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Viri Viginti (Twenty Gentlemen) Club of Philadelphia records, 1980-1985 (bulk) 1962-2014 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.4 linear feet (; 1 box, 1 flat file)
Abstract:
Latin for "twenty gentlemen," Viri Viginti is an African American social club founded in 1914 in Philadelphia. It is believed to be the oldest such organization in the city. This small collection of its records includes by-laws, membership lists, minutes, photographs, correspondence, clippings, and financial records.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Volksverein of Philadelphia records, 1886-1949 (inclusive)

Extent:
2.1 linear feet (; 1 box, 12 volumes)
Abstract:
Now defunct, the Volksverein of Philadelphia was a local unit of the Catholic Central Union of America, which is a national Catholic social action and social welfare organization. The collection contains minutes of the meetings of the Volksverein, and job, financial, and subscription records of the organization's official organs, Philadelphia Volksblatt and Nord Amerika. The collection includes eleven ledgers recording cash transactions, subscriptions, and advertising. Also included is one book of minutes.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Harry E. Adamson papers, 1880-2021 (inclusive)

Extent:
11.1 linear feet (; 27 boxes, 6 volumes)
Abstract:
Harry Egan Adamson Jr. (1949-2021) was a Philadelphia AIDS and gay rights activist and restaurant manager. Infected in 1982, Adamson lived with HIV for nearly 40 years. He moved to Philadelphia in 1981 with his partner David Yontz. The couple stayed with Dr. John E. Fryer (1937-2003), who became one of Adamson’s lifelong friends. Yontz returned to Chicago in 1982, but Adamson remained in Philadelphia. Many of his friends and former lovers succumbed to AIDS between 1984 and 2000, but Adamson was a slow progressor and did not need to start medication for his disease until 1998. Though his HIV disease was under good control, neuropathy in his extremities became disabling in 1993. Adamson remained as active as he could, completing a master’s degree in pastoral counseling at La Salle University in 2002, acting as agent executor for Dr. John Fryer’s estate after his death in 2003, and serving on the board of Philly AIDSThrift from 2010-2013. Nonetheless, medical problems and depression...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Thomas Cole Wright diaries, 1850-1864 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.25 linear feet (; 1 box, 7 volumes)
Abstract:
Thomas Cole Wright was a young glove and hosiery shopkeeper in Philadelphia. The diaries trace his courtship and marriage to Emma Butler, the birth of their daughter, the death of both daughter and mother in close succession, his remarriage several years later, his service in the Pennsylvania militia during the Civil War, and the decline of his health which eventually led to his death in November 1864. Entries also discuss the weather, his glove shop, church attendance, purchases, social activities, and charitable contributions. There are seven volumes, with entries for approximately 2,500 days, plus ca. 100 pages of miscellaneous loose papers.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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George Subers Broadbent diaries, 1861-1898 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.48 linear feet (; 6 volumes)
Abstract:
George Subers Broadbent (b. 1839) was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church in several Pennsylvania towns and cities. The diaries detail his work as a preacher and Sunday school teacher, family life, and finances. The first volume is a recording of the events in his and his siblings’ early lives in Montgomery, Berks and other Pennsylvania counties. While this volume begins with a discussion of the events that occurred in 1852, it is actually dated in 1861 which most likely indicates that the volume is a retelling (or reflection) of those experiences.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Philadelphia Rapid Transit scrapbooks, 1928-1929 (bulk) 1928-1932 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.2 linear feet (; 3 volumes)
Abstract:
The Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company (PRT) was incorporated on May 1, 1902, and began construction of electric streetcar lines going into West Philadelphia, which was at the time a rapidly developing suburb. Within the year, PRT organized initiatives for the city’s first subway line, which ran under Market Street and was a predecessor to the current Market-Frankford Line. Despite many financial hardships the PRT grew rapidly rates in the early 20th century, but its management was inefficient, secretive, and grossly unpopular with the public and employees until Thomas E. Mitten became president. Around the time that the Market Street line was finished, PRT was almost bankrupt. In spite of its many hardships the PRT and would continue shaping the Philadelphia transit landscape until the early 1930s. The collection includes three volumes of newspaper clippings from the four prominent newspapers at the time. The clippings primarily center on the climate of the Philadelphia transit...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Judith Shuman Eden papers on Philadelphia urban affairs, 1983-2005, undated

Extent:
2.9 linear feet (; 8 boxes, 1 flat file)
Abstract:
Philadelphia resident Judith Schuman Eden, who died 8 August 2008, devoted much of her life to Philadelphia activism and politics. She was appointed to the Zoning Board of Adjustment by Mayor John Street and later appointed to the Zoning Code Commission by Mayor Michael Nutter. She claimed a wide range of interests involving everything from the arts and Jewish community issues, to city improvements and land-use rights. This collection of publications and printed matter from various Philadelphia and Pennsylvania organizations dates from the 1990s and 2000s and covers many topics such as homelessness, graffiti, parking, transportation, zoning, Broad Street revitalization, parks/public lands, and vacant lots/property. Organizations represented include the City Planning Commission, Project Housing Opportunity Medical Education, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, and the John F. Street Transition Team. There is also a group of Polaroid photographs showing various...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Joseph F. Lockard papers, 1928-1988 (inclusive)

Extent:
13.3 linear feet (; 30 boxes)
Abstract:
Joseph F. Lockard worked in Philadelphia for the Democratic City Committee during the 1950s and 1960s. By signing up non-registered voters as Democrats, Lockard was instrumental in building the Democratic "machine" that assisted party leaders get elected during the 1960s. Lockard worked as administrative assistant to U.S. Representative William J. Green Jr. and maintained ties to many political players, such as Joseph S. Clark, Richardson Dilworth, Natalie Saxe Randall, Judge Charles Weiner, and Congressman Joshua Eilberg. Lockard later obtained a political science degree from Temple University and formed his own political consulting firm, Lockard Associates. The Joseph F. Lockard papers are primarily composed of papers describing his involvement in Pennsylvania politics, with particular attention to Philadelphia. Materials include correspondence, memos, reports, and clippings. There are numerous subject files that contain a wealth of information on city issues, politicians, and...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Ritter family papers, circa 1840-2004, undated

Extent:
2.2 linear feet (; 6 boxes)
Abstract:
This family history collection documents the Ritter family and its ancestors beginning in the late 18th century. Diaries, autobiographies, memorandum books, family photos, and legal papers comprise the bulk of the material that spans almost 200 years (1773-1962). The collection focuses heavily on James Hansell Ritter (1859-1912) and his wife, Mary LeBaron Stoddard Ritter (1867-1949), both descendants of William Bradford, the governor of Plymouth Colony from 1622 until 1656. The couple’s lineage is documented in Series 1 which houses genealogical notes including a letter dated 25 December 1872 and an application for membership in the Pennsylvania Society of the Colonial Dames of America. Many of the ancestors appear in original or copied photographs in Series 2. Material related to ancestors and relatives of James Hansell Ritter - including his maternal great-great grandfather, Jacob Ehrenzeller, Sr. (1725-1798); his paternal grandfather, Jacob Ritter, Jr. (1784-1840); his father...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Saunders House records, 1862-1940 (bulk) 1853-2011, undated (inclusive)

Extent:
3.6 linear feet (; 8 boxes, 7 volumes, 1 flat file)
Abstract:
The Old Man's Home of Philadelphia was chartered in 1860 and opened its doors in 1864 in West Philadelphia, as a residence for old men in indigent circumstances. The home evolved to be Saunders House and began admitting women in 1960. In 1973, it moved to its current location adjacent to Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pa. Today Saunders House provides long-term care and rehabilitation services to up to 180 older adult residents. The collection includes the original Old Man's Home minute book; admission records; record of inmates; annual reports; financial reports; deeds and other property-related documents; newsletters; court records from an inheritance dispute involving the Old Man's Home; a program from the organization's 125th anniversary celebration; a Christian Endeavor hymn book, typescripts, and clippings.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Paul collection of Civil War papers and related ephemera, 1860-1894, undated

Extent:
0.2 linear feet (, 1 box)
Abstract:
The Paul collection of Civil War papers and related ephemera, housed in seven folders in one box, primarily consists of over 100 transcribed letters from and concerning Richard Henry Morris, who served with the 9th New York Infantry during the Civil War. Along with a few other items, additional materials in the collection include a biography and memorial of Ulric Dahlgren and a handwritten account from 1888 of the assassination of President Lincoln titled "A Story of a Great Crime."

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Price family papers, 1840-1990 (inclusive)

Extent:
8.0 linear feet (8 boxes; 2 volumes)
Abstract:
This collection contains the papers of various members of the Price family, as separated from the Woodlands Cemetery Company papers (collection 3661). The main family members documented in this collection are Eli Kirk Price (1797-1884), John Sergeant Price (1831-1897), Eli Kirk Price II (1860-1933), Philip Price (1898-1989), Eli Kirk Price III (April 25, 1904-1976), and Philip Price Jr. (1934- ). Most of the members of this family were lawyers, and all were very involved in Philadelphia civic, cultural, and charity organizations. The personal materials in this collection favor the civic and charity work of the Price family members, especially work done with the Fairmount Park Commission. Aside from the Fairmount Park materials, this collection is mostly estate information, documenting the administration of the Price family estates.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Susan Parry volumes, 1849-1911 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.3 linear feet (; 1 box, 2 volume)
Abstract:
Dr. Susan Parry was born December 10, 1826, to Charles Parry (1785-1842) and Phebe Fell (1807-1872) in Buckingham Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Susan Parry was raised as a Quaker member of the Society of Friends, and she taught in Lumberville, Pennsylvania, at the Lumberville School in the late 1840s. In 1858, she graduated from the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania (renamed the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania around 1867), the first medical school in the world established to train women and offer them the M.D., which was founded in 1850. While finishing up medical school she wrote a thesis “A Disquisition on Hygiene.” She practiced medicine in Bucks County until she died in Doylestown, Pennsylvania on February 12, 1890, at the age of 63.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Tony Reese papers, 1955-1970 (bulk) 1946-2013 (inclusive)

Extent:
4.1 linear feet (; 11 boxes, 1 flat file)
Abstract:
Tony Reese, born Attilio Resci in Foggia, Italy in 1919, was a popular performer both in Philadelphia and nationally. He was raised in South Philadelphia, attended South Philadelphia High School, and served with the U. S. Army during World War II. He developed a partnership and comedy act with Pepper Davis, whose real name was David Asner, and the duo performed across the United States and Canada. Together they appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and other televised variety shows of the mid 20th century. They also performed overseas and gave a command performance for Prince Ranier and Princess Grace of Monaco. Reese died in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, in 2013. This collection of Reese's papers mostly covers his career as a performer and includes numerous transcripts of comedy routines, clippings and programs, and musical arrangements. There are also a few personal papers including his obituary, biographical material, photographs, and audio-visual items.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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DeForest Porter Willard diaries, 1884-1957, undated; bulk 1917-1919

Extent:
0.2 linear feet (; 1 box)
Abstract:
DeForest P. Willard (1884-1957) was an orthopedic surgeon from Philadelphia. He attended the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, and served in both London and France during the First World War treating casualties at several medical facilities and at the front. After his return to Philadelphia, Willard became a prominent physician in his field, married in 1926, and maintained a long and distinguished medical practice. The collection consists of four diaries: the first a collection of brief personal and professional entries that Willard maintained throughout his life, the other three (1917-1919) recording in much more detail his wartime service. A complete set of photocopies of the diaries is included with the original volumes. Researchers are encouraged to make use of these photocopies before consulting the original diaries.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Philadelphia Record World War II servicemen photographs, 1943-1944 (inclusive)

Extent:
5.5 linear feet (; 11 boxes)
Abstract:
After the entry of the United States into World War II (1941-1945), the Philadelphia Record newspaper began publishing photographs of and articles about servicemen from Philadelphia and the surrounding regions. The resultant collection is comprised of these photographs and any accompanying information originally used for publication, and later, reference purposes.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Charles S. Cox letters and printed matter, 1926-1983 (bulk 1926-1929, 1944-1945)

Extent:
3.0 linear feet (; 6 boxes)
Abstract:
The Charles S. Cox letters and printed matter consist of over 600 letters, postcards, and a few telegrams from Cox to his wife during their courtship and first years of marriage in the late 1920s, as well as during Cox's time in the Navy during World War II. During the war Charles served in the United States Navy as a motor machinist's mate on the USS Mona Island. The USS Mona Island was one of many ships anchored in Buckner Bay, Japan, in 1945. There are also some letters from Cox's wife and friends, newspaper clippings, and other printed matter in the collection. Charles Stanley Cox (1906-1992) was born April 18, 1906, in Eaglesmere, Sullivan County, Pennsylvania. Charles married Margaret Elizabeth Strauser (1907-1985) on March 17, 1928. Prior to enlisting in World War II, Charles worked at a lumber company and a rubber company. He died on April 22, 1992.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Peter Adolph Grotjan memoirs, 1844-1846 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.33 linear feet (; 2 volumes)
Abstract:
This collection contains the memoirs and autobiographical notes of Peter Adolph Grotjan, a German merchant who immigrated to Philadelphia in 1796 and became an important figure in area commerce and politics. He served as Philadelphia County Auditor twice (once from 1828 to 1836 and again from 1841 to 1844) and published a commercial newspaper, Grotjan's Philadelphia Public Sale Reports. Volume 1 of the collection is a bound book of "preparatory notes and memoranda" used in writing his memoir, which is Volume 2. The memoir is a detailed account of Grotjan's life to 1817, briefly covering his childhood in Germany and focusing on his adult life in and around Philadelphia. It provides a detailed description of the cholera and yellow fever epidemics in Philadelphia, Albert Gallatin's visit to Reading, Pennsylvania in 1798 and the ensuing riot, and encounters with political figures including Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr, and James Buchanan. There are also descriptions of...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Ida Kaplan Langman scrapbook, 1919-1920 (bulk) 1919-1956 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.3 linear feet (; 1 volume)
Abstract:
Ida Kaplan was born in Ukraine in 1904. While still an infant, Ida and her parents, Hyman and Dora, immigrated to the United States and settled in South Philadelphia. Ida graduated from the South Philadelphia High School for Girls (SPHS) in 1920. She went on to receive a teaching certificate from the Philadelphia Normal School, and eventually earned a Master’s degree in botany from the University of Pennsylvania in 1945. She continued her career as a teacher, botanist, and bibliographer. Ida married Oscar Langman in 1928. They had no children and Ida died in 1991. Her scrapbook documents her last year at SPHS and includes photographs of classmates, faculty, and field trips, as well as newspaper clippings about SPHS; programs for school plays and local events and performances; speeches, including two that she delivered; and a history of her class.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Archibald Hunter Graham papers, 1898, 1927-1929, undated

Extent:
0.75 linear feet (; 2 boxes)
Abstract:
Archibald Hunter Graham (1875-1943) was a physician and amateur sportsman in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He studied medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Jefferson Medical College, graduating in 1895 and 1898 respectively. He worked as a physician in West Philadelphia and married Grace Darling Watson in 1911. They had four children: Harry, John "Jack," Rhea, and Grace. Dr. Graham and several of his brothers were well-known cricket players in Philadelphia. Archibald toured the eastern part of the United States and Canada with a Philadelphia Cricket team and was associated with the Belmont Cricket Club. He also wrote articles about the history of cricket in Philadelphia and a book titled, "Cricket at the University of Pennsylvania" in 1930. Although some sources state that Graham wrote a book titled "The History of Cricket in Philadelphia" published by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, it is unclear whether or not it was finished or if the Historical Society of...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Francis Daniel Pastorius records, 1689-1910 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.6 linear feet (; 2 volumes)
Abstract:
This collection contains the Grund und Lager Buch begun by Francis Daniel Pastorius to document the founding of the Germantown area of Philadelphia and its settlement. This volume includes "Rules and regulations for settlers" (1689-1697) and a copy of the charter for Germantown granted to Pastorius. This collection also contains an English translation of the German and Latin entries in the Grund und Lager Buch made by Marion Dexter Learned for the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in 1910.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Eugene S. Richardson, Jr., genealogical research materials, 1807-1980

Extent:
7.0 linear feet (7 linear feet, 10 boxes, )
Abstract:
Eugene S. Richardson, Jr., was the Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, Illinois. The collection consists of genealogical research files on the Richardson family and allied families. There is also a significant amount of research on the Netherlands Antilles and family members who settled there. Materials include: photocopies of newspapers articles, correspondence regarding the research (and some personal correspondence), printed materials, family charts, photocopies of 18th and 19th century documents, calling cards and invitations from the 19th century, photographs, and a very detailed card file of information on various family members. Two significant older items are "Richardson's journal, 1807," which has been photocopied and transcribed, and a notebook titled "Records" that describes family-related events in the 18th and 19th centuries. There is a separate card file documenting the chronology of the Netherlands Antilles, as well...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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E. D. Buckman genealogical collection on the Buckman and allied families, circa 1850-circa 1892, undated

Extent:
5.4 linear feet (; 47 volumes)
Abstract:
This collection, compiled mostly by Edwin D. Buckman of Philadelphia, contains genealogical records pertaining to the Buckman family of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and many related families, such as the Blakers, Burgesses, and Hestons. The majority of the material consists of handwritten notes which trace the family from its roots in England and Edward Buckman (1623-1670), a Quaker of Sussex County. The Buckmans eventually settled near Newtown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, approximately thirty miles north of Philadelphia. This collection consists of forty-seven volumes, all in modern library bindings. The volumes’ contents vary from histories of the Buckmans to papers on related families to abstracts of minutes from Friends' meetings. There are also notes and charts on the Buckman family by generation, newspaper clippings, and a few family papers such as deeds and correspondence. A few of the volumes contain indexes of other volumes.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Shigezo and Sonoko Iwata papers, 1942-1991

Extent:
0.6 linear feet (0.6 linear feet, 2 boxes)
Abstract:
Shigezo Iwata was born in Japan and immigrated to the United States in 1924. Sonoko U. Iwata was born in Los Angeles. The couple made their home in Thermal, California where they farmed and Shigezo was secretary of the Thermal Farmers' Cooperative Association. Separated in the initial part of World War II when Shigezo was arrested and detained by the FBI at the Lordsburg Internment Camp (New Mexico), the Iwatas were reunited in 1943 at the Colorado River Relocation Center near Poston, Arizona. The collection contains letters between the Iwatas and their friends detailing life in the relocation center and the internment camp. There are also personal documents and biographical materials.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Philadelphia Record Photograph Morgue, 1920-1945 (bulk) circa 1900-1947 (inclusive)

Extent:
390.0 linear feet (936 boxes)
Abstract:
The Philadelphia Record, which was established in 1897 and closed in 1947, was for a time one of the leading newspapers in the United States. The Philadelphia Record photograph morgue is comprised of black and white photographs dating primarily from 1920-1945, though some date from as early as 1900. The collection is divided into two series: Subject (approximately 20%) and Alphabetical (approximately 80%) with the former covering events and the latter focusing on individuals and families.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Historical Society of Pennsylvania war posters collection, 1914-1945

Extent:
2.4 linear feet (; 136 flat files)
Abstract:
This collection includes over 500 original World War I and World War II posters. The World War I section includes a number of Liberty Loan, American National Red Cross, and the U.S. Food Administration posters, while the World War II group includes American home front posters, many of which were published by the Office of War Information. Other organizations represented in the collection include the War Production Board, U.S. Shipping Board, Emergency Fleet Corporation, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Women's Reserve ("Spars"), the Y.W.C.A., Women’s Land Army, as well as branches of the U.S. military. War bonds, rationing, enlistment, vigilance, and conservation of resources are all topics treated by these artworks. The collection includes posters by such famous artists as Albert Dorne, James Montgomery Flagg, E. McKnight Kauffer, David Stone Martin, Norman Rockwell, Ben Shahn, and Frederick Siebel. The collection is arranged into three series: Series 1 (World War I), Series 2...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

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Fred Fortess papers, 1970-1989 (bulk) 1940-1999 (inclusive)

Extent:
82.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Fred Fortess was an authority on the use of fabrics in clothing and a long-time professor at the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science (now Philadelphia University). He worked at the Celanese Fibers Marketing Company for 31 years before joining the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science in 1973 as Director of Apparel Research and head of its School of Textiles. He served as President of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) as well as on numerous other committees. He received the Medal of Honor of the Southern Burn Institute for contributions to fire safety and the Harold DeWitt Smith Award of the American Society of Testing and Materials. Fortess died in Philadelphia in 1991. The Fred Fortess papers house the administrative and research materials of Fred Fortess, and dates from 1940 to 1999, with the bulk of the collection dating from the 1970s and 1980s. It consists of a variety of research materials relating to the manufacture, care, and...(see more)

Held at: Philadelphia University: Paul J. Gutman Library, Special Collections [Contact Us]

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Garden Club of Philadelphia Members' gardens lantern slide collection, 1930

Extent:
5.85 linear feet
Abstract:
The Garden Club of America was established in 1913 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when the Garden Club of Philadelphia and eleven other garden clubs met to create a national garden club. Its purpose is to foster the knowledge and love of gardening and to restore and protect the quality of the environment through educational programs and gardening and conservation efforts. This collection consists of 205 glass lantern slides, donated by the Garden Club of America, of Philadelphia area gardens and homes, including Andalusia, Stenton, Highlands, and Ludington. The collection also contains several portraits of notable Philadelphians and horticulturists and landscape plans. Included are 35mm slide reproductions of many of the lantern slides. The lantern slides date from the year 1930.

Held at: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society [Contact Us]

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Pennsylvania Horticultural Society minute books, 1827-2001 (inclusive)

Extent:
7.3 linear feet (27 containers)
Abstract:
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) was founded on November 24, 1827 by fifty-three prominent Philadelphians; among them Horace Binney, David Landreth Jr., William Davidson, George Pepper, Nicolas Biddle and Moses Brown. Emulating similar societies existing in England at the time, the men formed their Society to promote “a highly instructive and interesting science for the purpose of improving the growth of vegetables, plants, trees, fruits and flowers.” Since that time, the Society and its membership has fostered “…an appreciation of plants, acquiring scientific knowledge about them, disseminating horticultural information, and involving the public in gardening and beautifying the City of Philadelphia.” More recently, the Society has worked specifically to beautify the city and help realize William Penn’s founding vision for Philadelphia to be a “greene countrie towne.” This is a collection of meeting minutes of the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Horticultural...(see more)

Held at: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society [Contact Us]

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Philadelphia Flower Show slide and photograph collection, 1928-2009 (inclusive)

Extent:
25.0 linear feet (90 containers/volumes)
Abstract:
The Philadelphia Flower Show is the world’s largest indoor flower exhibition and, as of 2010, encompasses thirty-three acres and draws over 250,000 visitors annually. The Philadelphia Flower Show was first held in 1829. From 1927 until the mid 1960s, management of the Flower Show was under the auspices of the Philadelphia Flower Show, Inc., a professional group of nurserymen and growers. In 1964, Philadelphia Flower Show, Inc. decided to halt production of the show for two years because of difficulties locating an exhibition space. Under the direction of Ernesta D. Ballard, who felt that yearly continuation of the show was necessary, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society hosted the show in the 23rd Street Armory. In 1966, the show moved to the Civic Center, and in 1968, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society became the show’s official producer. In 1996, the Flower Show moved to its current location in the Pennsylvania Convention Center. This is a collection of photographs, slides,...(see more)

Held at: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society [Contact Us]

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Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Public Relations and Marketing Department image collection, 1958-2005 (inclusive)

Extent:
11.0 linear feet (2 drawers, 11 containers, 8 volumes)
Abstract:
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) was America’s first horticultural society, formed in 1827 as a not-for-profit membership organization. Since its founding, PHS has hosted wide-ranging activities in the name of promoting horticulture and to beautify Philadelphia, with a goal to realize William Penn’s founding vision for the city to be a “greene countrie towne.” The Public Relations and Marketing Department promotes the activities supported by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. This collection includes slides dating from 1958 to 2005 that document the operation of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the Harvest Show, the Junior Flower Show, the Philadelphia Flower Show, and Philadelphia Green.

Held at: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society [Contact Us]

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Anne Wertsner Wood slide collection, 1940-1960 (bulk) 1940-1983 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.0 linear feet (2 containers)
Abstract:
Anne Wertsner Wood (1907-2004) was a horticulturist, writer and lecturer from the Philadelphia area. She was an active leader in the gardening community at the local, national, and international levels. She is recognized for her participation in numerous flower shows, garden creations, outreach activities, writings and lectures. This collection contains slides compiled and used by Anne Wertsner Wood. There are two boxes of color photographic slides that date from 1940 to 1983, with the bulk of slides dating from 1940 to 1960. The slides document Wertsner’s travels to various local and international gardens, her involvement with the Philadelphia Flower Show, and her involvement in community activities.

Held at: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society [Contact Us]

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The Civil War Museum of Philadelphia records, 1886-2006 (inclusive)

Extent:
26.1 linear feet
Abstract:
The Civil War Museum of Philadelphia was chartered in Philadelphia in 1888 with the goals of “the collection, preservation and maintenance of a free library, more particularly upon military and naval subjects relating to the War of the Rebellion in the United States of America, the formation of a museum of implements, relics and muniments of war, and the erection and maintenance of a building for lectures and meetings.” Rutherford B. Hayes served as the Museum’s first president. The Museum was housed in various rented spaces until 1922, when it was moved to 1805 Pine Street. In 2008, the Museum was closed to prepare for a new building, originally intended to open in 2014. The Civil War Museum of Philadelphia records date from 1886 to 2006. The collection consists of institutional records, including general correspondence, financial records, and minute books; administrative records associated with the Board of Governors, the museum registrar, and exhibition planning; educational...(see more)

Held at: Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries [Contact Us]

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Union League archives, 1833-2010 (inclusive)

Extent:
1643.0 items
Abstract:
Founded in 1862 as a patriotic society to support the Union and the policies of President Abraham Lincoln, the Union League of Philadelphia laid the philosophical foundation of other Union Leagues across a nation torn by Civil War. From its founding to the present, the League has been a leading civic organization and has played an important role in the history of our country and the City of Philadelphia. Over the past 150 years, this service has ranged from raising troops during the Civil War and lobbying for enforcement of the “freedom” amendments during Reconstruction, to feeding the hungry during the Great Depression, to finding jobs for returning veterans after World War II. The Union League archives houses a wide variety of records related to the general administration of the Union League, its mission, building and history. Additionally, researchers will find a small sampling of papers more generally related to the Civil War, including some letters written by Abraham Lincoln....(see more)

Held at: Union League of Philadelphia [Contact Us]

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Wagner Free Institute of Science Director's files, 1883-1948 (inclusive)

Extent:
36.42 linear feet (37 containers)
Abstract:
Incorporated by William Wagner (1796-1885) in 1855, the Wagner Free Institute of Science is a natural history museum and educational institution in Philadelphia that is dedicated to providing free public education in the sciences. This collection contains records of the operations of the Wagner Free Institute of Science from 1883 to 1948, including the Institute’s financial records; rental property records; and museum, library and instruction program records. The bulk of the collection is financial material and correspondence.

Held at: Wagner Free Institute of Science [Contact Us]

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Bulletin of the Wagner Free Institute of Science, 1926-1958 (inclusive)

Extent:
1.0 linear feet
Abstract:
Incorporated by William Wagner (1796-1885) in 1855, the Wagner Free Institute of Science is a natural history museum and educational institution in Philadelphia that is dedicated to providing free public education in the sciences. The Bulletin was published from 1926 until 1958, and announced the results of scientific investigations under the auspices of the Wagner Free Institute of Science as well as reports of educational work.

Held at: Wagner Free Institute of Science [Contact Us]

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Joseph R. Foster and Sons records, 1930-1946 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.75 linear feet (4 volumes)
Abstract:
Joseph R. Foster and Sons was a Philadelphia dyeing and finishing yarn company, specializing in worsted and wool yarns. The Joseph R. Foster and Sons records houses four ledger books detailing 16 years of the company’s business records between 1930 and 1946.

Held at: Philadelphia University: Paul J. Gutman Library, Special Collections [Contact Us]

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Hugh Nelson, Incorporated (Columbia Carpet Mills) records, 1931-1957 (inclusive)

Extent:
6.0 linear feet
Abstract:
The Hugh Nelson, Incorporated (Columbia Carpet Mills) company was one of the oldest surviving carpet manufacturers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hugh Nelson owned the company until his son-in-law, Edward M. Schmauder became owner and president. Schmauder ran the company for 28 years before selling it in 1978. The carpet mill finally closed in 1983. The Hugh Nelson, Incorporated (Columbia Carpet Mills) records date from 1931 to 1957, with bulk dates from 1941 to 1957. This collection is mostly made up of correspondence between Hugh Nelson, Incorporated and vendors with which it did most of its business, especially from 1955 to 1957.

Held at: Philadelphia University: Paul J. Gutman Library, Special Collections [Contact Us]

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William Whitaker And Sons, Incorporated records, 1921-1977 (inclusive)

Extent:
0.5 linear feet
Abstract:
Henry Whitaker had founded the firm of Whitaker and Sons in Rochdale, England, in 1796. He visited the United States in 1807 and returned in 1809 to relocate the business to Hudson, N.Y. In 1813 he again relocated to Philadelphia, where he established the Cedar Grove Mills on Tacony Creek. The William Whitaker and Sons, Incorporated records house a small portion of the records of the company. The collection dates from 1921-1977, with bulk dates of 1930 to 1964. This collection consists mostly of financial reports, graphs, and a map of the Cedar Grove Mills.

Held at: Philadelphia University: Paul J. Gutman Library, Special Collections [Contact Us]

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Saint Joseph'S University Records, 1851-2019

Extent:
815.92 linear feet
Abstract:
The Saint Joseph’s University Records (formerly Saint Joseph’s College) houses the institutional, and organizational records of Saint Joseph’s University. This collection, which dates from 1851-2019, with bulk dates of 1960-1990, consists of photographs; including negatives and slides, correspondence, documents; including records, minutes, memoranda and reports, ephemera, objects, memorabilia; including audio and video recordings, scrapbooks and yearbooks which document and evidence the history of the administrative and academic units and activities of SJU’s administration, faculty, staff and students. Because of SJU’s association with Old Saint Joseph’s Church and the English and French Jesuits who founded it, this collection not only documents the University’s history and activities but adds to the knowledge of Catholic History in the City of Philadelphia and its surrounding areas. Saint Joseph's University which is currently a Jesuit, Catholic co-educational institution, began...(see more)

Held at: Saint Joseph's University (formerly Saint Joseph’s College) [Contact Us]

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Miller-Dickey Family papers, 1786-1992 (inclusive)

Extent:
10.0 boxes
Abstract:
This collection consists of papers of the Cross, Dickey, and Miller families of Chester County, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Baltimore, Maryland. John Miller and his wife, Margaret, emigrated from Scotland to Pennsylvania with their young daughter, Jane, in 1786. Miller, who was trained as a stone cutter in Scotland, developed a thriving marble business in Philadelphia; he also owned a farm in Great Valley, Pennsylvania. John was active in the Philadelphia community; he was an early member of the Pennsylvania Abolitionist Society, and a supporter of the Magdalene and Missionary Societies. The papers in this collection consist primarily of personal correspondence, business records, genealogical notes, diaries, and family photographs, of the Cross, Dickey and Miller families. The collection is particularly strong on relationships between women, family health, Presbyterian church, the history of Oxford, Pennsylvania, marble cutting business, and the genealogy of the Miller, Dickey,...(see more)

Held at: Chester County Historical Society [Contact Us]

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Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia papers on expeditions, 1819-1969 (inclusive)

Extent:
6.0 containers
Abstract:
The oldest natural sciences institution in the Western Hemisphere, the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, was founded when the United States hugged the Atlantic coastline, and Philadelphia was the cultural, commercial, and scientific center of the new nation. Classic expeditions to explore the western wilderness were organized at the Academy. These explorers brought back new species of plants and animals, which were studied and catalogued; and which formed the foundation of the Academy's scientific collections, now consisting of more than 17,000,000 specimens. This collection documents the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia's expeditions across the globe from 1891 to 1977. The collection is rich in material, particularly regarding the Academy's expedition to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia in 1969. There is some general information regarding expeditions, especially in regard to the Committee on Names, which is responsible for selecting offical names for special...(see more)

Held at: Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia [Contact Us]

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