Subject: Local history - Philadelphia Area Archives Search Results

Historical Society of Towamencin collection, 1854-1995 (inclusive)

Extent:: 0.75 linear feet
Abstract:: Towamencin Township is a suburb of Philadelphia located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. One of the township's gems is the Morgan Log House, a meticulously restored example of early domestic architecture on land first settled in 1708. The Historical Society of Towamencin collection, 1854-1995, includes photographs from class graduations at local schools and scattered school records, a photograph album, newspaper clippings, and a cemetery inventory.

Held at: Welsh Valley Preservation Society [Contact Us]

Yardley Historical Association local history collection, 1883-2013 (bulk) 1741-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:: 9.5 linear feet
Abstract:: Yardley Borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was settled in 1682 by Quaker minister William Yeardley who purchased a tract of land from William Penn. Following the completion of the Bristol-New Hope section of the Delaware Canal in 1831, new commerce and trade poured into the town, then called "Yardleyville." The town continued to grow following the completion of the New York branch of the railroad in 1876 that included a nearby station. Yardley was incorporated as a borough in 1895. The Yardley Historical Association local history collection, 1741-2013 (bulk 1883-2013), is organized into two series: I. Subject files and II. Manuscripts. The Subject files include pamphlets and ephemera, photocopies of historical documents, and photographs, relating to local history topics, such as floods and Black history in Yardley. The Manuscripts include various materials, such as documents, minute books, photographs, scrapbooks, and oral histories, that document Yardley individuals, families,...(see more)

Held at: Yardley Historical Association [Contact Us]

Catherine R. Belville family papers, 1950-1980 (bulk) 1855-1981 (inclusive)

Extent:: 1.5 linear feet
Abstract:: Catherine "Kitty" Reading Belville (1897-1995) was born in Yardley, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Belville was a 1919 graduate of Swarthmore College, and established the Belville Scholarship there in 1982 in honor of her parents. Having a strong interest in history, Belville was a member of the Colonial Yardley Association (predecessor of the Yardley Historical Association). The Catherine R. Belville family papers, 1885-1981 (bulk 1950-1980), mostly consist of the personal papers of Catherine R. Belville, including correspondence, diaries, ephemera, and photographs, as well as some papers relating to the Belville family. Many of the materials relate to Belville's time as a student at Swarthmore College and her continued association with the school. Also included are materials relating to the Colonial Yardley Association, genealogy research, and Yardley history research.

Held at: Yardley Historical Association [Contact Us]

Aston Township Historical Society local history collection, circa 1806-2015

Extent:: 75.0 linear feet
Abstract:: The area that is known as Aston Township was incorporated as a township of Chester County in 1688 and became a part of Delaware County when the latter county was established in 1789. Today, due to its proximity to both Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, Aston Township is predominantly a residential area with various local organizations and community events. The Aston Township Historical Society local history collection, circa 1806-2015, consists of various materials, including organizational, church, township, and school records; scrapbooks and photographs; subject and vertical files; and other materials that document the history, residents, businesses, and other aspects of Aston Township.

Held at: Aston Township Historical Society [Contact Us]

Bridesburg Historical Society local history collection, 1816-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:: 10.0 linear feet
Abstract:: The Bridesburg Historical Society local history collection, 1812-2012, includes original and reproduction photographs, newsletters and ephemera, clippings, research materials, and a small amount of original documents and deeds relating to Bridesburg in northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Held at: Bridesburg Historical Society [Contact Us]

Chadds Ford Historical Society vertical files, circa 1968-2013

Extent:: 7.0 linear feet
Abstract:: Chadds Ford in Delaware County, Pennsylvania was historically a crossroads, first a fording point across the Brandywine River and later near the intersection of two train lines. It is known for its role in the Revolutionary War--the Battle of the Brandywine was fought here in 1777--and in art history--Howard Pyle's studio and students gave rise to the Brandywine School of Art, fostered by three generations of the Wyeth family. The Chadds Ford Historical Society vertical files, circa 1968-2013, consist of secondary-source materials on various local history topics and people. There are also transcripts and copies of census and tax records, 1715-1790, and historic resource surveys of sites in Chadds Ford Township and along the Route 202 corridor, 1994.

Held at: Chadds Ford Historical Society [Contact Us]

Harman D. Rees family papers, 1890-1964 (bulk) 1710-1964 (inclusive)

Extent:: 8.0 linear feet
Abstract:: Harman D. Rees was (1873-1964) was a farmer and active public servant in Charlestown Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. He wrote a detailed history of the township, Historical Sketches of Charlestown Township, completed around 1943. The Harman D. Rees family papers, 1710-1964 (bulk 1890-1964), include scrapbooks, newspaper issues and clippings, research notes, correspondence, family papers, hand drawn maps and blueprints, photographs, and other documents relating to Rees's research interests--Charlestown Township history, birds, plants, and Rees family genealogy--as well as farming practices, family life, municipal affairs, and additional topics.

Held at: Charlestown Historical Society [Contact Us]

John McArthur Harris Collection, before 1987

Extent:: 3.6 linear feet
Abstract:: The John McArthur Harris Collection includes newspaper clippings, articles, photographs, pamphlets, and maps.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

Glendinning collection, 1800-1990 (inclusive)

Extent:: 0.2 linear feet
Abstract:: The Glendinning's are a local Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia family. The Glendinning collection, 1800-1980, is comprised of family histories and documentation of local events.

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

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

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

Held at: Chestnut Hill Historical Society [Contact Us]

Concord Township Historical Society local history manuscripts collection, 1682-2004 (inclusive)

Extent:: 11.3 linear feet
Abstract:: Concord Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania was incorporated in 1683, and includes the four villages of Concordville, Elam, Markham and Ward. Originally in Chester County, the township became part of Delaware County when Chester County was partitioned in 1789. The Concord Township Historical Society local history manuscripts collection, 1682-2004, includes organizational records, family and personal papers, photographs, and other manuscript materials relating to local people and groups from Concord Township.

Held at: Concord Township Historical Society [Contact Us]

Downingtown Area Historical Society clippings collection, 1978-2014 (bulk) 1930-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:: 30.0 linear feet
Abstract:: The Borough of Downingtown, Chester County, Pennsylvania is located halfway between Philadelphia and Lancaster. Known as Milltown in the 18th century since it was the location of the last mills on the edge of the unsettled western frontier, the village became known as Downingtown after the War of 1812; the borough was incorporated in 1859. Improved transportation, by stagecoach, railroad, and eventually highways, drew increasing population and investment to Downingtown over the 19th and 20th centuries. The Downingtown Area Historical Society clippings collection, 1930-2014 (bulk 1978-2014), documents the people, businesses, churches, organizations, and schools of the Downingtown area. It is arranged in two series: I. Family files and II. Topic files.

Held at: Downingtown Area Historical Society [Contact Us]

Darby Borough Historical and Preservation Society local history collection, circa 1900-2012

Extent:: 25.0 cubic feet
Abstract:: The borough of Darby in Delaware County, Pennsylvania was settled by Quakers in the early 1680s. It had its first Town Meeting in 1683 and was incorporated in 1853. The Darby Borough Historical and Preservation Society local history collection, circa 1900-2012, focuses on the history of Darby Borough and surrounding areas. It consists principally of secondary materials, such as copies of photographs and documents, computer print-outs of articles and narrative histories, newspaper clippings, printed materials including newsletters and ephemera, and genealogy research, with a very small amount of original materials such as scrapbooks.

Held at: Delaware County Historical Society [Contact Us]

Delaware County Historical Society collection on Lansdowne Borough, 1919-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:: 1.67 linear feet
Abstract:: Settled in the early 1700s and incorporated in 1893, the Borough of Lansdowne, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, has a rich industrial and commercial history. Located just six miles from the center of Philadelphia, the town became a haven for middle-class families beginning in the early 20th century as well as a popular design location for the area's best architects, including renowned Philadelphia architect Frank Furness. The Delaware County Historical Society collection on Lansdowne Borough, 1919-2012, consists of records and materials relating to numerous Lansdowne institutions, organizations, and events. About one third of the collection pertains to Lansdowne-Aldan High School (formerly Lansdowne High School) class reunions.

Held at: Delaware County Historical Society [Contact Us]

Dublin Historical Society local history collection, 1885-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:: 2.6 linear feet
Abstract:: Dublin Borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is located just northwest of Doylestown, the county seat. Located in a prosperous farming area, Dublin was incorporated as an independent municipality in 1912. The Dublin Historical Society local history collection, 1885-2012, consists of various materials such as ledgers, photographs, papers, and ephemera that document individuals, families, organizations, and businesses of Dublin, Pennsylvania.

Held at: Dublin Historical Society [Contact Us]

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]

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]

East Falls Historical Society local history collection, 1897-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:: 11.0 linear feet
Abstract:: The East Falls Historical Society local history collection, 1897-2012, is comprised mostly of newspaper clippings with some pamphlets, invitations, and ephemera. Some files focus on individuals or families, while others cover businesses, schools, churches, community organizations, or historic sites/houses significant in the history of the East Falls section of Philadelphia.

Held at: East Falls Historical Society [Contact Us]

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

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

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

Holly K. Green genealogy files, slides and notes, circa 1957-1995

Extent:: 5.75 linear feet
Abstract:: Holly K. Green of Boyertown, Pennsylvania is a local historian who has published articles on pottery in Berks County. The Holly K. Green genealogy files, slides and notes, 1957-1995, consist of Green's research notes and slides on local history and folk-life topics. The collection includes a large amount of genealogical research, with copies of primary and secondary resources.

Held at: Goschenhoppen Historians, Inc. [Contact Us]

Warren K. Schlotterer family papers and local history collection, circa 1750-1960

Extent:: 5.5 linear feet
Abstract:: Warren K. Schlotterer (1881-1968) was a local historian in Schwenksville, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Warren K. Schlotterer family papers and local history collection, circa 1750-1960, includes papers from Warren K. Schlotterer's family, as well as materials collected by him on local history topics focused around Montgomery County, Pennsylvania and surrounding areas.

Held at: Goschenhoppen Historians, Inc. [Contact Us]

Goschenhoppen Historians vertical files collection, 1898-1997 (inclusive)

Extent:: 15.3 linear feet
Abstract:: Goschenhoppen, one of the oldest continuously existing Pennsylvania German communities in America, is a geographic region in Montgomery County. The Goschenhoppen Historians vertical files collection, 1898-1997, is mostly made up of newspaper clippings, secondary articles, and photocopies of primary documents. There are also some original deeds, ephemera, and photographs. The collection focuses on local history and Pennsylvania Dutch folk culture.

Held at: Goschenhoppen Historians, Inc. [Contact Us]

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

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

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

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

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

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

Margaret Halsey papers, 1955-1980 (bulk) 1917-1987 (inclusive)

Extent:: 4.75 linear feet
Abstract:: Margaret Halsey (1913-1984) wrote for the Germantown Courier about local history and architecture. The Margaret Halsey papers, 1917-1987, consist of newspaper clippings, press researches, pamphlets, reports, and event invitations.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

Patricia Henning papers, 1980-2004 (bulk) 1922-2004 (inclusive)

Extent:: 6.5 linear feet
Abstract:: Pat Henning (1933-2005) was a social activist and local historian who resided in the West Mount Airy section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Pat Henning papers, 1922-2004, are comprised of newspaper clippings, copies of primary materials, articles, pamphlets, and brochures. There is also a small amount of primary material in the collection, of which the majority is correspondence of Mrs. Francis A. Wister (1920s-1930s) and records of the Mount Airy Express.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

Haverford Township Historical Society vertical files, circa 1930-2014

Extent:: 21.0 linear feet
Abstract:: Haverford Township is a suburb of Philadelphia situated near the wealthy "Main Line" west of the city. It encompasses the community of Havertown and parts of Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Ardmore, Drexel Hill, and Wynnewood in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The Haverford Township Historical Society vertical files, circa 1930-2014, contain materials relating to the people, places, historic sites, organizations, businesses, and other aspects of Haverford Township. The files are organized alphabetically by subject or name and largely consist of photocopies of primary-source documents.

Held at: Haverford Township Historical Society [Contact Us]

Haverford Township Historical Society local manuscript collection, 1759-1995 (inclusive)

Extent:: 10.0 linear feet
Abstract:: Haverford Township is a suburb of Philadelphia situated near the wealthy "Main Line" west of the city. It encompasses the community of Havertown and parts of Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Ardmore, Drexel Hill, and Wynnewood in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The Haverford Township Historical Society local manuscript collection, 1759-1995, consists of a variety of original manuscript materials relating to the people, organizations, and property of Haverford Township. It includes family papers, organizational records, photographs, maps and architectural drawings, deeds, tax records, a small amount of secondary-source research material, and more. Of special interest is an 1864 Civil War diary written by Charles S. Bailey.

Held at: Haverford Township Historical Society [Contact Us]

Ruth Ehrlen Irwin collection, 1890-2008 (inclusive)

Extent:: 1.5 linear feet
Abstract:: Established around the turn of the 18th century, the Langhorne Hotel served the numerous visitors who traveled through the transportation hub of Langhorne (Bucks County, Pa.) on their way between Philadelphia (Pa.) and Trenton (N.J.). Ruth Ehrlen Irwin's father, George G. Ehrlen, owned the Langhorne Hotel from 1905 to 1937. A native of Langhorne, Ruth Ehrlen Irwin worked as a teacher primarily in the Langhorne-Middletown School District. The Ruth Ehrlen Irwin collection, 1890-2008, consists of various materials, including hotel registers, scrapbooks, photographs, and ephemera relating to the Langhorne Hotel, Ruth Ehrlen Irwin, Irwin's family, and the history of Langhorne.

Held at: Historic Langhorne Association [Contact Us]

Historic Langhorne Association photograph and photo postcard collection, circa 1867-2012

Extent:: 4.0 linear feet
Abstract:: Settled by Quakers beginning in 1680, the small town of Langhorne in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, grew as an important transportation center between Trenton and Philadelphia due to its location at the intersection of major roads connecting the two cities. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the town, which served as a stop along the rail line, became a popular summer vacation destination for wealthy Philadelphians. The Historic Langhorne Association photograph and photo postcard collection, circa 1867-2012 contains photographs, postcards, negatives, and oversized images that document the people, buildings, events, and streets of Langhorne, Bucks County, Pennsylvania and the surrounding area from the mid-19th century until the present.

Held at: Historic Langhorne Association [Contact Us]

Bensalem Township clippings scrapbooks, 1957-1995 (inclusive)

Extent:: 4.0 linear feet
Abstract:: Settled by the Dutch, Swedes, and English, Bensalem Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was a farming community until the 1950s and 1960s when the area underwent a significant amount of suburban development. The Bensalem Township clippings scrapbooks, 1957-1995, document this transition period in Bensalem's history.

Held at: Historical Society of Bensalem Township [Contact Us]