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Start Over Place Philadelphia (Pa.) Year 2000 to 2024

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Lubin Manufacturing Company records, 1881-2006 (inclusive)

Extent:
9.6 linear feet (41 containers, 1 flatfile drawer, 3 artifacts)
Abstract:
Siegmund Lubin (1851-1923) founded the Lubin Manufacturing Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which, from 1895 to just before its collapse in 1916, grew to be one of the largest motion picture production companies in the world. His moviemaking empire started with the purchase of one film projector in 1895. Before long, it included a chain of movie theaters, multiple state-of-the-art production studios across the United States, hundreds of employees, numerous patents for recording and projecting equipment, and international movie distribution. Lubin's logo and motto, "Clear As A Bell," referred to the superior quality of his motion picture images. The Lubin Manufacturing Company records, 1881-2006, contains photographs, advertisements, business records, publicity materials, and artifacts documenting Siegmund Lubin’s short-lived career as one of America’s most successful film producers during the silent film era. While the collection does not include any full-length Lubin films,...(see more)

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

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Library records, 1891-2003 (inclusive)

Extent:
23.25 cubic feet (44 containers)
Abstract:
The Library records contains documentation of the Drexel University Library from its creation in 1891 to 2003. Drexel University Library has been housed in three different buildings; the Main Building (1891-1958), the Korman Center (1959-1982) and W.W. Hagerty Library (1983-2010). The library was also responsible for running the library school until 1962, with the exception of the years 1914 to 1922 when the library school was suspended. The documents in this collection constitute a record of the activities of the directors, the internal library departments, and the intensive planning of the form and function of the two library buildings.

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

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Friends Housing Cooperative, Inc. records, 1948-2009 (inclusive)

Extent:
3.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Two Quaker Organizations concerned about urban housing, The American Friends Service Committee and the Friends Neighborhood Guild (FNG) formed the Friends "self-help" Corporation (now called the Friends Housing Cooperative, Inc.) in 1952. The collection, consisting of three linear feet, covers the time period from 1948 to 2009, with the bulk of the materials dating from 2001 to 2009. Materials include correspondence; administrative, legal and financial records; and information regarding membership, projects and publications.

Held at: Temple University Libraries Special Collections Research Center [Contact Us]

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Philadelphia General Hospital (PGH) Training School for Nurses Miscellaneous Collection, 1918-2006 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.8 linear feet
Abstract:
This artificial collection contains miscellaneous small donations related to the Philadelphia General Hospital School of Nursing. They were primarily given by alumni over a period of many years, but some items are of unknown provenance. This collection may include artifacts, publications, personal papers, photographs, and records related to the PGH Training School for Nurses.

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

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Ellen D. Baer papers, 1970-2013 (bulk) 1939-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
13.0 linear feet (8.5 container boxes of documents .5 container boxes of photographs and other items 1 container box of artifacts 2 small flat size boxes 5 oversized framed items)
Abstract:
Ellen D. Baer was a prominent history scholar and nursing figure at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing as well as in nursing centers and colleges in New York. This collection documents her nursing career, federally funded nursing courses in oncology and in AIDS, research projects and prolific writing career as well as insight into her personal life.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Barbara Bates Center for the Study of The History of Nursing [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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President's Office and Administrative Records, 1874-2003, 1939-1993 (bulk) 1874-2003 (inclusive)

Extent:
82.6 linear feet (146 containers)
Abstract:
The oldest natural science research institution and museum in the Americas, the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia (ANSP) was founded in 1812 "for the encouragement and cultivation of the sciences, and the advancement of useful learning." Since the founding of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, there have been twenty-eight presidents and five acting presidents. From 1937 to 1995, there were four presidents and one acting president who left their administrations well documented: Charles M.B. Cadwalader (1937-1951), William M. Marvel (1971-1974), Milton H. Wahl (1974-1976), Thomas Peter Bennett (1976-1985) and Keith Stewart Thomson (1986-1995). In addition, several key staff members who worked closely with these presidents left a record of their influence and contributions. This collection contains papers kept by the Office of the President as well as some of the various divisions of the Academy overseen by the President from 1874 to 2003. The bulk of the...(see more)

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

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United Singers of Philadelphia records, 1880-1926 (bulk) 1880-2006 (inclusive)

Extent:
8.0 linear feet (27 boxes + 8 oversize folders)
Abstract:
The collection comprises the records of the umbrella organization United Singers of Philadelphia (Vereinigte Sänger von Philadelphia) from its founding, in 1881, until 1926, with some scattered ephemera dating as late as 2006; included are the records of several regional singing festivals held in Philadelphia (in 1882, 1897, 1912, and 1926) under the auspices of the Nordöstlicher Sängerbund, an alliance of singing societies in the Mid-Atlantic region. The collection includes minute books, financial records, correspondence, membership lists, scrapbooks, three newspaper issues related to Saengerfests (1897, 1912), and ephemera, including souvenir programs, admission tickets, fliers, and singers' badges. Also included are manuscripts in the hand of William A. Haussmann, of essays written for a souvenir program of 1912, and the rehearsal attendance list of the Ladies' Chorus, dated 1925.

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

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Women's Auxiliary of the German Society of Pennsylvania (Frauen-Hilfsverein) records, 1900-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
6.25 linear feet (5 paige boxes)
Abstract:
The Women’s Auxiliary of the German Society of Pennsylvania was founded in 1900 to serve as an additional charitable arm of the Society, with particular emphasis on charity for families in distress in the Philadelphia area. Since its founding in 1764, the German Society had provided charitable assistance to German-speaking immigrants in the community, especially those newly arrived in the country. With German immigration on the decline in the early 20th century, the Women's Auxiliary assumed the greater portion of the Society's charitable work. After the First and Second World Wars the Auxiliary engaged in war relief to German speaking lands directly and in cooperation with Quaker relief agencies. As state and federal government undertook more and more welfare work in the city, the auxiliary charter was changed in the 1950s to provide scholarship aid to students who majored in German language study. The records include annual reports, charters, bylaws, minute books, treasurer’s...(see more)

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

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William Way LGBT Community Center clippings file, 1979-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
12 linear feet
Abstract:
The William Way LGBT Community Center clippings file, 1979-2012, consists of clippings related to LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) issues collected by volunteers of the William Way Community Center.

Held at: John J. Wilcox, Jr. LGBT Archives, William Way LGBT Community Center [Contact Us]

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Kay Lahusen papers, 1961-2021 (inclusive)

Extent:
23.84 linear feet (39 document boxes, 2 photo boxes, 1 record carton, 1 custom keepsakes box, 4 flat boxes, 2 oversized flat boxes, 1 oversized folder, and 2 oversized framed items.)
Abstract:
Katherine "Kay" Lahusen (1930–2021) was a photojournalist, author, activist, and longtime partner of Barbara Gittings (1961–2007), considered by many to be the mother of the LGBT movement in the United States. Lahusen's photography and activism was integral to the organizing work of Gittings and fellow activist Frank Kameny. The Kay Lahusen papers are comprised primarily of content Lahusen retained, created, or consumed in the fourteen years following Barbara Gittings' death in 2007 until her own passing in 2021.

Held at: John J. Wilcox, Jr. LGBT Archives, William Way LGBT Community Center [Contact Us]

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First African Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.) records, circa 1840-2014 [bulk 1950-2014]

Extent:
20.0 linear feet
Abstract:
First African Presbyterian Church was the first African American Presbyterian congregation in the United States. It was founded in 1807 and received its charter in 1809. The Church has a history of pastors notable in African American Presbyterianism beginning with its first pastor, John Gloucester (1776-1822), who was a former slave. The First African Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa.) records, circa 1840-2014 (bulk 1950-2014), include minutes, membership materials, correspondence, financial documents, photographs, and various other administrative records of the church. There are also some secondary materials collected by church members about the church, its members, and various other organizations and topics. The highlight of the collection is a set of three 1840s ledgers: a membership listing with pew rentals, trustee records, and internment listing.

Held at: John Gloucester Memorial and Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Laurel Hill Cemetery records, 1836-2015 (inclusive)

Extent:
525.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Founded in 1836 in what is now the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Laurel Hill Cemetery is one of the first rural cemeteries to be established in the United States and is one of only a few cemeteries to be designated a National Historic Landmark. Numerous prominent local and national figures are interred at Laurel Hill Cemetery. The Laurel Hill Cemetery records, 1836-2015, consist of minute books, legal documents, administrative records, accounting and financial records, photographs, ephemera, prints, and other documents related to Laurel Hill Cemetery. In addition, there is a large collection of burial cards with corresponding lot books and interment records that document the sale of lots and burials at the Cemetery from 1836 to the present.

Held at: Laurel Hill Cemetery [Contact Us]

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Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania Historic Image Collection, 1885-1950 (bulk) 1885-2000 (inclusive)

Extent:
12.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The land that is now the Morris Arboretum at the University of Pennsylvania, the official Arboretum of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, was previously the private estate of Quaker siblings John Thompson Morris (1847-1915) and Lydia Thompson Morris (1849-1932). The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania Historic Image Collection, 1885-2000, includes photographs, lantern slides, glass plates, postcards, and film negatives, primarily depicting the botanical features and buildings of the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania.

Held at: Morris Arboretum Archives [Contact Us]

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Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania plans, drawings, and maps collection, 1909-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
8.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The land that is now the Morris Arboretum at the University of Pennsylvania, the official Arboretum of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, was previously the private estate of Quaker siblings John Thompson Morris (1847-1915) and Lydia Thompson Morris (1849-1932). The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania plans, drawings, and maps collection, 1909-2013, depicts the lands, gardens, buildings, and landscape features of the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania.

Held at: Morris Arboretum Archives [Contact Us]

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Old York Road Historical Society atlas and map collection, 1848-circa 2000

Extent:
9.0 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 atlas and map collection, 1848-circa 2000, documents Montgomery County, Philadelphia County, and parts of the Delaware Valley.

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

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Old York Road Historical Society obituaries collection, 1991-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
12.0 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 obituaries collection, 1991-2013, consists of alphabetically-organized obituaries of local residents clipped from newspapers.

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

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Pennepack Baptist Church collection, 1844-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
5.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Pennepack Baptist Church, established in 1688 in what is now Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the oldest existing Baptist church in the state. The church, also known as Lower Dublin Baptist Church, has had several notable pastors and parishioners throughout its history. The Pennepack Baptist Historical Foundation was established in 2010 to preserve the Church and promote its history. The Pennepack Baptist Church collection, 1844-2013, consists primarily of scrapbooks with photocopied and printed materials and some original documents. Additionally, the collection contains original manuscript materials such as late nineteenth and early twentieth century photographs, administrative volumes, cemetery deed certificates, and legal papers. Newspaper clippings, genealogy and other materials are also present in the collection.

Held at: Pennepack Baptist Historical Foundation [Contact Us]

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Philadelphia Folksong Society records, 1957-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
130.0 cubic feet
Abstract:
The Philadelphia Folksong Society began meeting in 1957 and was formally incorporated in 1963. Since 1962, the Society has produced the Philadelphia Folk Festival. Held annually outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, it is the longest continuously-running folk festival in the United States and among the largest and most influential festivals of its genre, with a legacy of prominent performers including Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Pete Seeger, and many more. As of 2014, the Philadelphia Folksong Society continues to put on the Philadelphia Folk Festival annually, and holds or sponsors various other programs and events related to folk and traditional music. The Philadelphia Folksong Society records, 1957-2014, consist primarily of audio and audiovisual recordings of the Philadelphia Folk Festival (1962-2014), as well as photographs, clippings, programs, and ephemera relating to the Festival. There is also documentation of other Philadelphia Folksong Society events, especially recordings...(see more)

Held at: Philadelphia Folksong Society [Contact Us]

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Joseph M. Harrison subject files on 1st Regiment Infantry, Pennsylvania, circa 1870-2004

Extent:
96.0 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 Joseph M. Harrison subject files on 1st Regiment Infantry, Pennsylvania, circa 1870-2004, are comprised of several hundred binders assembled by the former Regimental Historian and Curator of the 1st Regiment Museum. The vast majority of materials in the binders are secondary, but there is a small amount of original photographs, ephemera, and documents in some of the binders.

Held at: 1st Regiment Infantry Museum [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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Jack T. Franklin photographs, 1956-1990 (bulk) 1925-2009 (inclusive)

Extent:
140.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Jack T. Franklin (1922-2009) was a Philadelphia-based photojournalist and photographer known for his pictures of 1960s Civil Rights events. The Jack T. Franklin photographs, 1925-2009 (bulk 1956-1990), consist of over 500,000 negatives and photographs that document almost every social, cultural, and political event in the Philadelphia's African American community during Franklin's lifetime, as well as all of the major events of the 1960s Civil Rights movement. The collection includes contact sheets and prints, negatives, and color photographs.

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

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James T. Townsend papers of African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, 1975-2001 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.0 linear feet
Abstract:
James T. Townsend (1915-2000), formerly a state welfare supervisor and veteran of the United States Navy, was organist and choirmaster at the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for more than fifty years. Named in his honor, the James T. Townsend Vocal Scholarship Award is given annually by the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas Music Committee to an African American student under age 25 who is pursuing studies and training in voice at an accredited college or university, or with a master teacher affiliated with an accredited school of music. Most of the James T. Townsend papers of African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, 1975-2001, are applications for the Townsend scholarship. Additionally, the collection includes church and vestry records, church history research, clippings, correspondence, and photographs. Of special interest are illustrations of church vestments and a rectory drawn in 1941 by Dorothy Young (James Townsend's future wife).

Held at: African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas [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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John Grass Wood Turning Company records, 1910-1952, 1993-2002

Extent:
30.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The John Grass Wood Turning Company, in business in the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia from 1863 to 2003, specialized in creating tool handles, flag poles, furniture legs, and other wooden objects shaped on a lathe. Its longevity illustrates Philadelphia's importance as a longstanding industrial center in America's history. The John Grass Wood Turning Company records, 1910-1952, 1993-2002, consist primarily of financial records of the John Grass Wood Turning Company from two significant periods in its history: a forty-year duration beginning just before the company's incorporation in 1911, and a decade-long span leading up to the company's closure in 2003.

Held at: The Center for Art in Wood [Contact Us]

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Nancy Hubby Collection, 1967-2003 (inclusive)

Extent:
4.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Nancy L. Hubby (1937-2003) was one of the three "Founding Mothers" of the Chestnut Hill Historical Society in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (along with Anne Spaeth and Shirley Hanson). The Nancy Hubby Collection, 1967-2003, includes Chestnut Hill Historical Society records, subject files and newspaper clippings on architectural preservation and on Chestnut Hill, photographs and negatives of buildings and events in Chestnut Hill, and scattered correspondence.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Chestnut Hill Historical Society Native Plant Garden Collection, circa 2005-2008

Extent:
0.25 linear feet
Abstract:
The objective of the Native Plant Garden, dedicated in 2009, was to create a native demonstration garden so that area residents could see and learn about Wissahickon native plants. The Chestnut Hill Historical Society Native Plant Garden Collection is comprised of documentation relating to the redesigned and replanted garden of the Chestnut Hill Historical Society / Friends of the Wissahickon headquarters garden.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Friends of the Wissahickon records, circa 1965-2011

Extent:
12.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) is a 1,600 member, non-profit organization founded in 1924. Wissahickon Valley Park, designated a National Natural Landmark in 1964, is a spectacular 1,800-acre forested gorge that is part of Philadelphia's Fairmount Park system. The Friends of the Wissahickon records, circa 1965-2011, includes printed brochures and publications, newspaper clippings, correspondence, financial records, and administrative records.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Elizabeth Farmer Jarvis Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy books research files, circa 2000-2010

Extent:
9.25 linear feet
Abstract:
Elizabeth Farmer Jarvis is a consultant on curating, managing, and preserving historical collections in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is the author of three books in Arcadia Publishing "Images of America" series on local history: Chestnut Hill (co-written with Thomas Keels, 2002), Chestnut Hill Revisited (2004), and Mount Airy (2008). The Elizabeth Farmer Jarvis book research files, circa 2000-2010, consist of research files created by Jarvis while researching and writing those three books. It includes newspaper clippings, photocopies of secondary source materials and copies of photographs; manuscripts and corrections; marketing materials and book orders; and correspondence with book publisher.

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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Olmsted Landscape Firm Collection, circa 1980-2010

Extent:
0.75 linear feet
Abstract:
Beginning in 1857 with the design for Central Park in New York City, Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903), his sons and successor firm created designs for more than 6,000 landscapes across North America, including many of the world's most important parks. The materials in Olmsted Landscape Firm Collection, circa 1980-2010--most of which are secondary sources or copies--relate to the Olmsted Brothers' landscape work in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Eastern State Penitentiary oral history project, 1993-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
5.0 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 Eastern State Penitentiary oral history project, 1993-2012, consists of about 130 oral history interviews with former inmates, employees of the State Penitentiary for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania ("Eastern State Penitentiary"), family members of employees, and volunteers such as Chaplains.

Held at: Eastern State Penitentiary [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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Fireman's Hall Museum Philadelphia Fire Department collection, 1871-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
69.5 linear feet
Abstract:
The Philadelphia Fire Department traces its roots to a series of volunteer fire companies that were organized beginning in 1736. In 1871 it was established as a professional fire department and has continued to serve the city of Philadelphia. The Fireman's Hall Museum Philadelphia Fire Department collection, 1871-2012, is comprised of memoranda and publications produced by the Philadelphia Fire Department.

Held at: Fireman's Hall Museum [Contact Us]

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Sam Psoras photographs, circa 1950-2000

Extent:
3.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Samuel S. Psoras (born 1926) was a photojournalist at Philadelphia Daily News for over 50 years. This collection consists of photograph negatives and prints taken by Psoras of Philadelphia fires. Some are identified with location.

Held at: Fireman's Hall Museum [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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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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Greek American Heritage Museum photograph collection, circa 1900-2000s (bulk circa 1900-1960s)

Extent:
10.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Greek American Heritage Society was founded in 2002 to preserve and promote Hellenic culture and to reconnect youth and adults to their Greek heritage. In 2013 the Society established the Greek American Heritage Museum in the historic Saint George's Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Philadelphia. The Greek American Heritage Museum photograph collection, circa 1900-2000s (bulk circa 1900-1960s), contains mostly photographs, negatives, and prints depicting Greek American school children, war heroes, and dancers in folk costumes. There are also scrapbooks which document travel abroad to Greece, Cyprus, and Istanbul.

Held at: Greek American Heritage Museum [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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Germantown Historical Society family files, 1864-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
31.5 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 family files, 1864-2012, contains research relating to prominent or long established families in Germantown. It consists primarily of research notes and copies, although there is a small amount of original primary source material in the collection.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Science and Art Club of Germantown records, 1960-2008 (bulk) 1908-2008 (inclusive)

Extent:
3.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Science and Art Club of Germantown is a social group in the Germantown section of Philadelphia that was founded in 1879. As of 2012, the group still met regularly to hear lectures on topics relating to science and the arts. The Science and Art Club of Germantown records, 1908-2008 (bulk 1960-2008) include attendance, membership, officers and address lists; minutes of presentations; event programs, menus, and invitations; a small amount of financial records and secretary's records; by-laws and printed pamphlets; and correspondence.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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The Henry George Birthplace, Archive and Historical Research Center collection on Henry George and Progress and Poverty anniversary celebrations, 1939-2014 (bulk) 1905-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
3.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 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." George published his most popular work, Progress and Poverty, in 1879 while working as a journalist in San Francisco, California. Shortly after its publication, he moved to New York, NY, where he passed away in 1897. The Henry George Birthplace, Archive and Historical Research Center collection on Henry George and Progress and Poverty anniversary celebrations, 1905-2014 (bulk 1939-2014), consists of materials from or relating to various events celebrating the anniversaries of Henry George's birth and the publication of his best known work Progress and Poverty. Documents include correspondence, programs, evaluations, addresses and...(see more)

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

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Philadelphia Sketch Club records, 1860-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
54.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Philadelphia Sketch Club, founded in 1860, is America's oldest club for artists. Philadelphia Sketch Club records, 1860-2012, contains minute books, treasurer's reports, ledgers, receipts, dues books, membership applications, exhibition planning materials and catalogs, photographs, and many other records of the organization. A highlight of the collection is a box of Philadelphia Sketch Club member Christmas cards, most featuring original artwork, circa 1920-2004.

Held at: Philadelphia Sketch Club [Contact Us]

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Philadelphia Society of Free Letts records, 1894-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
40.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Philadelphia Society of Free Letts, or Filadelfijas Brivo Latvju Biedriba (BLB), is the oldest Latvian Society outside of Latvia. Established as a settlement house in 1892 by Lettlanders fleeing oppression in Tsarist Russia, over time the organization has served as a community center, advocate for Latvian independence, and research facility for promoting Latvian culture. The Philadelphia Society of Free Letts records, 1894-2014, include both records created by BLB, including administrative, financial, and membership records; as well as other materials, principally ephemera, either donated or collected from other sources.

Held at: Philadelphia Society of Free Letts [Contact Us]

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St. Peter's Episcopal Church records, 1832-2014 (bulk) 1761-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
100.0 linear feet
Abstract:
St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was established in 1758 as an off-shoot of nearby Christ Church; it became an independent entity in 1832. St. Peter's church building, which held its first service in 1761 and still hosts St. Peter's services as of 2014, was designed by well-known architects Robert Smith and William Strickland, and sculptor William Rush contributed to its interior. Many prominent Philadelphians have been associated with the church, including artist Charles Willson Peale and United States Vice President George Mifflin Dallas, both of whom are buried in its graveyard. St. Peter's Episcopal Church records, 1761-2013 (bulk 1832-2013), consist of minutes of the vestry, parish registers and records of service, accounting and financial records, deeds, blueprints, photographs, sound recordings and other records of St. Peter's Church. In addition, there are materials from parish organizations and affiliated organizations. The records in the...(see more)

Held at: St. Peter's Episcopal Church [Contact Us]

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Ray Shepherd files on Stenton, 1968-2003 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Raymond V. Shepherd, Jr. studied the Stenton estate for his 1968 dissertation, James Logan's Stenton: Grand Simplicity in Quaker Philadelphia, for an M.A. in American Culture from the Winterthur Museum Program at the University of Delaware. The Ray Shepherd files on Stenton, 1968-2003, primarily consist of Shepherd's research materials and correspondence regarding Stenton and James Logan, although there are also some letters and documents that pertain to other 18th century historic sites. The bulk of materials are secondary-source, including historic site reports, articles, newspaper clippings, citations, and a large quantity of photographs of furniture and decorative objects.

Held at: Stenton [Contact Us]

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The Associated Alumni of the Central High School of Philadelphia records, circa 1860-2014

Extent:
20.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Associated Alumni of the Central High School of Philadelphia is an association of alumni of Central High School, the second oldest continuous high school in the United States. The Associated Alumni support the various activities of the magnet school through financial donations, volunteering and maintaining a presence at events, providing networking opportunities for students, involvement with recruitment, advising student groups, and other activities. The alumni organization traces its roots to Central High School's first graduating class in 1842. The Associated Alumni of the Central High School of Philadelphia records, circa 1860-2014, consist of minutes, financial records, correspondence, scrapbooks, membership materials, publications, and other materials.

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

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Tabernacle Memorial United Methodist Church records, 1924-2005 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.33 linear feet
Abstract:
Tabernacle Memorial Methodist Church of Rhawnhurst, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, established in 1924, was formerly known as Berean, and then, Rhawnhurst Methodist Church. It was located at Loretto and Ripley Streets. Tabernacle Memorial United Methodist Church was discontinued around 2005. The Tabernacle Memorial United Methodist Church records, 1924-2005, consist primarily of board minutes, trustee minutes, Charge Conference minutes, and membership and vital records. Also included are some financial records, event and worship programs, and various other documents.

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

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Tacony United Methodist Church records, 1873-2001 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.0 linear feet
Abstract:
In 1858, a Methodist Sunday School was opened to serve the Tacony neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It became Tacony Methodist Episcopal Church in 1873. Tacony United Methodist Church was discontinued in 2001. The Tacony United Methodist Church records, 1873-2001, include minutes of the Board of Stewards, Trustees, Quarterly Conference, and Official Board; membership and vital records; and anniversary programs and historical accounts, membership directories, property-related documents, 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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Trinity-Chelten United Methodist Church records, 1891-2004 (inclusive)

Extent:
3.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Trinity-Chelten United Methodist Church in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia was established in 1970 as a merger of Chelten Avenue United Methodist Church (founded as Chelten Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church in 1886) and Trinity United Methodist Church (organized as Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church in 1900). The merged congregation met in the Chelten Avenue church building until it was discontinued in 2004. The Trinity-Chelten United Methodist Church records, 1891-2004, are largely composed of records from Chelten Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, although some materials relate to Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church or the merged congregation. It includes Quarterly Conference records, trustee minutes, official board minutes, administrative board and council minutes, Charge Conference materials, membership and vital records (marriages, baptisms, funerals), and a small amount of financial documents, church histories, photographs, and other materials.

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

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Stephen Berg letters to Seth Fagen, 1983-2002 (inclusive) 1989-1992 (bulk)

Extent:
0.4 linear_foot (1 box)
Abstract:
Stephen Berg was a Philadelphia born poet, professor, and editor of the American Poetry Review. The vast majority of this collection includes letters from Stephen Berg to Seth Fagen written between 1983 and 2002. Letters addressed to Seth Fagen by other authors occupy a small segment of the collection, as well as miscellaneous enclosures, 1990-1993, and two works of poetry by Stephen Berg.

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

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Friends of Ramallah Friends Meeting (Quakers) records, 2002-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.4 linear ft. (1 box)
Abstract:
This collection relates to the Ramallah Friends Meeting and Friends International Center in Ramallah, Palestine. The majority of the collection is dated between 2002 and 2014, and pertains to renewing the Ramallah Friends Meetinghouse and transforming it into a Friends Center.

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

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University Glee Club of Philadelphia records, circa 1930-2012, undated

Extent:
6.7 linear feet (; 17 boxes, 1 volume)
Abstract:
The University Glee Club of Philadelphia was organized in November 1933 with seventeen charter members under the musical direction of H. Alexander Matthews. The club performed its final concert in 2012. The University Glee Club of Philadelphia records, circa 1930s-2012, include administrative and financial records, membership lists, internal correspondence, and meeting minutes, as well as concert programs and ephemera, photographs, and audio recordings.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Union League art and artifact collection, 1840-2009 (inclusive)

Extent:
1406.0 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. Adorning the walls and hallways of the Union League’s historic building is a distinguished collection of art and artifacts. The collection is a rich, historical chronicle of Philadelphia’s unique imprint upon the American landscape from the 19th century to today and is recognized by historians and art...(see more)

Held at: Union League of Philadelphia [Contact Us]

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Library Company of Philadelphia publications, 1834-2006 (inclusive)

Extent:
3.0 linear feet and 2 containers, 52 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 of Philadelphia is now an independent research library specializing in American society and culture from the 17th to 19th centuries. The mission of the Library Company of Philadelphia includes preserving, interpreting, making available, and augmenting the valuable materials within its care. In order to achieve this mission, the Library Company of Philadelphia curates exhibits, hosts symposia and conferences, and publishes works regarding the Library Company and its collections. This collection consists of printed material created by the Library Company of Philadelphia. Included are brochures; information about resources and services; event brochures, announcements, exhibit catalogues, and conference programs; and published works regarding the Library Company of Philadelphia or the materials...(see more)

Held at: Library Company of Philadelphia [Contact Us]

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Library Company of Philadelphia Shareholders records, 1732-2007 (inclusive)

Extent:
12.0 volumes
Abstract:
In 1731, Benjamin Franklin and a number of his fellow members of the Junto founded the Library Company of Philadelphia, in order to provide its members access to books that they could not afford to purchase individually, but could afford to purchase collectively. Fifty subscribers invested forty shillings each and promised to pay ten shillings a year thereafter to buy books and maintain a shareholder's library. Thus "the Mother of all American Subscription Libraries" was established. Over the years, the Library Company continues to be supported by its members who participate in a centuries-old tradition by becoming shareholders and therefore allowing the Library Company of Philadelphia to continue serving the public, free of charge. This collection consists of twelve volumes of shareholders records dating from 1742 to 2007. The volumes, Record Books A to L, document share purchases and transfers of shares. Entries include date, name of member, and occasionally brief notes on...(see more)

Held at: Library Company of Philadelphia [Contact Us]

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Hahnemann University Academic Affairs records, 1928-1994 (bulk) 1848-2009 (inclusive)

Extent:
240.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Hahnemann University’s long history began in 1848 with the founding of the Homeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania. Over the years, the institution evolved in many ways, eventually becoming Hahnemann University and, later, the Drexel University College of Medicine. In the mid- to late-twentieth century, with the decline of homeopathy, Hahnemann re-invented itself as a nationally known academic medical center with prominence in cardiac surgery and cardiology, oncology, transplantation, training of non-physician health professionals, community health, and community mental health. This expertise led to many firsts for Hahnemann, including international advances in cardiac surgery. The Hahnemann University Academic Affairs records house the files of Hahnemann University and date from 1848 to 2009. The collection consists of annual and accreditation reports; minutes, memoranda, and correspondence from various committees, councils, and departments; records of student life and...(see more)

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

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Constantine Hering and Calvin B. Knerr family papers, 1820-1940 (bulk) 1820-2003 (inclusive)

Extent:
7.0 linear feet (12 document boxes, 4 half-size document boxes)
Abstract:
Dr. Constantine Hering (1800-1880), born and educated in Germany, immigrated to Philadelphia in 1833 and devoted his life to the study, practice and education of homeopathic medicine in the United States. As such, he is considered the father of homeopathy in America. Hering founded several schools and organizations devoted to teaching homeopathy, especially the North American Academy of the Homeopathic Healing Arts, aka the Allentown Academy, in 1836, and the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia in 1848. Hering’s pupil and eventual son-in-law and professional assistant, Dr. Calvin B. Knerr, also practiced homeopathy. Knerr was integrally involved in the editing of two of Hering’s books and also devoted much time and effort to writing Hering’s biography, The Life of Hering. This collection primarily houses papers of Dr. Constantine Hering and his son-in-law, Dr. Calvin B. Knerr from 1820 to 1940. To a significantly lesser extent, the collection documents the...(see more)

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

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Barbara Gittings and Kay Tobin Lahusen collection, 1950-2009 (inclusive) 1964-1975 (bulk)

Extent:
3.3 linear feet ((9 document boxes), plus 23 cubic feet (1 object and and 2 crates))
Abstract:
Barbara Gittings (1932-2007) was an active member of the LGBT rights movement from the 1960s until her death. She worked as editor of The Ladder: A Lesbian Review. In the early 1970s, she was instrumental in lobbying the American Psychiatric Association to declassify homosexuality as a mental illness. Kay Tobin Lahusen (b. 1930) is a photojournalist, editor, author of The Gay Crusaders, and an active member of the gay and lesbian rights movement. The Barbara Gittings and Kay Tobin Lahusen collection, 1955-2009, includes primarily printed materials relating to gay and lesbian issues and organizations, and audiovisual material that documents attitudes and strategies prevalent in the Homophile Movement in the 1960s and 1970s.

Held at: John J. Wilcox, Jr. LGBT Archives, William Way LGBT Community Center [Contact Us]

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Bill Way collection, 1942-2004 (inclusive) 1968-1987 (bulk)

Extent:
4 linear feet
Abstract:
William Way (1942-1988) worked as the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority and as an advocate for the Philadelphia LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community. The Bill Way collection, 1942-2004, is comprised of scrapbooks compiled by Way documenting his life, the LGBT community in Philadelphia, and City of Philadelphia redevelopment in the 1970s and 1980s. There are also materials relating to Way donated by various individuals, notably an oral history interview with Maury Lieberman.

Held at: John J. Wilcox, Jr. LGBT Archives, William Way LGBT Community Center [Contact Us]

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Kiyoshi Kuromiya papers on HIV/AIDS research and organizations, 1990-2002 (inclusive)

Extent:
58.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Kiyoshi Kuromiya (1943-2000) was a Philadelphia-based activist who worked to better the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS. He created the Critical Path AIDS Project to provide free internet access and information on HIV/AIDS treatment. The bulk of the Kiyoshi Kuromiya papers on HIV/AIDS research and organizations, 1990-2002, is comprised of newspaper clippings, scientific articles, conference materials, and flyers collected by Kuromiya on HIV/AIDS treatments, topics, and organizations. There are also some records from Kuromiya's Critical Path AIDS Project, Kuromiya personal papers, and records from Anna Forbes from the Working Group on HealthChoices and HIV.

Held at: John J. Wilcox, Jr. LGBT Archives, William Way LGBT Community Center [Contact Us]

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ACT UP Philadelphia records, 1995-2000 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.25 linear feet
Abstract:
The AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) is an activist group working to end the HIV/AIDS crisis through direct action. The ACT UP Philadelphia records, 1995-2000, consist of correspondence, meeting notes, and ephemera.

Held at: John J. Wilcox, Jr. LGBT Archives, William Way LGBT Community Center [Contact Us]

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Jack Van Alstyne collection, 1950s-2016

Extent:
1 linear feet ((2 document boxes))
Abstract:
Jack Van Alstyne, born ca. 1938, known to his gay friends as "Cheezit," was the son of Howard C. Van Alstyne and Marion G. Fox Van Alstyne. He lived in Camden, NJ for much of his life. His collection includes a scrapbook of Philadelphia and New Jersey gay life of the 1960s through 1980s; grouping of ca. 75 photographs of Philadelphia and New Jersey drag queens and gay men, owned by John Brown, known as Marilyn; photographs taken by Alstyne of gay men in Rittenhouse Square, summer of 1953; and a montage of "The Follies of 1967: A Reunion," drawn by Ron Gillam; and further photographs of drag queens and gay men from Van Alstyne.

Held at: John J. Wilcox, Jr. LGBT Archives, William Way LGBT Community Center [Contact Us]

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Episcopal Hospital (Philadelphia) records, circa 1851-2001

Extent:
58.0 linear feet
Abstract:
This collection contains records of Episcopal Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Materials include minutes, annual reports, strategic plans, estate files, photographs, artifacts, and other items.

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

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Temple-Episcopal Hospital School of Nursing Records, 1888-2009

Extent:
79.0 linear feet (in addition, 2 cubic feet of artifacts, 7 cubic feet of photographs, and 70 cubic feet of student files)
Abstract:
The Temple-Episcopal Hospital School of Nursing sheds light on the expansive and impressive nursing education program that lasted over a hundred years, from 1888-2009. This collection includes annual reports, faculty committee minutes, curriculum files, correspondence with affiliations, student activities, and other historical information about this enduring institution.

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

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Awbury Arboretum Association Cope family collection, 1791-2011 (inclusive)

Extent:
5.3 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 Cope family collection, 1791-2011, encompasses several small collections donated by various descendants of the Cope family. It includes correspondence, deeds, financial records, journals, and photographs.

Held at: Awbury Arboretum [Contact Us]

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African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas records, 1790-2019 (inclusive)

Extent:
50.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Established in 1792 by and for persons of African descent, the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is the first African American Episcopal Church in the United States. St. Thomas' founder and first rector was Absalom Jones (1746-1818), the first African American ordained in the Episcopal Church. The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas records, 1790-2019, consist mainly of original church records, as well as some accumulated secondary-source materials. The collection also contains photographs, audio-visual materials, printed materials, and objects.

Held at: African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas [Contact Us]

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John Bartram Association records, 1911-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
30.0 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 was established in 1893 to help with the administration and interpretation of the property. The John Bartram Association records, 1911-2012, consist of records of the John Bartram Association, especially pertaining to its management of the Bartram's Garden site. The collection includes financial and administrative records, reports and architectural plans generated by consultants, photographs and slides, documentation of archaeological digs, and mailings of the Bartram Trail Society.

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

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John Bartram Association research files, 1980-2012 (bulk) 1905-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
16.25 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 was established in 1893 to help with the administration and interpretation of the property. The John Bartram Association research files, 1905-2012, consist of research materials relating to the Bartram family and Bartram's Gardens.

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

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Tindley Temple United Methodist Church records, circa 1900-2014

Extent:
100.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Tindley Temple United Methodist Church was founded in 1837 as the John Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church, and was later known as the Bainbridge Street Methodist Church and East Calvary Methodist Church before it was renamed after its influential pastor Charles A. Tindley in 1927. Charles Albert Tindley (1851-1933) became a pastor of the church in 1902 and vastly increased the size of the congregation during his ministry. He is nationally significant for his important role in the development of the African American gospel tradition. The Tindley Temple United Methodist Church records, circa 1900-2014, consist of membership records, church Trustee records, property and building-related documents, administrative papers, financial records, programs from church services and other events, recordings, photographs, and papers of and research on church reverends. Of note are a small amount of materials from Charles A. Tindley, including photographs of him and sermon outlines.

Held at: Charles Albert Tindley Institute [Contact Us]

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Albert LeCoff early records of The Center for Art in Wood, 1982-2008 (inclusive)

Extent:
20.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Albert LeCoff (born 1950) is a co-founder and the Executive Director of The Center for Art in Wood (formerly known as the Wood Turning Center) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Since the mid 1970s, Albert has worked to promote the art of woodturning, woodworking, and the artists involved in these pursuits through developing programs at the Center, organizing conferences and exhibitions across the United States, and lecturing internationally. The Albert LeCoff early records of the Center for Art in Wood, 1982-2008, consist largely of slides of artworks and other materials that pertain to exhibitions, conferences, and symposia. To a lesser extent there are administrative and publicity materials relating to the early administration of the Center; photographs; printed materials; ephemera; and correspondence.

Held at: The Center for Art in Wood [Contact Us]

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The Center for Art in Wood video collection, 1990-2005 (inclusive)

Extent:
20.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Established in 1986, The Center for Art in Wood in Philadelphia, PA is an arts and education institution that is dedicated to promoting and advancing the field of woodworking and woodturning, the use of wood in creation and design, and the artists who work in this field through its programs, gallery space, and research library. The Center for Art in Wood video collection, 1990-2005, consists of VHS tapes and a few DVDs of conference, panel, and event proceedings at The Center for Art in Wood in Philadelphia, PA and elsewhere; instructional videos about woodturning and woodturning history; and other topics relating to wood in art design and creation.

Held at: The Center for Art in Wood [Contact Us]

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Lloyd Wells Collection, 1965-1990 (bulk) 1940-2000 (inclusive)

Extent:
4.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Lloyd Wells was the co-owner of Hill Hardware. He founded with others the Chestnut Hill Development Group, was president of the Chestnut Hill Community Association, the Chestnut Hill Realty Trust, and more. The Lloyd Wells Collection contains papers, clippings, and periodicals concerning Chestnut Hill history from the early 20th century to the 1990s.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Helen Moak Collection, 1960-2002 (bulk) 1859-2002 (inclusive)

Extent:
32.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Helen Ross Moak (1918-2004) was a journalist, community activist, and local historian in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Helen Moak Collection, 1859-2002 [bulk 1960-2002] consists of newspaper clippings, correspondence, records, photos, and miscellaneous materials about Chestnut Hill and surrounding communities. Subjects include institutions, community organizations, businesses, and individuals.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Philadelphia Canoe Club records, 1905-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
22.0 boxes and 18 record cartons, 3 flat boxes, 1 document box
Abstract:
“The Philadelphia Canoe Club (PCC) is one of the oldest and most distinguished paddling organizations in the United States. Headquartered in an 18th-century mill at the confluence of the Wissahickon Creek and Schuylkill River in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia, PCC counts among its members more than 200 canoeists and kayakers who take scores of trips every year on local rivers and streams as well as numerous waterways throughout North America.” The Philadelphia Canoe Club Collection, 1905 to 2013, contains records relating to the functions of the organization. Primary subjects documented in the PCC Collection include: administrative records and financial records, activity records, newsletters, and photographs. The types of materials found in the collection include minutes, reports, ledgers, and logbooks. Bibliography: Philadelphia Canoe Club. “History.” Accessed November 27, 2013. http://www.philacanoe.org/history

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Philadelphia Cricket Club Collection, 1935-2011 (bulk) 1858-2011 (inclusive)

Extent:
22.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Founded in 1854, the Philadelphia Cricket Club is one of the oldest clubs in the country devoted to sport. The club was nomadic until 1883, when benefactor Henry H. Houston gave them a permanent home in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Cricket Club Collection, 1858-2011, includes financial and administrative records of the club, as well as publications and ephemera, photographs, and newspaper clippings.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Chestnut Hill Historical Society map and atlas collection, 1849-2011 (inclusive)

Extent:
5.0 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 map and atlas collection, 1849-2011, consists of loose maps and separated atlas plates centering on Chestnut Hill and Mount Airy, as well as about one dozen atlases of Philadelphia.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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

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

Held at: Doylestown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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John H. Elfman family and business papers, 1930-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
4.0 linear feet
Abstract:
After attending Pennsylvania State University, John H. Elfman (1912-1983) married Jean M. Kerr (1913-1955). He joined his father's business, A.C. Elfman & Sons, a building contractor firm established in Doylestown, Pa. in 1909. The largest portion of the John H. Elfman family and business papers, 1930-2012, is letters from Jean M. Kerr to her future husband, John H. Elfman, while he was away at college (1930-1934). The collection also includes records from A.C. Elfman & Sons (1935-1986), and some genealogical research and biographical notes on Elfman family members.

Held at: Doylestown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Eden Cemetery interment records, 1902-2015 (inclusive)

Extent:
60.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Founded in 1902 in Collingdale, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Eden Cemetery is one of the oldest continually active African-American owned cemeteries in the United States and is the burial ground for many notable 19th century African-Americans. Throughout the twentieth century, remains from several African-American cemeteries in Philadelphia, PA were reinterred at Eden Cemetery in order to accommodate the expansion of the growing city. The Eden Cemetery interment records, 1902-2015, consist of interment books, deed and certificate books, section books, financial records, and legal papers that document the burials and lot sales at Eden Cemetery. The collection also includes the Cemetery's charter from 1902.

Held at: Eden Cemetery [Contact Us]

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Fireman's Hall Museum photograph and scrapbook collection, 1871-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
49.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Fireman's Hall Museum photograph and scrapbook collection, 1871-2012, is comprised of photographs and scrapbooks collected by the Museum. Most of the photographs are original, but some are reproductions. They relate to Philadelphia fires, fire companies, apparatus, and fire history.

Held at: Fireman's Hall Museum [Contact Us]

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The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute manuscript collection, 1762-2003 (inclusive)

Extent:
40.0 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 significant 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 manuscript collection, 1762-2003, includes small groups (less than 1 linear foot each) of papers of scientists, inventors, science-oriented groups and organizations, industrial businesses, and others in the scientific community, as well as other science and engineering related materials.

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

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Franklin Institute records, 1824-2016 (inclusive)

Extent:
1225.0 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 Franklin Institute records, 1824-2016, consist of administrative and financial records, membership materials, files from various departments and committees at The Franklin Institute, property records and materials relating to the Institute's building, photographs and audiovisual materials, publications, marketing materials, ephemera, and other materials.

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

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Pat Stopper collection on Northeast Philadelphia history, circa 1880-2013 (bulk 1980-2005)

Extent:
8.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Patricia Worthington Stopper (born 1928) was a local historian in Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is involved in many Northeast Philadelphia history societies and groups and has researched and written extensively about the neighborhoods of Bustleton, Somerton, and Byberry. She has also given presentations and lectures at schools, libraries, and historical groups about Northeast Philadelphia history. The Pat Stopper collection on Northeast Philadelphia (Philadelphia, Pa.) history, circa 1880-2013 (bulk 1980-2005), consists of scrapbooks, maps, audio and video recordings, and photographs all relating to Northeast Philadelphia, especially the neighborhoods of Bustleton, Somerton, and Byberry.

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

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Reference collection, 1874-2000 (bulk) 1690-2010 (inclusive)

Extent:
86.0 linear feet
Abstract:
In the early part of the nineteenth century, Philadelphia City Council took action to protect the purity of public water. This involved the acquisition of property on the banks of the Schuylkill River in order to eliminate polluting waste that had previously been generated by various industrial sites along the river. The City’s newly acquired property was dedicated to the health and enjoyment of the citizens of Philadelphia, and became known as Fairmount Park. The Fairmount Park Commission (FPC) was established by Act of the Assembly, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, March 26, 1867. Over the course of this organization’s history (1867 to 2010) the FPC continued to acquire land for the people of Philadelphia, and operated with a single continuous mission: to preserve and protect its open space; provide opportunities for recreation; maintain the landscapes and structures, streams and woodlands that exist within the Fairmount Park System. This collection contains various materials that...(see more)

Held at: Fairmount Park Historic Resource Archives [Contact Us]

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Greek American Heritage Museum collection on Greek churches and organizations in Philadelphia (Pa.), circa 1929-2010s (bulk circa 1980s-1990s)

Extent:
14.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Greek American Heritage Society was founded in 2002 to preserve and promote Hellenic culture and to reconnect youth and adults to their Greek heritage. In 2013 the Society established the Greek American Heritage Museum in the historic Saint George's Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Philadelphia. The Greek American Heritage Museum collection on Greek churches and organizations, 1929-2010s (bulk 1980s-1990s), contains church committee records, minutes and member materials, property documents, newsletters, booklets, calendars, greeting cards, pamphlets, printed matter, and ephemera. Also included in this collection are photocopied materials, scrapbooks, convention booklets, directories, newsletters, and bylaws, as well as the administrative and financial records of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society.

Held at: Greek American Heritage Museum [Contact Us]

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Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library subject files, 1975-2011 (bulk) 1865-2011 bulk, 1975-2011 (inclusive)

Extent:
21.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library subject files, 1865-2011 (bulk 1975-2011), focus around topics relating to the Civil War and its legacy. The bulk of the collection is made up of photocopies, copies of secondary histories, and printed ephemera, although there are some original, unique documents.

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

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Germantown Historical Society pamphlet boxes, circa 1875-2012

Extent:
163.0 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 pamphlet boxes, circa 1875-2012, contain files on various topics relating to Germantown and surrounding areas.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Germantown Theatre Guild records, 1910-2009 (inclusive)

Extent:
50.58 linear feet
Abstract:
The Germantown Theatre Guild (GTG) in Philadelphia is one of the oldest small non-profit regional theatres in the country. Founded in 1933, the Theatre Guild continued (as of 2014) to operate out of the small carriage-house theatre and offices which are part of the historic residence built in 1742. The stage was the site of the first live televised theatre performance in the world in 1947. In 1970, the School District of Philadelphia built a theatre in the John B. Kelly school for the GTG to use for its Free Theatre for Children program. Known for years as “the theatre with a social conscience,” the GTG has had as its mission serving audiences that are out of the mainstream of the cultural experience, taking plays into rural communities, inner city schools, libraries, senior citizen and recreation centers, as well as prisons in three states. The Germantown Theatre Guild records document the institutional history of the Germantown Theatre Guild. This collection dates from 1910 to...(see more)

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Henry George School of Social Science records, circa 1857-2002 (bulk 1932-1995)

Extent:
55.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Founded in 1932 by Oscar H. Geiger, the mission of the Henry George School of Social Science (HGSSS) is to promote economic and social justice based on the philosophy of Henry George and his masterpiece, Progress and Poverty (1879). Today, the HGSSS offers tuition free courses and seminars at its headquarters in New York City and at the School's dozens of satellite campuses around the world. The Henry George School of Social Science records, circa 1857-2002 (bulk 1932-1995), consist of materials produced by or relating to the administrators, employees, students, and satellite schools of the Henry George School of Social Science. Materials include correspondence and writings of the School's directors, trustees, and educators; materials used for teaching; newsletters and other school publications and printed matter; press clippings and other promotional materials about the School; photographs of school events, fundraisers, and individuals and groups associated with...(see more)

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

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Holme family papers, circa 1685-1920, 2008-2009

Extent:
0.83 linear feet
Abstract:
The Holme family in the United States can be traced to John Holme (1632-1702), who came to America in 1686 from England. The Holmesburg section of Philadelphia, PA, is named after the Holme family, who resided there until 1928. The Holme family papers, circa 1685-1920, 2008-2009, is a collection of some 200 digital scans of documents pertaining to the Holme and related families of the Holmesburg area of Northeast Philadelphia, as well as 55 physical documents and photographs. The digital files in the collection include scans of loose papers – receipts and financial accounts, deeds, petitions, letters, wills, indentures, legal papers, and various other notes and writings – as well as some maps, broadsides, newspapers, loose photographs, photograph albums, and bound volumes.

Held at: Historical Society of Frankford [Contact Us]

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Northeast News Gleaner records, circa 1970s-2007

Extent:
12.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Frankford News Gleaner was a community newspaper founded in 1882 by George W. Henry to serve the neighborhood of Frankford in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The News Gleaner grew to serve greater Northeast Philadelphia and later became known as the Northeast News Gleaner. The paper was owned and operated by the Henry family until it was sold to the Journal Register Company in 2002. At the end of 2008, the paper ceased operations. The Northeast News Gleaner records, circa 1970s-2007, consist primarily of photographs used for publication in the Northeast News Gleaner. It also includes negatives; financial records, circa 1970s-2000s; and about 75 whole issues of the News Gleaner, circa 1970s-1980s. There is also a small portion of materials, circa 1990s-2000s, from Nicetown Life, a small local publication serving the Nicetown neighborhood of North Philadelphia.

Held at: Historical Society of Frankford [Contact Us]

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Historical Society of Frankford map and atlas collection, circa 1684-2000s

Extent:
9.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Frankford neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is located in the lower northeast section of the city and is bordered by the Frankford Creek on the south, Castor Avenue on the west, Cheltenham Avenue on the north, and roughly the I-95 expressway on the east. Originally a village, Frankford was incorporated as a borough in 1800 and was later absorbed into the City of Philadelphia in the 1854 Philadelphia city/county consolidation. As of 2015, Frankford is a working-class neighborhood with a diverse population, including a large number of African Americans, Asian Americans, Polish Americans, Italian Americans, Hispanic Americans, and West Indian Americans. The Historical Society of Frankford map and atlas collection, circa 1684-2000s, consists of approximately 90 maps of the greater Philadelphia region, as well as state, national, and international maps.

Held at: Historical Society of Frankford [Contact Us]

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Congregation Mikveh Israel records, 1765-2011 (inclusive)

Extent:
120.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Congregation Mikveh Israel, known as the "Synagogue of the American Revolution," is the oldest formal Jewish congregation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the oldest continuous synagogue in the United States, tracing its origins to a communal cemetery established for the Jews in Philadelphia in 1740. Following the Sephardic tradition, Mikveh Israel has counted among its members many prominent individuals who have contributed to the development of Jewish life in Philadelphia and the United States. The Congregation Mikveh Israel records, 1765-2011, include a large quantity of membership and vital records, and extensive papers from several former religious leaders (hazanim) and synagogue presidents (parnassim). Additionally, there are administrative and financial records, property-related materials, photographs, publications and ephemera, and documentation of various congregational committees and activities. There are some materials from several people and organizations associated...(see more)

Held at: Mikveh Israel Archives [Contact Us]

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Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania records, 1933-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
53.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The land that is now the Morris Arboretum at the University of Pennsylvania, the official Arboretum of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, was previously the private estate of Quaker siblings John Thompson Morris (1847-1915) and Lydia Thompson Morris (1849-1932). Bequeathed to the University of Pennsylvania in 1933, it was part of the University's Botany Department until, in 1975, it was established as a separate Interdisciplinary Resource Center. The Morris Arboretum at the University of Pennsylvania records, 1933-2013, include the office files of former directors, various administrative and financial records, correspondence, press clippings about the Arboretum, membership reports, programs and ephemera, publicity photographs.

Held at: Morris Arboretum Archives [Contact Us]

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Mummers Museum scrapbook and photograph album collection, 1888-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
5.4 linear feet
Abstract:
The tradition of mummery dates back to the late 17th century, but the parade was first sponsored by the City of Philadelphia in 1901. The Philadelphia New Years Shooters and Mummers Association administers the annual Mummers Parade in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Mummers Museum scrapbook and photograph album collection, 1888-2012, is made up of scrapbooks and photograph albums related to the Mummers Parade, Mummers clubs, individual Mummers, and the Mummers Museum. The scrapbooks are comprised of newspaper clippings, photographs, and ephemera.

Held at: Mummers Museum [Contact Us]

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