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Hebrew Sunday School Society of Philadelphia (Pa.) records, 1888-1980 (bulk) 1802-2002 (inclusive)

Extent:
35.0 linear feet
Abstract:
In 1838, Rebecca Gratz (a Jewish philanthropist in Philadelphia), along with the Female Hebrew Benevolent Society, founded a Sunday School in Philadelphia that was open to all Jewish children regardless of parental financial standing or synagogue affiliation. Founded in 1819, the Female Hebrew Benevolent Society was the first Jewish charitable organization in Philadelphia, and the first such organization in the United States to offer free basic Jewish religious education. In the first year of operation, attendance at the school grew to 80 students, a number which represented nearly 90 percent of the Jewish children in Philadelphia at the time. The Female Hebrew Benevolent Society operated the Sunday School until 1858 when it was incorporated as the Hebrew Sunday School Society (HSSS). Rebecca Gratz served as president of the organization until she was 80 years of age. The Hebrew Sunday School Society records house the organizational records of HSSS. This collection, which dates from...(see more)

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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Abraham L. Freedman papers, 1938-1971 (bulk) 1850-2011 (inclusive)

Extent:
45.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Honorable Abraham L. Freedman, a long-time attorney and later judge, was an influential civic leader in Philadelphia’s movements towards political and civic reform in the 1940s and 1950s. As a staunch Democrat, Freedman’s career highlights include helping draft a new charter for the city of Philadelphia (and later serving as city solicitor under the newly instated charter), extensive work as an anti-discrimination advocate for racial and ethnic minorities, and federal judicial appointments with the United States District Court and the United States Court of Appeals. This collection, which dates from 1850 to 2011, with bulk dates of 1938 to 1971, consists of correspondence, case files, logs, research, memoranda, writings, speeches, reports, manuscripts, and clippings evidencing the workings of city and state government, especially during the period of the City-County Consolidation. Additionally, the records document social turmoil regarding race relations in Philadelphia, and the...(see more)

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

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Charles Morice papers, 1862-1970 (inclusive)

Extent:
9.0 boxes
Abstract:
Charles Morice was a prolific spokesman for the Symbolist movement. He was at times a poet, playwright, shipping clerk, literary critic, professor of literature, and lecturer. He collaborated in the founding of Mercure de France, the “organ of the purest Symbolism.” He attended Stéphene Maliarmé’a “Tuesdays,” weekly social gatherings of Symbolist writers and painters. While writing for Le Matin he was assigned to cover the death penalty debate. He corresponded with many famous artists on their thoughts on the death penalty. He also collaborated with the painter Paul Gauguin on his book Noa Noa, and with Auguste Rodin on his book Les Cathedrals des France. Morice wrote and had several unfinished manuscripts when he died on March 18, 1919. The collection of Morice’s papers comprises nine boxes and sixteen volumes. The collection is divided into printed material, his journals and notebooks which were called Petite...(see more)

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

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Edwin S. Stuart papers, 1884-1937 (inclusive)

Extent:
40.0 boxes
Abstract:
Edwin Sydney Stuart (1853-1937) was a Philadelphia businessman and politician during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In addition to owning and operating a successful bookstore, Stuart also served as mayor of Philadelphia from 1891 to 1995 and governor of Pennsylvania from 1907 to 1911. The Edwin S. Stuart papers, as received by Temple University, reflect a portion of the files from the Stuart/Emmons family and material stored at Leary & Co. prior to the closing of the firm in 1969. The records date from 1884 to 1937, and reflect both the archives of the Leary firm and the political and social activities of Governor Stuart. His papers document a variety of personal activities and social functions as well as his work with Girard College and the Union League. While the papers do document some of his political functions in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, this collection does not contain his formal political office files.

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

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Friends Neighborhood Guild records, 1903-2004 (inclusive)

Extent:
19.0 linear feet (24 containers)
Abstract:
The Friends Neighborhood Guild social settlement was founded by Quakers in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia in 1879; its mission, “...to serve and respond to the needs of the people in its community, particularly those people who are less able to help themselves,” (FNG, p.3). Throughout its more-than-hundred-year history, this mission has guided the Guild’s programs, which have evolved to meet its ever-changing constituents’ needs. At different times, its work has focused on education, Americanization, recreation, housing, community organization and other areas of social need. The Friends Neighborhood Guild records date from 1903 to 2004, with the bulk of materials dating from the second half of the twentieth-century. The records evidence the social programs and activities of the Guild, as well as its relationships with other agencies, such as the Greater Philadelphia Federation of Settlements, Philadelphia Housing Authority and the United Way. In addition to general...(see more)

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

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Albert Schatz, Ph.D papers, 1930-2007 (inclusive)

Extent:
14.0 boxes
Abstract:
Dr. Albert Schatz joined the staff of the Science Education Department at Temple University’s College of Education in 1969. Dr. Schatz was internationally known for his scientific research. His most important work, and the major subject of this collection, concerns the discovery of the first effective drug against tuberculosis – the drug streptomycin – during the years 1943 and 1944. His other research, which is also represented in this collection, explored a proteolysis-chelation theory of tooth decay and the potential dangers of water fluoridation.

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

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Health/PAC records, 1965-1977 (bulk) 1945-1985 (inclusive)

Extent:
70.4 linear feet (169 containers)
Abstract:
The Health Political Advisory Center, a health advocacy and research organization, was based in New York City and active from 1968 until 1977. The policies advocated by Health/PAC were largely left-wing and socialist health care programs, with special attention given to national health insurance, patients’ rights, and health care for disadvantaged, minority, and/or immigrant populations. The main purpose of Health/PAC was to spread information and foster activism through publications, conferences, and other events. Health/PAC published a variety of pamphlets, newsletters, bibliographies, and two books: The American Health Empire (1971) and Prognosis Negative (1976). The organization's newsletter, The Bulletin, was published regularly from 1968 until the late 1990s. After Health/PAC closed in 1977, The Bulletin's publication was carried out by a volunteer board of editors. This collection contains papers relating to...(see more)

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

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Germantown Settlement records, 1946-1994 (inclusive)

Extent:
62.3 linear feet (63 containers)
Abstract:
Germantown Settlement was founded in 1934, when two existing social welfare agencies, Morton Street Day Nursery and Working People's Aid, Inc. and Germantown Community Center merged. Like most settlements, it provided wide-ranging services to its community, including child care, educational and vocational instruction, and classes in art and music. In the 1950s and 1960s, it also worked closely with city agencies to facilitate urban renewal in the Morton neighborhood, while at the same time encouraging community participation and empowerment. The Germantown Settlement collection houses the records of this social welfare organization from 1946 to 1994, with a majority of the material dating from 1970 to the early 1990s. The collection contains business records, correspondence, financial documents and program files. Taken together, the records evidence Germantown Settlement’s efforts to assist and generally improve the lives of Germantown residents, particularly the youth and elderly...(see more)

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

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Samuel R. Joyner artwork collection, 1947-2005 (inclusive)

Extent:
5.8 linear feet
Abstract:
Samuel R. Joyner is among the small number of African American cartoonists in the United States. Born in Philadelphia in 1924, he received early attention and publication credits. Joyner enlisted in the United States Navy after graduating from high school during World War II. Upon his return to the United States, he enrolled into the Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art (now University of the Arts). His experience with racism and discrimination, primarily in the Navy, served as the backdrop for the kind of artwork he desired to produce. Over the years he would become a recognized “visual voice” for African Americans as represented in mass-circulated magazines and newspapers. His work has been published in over 40 different publications. The Samuel Joyner collection includes photographs, original art work and sketches (and photocopies), posters, signs, newspapers and clippings, newsletters, one book of African American illustrations, and ephemera. This collection spans 60...(see more)

Held at: Temple University Libraries Special Collections Research Center [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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