Search

Start Over Subject Local history

Main content

Quakertown Historical Society collection of ledgers and deeds, 1767-1991 (inclusive)

Extent:
6.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Quakertown, Pennsylvania, incorporated in 1855, is a town located in the northeast portion of Upper Bucks County. The town remained quite small until the mid-nineteenth century, when the construction of the North Pennsylvania Railroad helped turn it into a significant commercial center. The Quakertown Historical Society collection of ledgers and deeds, 1767-1991, consists of various ledgers from different creators, as well as an assemblage of local deeds. It seems likely that the majority of ledgers are Quakertown Borough records, although many are not clearly identified. The collection also includes record books from Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society, Camp #489 (Quakertown, Pa.), Powelton Cut Glass Company, and several unidentified sources.

Held at: Quakertown Historical Society [Contact Us]

Main content

Walter B. Smith negatives, 1888-1921 (inclusive)

Extent:
277.0 items
Abstract:
The collection consists of about 275 negatives of scenes, primarily of houses, in the Germantown and Overbrook sections of Philadelphia, and in nearby suburban Wynnewood and Ardmore, Pennsylvania. The photographs originated with Walter Bassett Smith, who, with Herman Wendell, owned the real estate development and construction firm Wendell & Smith. The Walter B. Smith negatives, 1888-1921, are on long-term loan to the Athenaeum of Philadelphia; contact the Athenaeum to access the collection.

Held at: Radnor Historical Society [Contact Us]

Main content

Spring-Ford Area Historical Society local history collection, 1880-1960 (bulk) 1789-2000 bulk, 1880-1960 (inclusive)

Extent:
34.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Previously a sparsely-settled farming area, early development in Spring City (Chester County, Pennsylvania) and adjacent Royersford (Montgomery County, Pennsylvania) coincided with the opening of the Schuylkill Navigation Canal in 1824. Industry in the two towns continued to grow during the 19th century, especially with the construction of major rail lines through both. By the early 20th century, Spring City and Royersford were booming industrial towns with extensive stove factories, glass and bottle works, and embroidery, hosiery, and knitting mills, among other businesses. The Spring-Ford Area Historical Society local history collection, 1789-2000 (bulk 1880-1960), consists of photographs, scrapbooks, manuscript volumes, pamphlets and ephemera, deeds, and various other documents relating to local history. Photographs form the largest portion of the collection.

Held at: Spring-Ford Area Historical Society [Contact Us]

Main content

Spring-Ford Area Historical Society digital collection, circa 2000-2012

Extent:
50.0 gb
Abstract:
Previously a sparsely-settled farming area, early development in Spring City (Chester County, Pennsylvania) and adjacent Royersford (Montgomery County, Pennsylvania) coincided with the opening of the Schuylkill Navigation Canal in 1824. Industry in the two towns continued to grow during the 19th century, especially with the construction of major rail lines through both. By the early 20th century, Spring City and Royersford were booming industrial towns with extensive stove factories, glass and bottle works, and embroidery, hosiery, and knitting mills, among other businesses. The Spring-Ford Area Historical Society digital collection, circa 2000-2012, consists of over 30,000 digital images of various documents, particularly photographs and postcards, relating to Spring City and Royersford, Pennsylvania local history. Some, but not all, of the original items are owned by the Spring-Ford Area Historical Society.

Held at: Spring-Ford Area Historical Society [Contact Us]

Main content

Springfield Township Historical Society genealogy and subject files, 1985-2013 (bulk) 1832-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
14.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Springfield Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania was surveyed and laid out in 1743. The township was primarily a rural farming community for most of its history, although its population increased with suburbanization in the late 20th century. The Springfield Township Historical Society genealogy and subject files, 1832-2013 (bulk 1985-2013), cover numerous local history topics and local families. The collection consists largely of secondary-source materials, principally newspaper clippings, research notes, and narrative histories. A small quantity of original documents is mixed in.

Held at: Springfield Township Historical Society (Bucks County, Pa.) [Contact Us]

Main content

McElroy family collection on Tri-County (Pa.) history, 19th century-1960s

Extent:
5.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Walter (1903-1993) and Esther (Kline) (1903-1992) McElroy were school teachers and longtime residents of the Tri-County Pennsylvania area, where northwestern Chester, southeastern Berks, and northeastern Lancaster counties converge. The McElroys were interested in the local history and families of the this area and they collected materials throughout their lifetimes pertaining to the Tri-County area and its prominent individuals and families, including the Ames and Plank families. McElroy family collection on Tri-County (Pa.) history, circa 19th century-1960s, consists of materials related to the history, people, businesses (and other topics) of Berks, Chester, and Lancaster counties in Pennsylvania. The materials include subject files, newspaper clippings, printed matter, original artworks, photographs, and other materials.

Held at: Tri-County Heritage Society [Contact Us]

Main content

Brower family papers, circa 1750-1950s

Extent:
12.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Mennonites Hubert and Anna Brower left Germany and emigrated to Chester County, Pennsylvania in 1726. They settled in Coventry (now, East Coventry Township). Hubert and Anna's son, Henry Brower (1720-1784) purchased land and established a family farm in the Parker Ford area of Coventry. His descendents, many of who were farmers, doctors, and ministers, resided in this area of Chester County for several generations. The Brower family papers, circa 1750-1950s, consist of financial, legal, and property documents; letters; family records and genealogy research; school records and teacher certificates; photographs and scrapbooks; newspaper clippings, printed matter, and ephemera; and other materials. There are small amounts of materials from other families that are connected to the Brower family. Individuals well-represented in the collection include M. Bertha Brower (1900-2000), Dr. William Brower (1842-1919), Abraham Brower, and David Stiteler Taylor (1832-1925) and his second wife,...(see more)

Held at: Tri-County Heritage Society [Contact Us]

Main content

Union Library of Hatboro local history collection, 1799-1999 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.2 linear feet
Abstract:
In 1715, the Crooked Billet Inn was built by John Dawson in what is now known as Hatboro Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It was a farming village that boasted one of the first rural libraries in Pennsylvania, the Union Library Company. The Union Library of Hatboro local history collection, 1799-1999, contains primary and secondary materials relating to Hatboro history and events.

Held at: Union Library of Hatboro [Contact Us]

Main content

Anita Rothwell Smiley scrapbooks, 1892-1992 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.75 linear feet
Abstract:
Anita Smiley (1915-2007) was a local historian and sixth grade teacher at Cold Spring Elementary School in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. The Anita Rothwell Smiley scrapbooks, 1892-1992, contain materials relating to Upper Moreland Township and Willow Grove local history, including Willow Grove Park.

Held at: Upper Moreland Historical Association [Contact Us]

Limit your search

more »

more »

more »

more »

more »

more »

Current results range from 1682 to 2016

View larger »