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Doylestown Historical Society local real estate collection, circa 1955-2013

Extent:

48.0 linear feet

Abstract:

The area now known as Doylestown (Bucks County, Pennsylvania) was given to Edward Doyle as a land grant from William Penn in 1692. Doylestown became the county seat of Bucks County in 1812, and the area flourished when a railroad line was completed between Doylestown and Philadelphia in 1856. Doylestown's historic downtown began to deteriorate in the early 1960s, but the town was revitalized in part due to an architectural preservation movement. The Doylestown Historical Society local real estate collection, circa 1955-2013, contains mostly secondary-source materials--such as real estate listings, narrative house histories, photocopies of original documents with some original photographs--organized alphabetically by street address.

Held at: Doylestown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Doylestown Historical Society subject files, 1880-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:

32.0 linear feet

Abstract:

The area now known as Doylestown (Bucks County, Pennsylvania) was given to Edward Doyle as a land grant from William Penn in 1692. Doylestown became the county seat of Bucks County in 1812, and the area flourished when a railroad line was completed between Doylestown and Philadelphia in 1856. Doylestown's historic downtown began to deteriorate in the early 1960s, but the town was revitalized in part due to an architectural preservation movement. The Doylestown Historical Society subject files, 1880-2013, are organized into the following series: I. Local history; II. Businesses; III. Biographies; and IV. Locations. It consists mostly of newspaper clippings and other secondary-source materials, with some primary-source documents such as ephemera, newsletters, pamphlets, photographs, invoices, deeds, advertisements, and some business records.

Held at: Doylestown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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William Edgar Geil papers, 1900-1910 (bulk) 1886-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:

46.0 linear feet

Abstract:

Often referred to as "America's Forgotten Explorer," William Edgar Geil (1865-1925) was an evangelical missionary and international explorer from Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania who was most likely the first individual to travel the entire Great Wall of China (in 1908). He was a sought-after lecturer and orator; authored 10 books, including his best-selling travelogue The Great Wall of China (Sturgis & Walton Company, 1909); and was an accomplished photographer whose work documented vanishing cultures. The William Edgar Geil papers, 1886-2013 (bulk 1900-1910), include nearly 2,000 photographs; book preparation materials covering all phases of the editorial process; diaries and field notes; personal correspondence; newspaper clippings; and artwork. The collection documents William E. Geil's extensive travels, his work as an evangelist and missionary, and his family.

Held at: Doylestown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Wilma B. Rezer local history research, 1977-1990 (bulk) 1865-2010 (inclusive)

Extent:

3.75 linear feet

Abstract:

Wilma B. Rezer (1915-1993) was an amateur historian who focused on property research and local history for her hometown of Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The Wilma B. Rezer local history research, 1865-2010 (bulk 1970-1990), includes a series of files for years she researched (1804-1966) and a series of her writings on Doylestown history. Her best-known history, completed for the Bucks County tercentennial in 1982, is Doylestown: And How It Came to Be, 1724-1980," of which there are several copies in this collection.

Held at: Doylestown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Bucks County Bankers Association records, 1946-1963 (bulk) 1924-1963 (inclusive)

Extent:

1.5 linear feet

Abstract:

A member of the Pennsylvania Bankers Association (organized in 1895), Group Two, the Bucks County Bankers Association was organized in Doylestown, Pennsylvania in 1924. It existed at least as late as 2010. The Bucks County Bankers Association records, 1924-1963 (bulk 1946-1963), include correspondence, analyses, meeting minutes, lists of past presidents and officers, clippings, annual meeting programs, and pamphlets.

Held at: Doylestown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Doylestown Historical Society oral histories, 1995-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:

2.0 linear feet

Abstract:

The area now known as Doylestown (Bucks County, Pennsylvania) was given to Edward Doyle as a land grant from William Penn in 1692. Doylestown became the county seat of Bucks County in 1812, and the area flourished when a railroad line was completed between Doylestown and Philadelphia in 1856. Doylestown's historic downtown began to deteriorate in the early 1960s, but the town was revitalized in part due to an architectural preservation movement. The Doylestown Historical Society oral histories, 1995-2012, consist of several dozen oral history video interviews with prominent residents of Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Of special interest are an interview with author James Michener and an interview with a friend of James Michener about the author.

Held at: Doylestown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Doylestown Historical Society collection on Doylestown and Central Bucks West high schools, 1913-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:

4.5 linear feet

Abstract:

Doylestown High School in Bucks County, Pennsylvania opened in 1890 and closed in 1951. Students were transferred to Central Bucks West High School (originally Central Bucks Joint High School), which opened the following year. The Doylestown Historical Society collection on Doylestown and Central Bucks West high schools, 1913-2013, contains chronological files about class years, as well as some historical information about each school. It consists primarily of clippings, programs/ephemera, and a few photographs; there is also a Doylestown High School cash ledger, 1941-1947. The Society also holds a collection of original yearbooks (and some copies of older yearbooks) for both schools, 1916-2012.

Held at: Doylestown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Doylestown Agricultural Works records, 1916-2010 (inclusive)

Extent:

1.0 linear feet

Abstract:

Doylestown Agricultural Works in Bucks County, Pennsylvania produced farm machinery and ironwork that were sold around the world. It opened in 1867, flourished around the turn of the century, and for many years was the area's largest employer. The company ceased manufacturing new products in 1937 and closed entirely in 1968. The Doylestown Agricultural Works records, 1916-2010, consist of financial records from Doylestown Agricultural Works as well as some secondary research about the company.

Held at: Doylestown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Doylestown Nature Club records, 1956-2010 (bulk) 1912-2010 (inclusive)

Extent:

3.0 linear feet

Abstract:

The Doylestown Nature Club (Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania), still in existence as of 2013, was organized in 1907 by Mrs. Irvin Megargee James. Federated in 1914, and incorporated in 1970, its purpose is "to provide a love of nature; to protect birds, animals and wildflowers from ruthless destruction; to conserve our natural resources; to beautify the community; and to educate in the field of nature." The Doylestown Nature Club records, 1912-2010 (bulk 1956-2010), consist of various records that document the history of the Club, including minutes, newsletters, member booklets and directories, some financial records, a significant amount of ephemera such as programs and newspaper clippings, and photographs relating to Club-sponsored activities and events.

Held at: Doylestown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Melinda Cox Library records, 1915-1993 (bulk) 1819-1993 (inclusive)

Extent:

4.0 linear feet

Abstract:

Currently serving as the Doylestown branch of the Bucks County (Pa.) Free Library, the Melinda Cox Library was Doylestown's first free library. It opened in 1917 through a bequest of Doylestown resident Charles Cox (1832-1914) who left his entire estate to create a community library named after his mother, Melinda Hines Cox (1803-1890). The library merged with the county library in 1981. The Melinda Cox Library records, 1819-1993 (bulk 1915-1993), consist primarily of various library records, including circulation and registration ledgers, financial records, statistics, correspondence, and clippings, as well as some correspondence and other records of the Friends of the Library (established in 1944). There are also papers, photographs, and research materials relating to the library's buildings, its librarians, and its history as well as genealogy research and papers from the Cox and Hines families.

Held at: Doylestown 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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Bucks County Justice Center plans, 1998-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:

2.0 linear feet

Abstract:

The 2008 decision to build a new Bucks County Justice Center in Doylestown, Pennsylvania was controversial. A new parking garage was built from 2008 to 2010, and construction for the new courthouse began in 2011. The Bucks County Justice Center plans, 1998-2013, include reports, correspondence, site plans, newspaper clippings, photographs, resolutions, and other documents relative to planning the construction of the justice center.

Held at: Doylestown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Betty J. Strecker Doylestown Sesquicentennial records, 1987-1988 (bulk) 1987-2010 (inclusive)

Extent:

1.33 linear feet

Abstract:

The area now known as Doylestown (Bucks County, Pennsylvania) was given to Edward Doyle as a land grant from William Penn in 1692. Doylestown became the county seat of Bucks County in 1812, and the area flourished when a railroad line was completed between Doylestown and Philadelphia in 1856. Doylestown's historic downtown began to deteriorate in the early 1960s, but the town was revitalized in part due to an architectural preservation movement. The Betty Strecker Doylestown Sesquicentennial records, consists mostly of records of the Doylestown Sesquicentennial Committee and papers relating to Strecker's role as its coordinator, including correspondence, newspaper clippings, photographs of people and events, applications for Doylestown Sesquicentennial Queen, a scrapbook, some published items, event planning materials, and copies of Doylestown: 150 Years, published by the Committee. There are also some personal records and papers from other organizations with which...(see more)

Held at: Doylestown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Doylestown Historical Society local history collection, 1832-2009 (inclusive)

Extent:

18.0 linear feet

Abstract:

The area now known as Doylestown (Bucks County, Pennsylvania) was given to Edward Doyle as a land grant from William Penn in 1692. Doylestown became the county seat of Bucks County in 1812, and the area flourished when a railroad line was completed between Doylestown and Philadelphia in 1856. Doylestown's historic downtown began to deteriorate in the early 1960s, but the town was revitalized in part due to an architectural preservation movement. The Doylestown Historical Society local history collection, 1832-2009, consists of manuscripts, such as organizational records, ledgers, photographs, ephemera, genealogy records, maps, and blueprints, that document various Doylestown individuals, families, businesses, and organizations.

Held at: Doylestown Historical Society [Contact Us]