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Start Over Place Philadelphia (Pa.) Year 1950 to 1999

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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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College of Engineering records, 1956-1973 (bulk) 1930-1990 (inclusive)

Extent:
13.5 linear feet (14 containers)
Abstract:
The College of Engineering is among the oldest colleges at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Since its establishment in 1914, it has achieved many firsts. In 1915, it became the first school at Drexel permitted to grant a four-year degree; in 1919, it was the first to implement a cooperative education program, placing students in business, industrial and professional assignments as a component of their education; and, later, in 1925, it was the first to extend the cooperative course from four years to five. Since its institution, the College of Engineering has developed and expanded its curriculum to include undergraduate and graduate programs, and research projects. This collection houses the administrative records of the College of Engineering from 1930 to 1990, with a bulk of the materials created between 1956 and 1973. The collection is made up of reports, correspondence, manuals, meeting minutes and program proposals. Approximately a third of the collection is...(see more)

Held at: Drexel University: Archives and Special Collections [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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Leary and Company (Leary's Bookstore) archives, 1840s-1969

Extent:
21.0 boxes and and 91 volumes
Abstract:
William A. Leary, was a small-time book seller in 1836 when he journeyed to Philadelphia to establish a sidewalk book stall on North Second Street. As business prospered, Leary moved to several different locations, finally settling at 138 North Second Street which was right next door to the Camel Tavern, a landmark in Philadelphia. Leary’s Book Store specialized in selling inexpensive, second—hand books. Because of its large inventory and cheap prices, Leary’s developed a national reputation. In addition to selling and buying books, Leary expanded his base of operations by venturing into the publishing business in the 1850s. William A. Leary, Jr. took over the book store in 1865. Stuart and Charles Mann purchased the store from the Leary Estate in 1876. Under the Stuart’s management, Leary’s became one of the largest old book dealers in the world. As more people moved to and shopped in the suburbs, Leary’s customer base declined. Leary’s went out of business on November 20, 1968....(see more)

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

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South Street Dance Company records, 1969-1991 (inclusive)

Extent:
15.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The South Street Dance Company was founded by Ellen Forman and Alice Forner in 1974, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Company choreographed and performed original dance works, and hosted community programs for students and the elderly. The South Street Dance Company records houses audiovisual materials, photographs, administrative records, playbills, flyers, posters, newspaper clippings, financial records, correspondence, costumes and props dating from 1969 to 1991. This collection documents the performances and some daily operations of the Company and its founder, Ellen Forman. There is relatively little textual material in this collection; the bulk is made up of videotapes, audiotapes and photographs of performances and programs, and objects used during performances.

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

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Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia Board of Trustees records, 1976-1989 (bulk) 1925-1990 (inclusive)

Extent:
11.5 linear feet (12 containers)
Abstract:
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia (ANSP) is a natural history museum which was founded in 1812, “for the encouragement and cultivation of the sciences, and the advancement of useful learning.” The ANSP Board of Trustees, was established in 1925, as one of the institution’s primary administrative bodies. The Board of Trustees was charged with establishing financial policies, selecting the Academy President, assisting with fund raising and community relations, and serving as a board of review. This collection of Trustees records dating from 1925 to 1990 contains minutes and correspondence of various Board committees, policies and procedures, departmental activity reports, annual meetings and files from the President's office related to board matters.

Held at: Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia [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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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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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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Marion Spencer Fay Papers, 1946-1975 (bulk) 1925-1975 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.9 linear feet
Abstract:
Marion Spencer Fay (1898-1990) served as dean and president of the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania from 1943 to 1963 and promoted the recruitment of, education for, and recognition of women physicians. This collection includes the texts of many of Dr. Fay's speeches as well as a selection of professional and administrative papers from her time as dean and president of the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania.

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

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Tea Time records, 1991-1993 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Tea Time: An Organization for Asian and Pacific Islander Gay and Bisexual Men was founded in Philadelphia in May 1991 as an organization for sexual-minority women and men of Asian/Pacific Islander descent. In May 1992, it changed its primary focus to gay men and committed itself to HIV education in the Asian sexual-minority community. The organization's officers formally disbanded Tea Time in October 1994. Tea Time records, 1991-1994, document activities sponsored by Tea Time. In addition to materials specifically about Tea Time, the files include mailings from other gay Asian/Pacific Islander groups and non-Asian-specific gay groups around the United States.

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

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Harry R. Eberlin photographs, circa 1972-1980

Extent:
0.1 linear feet
Abstract:
Harry R. Eberlin was a prolific photographer who began documenting Philadelphia's lesbian and gay community in the early 1970s. Eberlin contributed photographs to several Philadelphia gay publications, including The Gay Alternative and the Philadelphia Gay News. In the mid 1970s, he was active in such organizations as the Gay Media Project. The Harry R. Eberlin photographs include approximately 100 images of lesbian and gay public events in Philadelphia circa 1972 - circa 1980. These images focus largely on events sponsored by the Gay Community Center of Philadelphia and on public pickets, parades and parties. Most of the images are contact-print sheets made from 35mm black and white negatives, although there are some enlargements.

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

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Commission on Human Relations, Brown and DeLoggio v. Temple University Law School collection, circa 1982-1984

Extent:
0.2 linear feet
Abstract:
In 1982, two Temple University Law School students, Richard Brown and Loretta DeLoggio, accused the university of violating the Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance. The Commission on Human Relations, Brown and DeLoggio v. Temple University Law School, circa 1982-1984, contains memoranda and briefs from the case.

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

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Grassroot Queers records, 1993-1997 (inclusive)

Extent:
2 linear feet ((4 document boxes, 2 flat box))
Abstract:
Grassroot Queers was a Philadelphia-based queer activist organization that operated from 1993 through 1999 to fight for equal rights and increased visibility for the LGBTQ community. The Grassroot Queers records, 1993-1997, includes organizational records and ephemera pertaining to their diverse activist efforts and community events.

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

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Oscar Garcia-Vera papers, 1971-1992 (inclusive) 1992 (bulk)

Extent:
1.67 linear feet
Abstract:
Oscar E. Garcia-Vera was a gay rights activist who enjoyed singing and theater work and was also very involved with the Hispanic community in Philadelphia. An appointee of the Mayor's Commission for Sexual Minorities, he played a major role in organizing the first national conference dealing with AIDS and mental-health issues, held in Philadelphia in 1992. The Oscar Garcia-Vera papers, 1971-1992, consist of conference pamphlets and materials, four photograph albums, and scattered additional correspondence, ephemera, and other miscellaneous items. The collection reflects Garcia-Vera's work as a gay rights activist and interest in singing and theater.

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

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Walt Whitman Democratic Club records, 1975-1984 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.2 linear feet ((3 boxes))
Abstract:
Formed in 1976 as the Gay Democratic Caucus, the Walt Whitman Democratic Club was a political organization of gay Democrats based in Philadelphia, PA. Founded and led by president Jeff Britton, the Club was active from 1976 to 1982, and according to Britton, was inspired by similar groups active in Washington, DC and on the West Coast. Its mission was "to research issues, to question candidates on legislation affecting the civil rights of gay people and to endorse local, state and federal candidates who support efforts to end discrimination against gay people." It met regularly at the Gay Community Center of Philadelphia (GCCP) as well as in the homes of Britton and other Club members. Membership dues were $5 per year. The collection is divided into three series: I. Business records; II. Subject files; and III. Printed materials.

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

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American Civil Liberties Union, Greater Philadelphia Branch book production files for "Lesbians and Gay Men: The Law in Pennsylvania", 1973-1981 (inclusive) 1980-1981 (bulk)

Extent:
1 linear feet
Abstract:
The American Civil Liberties Union is a non-profit organization dedicated to defending and protecting individual rights and freedoms. The American Civil Liberties Union Greater Philadelphia Branch book production files for Lesbians and Gay Men: The Law in Pennsylvania, 1973-1981, are comprised of chapter drafts, correspondence, and financial records relating to the publication of the handbook.

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

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Keith Kamm papers, circa 1970s

Extent:
0.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Keith A. Kamm (1947-1993) was a bibliographer at the Athenaeum of Philadelphia and a gay rights activist. The Keith Kamm papers, circa 1970s, consist of materials relating to LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) issues in libraries, the mental health community, and issues relating to feminism and sexism. This is a convenient collection for studying books relating to LGBT issues in the 1970s.

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

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Girlfriends Motorcycle Club scrapbooks, 1984-1987 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.5 linear feet ((4 boxes))
Abstract:
The Girlfriends Motorcycle Club was a philanthropic group founded in Philadelphia in 1983 which held charity events to raise funds for HIV/AIDS-related organizations. The Girlfriends Motorcycle Club scrapbooks, 1984-1987, is comprised of four scrapbooks, 1984-1987, containing photographs from various events of the Girlfriends Motorcycle Club, flyers advertising the events, correspondence, clippings, and articles.

Held at: John J. Wilcox, Jr. LGBT Archives, William Way LGBT Community Center [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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Coalition on Lesbian-Gay Bar Policies records, 1984-1988 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.2 linear feet (1 slim document box)
Abstract:
The Coalition on Lesbian-Gay Bar Policies was a grassroots organization made up of representatives from several of Philadelphia lesbian and gay organizations. Active from 1984-1986, their goal was "to examine the practices and policies of bars serving Philadelphia's gay/lesbian community as they relate to the treatment and employment of women and racial minorities, and to analyze the results of this examination in order to decide on appropriate actions to address problem areas." The records include correspondence to and from the Coalition, typed meeting minutes, press releases, bar study questionnaires and results, bar observation forms and tabulated data, as well as a final report of findings from the Coalition.

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

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Gay and Lesbian Switchboard of Philadelphia records, mid 1970s-1998 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.3 linear feet ((4 document boxes, 2 flat boxes, 1 volume))
Abstract:
The Gay and Lesbian Switchboard of Philadelphia operated at a series of locations in the city from 1973 to 1998. It aimed to provide information, counseling, and referrals to the gay and lesbian community via a call-in phone line. The Switchboard records are comprised of a range of business-related organizational materials dating from the mid 1970s through the late 1990s.

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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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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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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Ladies Society of the Philadelphia Turners. Records, 1933-1938, 1954-1959

Extent:
0.25 linear feet (2 boxes)
Abstract:
This collection comprises two volumes of records of the Ladies Society (Damen-Verein), or women's auxiliary, of the Philadelphia Turners. The parent club, which was known until the late 1930s as the Philadelphia Turngemeinde, was one of the oldest German-American Turner, or gymnastics clubs in the United States, founded in 1849. The Ladies Society was founded on 5 September 1877 to assist the Turngemeinde. These partial records of the Ladies Society are from two different periods. The first volume is a ledger recording member information and dues paid from 1933 to 1938. The second volume is a cashbook kept from 1954 to 1959. In the 1950s the Ladies Society mainly held social events such as card parties, dessert parties, picnics, and dinners; and besides supporting the Turngemeinde it partly had a general charitable purpose.

Held at: German Society of Pennsylvania: Joseph P. Horner Memorial Library [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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Fairmount Park Art Association records, 1871-1972 (inclusive)

Extent:
84.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Fairmount Park Art Association (FPAA) was the United States' first private, nonprofit organization that worked to integrate public art and urban planning. Founded in 1872, the FPAA initially focused on enhancing Philadelphia's Fairmount Park by purchasing and commissioning sculpture, but by 1906 it had embraced a broader goal: "to promote and foster the beautiful in the City of Philadelphia, in its architecture, improvements and general plan." The FPAA supported city planning projects that incorporated outdoor sculpture and advocated the establishment of Philadelphia's Art Jury, which later became the Philadelphia Art Commission. In 2012, the Fairmount Park Art Association changed its name to the Association for Public Art. The Fairmount Park Art Association records span from 1872, when the association was formed, until 1972. The collection includes the association’s constitution, meeting minutes, correspondence, committee files, reports, financial records, contracts, membership...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Marriott C. Morris collection on cycling, 1881-1897 (bulk) 1881-1980 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.7 linear feet (; 15 boxes)
Abstract:
Marriott C. Morris (1863-1948) was a resident of the Germantown section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who attended Haverford College. He was an avid cyclist and accomplished photographer. The Marriot C. Morris collection on cycling, 1881-1980 (bulk 1881-1897), consists of materials that Morris collected regarding cycling and cycling organizations, including various published materials and ephemera. The collection also contains scrapbooks, photographs, journal entries from cycling trips taken by Morris, including a trip to Europe, and other materials.

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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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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Antonio M. Banks, Jr. family papers, 1879-circa 1980

Extent:
1.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Antonio Banks, Sr. was born in Middlesex, Virginia in 1893, and settled in Philadelphia with his wife Florence. Their son, Antonio M. Banks, Jr., was born around 1925, earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Howard University, and worked in Philadelphia as a government engineer in public building service. The Antonio M. Banks, Jr. family papers, 1879-circa 1980, include notebooks, ledgers, receipts, cancelled checks, financial records, and deeds from Antonio M. Banks, Jr., his parents, and other family members. The collection also includes a large amount of printed materials and objects. Of special interest are photographs and clippings on an African American baseball team, Zulu Giants Baseball Club, circa 1930s.

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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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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Joan Myers Brown Philadanco papers, circa 1970-1991

Extent:
2.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Philadelphia Dance Company, more commonly known as Philadanco, was founded in 1970 by Joan Myers Brown. It was originally intended to provide quality dance instruction to minority dancers in Philadelphia. At first the Company performed at local community events and schools in the area, but later it built a strong international reputation for itself. The Joan Myers Brown Philadanco papers, circa 1970-1991, include business correspondence received by Brown, advertisements and season booklets, newspaper clippings, reviews, and photographs.

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

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Dr. DeHaven Hinkson papers, 1910-1970 (bulk) 1898-1982 (inclusive)

Extent:
4.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Dr. DeHaven Hinkson (1891-1975) was a prominent African American physician in Philadelphia who served in both World War I and World War II. He was the one of the first African American doctors put on staff at Philadelphia General Hospital, and the first African American to be head of an army hospital. The Dr. DeHaven Hinkson papers, 1898-1982 (bulk 1910-1970), contain correspondence, news clippings, photographs, notebooks, pamphlets, military and medical artifacts, and numerous other materials documenting his medical training and career, military service, veteran's rights involvement, and membership in fraternal organizations.

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

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Pearl Bailey papers, 1970-1979 (bulk) 1946-1990 (inclusive)

Extent:
40.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Pearl Bailey (1918-1990) was an American entertainer notable for her sultry singing and mischievous humor. She appeared on Broadway, in movies, and on her own television show. Bailey also authored several books. In 1975 she was appointed special ambassador to the United Nations by President Gerald Ford; she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Ronald Reagan in 1988. The Pearl Bailey papers, 1946-1990 (bulk 1970-1979), include scrapbooks, recordings, correspondence, photographs, newspaper clippings, writings, financial records, and other materials relating to Pearl Bailey. Most document her public life in the 1970s, especially her career as a singer and actress, a cultural ambassador, and an author. A smaller quantity of materials relate to her personal life, including her finances, family, and college education at Georgetown University.

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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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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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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Morgan Hebard, Jr. Collection, late 19th century-1990

Extent:
0.2 linear feet
Abstract:
Morgan Hebard, Jr. (1921-2000) of Philadelphia was a naturalist and photographer who served as president of the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association. His parents were renowned entomologist Morgan Hebard (1887-1946) and Margaret Champlin Perry Claxton, granddaughter of the artist John La Farge (1835-1910). The Morgan Hebard, Jr. Collection, late 19th century-1990, mostly consists of genealogical materials on Hebard's family. It also contains some prints of works by La Farge.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Mary Bond collection, circa 1900-1998

Extent:
2.75 linear feet
Abstract:
Mary Wickham Bond (1898-1997) was an author, the wife of ornithologist James Bond, and a resident of Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. The Mary Bond collection, circa 1900-1998, includes poems, articles, scrapbooks, correspondence, notes, lists, photographs, and magazine articles.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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William H. Hodges collection, 1936-1996 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.25 linear feet
Abstract:
William H. Hodges (born about 1924) was a member of the Tioga Junior Woodsmen Club, a club for Catholic boys ages 10-13 years that was headed by George W. Sommer for the purpose of camping, learning about nature and camaraderie. This collection consists of a minute Book of the Tioga Junior Woodsmen Club, photographs, and newspaper clippings.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Shirley Hanson Collection, circa 1975-1995

Extent:
2.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Shirley Hanson was one of the three "Founding Mothers" of the Chestnut Hill Historical Society in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (along with Anne Spaeth and Nancy Hubby). The Shirley Hanson Collection, circa 1975-1995, is comprised of records collected or created by Shirley Hanson, and related to her work with the Chestnut Hill Historical Society. These records include survey notes, correspondence, and minutes.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Disston Wissahickon Collection, circa 1920-circa 1970

Extent:
1.25 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 Disston Wissahickon Collection is two boxes containing early records of the Friends of the Wissahickon.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Jefferson M. Moak Collection, circa 1998

Extent:
22.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Jefferson Moak is an archivist and historian whose interests include maps, genealogy, and Chestnut Hill (Philadelphia) local history. The Jefferson M. Moak Collection, circa 1998, consists of information on Chestnut Hill compiled by Moak while writing his Master's thesis for Temple University on colonial property in the Philadelphia area.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [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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David Contosta Collection, circa 1980s

Extent:
11.75 linear feet
Abstract:
David R. Contosta (born 1945) is a professor of history at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The David Contosta Collection, circa 1980s, consists of various notes, memos, correspondence, bibliographies, interviews, newspaper clippings and photos related to David Contosta's completion of his publications on Chestnut Hill, Houston/Woodward families, St. Martin, and various others. Also included are tapes of interviews and various photos of Houston/Woodward family members and sites.

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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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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Stevens School Collection, 1896-1995 (inclusive)

Extent:
6.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Stevens School was founded in 1868 by Miss Mary E. Stevens, and incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1924. It offered eduction for girls from kindergarten through twelfth grade, and was well-regarded as a college preperatory school. The Stevens School Collection, 1896-1995, consists of yearbooks (1912-1980), photographs (circa 1896-1970s), and records (1905-circa 1995). The records include financial and fundraising records, alumni information and newsletters, student reports, teacher recommendations, commencement programs, admissions information, donation records, by-laws, newspaper clippings, legal records, Board of Directors correspondence, Board Meeting agendas, etc.

Held at: Chestnut Hill 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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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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Fire Insurance Patrol of the City of Philadelphia records, 1869-1965 (inclusive)

Extent:
11.75 linear feet
Abstract:
The Fire Insurance Patrol of the City of Philadelphia was a corporation organized and funded by various fire insurance companies to protect and salvage property in or near to burning buildings. It was active from 1869 to 1962. Fire fighters employed by the Fire Patrol attended the same fires visited by the Philadelphia Fire Department, but with a slightly different focus to their work. The Fire Insurance Patrol of the City of Philadelphia records, 1869-1965, consist of fire log books, minute books, printed annual reports, and various financial and administrative records.

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

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John Robrecht papers, circa 1942-1992

Extent:
1.0 linear feet
Abstract:
John Robrecht (1916-1993) served as historian to the Philadelphia Fire Department and was an honorary Deputy Chief. The John Robrecht papers, circa 1942-1992, consist of research materials relating to fire fighting history, fire departments, and fire apparatus.

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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Laurence and Sylvia C. Eisenlohr papers on book about Fairmount Water Works, 1817, 1974-1989

Extent:
1.67 linear feet
Abstract:
Herman Laurence Eisenlohr (1922-2012) was a professor at Rider College in Lawrence Township, Mercer County, New Jersey, and his wife, Sylvia (Crane) Eisenlohr (1926-2011), was a journalist who wrote for Time, The Saturday Evening Post, and various trade newspapers. In 1974, they undertook the project of dating the many drawings, paintings, and prints that have been made of the Fairmount Water Works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They received funding from the Barra Foundation and tried unsuccessfully to have a book on the Fairmount Water Works published. Laurence and Sylvia C. Eisenlohr papers on book about Fairmount Water Works, 1817, 1974-1989, consist of materials relating to the Eisenlohrs's manuscript, Fair Mount. The collection includes two versions of the manuscript and numerous letters related to the manuscript and the use of the Eisenlohrs' numerous prints and photographs of the Water Works. The collection also includes...(see more)

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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Henry Butler Allen papers, 1933-1959 (bulk) 1924-1959 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.1 linear feet
Abstract:
Henry Butler Allen (1887-1962) was a metallurgical and mechanical engineer and served as Director of the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1935 until 1947. During World War II, Allen served on the National Defense Research Committee (NDRC) in the Armor and Ordnance Division. The Henry Butler Allen papers, 1924-1959 (bulk 1933-1959), consist of materials produced as part of or relating to Allen's duties at Director and Secretary of the Franklin Institute in the 1930s, as well as materials related to work he conducted during World War II for the National Defense Research Committee in Philadelphia and England.

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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Eleanor Birkman collection on Holmesburg (Philadelphia, Pa.) history, circa 1870-1995

Extent:
3.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Eleanor P. Birkman (1905-2003) was a local historian and resident of the Holmesburg neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She often gave local history presentations about Northeast Philadelphia, focusing specifically on the history of Holmesburg. The Eleanor Birkman collection on Holmesburg (Philadelphia, Pa.) history, circa 1870-1995, consists mainly of secondary-source materials pertaining to Holmesburg and Northeast Philadelphia history, such as published books, research articles, clippings, and copies of historic documents and photographs. There is also a small amount of primary materials such as late 19th and early 20th century photographs, pamphlets, newspapers, and other documents. A large portion of the collection is notes and materials from local history presentations given by Birkman.

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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Records of Post No. 2, Grand Army of the Republic, 1870-1950s

Extent:
23.75 cubic feet ((76 volumes in 38 boxes and 21 binders, plus 1 cubic foot unprocessed materials))
Abstract:
The Grand Army of the Republic Post No. 2 was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Records of Post No. 2, Grand Army of the Republic, 1870-1950s, consist of administrative, financial, and membership records from Post No. 2 as well as General Orders, scrapbooks, and correspondence. There are also war memorial sketch books which contain detailed histories of member's service in the Civil War.

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

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Germantown Historical Society photograph collection, 1858-circa 1990

Extent:
32.0 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 photograph collection, 1856-circa 1990, consists of images of individuals, families, and scenes of the Germantown area. It includes photographic prints, photograph albums, glass plates, film negatives, and cased photographs.

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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Germantown Relief Society records, 1873-1953 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.5 linear feet
Abstract:
The Germantown Relief Society, founded in Philadelphia in 1873, was the first society in the United States to organize charitable work. It aimed to make sure charity reached those who needed it most, and avoid wasting effort on those who did not really need it. The Germantown Relief Society records, 1873-1953, consist of minute books, financial records, correspondence, scrapbooks, and other records.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Germantown Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution records, 1898-1998 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.25 linear feet
Abstract:
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism and American history that is open to any woman who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution. The DAR was founded in 1890, and a chapter in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia was established eight years later. The Germantown Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution records, 1898-1998, contain scrapbooks, administrative records, and pamphlets/ephemera. Scrapbooks dating from 1898 to 1978 make up the bulk of the collection.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Edward W. Hocker papers, 1886-1959 (inclusive)

Extent:
4.33 linear feet
Abstract:
Edward W. Hocker (1872-1962) was a librarian at the Germantown Historical Society, a local historian, and a journalist who wrote the popular column "Up and Down Montgomery County." The Edward W. Hocker papers, 1886-1959, include manuscripts for Hocker's books and articles, his correspondence as librarian for the Germantown Historical Society, genealogical research on the Hartman family, scrapbooks, and correspondence.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Philadelphia, Germantown and Norristown Rail Road Company records, 1831-1981 (inclusive)

Extent:
80.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Philadelphia, Germantown and Norristown Rail Road Company, one of the first railroads in the Philadelphia area, was incorporated in 1831 and liquidated in the late 1970s. The PG&N became part of the Reading Railroad system under lease in 1869 and became the Reading's primary entrance for passenger trains into Philadelphia. The Philadelphia, Germantown, and Norristown Rail Road Company records, 1831-1981, include executive business records, financial records, and stock records. There are also materials relating to property and depots owned by PG&N, and records from subsidiary and other rail companies.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Germantown Historical Society oral history projects, circa 1992-1993

Extent:
10.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Germantown and Mount Airy are neighborhoods in the northwest section of Philadelphia which underwent dramatic demographic change, from nearly all Caucasian to significantly African-American, over the course of the 20th century. During the early 1990s, the Germantown Historical Society, in conjunction with other groups, conducted three oral history projects. The Germantown Historical Society oral history projects, circa 1992-1993, contains about 140 tapes of interviews, as well as some transcripts, interviewee data sheets, and other associated documents. The three oral history projects focused on the topics of Integration in West Mount Airy, African-Americans in Germantown between the World Wars, and Awbury Arboretum.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Germantown Historical Society small manuscripts collection, 1701-1987 (inclusive)

Extent:
8.0 linear feet (one filing cabinet ("box 1"), two boxes ("box 2" and "box 3"))
Abstract:
Germantown, a neighborhood in the northwest section of Philadelphia, was the site of several nationally significant events. It was settled in the late 1600s by Mennonite and Quaker German-speaking emigrants and incorporated as a borough in 1689. Germantown is sometimes called the home of the American anti-slavery movement; the first organized protest against slavery in the Americas was begun by four members of the Germantown Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in 1688. In 1777, the courage displayed by American troops at the Battle of Germantown helped to spur the French to assist the United States in the Revolutionary War. During the yellow fever outbreak of 1793, government officials escaping the epidemic in Philadelphia relocated to Germantown, and it served as the temporary home of George Washington and the First Bank of the United States. Germantown was incorporated into the City of Philadelphia in 1854. The Germantown Historical Society small manuscript...(see more)

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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Historical Society of Frankford small manuscripts collection, circa 1774-1990s

Extent:
20.0 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 small manuscripts collection, circa 1774-1990s, consists of groups (less than 1 linear foot each) of various manuscript materials from local individuals, families, and businesses in the Frankford neighborhood. The materials include financial and insurance papers, property documents,...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Frankford [Contact Us]

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Tomlinson, Foehr, and Peters families papers, 1870-1970 (bulk) 1713-1998 (inclusive)

Extent:
11.25 linear feet
Abstract:
Ritner W. Tomlinson (1880-1949) was raised on his family's farm in the Bustleton neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ritner married Caroline F. Foehr (1890-1981) in 1911 and together they had four children: twins Isabel R. (1915-2010) and Esther R. (1915-1938), Ritner Pierson "Buddy" (1922-1944), and Thelma Claire (1924-2006). Ritner and Caroline raised their family on the Tomlinson Farm, which Ritner had inherited from his parents in the 1920s. In the mid-1930s, the Tomlinsons lost this farm due to financial difficulties, and relocated to another farm property in nearby Huntingdon Valley (Montgomery County). The Tomlinson, Foehr, and Peters families papers, 1713-1998 (bulk 1870-1970), consist of photographs, legal and financial documents, correspondence, diaries, ephemera, and other materials related to the Tomlinson, Foehr, and Peters families. The bulk of the material is from the Tomlinson family and predominately relates to Ritner W., his wife Caroline, and their children.

Held at: Historical Society of Frankford [Contact Us]

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Lavina Jago clippings scrapbooks, circa 1930-1950

Extent:
4.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Lavina Jago, 1886-1974, lived in Ambler, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The Lavina Jago clippings scrapbooks, circa 1930-1950, are thematically-oriented and cover topics including antiques, ships, turnpikes, George Washington, World War II, the peacetime draft, WWII aftermath, the Historical Society of Fort Washington, Montgomery County, Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania History.

Held at: Historical Society of Fort Washington [Contact Us]

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Charles R. Barker papers, 1876-1961 (inclusive)

Extent:
17.4 linear feet
Abstract:
Charles Reed Barker (1875-1961) was a very active genealogist and historian in the Philadelphia area. The Charles R. Barker papers, 1876-1961, consist of diaries, scrapbooks, historic document abstracts/transcriptions, and a small amount of loose documents and ephemera. At the heart of the collection are Barker's diaries, which provide a comprehensive and intimate view of his daily activities over nearly three-quarters of a century, 1889-1961.

Held at: Historical Society of Montgomery County [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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Johnson House Historic Site collection on the Johnson family, 1794-circa 1994

Extent:
0.5 linear feet
Abstract:
John Johnson built a house in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1768. A family of ardent Quakers, the Johnsons did not participate in the Revolutionary War and were vocal abolitionists. The Johnson House was a documented stop along the Underground Railroad for African Americans escaping North from slavery prior to the Civil War. Johnson House Historic Site collection on the Johnson family, 1794-circa 1994, includes several original manuscript volumes and photographs from the Johnson family, as well as secondary-source materials such as photocopies and genealogical information about the family.

Held at: Johnson House Historic Site [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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Art McGinnis scrapbooks and club statistics, 1963-1988 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.5 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 Art McGinnis scrapbooks and club statistics, 1963-1988, consist of scrapbooks and statistical information compiled by McGinnis relating to the Mummers Parade and its participants.

Held at: Mummers Museum [Contact Us]

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House of Color Mummers Parade photographs, 1970-1985 (inclusive)

Extent:
26.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Frank Talley (1934-2003) owned the House of Color photography studio in South Philadelphia and was the official photographer of the annual Mummers Parade. The House of Color Mummers Parade photographs, 1970-1985, consist mostly of photographic negatives of the Mummers Parade, taken by Frank Talley in his capacity as the official Mummers Parade photographer.

Held at: Mummers Museum [Contact Us]

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Howard Keller sheet music, circa 1960-1990

Extent:
7.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Howard Keller was a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was involved with the New Year's Mummers Parades. The Howard Keller sheet music, circa 1960-1990, consists of musical arrangements by Keller, presumably to be played by Mummers clubs in the annual Mummers Parade.

Held at: Mummers Museum [Contact Us]

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New Hope Historical Society collection on the Parry family, 1840-1900 (bulk) 1801-1978 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Parry family of New Hope, Bucks County, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was a prominent Quaker family. The New Hope Historical Society collection on the Parry family, 1801-1978 (bulk 1840-1900), includes various scattered documents relating to family members, including deeds and other property records, genealogical papers and memoranda, financial papers including receipts, newspaper clippings, photographs, a small amount of printed matter, and journals. Richard Randolph Parry, Oliver R. Parry, and Gertrude Parry are the best-represented family members.

Held at: New Hope Historical Society [Contact Us]

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