclusive)

Extent:
3.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Stevens-Cogdell-Sanders-Venning family papers document the development of a white family and a prominent middle-class African American family in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, beginning with the 1760s emigration of John Stevens from England to South Carolina. The materials date from 1734 to 1982 and consist of scrapbooks, ephemera, newspaper clippings, Common Prayer books, invitations, holiday cards, correspondence, business papers, and a variety of personal papers. The materials document the Stevens-Cogdell-Sanders-Venning families’ professional, family, and personal lives as well as the development of a prominent middle-class African American family.

Held at: Library Company of Philadelphia [Contact Us]

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19th Century playbills, 1852-1902 (bulk) 1803-1939 (inclusive)

Extent:
29.25 linear feet (117 volumes (many volumes are boxed))
Abstract:
The 19th Century playbills collection contains a range of material related to theater culture in nineteenth century Philadelphia and in selected other theaters across the northeastern United States. Researchers will find nineteenth century playbills from the following Philadelphia theaters: the Walnut Street Theatre, the Academy of Music, the Arch Street Theatre, the Chestnut Street Theatre, National Theatre (Walnut Street), the National Theatre (Chestnut Street), the Melodeon, and the Continental Theatre. There are also playbills from the Chestnut Street, Arch Street, and 11th Street opera houses. This collection contains an assortment of scrapbooks which include newspaper clippings, photographs, and reviews of actors and performances. The majority of scrapbooks were assembled by various theater enthusiasts; however ten were compiled by theater producer and director Paul E. Glase, who was active in the Philadelphia theater scene during the early twentieth century. Because the...(see more)

Held at: Free Library of Philadelphia: Rare Book Department [Contact Us]

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Visiting Nurse Society of Philadelphia records, 1855-1987 (inclusive)

Extent:
23.8 linear feet
Abstract:
The records of the Visiting Nurse Society of Philadelphia document a wide range of themes and issues in home nursing and the care of the indigent poor. The collection includes trustees' minutes, board correspondence, committee reports, and branch association files. Also included is a well documented collection of photographs.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Barbara Bates Center for the Study of The History of Nursing [Contact Us]

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George W. Childs scrapbooks, 1855-1874 (inclusive)

Extent:
5.0 volumes
Abstract:
The George W. Childs scrapbooks contain newspaper clippings and correspondence, with occasional photographs and other ephemera. The topics are primarily Mr. Childs' career, business and philanthropic activities.

Held at: Drexel University: Archives and Special Collections [Contact Us]

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German Society of Pennsylvania Agentur records, 1854-1938 (bulk) 1847-1947 (inclusive)

Extent:
10.0 linear feet (52 boxes)
Abstract:
72 volumes of handwritten ledgers, indexes, logs, reports, and letter books, recording the efforts of the Agentur to help needy German immigrants and Philadelphia residents of German origin over a period of a hundred years. Valuable biographical information for local history, social history, labor history, immigration research, genealogy.

Held at: German Society of Pennsylvania: Joseph P. Horner Memorial Library [Contact Us]

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1st Regiment Infantry, Pennsylvania records, 1812-1970 (inclusive)

Extent:
16.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The First Regiment Infantry, Pennsylvania, or "The Dandy First," is considered by some to be the oldest continuously existing troop in the United States National Guard, and the only existing Pennsylvania unit that served in the Continental Army. The unit, which today is known as the 103rd Engineer Battalion, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, has fought in nearly every major American battle beginning with the Revolutionary War. The 1st Regiment Infantry, Pennsylvania records, 1812-1970, consist of about 100 record books of the regiment and its predecessor and successor units, as well as several photograph albums and scrapbooks.

Held at: 1st Regiment Infantry Museum [Contact Us]

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Awbury Arboretum Association photograph collection, circa 1860-2011

Extent:
23.4 linear feet
Abstract:
Henry Cope purchased 40 acres of land in East Germantown, Pennsylvania in 1852 where he built a home for his growing family. Over the next 70 years, his descendants build 24 houses representing a variety of architectural styles. A portion of this land, now known as the Awbury Arboretum, was left to the City Parks Association in 1916 to protect it from development. The Awbury Arboretum Association photograph collection, circa 1860-2011, includes family photographs and Awbury Arboretum Association photographs.

Held at: Awbury Arboretum [Contact Us]

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Frank McGlinn collection on African American theater, 1920-1992 (bulk) 1850-1994 (inclusive)

Extent:
4.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Frank McGlinn collection on African American theater, 1850-1994 (bulk 1920-1992), richly documents Philadelphia's theatrical past through the performances of African Americans. It consists largely of posters, programs, broadsides, clippings and advertisements. There are small amounts of photographs and correspondence (mostly in the form of invitations received). The collection is mainly about 20th century plays, performers, musicals and films.

Held at: African American Museum in Philadelphia [Contact Us]

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American Swedish Historical Museum document and photograph collection, 1702-1981 (inclusive)

Extent:
11.5 linear feet
Abstract:
The American Swedish Historical Museum document and photograph collection, 1702-1981, consists of miscellaneous documents and photographs collected by the American Swedish Historical Museum. It includes correspondence, printed broadsides, certificates, deeds, manuscripts and stage scripts, photographs, glass and film negatives, Speakophone recordings, and many other document types. The materials relate to Americans of Swedish descent, Sweden and Swedish culture, the founding of the Swedish American Historical Museum, and associated topics.

Held at: American Swedish Historical Museum [Contact Us]

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American Swedish Historical Museum scrapbook collection, 1920-1960 (bulk) 1861-1976 (inclusive)

Extent:
6.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The American Swedish Historical Museum scrapbook collection, 1861-1976, contains various scrapbooks--mostly newspaper clippings scrapbooks--relating to topics of interest to Swedes in America. Major subjects include visits of the Swedish royal family to America, the American Swedish Historical Museum, and specific Swedish or Swedish-American personalities including Jenny Lind and Charles Lindberg.

Held at: American Swedish Historical Museum [Contact Us]

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Elizabeth Shantz Bourquin Collection, 1899-1984 (bulk) 1800-1999 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.4 linear feet
Abstract:
Elizabeth Shantz Bourquin, born in 1917, was a resident of the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. The Elizabeth Shantz Bourquin Collection, 1800-1999, consists of an oral history transcript, photographs of Chestnut Hill scenes and carriage driving, and other items. The oral history is a conversation between Elizabeth Bourquin and her brother Raymond Schantz, discussing their childhood in Chestnut Hill.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Rex family papers, 1850-1920 (bulk) 1798-2002 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.5 linear feet
Abstract:
The Rex family, descended from German immigrants, settled in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. The Rex family papers, 1798-2002, includes photographs, a scrapbook, a sampler, certificates, published books, and other items created by Rex family members.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Chestnut Hill Historical Society architectural drawings, land deeds, and titles, 1802-2010 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.4 linear feet
Abstract:
Chestnut Hill, in northwest Philadelphia, was a village of farmers and millers during the Colonial period. After the railroad reached the area in 1854, Chestnut Hill became a popular spot for Philadelphia's wealthy and it soon boasted magnificent estates designed by Frank Furness, T.P. Chandler, and Horace Trumbauer. Chestnut Hill Historical Society architectural drawings, land deeds, and titles, 1802-2010, consists of landscape drawings, blueprints of houses, and surveys of properties in Chestnut Hill (1927 to 2010), as well as land deeds and titles (1802-1955).

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Chestnut Hill Historical Society photograph collection, circa 1850-2011

Extent:
30.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Chestnut Hill, in northwest Philadelphia, was a village of farmers and millers during the Colonial period. After the railroad reached the area in 1854, Chestnut Hill became a popular spot for Philadelphia's wealthy and it soon boasted magnificent estates designed by Frank Furness, T.P. Chandler, and Horace Trumbauer. The Chestnut Hill Historical Society photograph collection, circa 1850-2011, consists of two series: subject-related and family/organization photographs.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Chestnut Hill Historical Society Wissahickon collection, 1970-2011 (bulk) 1760-2011 (inclusive)

Extent:
26.5 linear feet
Abstract:
The 1,800 acres of Wissahickon Valley Park are part of Philadelphia's 9,200-acre Fairmount Park, one of the largest city parks in the world. The Chestnut Hill Historical Society Wissahickon collection, 1760-2011 (bulk 1970-2011) consists of ephemera, memorabilia and records relating to the Wissahickon, created by various sources and collected by the Historical Society. There are newspaper and magazine clippings, scholarly research and governmental reports, prints and photographs, slides, music CDs, and VHS tapes. A large collection of stereoviews of the Wissahickon is a highlight of the collection.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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St. Paul's Episcopal Church records, 1759-1904, and Journal of the meetings that led to the formation of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, 1784-1790, 1759-1904 (inclusive)

Extent:
8 linear feet
Abstract:
St. Paul’s, which opened in 1762, was formed by congregants of Christ Church who supported Reverend William Macclanachan. The records of St. Paul's include vestry minutes; baptismal, marriage, and burial records; Sunday School records; and miscellaneous financial records. After the American Revolution, Anglicans became Episcopalians. Led by the Reverend William White, they organized the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania in 1784. Included in this project is a journal of the meetings that led to the formation of the diocese, dating from 1784 to 1790.

Held at: The Archives of the Episcopal Church [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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State Penitentiary for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania records, circa 1830-1970

Extent:
31.0 linear feet
Abstract:
When it opened in 1829, the State Penitentiary for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania ("Eastern State Penitentiary") was the world's first true "penitentiary" in the sense that it was designed to inspire true feelings of penitence in the hearts of inmates. Initially characterized by its system of strict isolation and grand architecture, more than 300 prisons on five continents were modeled after Eastern State Penitentiary. Over 142 years of operation, the system of isolation was gradually abandoned and the penitentiary became a traditional modern prison; in 1971, the facility was closed. The State Penitentiary for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania records, circa 1830-1970, is comprised of various fragmentary records of the "Eastern State Penitentiary" that were either found on-site after the prison was closed, or donated by various individuals with connections to the prison. There are records relating to the operations and administration of the prison as a whole, as well as...(see more)

Held at: Eastern State Penitentiary [Contact Us]

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Friends' Central School records, 1845-2016 (bulk) 1785-2016 (inclusive)

Extent:
150.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Friends' Central School is a Quaker (Religious Society of Friends), co-educational, private school for children in nursery school through 12th grade. The school was established in 1845 in Center City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and moved to its current location on City Avenue in Wynnewood, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in 1925. The Friends' Central School records, 1785-2016 (bulk 1845-2016), consist of administrative and financial records, enrollment records, personal papers, school publications and ephemera, photographs, scrapbooks, slides, various audiovisual materials, objects and other materials from and relating to the administration, faculty and staff, students, and alumni of Friends' Central School. The collection is arranged into seven series: I. Administration, II. Faculty and staff, III. Students, IV. Alumni, V. Publications, VI. Audiovisual materials, and VII. Objects.

Held at: Friends' Central School Archives [Contact Us]

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The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute subject files, 1792-1943 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1824, in honor of America's first scientist, Benjamin Franklin, The Franklin Institute is one of the oldest and most important science institutes in the nation. Its mission is to inspire a passion for learning about science and technology. The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute subject files, 1792-1943, consist of files arranged alphabetically by subject containing a variety of primary and secondary-source documents related to each topic. The subject headings in the collection include Assorted Industry, Assorted Machines/Technology, Aviation, Cars, Deeds, Electricity, Maps, People, Newspaper Clippings, Patents, The Franklin Institute, Trains, Printing/Typing, and other topics.

Held at: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute [Contact Us]

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Friends of Northeast Philadelphia History local history collection, 1796-2009 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Northeast Philadelphia is one of the largest sections of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, bounded by the Delaware River, Bucks County, Montgomery County, and Tacony and Frankford Creeks. Before the City of Philadelphia was consolidated in 1854, the area was made up of several independent townships and boroughs, many of which had been settled in the 17th century by Swedes and Welsh and English Quakers. Industry developed early in the Northeast's history due to its proximity to several creeks and Philadelphia, but its population did not experience large growth until the 20th century. The Friends of Northeast Philadelphia History local history collection, 1796-2009, is comprised of small groups of materials from various local families, businesses, and historians.

Held at: Friends of Northeast Philadelphia History [Contact Us]

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First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia records, 1796-circa 2000s

Extent:
70.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia is a Unitarian Universalist congregation located in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is the longest continually functioning Unitarian church in the United States. The Church was first formed as the Society of Unitarian Christians of Philadelphia in 1796. In 1825, Reverend William Henry Furness (1801-1896) became the Society's first regularly ordained, full-time minister and led the Church for fifty years. As of 2015, the church continues to operate in a building designed for them in 1885 by noted architect Frank Furness (1839-1912), one of the sons of William Henry Furness. The First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia records, 1796-circa 2000s, consist of administrative and financial records, church registers, correspondence, history materials, and other materials related to the Church, as well as papers of the Church's first minister, William Henry Furness, and other individuals associated or involved with the Church such as...(see more)

Held at: First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia Archives [Contact Us]

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Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library scrapbook collection, 1862-2000 (inclusive)

Extent:
4.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The bulk of the Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library scrapbook collection, 1862-2000, consists of scrapbooks about the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). There are also scrapbooks on the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) and personal scrapbooks on other topics.

Held at: Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum and Library [Contact Us]

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Germantown Historical Society deed collection, 1688-1952 (inclusive)

Extent:
12.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Germantown, a section of northwest Philadelphia, was settled in the late 1600s. It is well known as the site of the first American anti-slavery protest, the Revolutionary War Battle of Germantown, and the seat of the National government during the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. The Germantown Historical Society deed collection, 1688-1952, contains original deeds and land titles for properties in the region of Germantown, Philadelphia.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Naaman K. Ployd scrapbooks, 1901-1912 (bulk) 1849-1912 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.7 linear feet
Abstract:
Naaman K. Ployd (1840-1918) was a Civil War veteran, newspaper columnist, and local historian who lived in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Naaman K. Ployd scrapbooks, 1849-1912, consist of ten scrapbooks relating largely to the Civil War and Germantown history.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Foulke and Long Institute for Orphan Girls records, 1857-1948 (inclusive)

Extent:
4.75 linear feet
Abstract:
The Foulke and Long Institute for Orphan Girls was established in Philadelphia in 1882 for orphaned daughters of soldiers, firemen, and others sacrificed for the public benefit. In 1888, Foulke and Long merged with the Industrial Home for the Training of Girls in the Arts of Housewifery and Sewing. Foulke and Long moved to the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia in 1913, where it remained until the institute merged with the Youth Study Center of Philadelphia in 1960. The Foulke and Long Institute for Orphan Girls records, 1857-1948, are primarily comprised of administrative, financial, and pupil records for the Foulke and Long Institute, with some materials from the Industrial Home for Girls. There are Admission and Dismission Committee records, meeting minutes, account books and ledgers, and many other document types.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Michael Billmeyer family papers, 1719-circa 1940

Extent:
1.4 linear feet
Abstract:
Michael Billmeyer (1752-1837) was a well-known printer and bookseller in the Germantown section of Philadelphia who catered especially to Pennsylvania German and Mennonite communities. The Michael Billmeyer family papers, 1719-circa 1940, are comprised primarily of materials relating to Michael Billmeyer (1752-1837) and his publishing company, with a small amount of materials relating to other family members and the family home.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Dr. Naaman H. Keyser family papers, 1802-1924 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Naaman Henry Keyser (1867-1922) was a dentist and historian who resided in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the author of many dental journal articles, historical addresses, and local histories. The Dr. Naaman H. Keyser family papers, 1802-1924, are comprised of family documents assembled by Dr. Naaman H. Keyser for his genealogical and local history research, as well as some of his research notes and manuscripts. The family documents date from about 1802 to the 1870s, and Naaman H. Keyser's research dates from the 1920s.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Perot family papers, 1816-1940 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.8 linear feet
Abstract:
The Perot family were residents of the Germantown section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Perot family papers, 1816-1940, include correspondence, scrapbooks, account books, and ephemera relating to various members of the Perot family, especially Mary Lea Perot.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Henry George family papers, circa 1844-2000 (bulk 1880-1950)

Extent:
4.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Henry George (1839-1897) was a journalist and political economist best known for writing about and popularizing the idea of the "single tax." His work led to several reform movements in the Progressive Era and inspired the economic philosophy known today as "Georgism." Two of George's children, Henry George Jr. and Anna George de Mille, continued to be active in the single tax movement and promoting their father's legacy after his death in 1897. The Henry George family papers, circa 1844-2000 (bulk 1880-1950), consist of correspondence, published and unpublished works, and other materials from and about Henry George, Henry George Jr., and Agnes George de Mille. There are also photographs, prints, and illustrations of the George family and of Anna George de Mille's family.

Held at: The Henry George Birthplace, Archive and Historical Research Center [Contact Us]

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Eyre Family Papers, 1840-1912 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.5 linear ft. (3 boxes)
Abstract:
The collection contains papers concerning the Eyre family, Pennsylvania Quakers. descendents of Isaac and Eleanor (Cooper) Eyre, of Philadelphia and Bucks County. Isaac Eyre (1778-1843) was a prominent Philadelphia shipbuilder. In 1828, he removed to a farm in Bucks County, Pa. William Eyre (1804-1885) was their oldest son, a Philadelphia master builder. His brother, Isaac (1819-1904) was a farmer and promoter of the railroad from Bucks County, Pa. He was also one of the founders of the George School, Newtown, Pa., and active in Quaker concerns. The collection contains correspondence of Isaac Eyre largely to Isaac Hicks (1815-1900) Quaker interests, prominent Friends, farming, and railroad projects; also eighteen diaries of William Eyre (1840-1880, gaps 1841-1849 and 1855-1857, microfilmed), and some miscellaneous family material.

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

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Wright's Industrial and Beneficial Institute of Frankford records, 1855-1946 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Wright's Industrial and Beneficial Institute was founded in the mid-19th century by Joseph Wright (1792-1858) as a charitable institution for the community, which was initially supported by his estate. The Institute was to maintain organizations geared towards the improvement of the industrial, literary, and scientific pursuits of the young people of the community. The Wright's Industrial and Beneficial Institute of Frankford records, 1855-1964, consist of financial records, administrative records, property documents and volumes from the Wright's Industrial and Beneficial Institute, as well as a few of the organizations it supported.

Held at: Historical Society of Frankford [Contact Us]

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Horace William Castor family papers, 1827-1964 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.5 linear feet
Abstract:
This collection consists of several generations of Castor family papers and provides insight into the wide interest in family history and the history of Frankford and Philadelphia cultivated by noted architect Horace W. Castor. It also documents financial, real estate, and legal transactions conducted not only by Mr. Castor but by his father and grandfather as well. Historical research notes and genealogical notes, personal correspondence and wills document family relationships among the three generations of Castors represented in the collection. Besides collecting and preserving these documents, Horace W. Castor wrote several papers on subjects of local history. A copy of one of these: "A Story of Pine Street Church and Frankford Gun Powder Mill," written for The Historical Society of Frankford, March 11, 1948, is in the collection.

Held at: Historical Society of Frankford [Contact Us]

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George W. Holstein family papers, 1817-1927 (inclusive)

Extent:
17.0 linear feet
Abstract:
George Washington Holstein, M.D., was a prominent citizen of Bridgeport in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He was at times a burgess, postmaster, and school director. He was a Civil War veteran and long-time member of the Odd Fellows. The George W. Holstein family papers, 1817-1927, consist primarily of Dr. Holstein's journals, notebooks, essays, and correspondence. There are also some journals and papers from other family members.

Held at: Historical Society of Montgomery County [Contact Us]

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LMHS.15: Levering family papers, 1807-1973 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.4 linear feet
Abstract:
Born in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania, John Levering (1789-1878) was a graduate of the University Academy and a noted mathematician and surveyor. The Levering family papers, 1807-1973, consist of a family bible, a burial plot deed, two obituaries, two photographs, and genealogical notes.

Held at: Lower Merion Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Old York Road Historical Society deeds collection, circa 1680-1950

Extent:
7.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Montgomery County, situated in southeastern Pennsylvania and established in 1784 out of the western portion of Philadelphia County, has played an important role in U.S. history. Since its founding, it has experienced "booming industry and manufacturing, rich farm fields, advanced transportation, artistic endeavors and unique religious beliefs." The history of the area of eastern Montgomery County has been documented significantly through the collecting efforts of the Old York Road Historical Society. The Old York Road Historical Society deeds collection, circa 1680-1950, consists of about 600 deeds, indentures, and property records dating from the 17th century to the 20th century. Most are from the region of eastern Montgomery County.

Held at: Old York Road Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Comfort-Dern family papers and memorabilia, 1848-1925 (inclusive)

Extent:
3.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Charles L. Comfort (1835-1913) was a Confederate Civil War veteran who settled in Philadelphia and opened a business in botanical preparations and flavoring extracts. His second wife was Ellen Lister Dern. The Comfort-Dern family papers, 1848-1925, are a miscellaneous accumulation of papers primarily relating to Charles L. Comfort and his father-in-law Conrad Dern. It includes receipted bills, family correspondence, photographs, business accounts, Badger/Comfort family genealogical notes, and various family documents and ephemera. There are also small amounts of records from two clubs in which family members were involved: the Utah Club and the Men's Chapter of the Guild of the Church of Our Savior (Jenkintown).

Held at: Old York Road Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Lippincott Family Papers, 1752-2010 (inclusive)

Extent:
6 linear ft. (9 boxes, 2 oversize folders, and photographs)
Abstract:
Horace Mather Lippincott (1877-1967) was a Quaker editor and historian. The collection contains his speeches and writings on topics primarily concerning the Society of Friends and the history of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Of particular interest is the scrapbook he compiled in 1946 of papers and photographs of the 1913-1914 Joint Group which met weekly to study the Separation in the Society of Friends, along with other papers on the topic and on the first joint meeting of the two Philadelphia Yearly Meetings in 1946. The collection includes genealogical research by Horace Mather Lippincott and his brother George E. Lippincott, deeds, and some family papers.

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

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Third Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.) Records, 1771-1956, 1771-1956 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.75 cubic feet
Abstract:
Third Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, (“Old Pine Street”) began as a collegiate congregation to First Presbyterian Church and shared a board of trustees. In 1771, the congregations separated. Records include: charters and deeds; other legal and financial documents; correspondence; publications; records of the Trustees, Sunday school and missionary society; session minutes; pew rents; dismission and reception certificate stubs; and registers of baptisms, marriages, deaths and burials.

Held at: Presbyterian Historical Society [Contact Us]

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The Central High School of Philadelphia records, 1838-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
125.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Central High School of Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) is the second oldest continuously public high school in the United States, operating as a magnet school within the School District of Philadelphia. Chartered in 1836 as an all-boys school, its first building opened its doors in 1838. The school moved to its current building in 1939 and began admitting female students in 1983. The Central High School of Philadelphia records, 1838-2014, consist primarily of student records and publications, with a large number of 19th and 20th century photographs and some other materials including audiovisual materials, faculty papers, ephemera, and blueprints.

Held at: Archives of the Associated Alumni of the Central High School of Philadelphia [Contact Us]

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The Associated Alumni of the Central High School of Philadelphia subject files on the Central High School of Philadelphia, 1880-2014 (bulk) 1818-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
50.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Central High School of Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) is the second oldest continuously public high school in the United States, operating as a magnet school within the School District of Philadelphia. Chartered in 1836 as an all-boys school, its first building opened its doors in 1838. The school moved to its current building in 1939 and began admitting female students in 1983. The Associated Alumni of the Central High School of Philadelphia subject files on the Central High School of Philadelphia, 1818-2014 (bulk 1880-2014), consist of subject, class, faculty, distinguished visitors, and alumni files. A minute book of the Board of Public Education of the First School District of Pennsylvania, 1818-1823, is also available. Certain items within the files may be of particular interest including letters from famous people such as Margaret Mead, Robert Kennedy, and John Wanamaker and materials relating to former Unites States presidents.

Held at: Archives of the Associated Alumni of the Central High School of Philadelphia [Contact Us]

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Historical Society of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church subject files, 1970-2014 (bulk) 1770-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
28.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Methodism is a protestant Christian faith based in the teachings of John Wesley (1703-1791), who preached "practical divinity," emphasis on Christian living, and putting faith and love into action. The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1784 in the United States. After a series of divisions and unifications over the centuries, the modern United Methodist Church (U.S.) was formed in 1968. The Historical Society of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church subject files, 1770-2014 (bulk 1970-2014), consist of small amounts of accumulated materials relating to Methodism, particularly, but not exclusively, in the Philadelphia area. Ephemera, such as pamphlets, brochures, newsletters, and newspaper clippings, as well as photocopies, make up a large percentage of the collection, although there are also photographs, correspondence, manuscripts, and other original documents. The collection is organized alphabetically by topic within six series: I. People,...(see more)

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

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St. George's United Methodist Church records, 1763-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
45.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Historic St. George's Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is known as the cradle of American Methodism. St. George's is American Methodism's oldest church building in continuous service; people called 'Methodists' have been meeting there since 1769. St. George's United Methodist Church records, 1763-2014, include vital records, administrative materials, financial documents, papers from subgroups of the church, photographs, blueprints, and various other materials.

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

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Bustleton United Methodist Church records, 1830-2010 (inclusive)

Extent:
5.33 linear feet
Abstract:
Methodists began meeting for worship in the Bustleton neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1827, although Bustleton Methodist Episcopal Church was not officially chartered until 1833. Bustleton United Methodist Church was discontinued around 2010. The Bustleton United Methodist Church records, 1830-2010, include membership and vital records, official board minutes, administrative board minutes, Quarterly Conference minutes, reports to Quarterly Conference, trustee minutes, bequests, building-related documents, newsletters, worship bulletins, anniversary and historical material, newspaper clippings, photographs, and various other documents.

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

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Frankford Central United Methodist Church records, 1855-1995 (inclusive)

Extent:
4.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Central Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in the Frankford neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1876 and closed in 2005. The Frankford Central United Methodist Church records, 1855-1995, include official board minutes, trustee minutes, membership and vital records, newsletters, and various other records of Frankford Central United Methodist Church.

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

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Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church records, 1826-1941 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church in the Southwark section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was founded in 1790 and discontinued in 1938. The Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church records, 1826-1941, consist largely membership, marriage, and baptism records. There is also a Quarterly Conference Record dating from 1835 to 1867, one book from 1903 to 1904 consisting of burial records from both Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church in Southwark and Ebenezer Church in Havertown, and various other documents.

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

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Church of the Covenant Methodist Church records, 1834-1945, 1995

Extent:
2.75 linear feet
Abstract:
Salem Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1835, and re-located to Lombard and Juniper Streets in 1841. It merged with Western Methodist Episcopal Church to form Methodist Episcopal Church of the Covenant in 1894, located at 18th and Spruce Streets. Church of the Covenant Methodist Church was discontinued in 1945. Most of the Church of the Covenant Methodist Church records, 1834-1945 and 1995, are Salem Methodist Episcopal Church registers and minutes (First Leaders, trustees, and Quarterly Conference). Records from Western Methodist Episcopal Church and Church of the Covenant Methodist Church are also present.

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

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Preachers' Meeting of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Philadelphia minutes, 1838-1942 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.25 linear feet
Abstract:
The Preachers' Meeting of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Philadelphia, known at other times as the Methodist Ministers' Meeting of Philadelphia and Vicinity, was a collegial gathering of local Methodist ministers that began in the 1820s or earlier and continued into the 20th century. They often had a featured topic to discuss, were visited by a guest speaker, or considered changes to the Methodist form of worship. They also would occasionally comment on some pressing social issue or read memoirs of fellow clergy who died. The Preachers' Meeting of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Philadelphia minutes, 1838-1942, consist entirely of minute books.

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

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William H. Molloy papers, 1925-1971 (bulk) 1804-1971 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.5 linear feet
Abstract:
William H. Molloy (1890-1980) was a real estate agent and resident of Upper Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The bulk of the William H. Molloy papers, 1804-1971, is materials relating to his work as a real estate agent, including deeds, mortgages, estate papers, and other related materials. There are also family photographs and papers in the collection.

Held at: Upper Moreland Historical Association [Contact Us]

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Naomi Wood Trust records, 1926-2011 (bulk) 1737-2011 (inclusive)

Extent:
8.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Woodford Mansion, once an elegant summer retreat located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is now a National Historic Landmark and museum. The mansion is furnished with 18th- and early 19th-century antiques left by Naomi Wood, a Philadelphia-born antiques collector. Woodford is owned by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation but operated by the Naomi Wood Trust. The bulk of the Naomi Wood Trust records, 1737-2011, is comprised of photographs and records of the antique furnishings provided by the trust. There are also architectural drawings relating to the building and grounds, correspondence of the trustees, and a small amount of Naomi Wood family papers.

Held at: Woodford Mansion [Contact Us]

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Maps, 1770-1946, undated (inclusive)

Extent:
.1 linear ft. (1 box, 1 oversize box)
Abstract:
This collection is comprised of the maps from the Quaker collection.

Held at: Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections [Contact Us]

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Thomas Evans papers, 1704-1868 (inclusive) 1823-1859 (bulk)

Extent:
.75 linear ft. (2 boxes)
Abstract:
This collection contains over 240 mainly incoming manuscript letters addressed to Thomas Evans, a Philadelphia druggist, author, editor, Orthodox Quaker minister of Philadelphia and, in 1833, one the founders of Haverford College. The letters, 1823-1859, contain material on his very active role in the Society of Friends and the problems of religious doctrine before and during the Hicksite and Wilburite schisms within the Quaker faith. The collection also includes papers and legal documents from Evans' role as trustee for multiple Quaker estates.

Held at: Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections [Contact Us]

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Troth Family Copy Letter Books, 1852-04-03-1861-07-08 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.1 linear ft. (1 folder)
Abstract:
This collection consists of two copy letter notebooks written by Samuel F. Troth (1801-1886), a prominent Philadelphia pharmacist and Quaker, between 1852 and 1861. The first notebook contains a collection of letters from June 1853, addressed to his daughter, Elizabeth T. Troth, of Samuel Troth's travels. The second notebook contains various letters from Samuel Troth to friends and family about various events between 1852 and 1861.

Held at: Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections [Contact Us]

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"Theatricals in Philadelphia" scrapbooks, 1838-1936 (inclusive) 1838-1897 (bulk)

Extent:
6 linear feet (22 volumes)
Abstract:
The "Theatricals in Philadelphia" scrapbooks consists of a set of 15 scrapbooks on theatrical subjects and contains programs, playbills, newspaper clippings, images, and portraits of artists of the stage, dating from the second half of the 19th century. These materials mostly relate to theaters and other performing venues located in Philadelphia, although there are also some items from New York, Boston, and other U.S. cities. Because of its extent (about 3,500 pages), its chronological and geographical focus, the richness of its materials, and the breadth of theatrical genres covered in the scrapbooks, this collection represents a unique and invaluable resource for anyone interested in the theatrical and cultural history of Philadelphia in the second half of the 19th century.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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Philadelphia Sketch Club artwork, circa 1860s (inclusive)

Extent:
1.67 linear feet (1 box)
Abstract:
Founded in 1860 by six students from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the Philadelphia Sketch Club is one of America's oldest continuing artist organizations. The Philadelphia Sketch Club artwork comprises original pen and ink drawings, watercolor, and ink wash sketches by founding members of the club including Edmund B. and George F. Bensell, Henry C. Bispham, John L. Gihon as well as other notable artists such as William Emlen Cresson, and Joseph Boggs Beale.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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Edward James Nolan documents and correspondence on the History of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, 1846-1915 (inclusive)

Extent:
234.0 items
Abstract:
Edward James Nolan (1846-1921) served as the librarian at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia from 1869 until his death. During his tenure as librarian, he performed research on and wrote the history of the Academy which was completed in 1909. This collection contains material collected by Nolan for his history, including transcriptions of early minutes, deeds, biographies, news clipppings, letters and reminiscences of colleagues.

Held at: Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia [Contact Us]

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George Sproule papers, 1884-1944 (bulk) 1784-1947 (inclusive)

Extent:
4.16 linear feet (3 boxes, 17 volumes)
Abstract:
George F. Sproule (1867-1928), known as an authority on the Port of Philadelphia, served on the Board of Port Wardens of Philadelphia from 1884 to 1907, as Secretary of the Board of Commissioners of Navigation for the Delaware River from 1907 to 1920, and as Director of Wharves, Docks and Ferries from 1920 to 1928. His son, Samuel Jackson Sproule served as Port Representative for the United States Shipping Administration, Recruitment and Manning Organization during World War II. This collection documents the professional life of George F. Sproule in the Philadelphia shipping and maritime industry in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the history of the Port of Philadelphia, and the World War II career of his son. The collection includes clippings, correspondence, appointment books, a scrapbook, business records, photographs, ephemera, and writings. The collection also includes a large number of maritime-related newspaper clipping volumes dating from 1891 to 1928.

Held at: Independence Seaport Museum, J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library [Contact Us]

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Ogden and Cuthbert family papers, 1760-1830 (bulk) 1750-1906 (inclusive)

Extent:
17.0 volumes and [1 box]
Abstract:
The Odgen and Cuthbert families joined when Anthony Cuthbert (1751-1832) married Mary Ogden (1770-1862) in 1799. Both families had strong connections to the rivers of Philadelphia. The Ogden and Cuthbert family papers consist largely of financial records (receipt, invoice and account books) of Joseph Ogden, his son George, and his son-in-law Anthony Cuthbert.

Held at: Independence Seaport Museum, J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library [Contact Us]

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Anne Hampton Brewster papers, 1845-1892 (bulk) 1777-1892 (inclusive)

Extent:
28.0 containers
Abstract:
Anne Hampton Brewster (1818-1892) was an American novelist, journalist and foreign correspondent who defied contemporary conceptions of womanhood and society during the nineteenth century. The papers date from 1777 to 1892, with the majority of the materials dating from 1845 to 1892. The materials primarily consist of diaries, journals, commonplace books, correspondence, newspaper clippings, notes about her writings and drafts of her writings. The materials document Anne Hampton Brewster’s personal life with friends and family, and they document her professional life as a journalist and writer.

Held at: Library Company of Philadelphia [Contact Us]

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The professional and personal papers of Edwin Wolf 2nd, 1920-1988 (bulk) 1798-1996 (inclusive)

Extent:
20.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Edwin Wolf 2nd (1911-1991) was a librarian, bibliophile, author, historian, Franklin scholar, and a civic leader in Philadelphia. Wolf was Curator of the Library Company from 1953 to 1955, and then served as Librarian from 1955 to 1984. During those years, he led the Library Company though a period of rejuvenation, growth, and prosperity. The Edwin Wolf 2nd papers contain correspondence, research files, volumes, publications, photographs, and other records that document the education, career, and personal family life of one of Philadelphia’s most prominent bookmen during the 20th century.

Held at: Library Company of Philadelphia [Contact Us]

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Thomas Leiper and family business records, 1771-1947 (inclusive)

Extent:
47.0 volumes
Abstract:
Thomas Leiper (1745-1825) was introduced into the business of tobacco shortly after his arrival in Virginia in 1763. Within several years, he moved to Philadelphia where he opened a tobacco shop. During the Revolutionary War, Leiper became the principal tobacco provider in Philadelphia. In 1776, Leiper purchased land in Delaware County that included a mill at a waterfall on the Crum Creek. He established snuff mills and later purchased a stone quarry. The Thomas Leiper and family business records include correspondence, country estate records, and business and financial records of the family's paper, lumber and wood working businesses, quarry business, and tobacco business dating from 1771 to 1947.

Held at: Library Company of Philadelphia [Contact Us]

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Logan family papers, 1684-1925 (inclusive)

Extent:
11.0 linear feet and 10 containers, 62 volumes
Abstract:
The Logan family was prominent in Philadelphia from the start of the province, serving the people in many capacities, including political, medical and literary. This is a collection of manuscripts obtained by the Library Company of Philadelphia that relates to the Logan family. The collection includes papers of the Logan family members Albanus Charles, Algernon Sydney, Deborah Norris, William Jr., and James as well as family materials collected by Frances A. Logan and William Logan Fox. The collection dates from 1684 to 1925 and consists of family papers, correspondence, diaries, writings, medical texts, lecture notes, financial records, poetry, visiting cards, and invitations.

Held at: Library Company of Philadelphia [Contact Us]

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Patrick Coad family papers, 1798-1888 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.5 linear feet (; 2 boxes)
Abstract:
Patrick Coad (1783-1872), an Irish immigrant who settled in Philadelphia, was the first patentee of a graduated galvanic battery with insulated poles. Touting his battery among other uses as an instrument that helped cure various diseases, Coad’s invention attracted a good deal of attention within the scientific and medical communities. A teacher whose interests focused on medicine and the sciences, Coad also travelled throughout Pennsylvania and the surrounding area as a lecturer on the natural sciences. The collection includes Coad’s correspondence, his lecture and medical notes, and ephemera, such as newspaper clippings, pamphlets and broadsides, publicizing his galvanic battery and lectures. Several of Coad’s family members are also documented through correspondence, ephemera, and estate items, including his son Joseph R. Coad (1829-1868), a prominent Philadelphia physician. A family scrapbook with miscellaneous materials is also included.

Held at: Philadelphia Archdiocesan Historical Research Center [Contact Us]

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Martin, Campbell, and Furlong families papers, 1825-1930 (bulk) 1795-1963 (inclusive)

Extent:
5.2 linear feet (; 13 boxes)
Abstract:
This collection contains papers that document several generations of the Martin, Campbell, and Furlong families with the Martin family receiving the most coverage. To a lesser extent, the Kennedy and Jenkins families, who had strong personal and mercantile ties to the Martin family, are also represented. These interrelated middle class Irish Catholic families from Philadelphia were involved in several prominent industries in the region, including overseas commerce. Devout in their religious beliefs, the families, the Campbells in particular, played a significant role in shaping Catholicity in Philadelphia. Members of the Campbell family were also actively involved in political and social movements of the nineteenth- and twentieth-centuries, including the labor movement and women’s suffrage. Distinguished members of these families are represented, including suffragist and writer Sarah Jane Campbell (1844-1928). Items in the collection date from 1795 to 1939 with the majority of...(see more)

Held at: Philadelphia Archdiocesan Historical Research Center [Contact Us]

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Longshore family papers, 1819-1902 (inclusive)

Extent:
20.0 folders
Abstract:
The Longshore family was active in Philadelphia medicine in the 19th century and the Longshore family papers includes material from Thomas Longshore, his brother Joseph Longshore, and his wife Hannah E. Myers Longshore. Thomas Longshore was a teacher and a supporter of women's education and social reform, especially abolition. Joseph Longshore (1809-1879) was a physician who supported women in acquiring quality medical education. He was active in founding the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania and later, the Penn Medical University in Philadelphia. Hannah E. Myers Longshore, M.D. (1819-1901), enrolled in and graduated from the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania’s first class in 1851 and became Philadelphia’s first female physician in private practice. She lectured extensively first at the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania and then at the Pennsylvania Medical University. She operated her private practice in Philadelphia for forty years before retiring in 1892. The...(see more)

Held at: Drexel University: College of Medicine Legacy Center [Contact Us]

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Pennsylvania Horticultural Society records, 1791-2006 (inclusive)

Extent:
22.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) was founded on November 24, 1827 by fifty-three prominent Philadelphians; among them Horace Binney, David Landreth Jr., William Davidson, George Pepper, Nicolas Biddle and Moses Brown. Emulating similar societies existing in England at the time, the men formed their Society to promote “a highly instructive and interesting science for the purpose of improving the growth of vegetables, plants, trees, fruits and flowers.” Since that time, the Society and its membership has fostered “…an appreciation of plants, acquiring scientific knowledge about them, disseminating horticultural information, and involving the public in gardening and beautifying the City of Philadelphia.” More recently, the Society has worked specifically to beautify the city and help realize William Penn’s founding vision for Philadelphia to be a “greene countrie towne.” This is a collection of administrative records from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. The...(see more)

Held at: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society [Contact Us]

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Arion Singing Society letter book and ephemera, 1858-1870, 1907-1936

Extent:
0.13 linear feet (1 box)
Abstract:
The Arion Singing Society (Gesang-Verein) was founded in 1857 by singers who had seceded from the Liedertafel der Deutschen Freien Gemeinde (later known as Harmonie), a singing society that began under the auspices of the Independent German Congregation of Philadelphia. This collection comprises a letter book of Arion, covering the period 5 May 1858 to 1 June 1870, and various ephemera dating from 1907 to 1957, including concert programs, one concert ticket, and four souvenir programs related to an annual bal masqué, or masked ball, that was a tradition of the society since 1865.

Held at: German Society of Pennsylvania: Joseph P. Horner Memorial Library [Contact Us]

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Harmonie Singing Society records, 1855-1918 (bulk) 1855-1957 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.0 linear feet (7 boxes + 3 oversize folders)
Abstract:
The collection contains the records of the Harmonie Singing Society of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded in 1855, and originally known as the Liedertafel des Deutschen Freien Gemeinde (Liedertafel of the Independent German Congregation); it changed its name to Harmonie in 1869, when it reestablished itself separate from the congregation. A Women's, or Ladies' Chorus (Damen-Chor) was founded in 1857. The records include minutes dating from the founding in 1855 until December 1918, with a gap during the years 1876 to 1885; a certificate of incorporation of 1892; ephemera from the late 1890s; a scrapbook of newspaper clippings documenting the 50th anniversary celebration, in 1905; correspondence related to the 60th anniversary celebration, in 1915; anniversary concert programs (1925, 1939, 1940, and 1949); and several songbooks used at regional singing festivals of the Nordöstlicher Sängerbund (1903-1957).

Held at: German Society of Pennsylvania: Joseph P. Horner Memorial Library [Contact Us]

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Krutzke family papers, circa 1860s-1934, 1948-1969

Extent:
0.33 linear feet (2 boxes)
Abstract:
This collection consists of correspondence, photographs and memorabilia from the Krutzke (Krutzky) family. The correspondence is mostly addressed to Herbert Krutzke and his wife, Luise (Louise) Krutzke (née Greger), German Americans who came from East Prussia and lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The correspondents are family members and several friends living in Germany. The correspondence falls into two time periods, 1911 to 1934 and 1948 to 1969. The memorabilia includes an art work, partly sewn, with a handwritten text, created by a German child in school, in the 1860s or early 1870s.

Held at: German Society of Pennsylvania: Joseph P. Horner Memorial Library [Contact Us]

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Waln family papers, 1759-1888 (inclusive)

Extent:
5.6 linear feet (; 14 boxes)
Abstract:
The Walns were a family of prominent Quaker merchants in Philadelphia. In 1774, Richard Waln, moved the family to Crosswicks, in Monmouth County, New Jersey, where he purchased "Walnford" and established a flour mill. The Waln family papers document primarily the family's business activities. Richard Waln (1737-1808) who was engaged in the milling business in Walnford, New Jersey, also was involved with financial concerns in Philadelphia. His nephew Robert (1765-1836) was the director of the Philadelphia Insurance Company from 1804 to 1813. Robert a successful merchant, joined into a partnership with his cousin Jesse, and traded with England and the West Indies, and later with East India and China. The collection consists largely of correspondence and financial records.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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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]

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African American Museum in Philadelphia small collections, circa 1850-2014

Extent:
45.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Founded in 1976 in celebration of the nation's Bicentennial, the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) is the first institution funded and built by a major municipality to preserve, interpret and exhibit the heritage of African Americans. The museum is committed to telling the story of African Americans in all its permutations: family life, the Civil Rights movement, arts and entertainment, sports, medicine, architecture, politics, religion, law, and technology. The African American Museum in Philadelphia small collections, circa 1850-2014, consist of various small accumulations (less than one linear foot) of archival materials acquired from a variety of sources at various times. The collection focuses on, but is not limited to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, touching on all aspects of African American life and culture. It features a great variety of document types, such as correspondence, minute books, ephemera, photographs, clippings, scrapbooks, film reels, and much more.

Held at: African American Museum in Philadelphia [Contact Us]

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Dr. Russell F. Minton papers, 1909-1960 (bulk) 1839-1991 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Dr. Russell F. Minton, born around 1900, was a prominent doctor in the Philadelphia area from the 1930s-1970s. Minton became a radiologist in 1940, and was involved with the merging of Mercy and Frederick Douglass Memorial hospitals. At Mercy-Douglass Hospital he served as chairman of the intern and resident training program, chief of the medical staff, chief of the Radiology Department, and Medical Director from 1949 until 1953. The Dr. Russell F. Minton papers, 1839-1991, bulk 1909-1960, contain correspondence, medical notes and reports, hospital records, newspaper clippings, speeches and articles, numerous photographs, Minton family genealogical items, and other materials. Many documents in the collection are associated with Dr. DeHaven Hinkson, another prominent African American physician in Philadelphia, and the reason for their inclusion with this collection is unclear.

Held at: African American Museum in Philadelphia [Contact Us]

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American Swedish Historical Museum Jenny Lind collection, 1847-1851 (bulk) 1832-1950 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Jenny Lind (Johanna Maria Lind, 1820-1887) was a Swedish-born operatic and oratorio soprano admired for her vocal control and agility and for the purity and naturalness of her art. She toured the United States with P.T. Barnum in 1950 and married her accompanist, Otto Goldschmidt, in 1952. The American Swedish Historical Museum Jenny Lind collection, 1832-1950, is comprised of sheet music, correspondence, programs and prints, ephemera, and a few daguerreotypes. There is also a series of Abel Ahlquist's research on Jenny Lind, circa 1918-1933.

Held at: American Swedish Historical Museum [Contact Us]

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American Swedish Historical Museum relief society records collection, 1853-1957 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.0 linear feet
Abstract:
American Swedish Historical Museum relief society records collection, 1853-1957, includes minute books, a membership register, and other records from several benevolent societies organized by Swedes in America. The societies are: the New England Scandinavian Benevolent Relief Society in Boston, the Norrsken Swedish-Finnish Sick Beneficial Society in Philadelphia, and The Northstar Society. This collection also features one volume from the a Swedish choral group, the Harmony Choir.

Held at: American Swedish Historical Museum [Contact Us]

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John Bartram Association collection on the Bartram family, 1768-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
19.0 linear feet
Abstract:
John Bartram (1699-1777), the "Father of American Botany," created a botanic garden in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that is widely considered the first true botanic collection in North America. In 1891 the City of Philadelphia purchased his estate as a historic site, and the John Bartram Association--primarily constituted of his descendants--was established in 1893 to help with the administration and interpretation of the property. The John Bartram Association collection on the Bartram family, 1768-2012, includes various materials created by or on the subject of John Bartram (1699-1777) and his descendants. It includes some original and many copies of Bartram family documents, photographs, book research, genealogical research, and plant information.

Held at: John Bowman Bartram Special Collections Library [Contact Us]

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Kelsey family papers, circa 1843-1930

Extent:
3.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Jeannette Washburn Kelsey (Mrs. Albert W. Kelsey) of "Rauhala", Chestnut Hill, Pa., was the daughter of Governor C.C. Washburn of Wisconsin (d. 1882). The Kelsey family papers, circa 1843-1930, include personal and social correspondence, business receipts, clippings, scrapbooks, greeting cards, memoirs, notes, photographs, printed ephemera and more.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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James J. Reis Deed Collection, 1717-1881 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.25 linear feet
Abstract:
James J. Reis, a commercial real estate broker in Ambler, Pennsylvania, began collecting old deeds around 1987. The James J. Reis Deed Collection, 1717-1881, consists of 125 deeds for properties in the Philadelphia neighborhoods of Roxborough, Germantown, Chestnut Hill and Mount Airy, as well as Whitemarsh and Springfield townships in Montgomery County.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Houston/Meigs Scrapbooks, circa 1860s-1940s

Extent:
2.2 linear feet
Abstract:
Margaret Corlies Houston Meigs (1891-1970) was the granddaughter Henry Howard Houston (1820-1895), a prominent Philadelphia businessman and philanthropist influential in the development of Chestnut Hill. The Houston/Meigs Scrapbooks, circa 1870s-1940s, consist primarily of photography albums and scrapbooks compiled by Margaret H. Meigs. Topics include Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania, World War I and World War II service, travels in Europe and domestic camping trips, family photographs, event photographs, and the New York draft riots.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Chestnut Hill Historical Society local history collection, 1900-2011 (bulk) 1755-2011 (inclusive)

Extent:
18.8 linear feet
Abstract:
Chestnut Hill, in northwest Philadelphia, was a village of farmers and millers during the Colonial period. After the railroad reached the area in 1854, Chestnut Hill became a popular spot for Philadelphia's wealthy and it soon boasted magnificent estates designed by Frank Furness, T.P. Chandler, and Horace Trumbauer. The Chestnut Hill Historical Society local history collection, 1755-2011 (bulk 1900-2011) consists primarily of newspaper clippings and other printed materials, such as pamphlets, publications, and ephemera, relating to the Chestnut Hill neighborhood. There are some original records of local organizations, such as minute books and ledgers, as well as some family papers.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Howell family papers, 1830-1880 (bulk) 1798-1929 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.5 linear feet
Abstract:
The Howell family were members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) who resided in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The Howell family papers, 1798-1929 (bulk 1830-1880), consist substantially of routine personal correspondence between several generations of the Howell family, particularly Sally R. Howell, Israel Howell, Mary Mott Howell, Joshua R. Howell, and Elizabeth Howell. The collection also includes a sizeable amount of school records, about 17 manuscript volumes from the early to mid-1800s, and drafts of poems and other writings.

Held at: Delaware County Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Dr. Anna E. Broomall scrapbooks, 1900-1922 (bulk) 1841-1922 (inclusive)

Extent:
8.25 linear feet
Abstract:
Anna Elizabeth Broomall (1847-1931), from Delaware County, Pennsylvania, was a prominent physician who established one of the first clinics for out-practice maternity care in the United States. She was chief resident physician and instructor of obstetrics at the Woman's Hospital of the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania. Having an active interest in history, Broomall served as librarian and curator of the Delaware County Historical Society after she retired from medicine. The Dr. Anna E. Broomall scrapbooks, 1841-1922 (bulk 1900-1922) primarily consist of volumes of clippings that focus on historically-significant people, organizations, buildings, and events in Delaware County and Philadelphia. The collection also includes some glass-plate and film negatives as well as items, such as letters and ephemera, of historical and personal interest to Dr. Broomall.

Held at: Delaware County Historical Society [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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First Baptist Church of Philadelphia records, 1690-1906, 1690-1906 (inclusive)

Extent:
8 boxes
Abstract:
Notable for its early leadership in Baptist organization and evangelism, the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia was prominent both in its region and city and in the transatlantic community of Baptists. Records include annual reports, membership records, bulletins, scrapbooks, and biographies as well as records specific to the Board of Deacons, Board of Trustees, Treasurer, Pew Committee, Bible School, Board of Christian Education, and various women's and missionary groups.

Held at: American Baptist Historical Society [Contact Us]

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The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute Frankliniana collection, 1718-2006 (inclusive)

Extent:
4.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1824, in honor of America's first scientist, Benjamin Franklin, The Franklin Institute is one of the oldest and most important science institutes in the nation. Its mission is to inspire a passion for learning about science and technology. The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute Frankliniana collection, 1718-2006, consists of prints, drawings, photographs, and a variety of ephemera and secondary-source materials relating to Benjamin Franklin and his activities. There is a small amount of 18th century materials signed or printed by Franklin.

Held at: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute [Contact Us]

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The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute photograph and negatives collection, circa 1860-1990s

Extent:
6.06 linear feet
Abstract:
Founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1824, in honor of America's first scientist, Benjamin Franklin, The Franklin Institute is one of the oldest and most important science institutes in the nation. Its mission is to inspire a passion for learning about science and technology. The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute photograph and negatives collection, circa 1860-1990s, includes small collections of photographs and photograph albums as well as other photographic materials collected by The Franklin Institute over time. The materials consist of images related to science, industry and technology, engineering, transportation, and other related topics. There are also portrait, landscape, and aerial images. The collection includes prints, negatives, slides, and some early forms of photographs, including talbotypes/calotypes and albumen prints. Some photographs are oversized.

Held at: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute [Contact Us]

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The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute collection of oversized papers, 1790-1984 (inclusive)

Extent:
6.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1824, in honor of America's first scientist, Benjamin Franklin, The Franklin Institute is one of the oldest and most important science institutes in the nation. Its mission is to inspire a passion for learning about science and technology. The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute collection of oversized papers, 1790-1984, consists of oversized materials such as technical drawings of machinery (some used for patents), posters, illustrations, prints, drawings, engravings, maps, photographs, certificates, blueprints, and newspaper pages.

Held at: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute [Contact Us]

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Sellers family papers on machinery, 1845-1893 (inclusive)

Extent:
30.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Sellers family was active in engineering and manufacturing in Philadelphia in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Brothers Charles (1806-1898), George Escol (1808-1899), and Coleman II (1827-1907) Sellers and their cousin William Sellers (1824-1905) were prominent Philadelphia industrialists, inventors, and mechanical engineers in the nineteenth century, responsible for important innovations in engineering and manufacturing while also running major industrial companies and taking an active role in civic affairs. Sellers family papers on machinery, 1845-1893, consist of hand drawn technical drawings for metal parts and machinery, patents and awards from exhibitions relating to machinery, certificates, and photographs of machinery, such as lathes, railroad cars, steam engines, and other mechanical engineering examples.

Held at: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute [Contact Us]

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Bruce Conner collection on Philadelphia history, circa 1840-2011

Extent:
7.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Bruce M. Conner (1951-2011) was a local historian and resident of Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An avid supporter of preserving the history and historic buildings of the Northeast Philadelphia neighborhoods, he was actively involved in many Northeast history organizations and established the Friends of Lower Dublin Academy in 2008. The Bruce Conner collection on Philadelphia history, circa 1840-2011, consists of 19th and 20th century manuscripts collected by Conner as well as secondary-source research materials and papers by Conner on Northeast Philadelphia history.

Held at: Friends of Northeast Philadelphia History [Contact Us]

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Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library photograph collection, circa 1850-2011

Extent:
3.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library photograph collection, circa 1850-2011, depicts a wide range of subjects relating to Civil War history. There are photographs from the Civil War era, later photographs of Grand Army of the Republic posts and Sons of Union Veterans camps, and recent photographs of historic sites, and historical reenactments.

Held at: Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum and Library [Contact Us]

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