Search

Start Over Subject Local history Year 1800 to 1849

Main content

Historical Society of Frankford scrapbook and photograph album collection, 1826-1975 (inclusive)

Extent:
4.5 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 scrapbook and photograph album collection, 1826-1975, consists of various scrapbooks and photograph albums that document the people, businesses, organizations, and general history of Frankford and Northeast Philadelphia.

Held at: Historical Society of Frankford [Contact Us]

Main content

Historical Society of Frankford printed matter and ephemera collection, 1813-1997 (inclusive)

Extent:
7.25 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 Frankford Historical Society printed matter and ephemera collection, 1813-1997, consists of pamphlets, booklets, invitations, programs and other printed matter relating to organizations, businesses, events, and other topics. A majority of these document the Frankford area, but there are also a large number of materials...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Frankford [Contact Us]

Main content

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]

Main content

Historical Society of Fort Washington manuscript volumes and deeds collection, 1721-1978 (inclusive)

Extent:
4.25 linear feet
Abstract:
Fort Washington, Pennsylvania (now part of Upper Dublin Township and Whitemarsh Township) was settled in the 18th century by German immigrants and is a known for its role in the Revolutionary War. The Historical Society of Fort Washington manuscript volumes and deeds collection, 1721-1978, includes records of local organizations, people, businesses, and townships, as well as multiple deeds.

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

Main content

Carn-Buchanan family papers, 1817-1897 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.3 linear feet
Abstract:
Hannah B. Lester (b. 1815) was a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) who lived in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. Abram Carn was the proprietor of a general store and post office in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. The Carn-Buchanan family papers, 1817-1897, are made up of personal correspondence of Hannah B. Lester and three receipt books attributed to Abram Carn and an unknown person with the surname Donut.

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

Main content

Worrall and John family papers and business records, 1830-1939 (inclusive)

Extent:
4.0 linear feet
Abstract:
During the 1840s, Sharpless Worrall moved with his family to Sugartown in Willistown Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, where he took over ownership of a general store and served as postmaster for 20 years. Upon his retirement, Worrall's son-in-law Hillery John took over the store, which he ran until his death. At that point it was taken over by Hillery's son, Clyde B. John, who eventually turned the business into an antiques shop. Worrall and John family papers and business records, 1830-1939, primarily consist of the business records of the general store under all three owners as well personal and family papers relating to the Worrall and John families.

Held at: Historic Sugartown, Inc. [Contact Us]

Main content

Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area local manuscripts collection, circa 1800-2000

Extent:
27.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Phoenixville, which was incorporated as a borough in 1849 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, evolved from a late-17th century village. The history of the town largely mirrored the history of the Phoenix Iron Company which became hugely successful in the mid-19th century with the advent of the railroad. The Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area local manuscripts collection, circa 1800-2000, includes various original manuscript materials relating to the people, families, organizations, and businesses in the Phoenixville area.

Held at: Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area [Contact Us]

Main content

Historical Society of Whitpain local history collection, 1778-2011 (inclusive)

Extent:
10.3 linear feet
Abstract:
Whitpain Township, one of the oldest townships of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, was settled as early as 1685. The Historical Society of Whitpain local history collection, 1778-2011, contains newspaper clippings, ledgers and other manuscript volumes, pamphlets and ephemera, and original and copy photographs. It is covers various topics of local interest, including locally significant churches, organizations, historic buildings, schools, individuals and families.

Held at: Wissahickon Valley Historical Society [Contact Us]

Main content

Carl Schultheis local history collection, 1786-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.25 linear feet
Abstract:
Carl F. Schultheis, Jr. (born 1930) is a pediatrician at the King of Prussia Medical Center in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and known as a local historian in Upper Merion Township, PA. The Carl Schultheis local history collection, 1786-2012, consists of photographs, deeds, marriage certificates, letters, pamphlets, newspaper clippings, and other materials documenting the local history and people of King of Prussia (Montgomery County, PA) and nearby areas.

Held at: King of Prussia Historical Society [Contact Us]

Main content

Lansdale Historical Society small collections and scrapbooks, 1930-2012 (bulk) 1800-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
11.33 linear feet
Abstract:
Lansdale, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania became a boom town during the mid-19th century when a junction of the North Pennsylvania Railroad was established where the center of the town is now located. The Borough of Lansdale was incorporated on August 24, 1872. This collection, which documents the history of Lansdale, its organizations, and residents, consists of various scrapbooks, pamphlets, newspaper clippings, photograph albums, deeds, letters, primary source documents relating to particular organizations, and other miscellaneous materials.

Held at: Lansdale Historical Society [Contact Us]

Main content

Limerick Township Historical Society vertical files, 1920-2012 (bulk) 1783-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
11.75 linear feet
Abstract:
The Limerick Township Historical Society vertical files, 1783-2012, are comprised of materials relating to local history, general topics, local historical societies, Limerick Township schools, and deeds. The materials include deeds, newspaper clippings, photographs, and photocopies of primary source materials.

Held at: Limerick Township Historical Society [Contact Us]

Main content

Media Historic Archives Commission subject files, 1842-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
41.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Borough of Media is the county seat of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, located about 12 miles outside of Philadelphia. The area was settled by Europeans beginning in the 1680s, Media became the county seat in 1850. A largely rural area prior to that point, the town grew rapidly in the second half of the 19th century and throughout the 20th century. About half of the materials in the Media Historic Archives Commission subject files, 1842-2013, are secondary source (newspaper clippings, narrative histories, and photocopies and transcriptions of original documents), and the other half is primary source (largely pamphlets and ephemera and photographs, with some correspondence, financial papers, organizational records, maps, and other documents). The collection focuses on various local history topics relating to Media and vicinity, such as local schools, churches, organizations and associations, people, military, black history, and other topics.

Held at: Media Historic Archives Commission [Contact Us]

Main content

Newtown Historic Association small collections, circa 1700-2013

Extent:
30.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Newtown, the county seat of Bucks County from 1726 to 1813, is one of the most historic areas in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The Newtown Historic Association small collections, circa 1700 to 2013, consist of small collections of mostly original archival material from families, businesses, and organizations from Newtown and surrounding areas.

Held at: Newtown Historic Association [Contact Us]

Main content

Newtown Square Historical Society local history collection, 1744-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
11.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Established in 1681, Newtown Township (Newtown Square), is the oldest township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania and has over 100 historic structures still standing. Newtown Square Historical Society local history collection, 1744-2013, includes various original manuscripts, secondary-source materials, and digital files that document the individuals, families, organizations, and landscape of the Newtown Square area. Materials in the collection include ledgers, photographs, letters, deeds, pamphlets, ephemera, maps, newspaper clippings, and photocopies and scans of articles and primary source documents.

Held at: Newtown Square Historical Society [Contact Us]

Main content

Old York Road Historical Society atlas and map collection, 1848-circa 2000

Extent:
9.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Montgomery County, situated in southeastern Pennsylvania and established in 1784 out of the western portion of Philadelphia County, has played an important role in U.S. history. Since its founding, it has experienced "booming industry and manufacturing, rich farm fields, advanced transportation, artistic endeavors and unique religious beliefs." The history of the area of eastern Montgomery County has been documented significantly through the collecting efforts of the Old York Road Historical Society. The Old York Road Historical Society atlas and map collection, 1848-circa 2000, documents Montgomery County, Philadelphia County, and parts of the Delaware Valley.

Held at: Old York Road Historical Society [Contact Us]

Main content

Holt family papers, 1843-1897 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.4 linear feet
Abstract:
Charles Holt (1821-1892) was a farmer in what is now Lower Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The Holt family papers, 1843-1897, include a diary begun in 1855 and continued by Holt's daughter until 1893. There are also account books and a recipe book of cures.

Held at: Old York Road Historical Society [Contact Us]

Main content

Conshohocken Historical Society local history collection, 1846-1979 (inclusive)

Extent:
8.2 linear feet
Abstract:
The Conshohocken Historical Society local history collection, 1846-1979, consists of miscellaneous original records and papers from organizations and individuals based in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. It includes scrapbooks, minute books, pamphlets, reports, ledgers, correspondence, blueprints, and maps.

Held at: Conshohocken Historical Society [Contact Us]

Main content

Craven Hall Historical Society local history collection, 1774-1973 (inclusive)

Extent:
3.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Warminster Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania was established 1711. It was home to religious leader William Tennent, steamboat inventor John Fitch, and the world's largest human centrifuge. The Craven Hall Historical Society local history collection, 1774-1973, contains ciphering books, account books, photographs, tax ledgers, deeds, scrapbooks, and other documents from local people, families, and organizations.

Held at: Craven Hall Historical Society [Contact Us]

Main content

Downingtown Area Historical Society General Archives collection, 1843-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
20.0 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 General Archives collection, 1843-2012, consists of various small accumulations of records (less than one linear foot) from businesses, clubs, organizations, individuals, and families based in or near Downingtown.

Held at: Downingtown Area Historical Society [Contact Us]

Main content

Dr. Anna E. Broomall scrapbooks, 1900-1922 (bulk) 1841-1922 (inclusive)

Extent:
8.25 linear feet
Abstract:
Anna Elizabeth Broomall (1847-1931), from Delaware County, Pennsylvania, was a prominent physician who established one of the first clinics for out-practice maternity care in the United States. She was chief resident physician and instructor of obstetrics at the Woman's Hospital of the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania. Having an active interest in history, Broomall served as librarian and curator of the Delaware County Historical Society after she retired from medicine. The Dr. Anna E. Broomall scrapbooks, 1841-1922 (bulk 1900-1922) primarily consist of volumes of clippings that focus on historically-significant people, organizations, buildings, and events in Delaware County and Philadelphia. The collection also includes some glass-plate and film negatives as well as items, such as letters and ephemera, of historical and personal interest to Dr. Broomall.

Held at: Delaware County Historical Society [Contact Us]

Main content

Delaware County Institute of Science manuscript collection, 1686-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
20.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Delaware County was the first section of Pennsylvania to be settled by Europeans, specifically Swedes in 1643. The Borough of Media, located about 12 miles outside of Philadelphia, has been the county seat of Delaware County since 1850. A largely rural area prior to that point, the town grew rapidly in the second half of the 19th century and throughout the 20th century. The Delaware County Institute of Science manuscript collection, 1686-2014, consists of a variety of local history materials including organizational records, business records, personal papers, photographs, scrapbooks, blueprints, subject files, maps and atlases, and other materials. Most of the materials relate to Delaware County (Pennsylvania), but some items pertain to other locations in Pennsylvania and other states. Although the 19th century is the best represented among the materials, there is a significant amount of materials from the 18th century and a few items from the 17th century.

Held at: Delaware County Institute of Science [Contact Us]

Main content

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]

Main content

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]

Main content

Headley family papers, circa 1788-1981

Extent:
3.5 linear feet
Abstract:
The Headley family was a prominent and socially-active family from Fallsington, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The Headley family papers, circa 1788- 1981, document several generations of the Headley family and related family members, particularly the family of Charles Moon Headley (b. 1865) and Elizabeth Schurz Headley (b. 1871), including their daughters Alice Headley Woodruff (1894-1989) and Eleanor Christina Headley (b. 1897). The collection is largely made up of photographs that document the family and the village of Fallsington, circa 1850-1950, and bound volumes including account books, minute books, and diaries. The collection also contains legal papers, personal papers, correspondence, genealogy research, and papers relating to Historic Fallsington, Inc.

Held at: Historic Fallsington, Inc. [Contact Us]

Main content

Plumstead Historical Society local history collection, 1809-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The area of Plumstead Township (Bucks County, Pa.) was originally settled in the early 18th century by English Quakers, but soon grew into a diverse community. The township was officially established in 1725 and was initially an agrarian community, although many businesses and industries were eventually established due to the presence of a nearby highway. The Plumstead Historical Society local history collection, 1809-2014, consists of various primary and secondary-source materials donated to or collected by the Plumstead Historical Society relating to the history and residents of Plumstead Township.

Held at: Plumstead Historical Society [Contact Us]

Main content

Plymouth Meeting Historical Society small collections, 1709-1976 (inclusive)

Extent:
3.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Plymouth Meeting (in Plymouth and Whitemarsh Townships) in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, was settled during the late 17th century by English and Welsh Quaker and German immigrants. In 1686, the discovery of limestone drew more settlers to the area. Several railroad lines were constructed in the area during the 19th century, which encouraged a growth in industry. Plymouth and Whitemarsh grew significantly after World War II, especially during the latter decades of the 20th century after completion of the Blue Route (Interstate 476) with its major interchange in Plymouth Township. Plymouth Meeting Historical Society small collections, 1709-1976, consist of various small collections held by the Plymouth Meeting Historical Society. The collections document local families, including the Lukens, Corson, and Zimmerman and Dager families. There is also documentation of local properties, in the form of deeds and tax assessments.

Held at: Plymouth Meeting Historical Society [Contact Us]

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

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

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

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

Upper Uwchlan Township Historic Commission local history collection, 1829-2005 (inclusive)

Extent:
17.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Upper Uwchlan Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, was established in 1858 when it broke off from Uwchlan Township. Its boundaries include the historic district of Byers Station and the Wheelen House (Fellowship Farm), a Georgian-style farmhouse built in the mid 18th century. Remaining a rural community for most of its existence, Upper Uwchlan experienced large population growth beginning in the 1980s, leading to an increase in area development and the construction of several new subdivisions. The Upper Uwchlan Township Historic Commission local history collection, 1829-2005, contains a mix of primary- and secondary-source materials relating to the people, buildings, property, organizations, and other aspects of Upper Uwchlan Township. The collection is organized into four series: I. Manuscripts (organized by family/donor), II. Property files (organized by location), III. Subject files (organized into sub-groupings: people, clippings by date, and other), and IV. Subject binders.

Held at: Upper Uwchlan Township Historic Commission [Contact Us]

Main content

Wallace Township local history collection, 1789-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
30.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Although the first official survey of Wallace Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania took place in 1729, the Township was formally created in 1852 and has had multiple changes to its boundaries since. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, farms, mills, and forges dotted the landscape, but the late 19th century brought the railroad and considerable development of the area. A Pennsylvania Turnpike entrance was created near Wallace in 1950, and during the late 20th century, many residential subdivisions were built in the Township resulting in a substantial population increase. The Wallace Township Historical Commission local history collection, 1789-2014, consists of a mix of primary and secondary-source material relating to the history and residents of Wallace Township. Materials include scrapbooks, maps and blueprints, deeds, financial and administrative records, photographs, audio recordings, ephemera, correspondence, posters, and genealogy and other research materials.

Held at: Wallace Township Archives [Contact Us]

Main content

Charlestown Historical Society manuscripts collection, circa 1790-1990

Extent:
10.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Charlestown Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania is named for Charles Pickering, who was granted the land from William Penn that today makes up a large portion of the Township. Charlestown was the site of the Valley Forge General Hospital during World War II. The Charlestown Historical Society manuscripts collection, circa 1790-1990, includes photographs, slides, deeds, maps and atlases, family papers, business records, school and municipal records, scrapbooks and various other materials collected from local people and organizations from Charlestown Township and nearby areas.

Held at: Charlestown Historical Society [Contact Us]

Main content

Delaware County Historical Society miscellaneous manuscripts, 1728-1997 (inclusive)

Extent:
134.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Delaware County was the first section of Pennsylvania to be settled by Europeans, specifically Swedes in 1643. It was in the city of Chester, the original county seat of Delaware County, that William Penn and the General Assembly of Pennsylvania adopted Penn's "Great Law of Pennsylvania," which granted the right to vote, citizenship, freedom of religion and trial by jury to all settlers. Located adjacent to Philadelphia, Delaware County's suburban population grew rapidly in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Delaware County Historical Society miscellaneous manuscripts, 1728-1997, consist of miscellaneous original manuscript and printed/ephemera materials relating to local people, organizations, and businesses in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Types of materials include: ledgers, diaries, correspondence, ephemera, pamphlets, and scrapbooks.

Held at: Delaware County Historical Society [Contact Us]

Main content

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]

Main content

Goschenhoppen Historians document and ephemera collection, 1758-1992 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.0 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 document and ephemera collection, 1758-1992, documents local history and is rich in genealogical data. It includes receipts and accounts, indentures, vital records, correspondence, and other original documents; ephemera, such as advertisements, pamphlets, broadsides, and sheet music, are also in the collection. Fine examples of Fraktur are of special interest.

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

Main content

Germantown Historical Society collection on the Wister family, 1814-1966 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.8 linear feet
Abstract:
The Wisters were a prominent merchant family, established in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the 18th century. The family built many homes in the area which are now on the National Register of Historic Places. The Germantown Historical Society collection on the Wister family, 1814-1966, is comprised of materials created by various members of the Wister family, such as business records, correspondence, diaries, knitting patterns, and photographs.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

Main content

Germantown Historical Society small collections, 1764-1989 (inclusive)

Extent:
42.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Germantown Historical Society small collections, 1764-1989, consists of small accumulations of records and papers from various families, individuals, and organizations based in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. There are four general groups of materials: "Organizational records," "Family and personal papers," "Unprocessed papers," and "Small manuscript collection." Rough, preliminary inventories exist for the first three groups and are provided below. There is an online finding aid for the fourth group, "Small manuscript collection," at http://hdl.library.upenn.edu/1017/d/pacscl/HSP_GHS34SM.

Held at: Germantown Historical Society [Contact Us]

Main content

Historic Carversville Society local history collection, 1970-1990 (bulk) 1793-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
3.5 linear feet
Abstract:
A prime example of a 19th-century farming community, Carversville in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was one of the first districts to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The Historic Carversville Society local history collection, 1793-2013 (bulk 1970-1990), contains various materials, including oral histories, photographs, newspaper clippings, ephemera, and two deeds, that document Carversville local history.

Held at: Historic Carversville Society [Contact Us]

Main content

Historic Fallsington, Inc. manuscript collection, 1729-1984 (inclusive)

Extent:
15.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Settled by English Quakers in the late 17th century, the village of Fallsington in Falls Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania became significant as a religious, social and commercial center for the surrounding community. It served as a popular stopover point for travelers due to its location along several major transportation systems. Fallsington became the first historic district in Bucks County (1955) and was subsequently placed on the National Register of Historic Places (1971). The Historic Fallsington, Inc. manuscript collection includes the papers of numerous Fallsington families and individuals, as well as other materials that document the history of the village. Items include personal papers, account books and other financial papers, diaries, photographs, deeds, maps, and genealogy research.

Held at: Historic Fallsington, Inc. [Contact Us]

Main content

Historic Langhorne Association local history collection, 1733-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
18.33 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 local history collection, 1733-2012, consists of various materials relating to local history topics in or around Langhorne, Pennsylvania, including families, individuals, businesses, organizations, and property. It includes four series: subject files, small collections, oral histories, and oversize materials.

Held at: Historic Langhorne Association [Contact Us]

Main content

Horsham Preservation and Historical Association manuscript collection, 1684-1975 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Welsh Strawbridge (1878-1969) and his new wife Margaret E. Marhsall Strawbridge (1898-1969) moved to Graeme Park, the estate of colonial Governor Sir William Keith, in 1922. They raised thoroughbred horses on the land before donating it to Horsham Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in 1958. The Horsham Preservation and Historical Association manuscript collection, 1684-1975, is comprised of Strawbridge family papers, township records, Graeme Park property records, and various other documents.

Held at: Horsham Preservation and Historical Association [Contact Us]

Main content

Historical Society of Bensalem Township local history collection, 1770-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
12.0 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. Historical Society of Bensalem Township local history collection, 1770-2013, consists of maps, deeds, photographs, ledgers, and other original, primary-source documents relating to the history of Bensalem Township and surrounding areas.

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

Main content

Historical Society of Hilltown Township local history collection, 1790-2012 (inclusive)

Extent:
5.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Established in 1721, Hilltown Township (Bucks County, Pennsylvania) remained a farming community up until the end of World War II. Construction of large housing developments started at the end of the 1970s. The Historical Society of Hilltown Township local history collection, 1790-2012, consists of various primary-source materials that document Hilltown Township individuals, families, businesses, and properties. These include deeds, personal papers relating to some of the first families of Hilltown, materials relating to area schools, historic site survey forms, photographs, and records of local businesses and organizations.

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

Main content

Kennett Township Historical Commission subject files, 1980-2014 (bulk) 1847-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
10.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The first recorded mention of "Kennett Township" in Chester County, Pennsylvania is from 1705. An abolitionist stronghold, Kennett was popular with freedom-seekers escaping slavery prior to the Civil War due to the presence of progressive Quakers and a community of free blacks that was established as early as 1830. Later, the Kennett area became known for producing more than half of the mushrooms consumed in the United States. The Kennett Township Historical Commission subject files, 1847-2014 (bulk 1980-2014), focus on people, places, organizations, buildings, and events of Kennett Township. The files consist mainly of secondary-source materials, such as clippings, pamphlets/ephemera, and family genealogies, as well as a small amount of primary-source materials.

Held at: Kennett Township Historical Commission [Contact Us]

Main content

Media Historic Archives Commission local manuscripts collection, 1847-circa 1975

Extent:
13.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Borough of Media is the county seat of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, located about 12 miles outside of Philadelphia. The area was settled by Europeans beginning in the 1680s; Media became the county seat in 1850. A largely rural area prior to that point, the town grew rapidly in the second half of the 19th century and throughout the 20th century. The Media Historic Archives Commission local manuscripts collection, 1847-circa 1975, includes scrapbooks, ledgers, organizational records, bank records, film reels, postcards, audio and video cassettes, slides, blueprints, charters, broadsides, maps, atlases, and various other documents relating to the people, businesses, and organizations of Media.

Held at: Media Historic Archives Commission [Contact Us]

Main content

Marple Historical Society local history collection, 1685-circa 2000

Extent:
5.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Marple Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania was settled by English members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in 1683. It was primarily agrarian for most of its history, until after World War II when improvement to roads, public transportation and the availability of the automobile made Marple Township a suburban community. The Marple Historical Society local history collection, 1685-circa 2000, consists of various primary- and secondary-source materials that document the history of Marple Township and the people, businesses, and organizations in the township and vicinity. Featured in the collection are 17th century deeds, ledgers from the Bonsall Brothers general store (1873-1918), and 1930s military photographs.

Held at: Marple Historical Society [Contact Us]

Main content

Newtown Historic Association maps, blueprints, and plans collection, circa 1800-2007

Extent:
5.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Newtown, the county seat of Bucks County from 1726 to 1813, is one of the most historic areas in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The Newtown Historic Association maps, blueprints, and plans collection, circa 1800-2007, consists of various maps, blueprints, and plans of Newtown (Bucks County, Pennsylvania) and surrounding areas, and includes originals as well as copies and reproductions.

Held at: Newtown Historic Association [Contact Us]

Limit your search

more »

more »

more »

more »

more »

more »

Current results range from 1682 to 2015

View larger »