Call Number:

Ms. Coll. 01

Repository:

German Society of Pennsylvania: Joseph P. Horner Memorial Library

Extent:

27.4 linear feet

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], German Society of Pennsylvania institutional records, 1764-1996, Joseph P. Horner Memorial Library, German Society of Pennsylvania.

Date:

1764-1968 (bulk) and 1764-1998 (inclusive)

Creator:

German Society of Pennsylvania. and Witte, Herman

Form:

Clippings (information artifacts), Correspondence, Financial records, Membership lists, Minutes (administrative records), Scrapbooks, and Souvenir programs

Abstract:

The German Society of Pennsylvania, founded in Philadelphia in 1764, directed its early efforts to assisting new German immigrants, especially those forced into indentured servitude when they were unable to pay their sea fare. Throughout the late 18th and 19th centuries, the Society was very visible in the thriving German-American community in Philadelphia, boasting just over one thousand members at the peak of its growth, in the late 1870s. In the 20th century, the Society’s scope and prominence was affected by the two World Wars, which created suspicion and criticism of Germanic culture. That suspicion and government scrutiny played a role in the dwindling membership of the Society. In the post-World War II era the Society channeled its overseas relief activities through a Quaker-based aid society. In the second half of the century, the neighborhood was also changing, as it became predominantly African-American, rather than German, and more impoverished. But the Society pressed forward, continuing its educational and cultural programs. From the early 21st century, the Society has seen the resurgence of the neighborhood, and its leadership has directed the organization to embark on new projects. As of 2014, the Society building represents the last surviving monumental record of the German presence in Philadelphia. This collection contains the institutional records of the German Society of Pennsylvania from 1764 to approximately 1968, with some additional materials, such as souvenir programs and ephemera, dating to as late as 1998. Materials include correspondence, financial records, printed materials, clippings, ephemera, photographs, and bound volumes consisting of letter books, financial ledgers, membership record books, minute books, and scrapbooks. The records document the administrative affairs, financial transactions, membership activities, events, committees, and programs of the German Society of Pennsylvania. This collection documents the local German-American community in Philadelphia from the 18th through the 20th centuries as well as the Society’s efforts to preserve and celebrate German-American cultural identity on both local and national levels.

The German Society of Pennsylvania, founded in 1764, directed its early efforts to assisting new German immigrants, especially those forced into indentured servitude when they were unable to pay their sea fare. By introducing legislation to the Pennsylvania assembly, the Society helped improve ship and arrival conditions. It also provided immigrants with medical care, legal counsel, interpreters, and educational opportunities. Throughout the late 18th and 19th centuries, the Society was very visible in the German community, boasting just over one thousand members at the peak of its growth, in the late 1870s. In 1847 it established the office of the Agentur, its 'agency' devoted to coordinating its welfare efforts among needy German-born residents of Philadelphia. In 1888, the Society built its own Renaissance Revival headquarters, complete with a large assembly hall, library, and archives, on Spring Garden Street, in the heart of a traditional German neighborhood. The Society thus became the cornerstone of a thriving German-American community in Philadelphia. The Women's Auxiliary of the GSP, founded in 1900, also developed a program of charitable and social activities. In the 20th century, the Society’s scope and prominence was affected by the two World Wars, which created suspicion and criticism of Germanic culture. That suspicion and government scrutiny played a role in the dwindling membership of the Society. In the post-World War II era the Society channeled its overseas relief activities through a Quaker-based aid society. In the second half of the century, the neighborhood was also changing, as it became predominantly African-American, rather than German, and more impoverished. But the Society pressed forward, continuing its educational and cultural programs. From the early 21st century, the Society has seen the resurgence of the neighborhood, and its leadership has directed the organization to embark on new projects. As of 2014, the Society building represents the last surviving monumental record of the German presence in Philadelphia.

This collection contains the institutional records of the German Society of Pennsylvania from its founding in 1764 to approximately 1968, through the end of Herman Witte's term as president (1956-1967), as well as some additional materials, such as souvenir programs and ephemera, dating to as late as 1998. Materials include correspondence, financial records, printed materials, clippings, ephemera, photographs, and bound volumes consisting of letter books, financial ledgers, membership record books, minute books, and scrapbooks. The records document the administrative affairs, financial transactions, membership activities, events, committees, and programs of the German Society of Pennsylvania. This collection documents the local German-American community in Philadelphia from the 18th through the 20th centuries as well as the Society’s efforts to preserve and celebrate German cultural identity on both local and national levels.

Records that are contained in bound volumes often bear an original GSP call number, corresponding to entries that were created for these items in the Library's old paper card catalog. For purposes of historical reference, these original call numbers, whenever they are present, have been indicated in the inventory list in square brackets following the title of the volume. All of the call numbers begin with "AE," corresponding to the heading for "German Societies" in the classification system for the GSP's German American Collection.

The collection is arranged into seven series: “I. Meeting minutes, 1764-1974,” “II. Early Treasurer’s and membership records, 1766-1957,” “III. Library and Archives Committees, 1804-1958,” “IV. Assorted committees and events, 1868-1945,” “V. Correspondence and other administrative records, 1774-1996,” “VI. Herman Witte, 1949-1968,” and “VII. Financial records, 1931-1967.”

Series “I. Meeting minutes” dates from 1764 to 1974 and contains minute books pertaining to both the Board of Directors meetings and membership meetings. The Board of Directors meetings pertain to financial and administrative matters, and the minute books document these activities as well as acting as scrapbooks containing clippings, correspondence, and other materials documenting contemporary events related to the society. The membership meetings focus on officer elections, reports and affairs of the various committees of the German Society of Pennsylvania, and other issues pertaining to general membership. This series is arranged chronologically, with records documenting Board of Directors meetings preceding records documenting membership meetings. The earliest minutes of the society are found in Volume 19, membership meeting minutes, 1764-1807.

Series “II. Early Treasurer’s and membership records” dates from 1766 to 1957 and contains financial reports, account books, cashbooks, membership dues books, treasurer’s receipts, registers for charitable aid, membership records books, member address books, and member indices. This series is arranged chronologically, documenting the administration of financial matters and membership issues throughout this timespan.

Series “III. Library and Archives Committees” dates from 1804 to 1958 and contains library catalogs, library fines books, library acquisitions records, minutes of the Library Committee, minutes of the Archives Committee, and an Archives Committee letter book. This series is arranged chronologically.

Series “IV. Assorted committees and events,” dated 1820, 1840, 1864-1999, contains bound record and minute books pertaining to the School Committee, the Christmas Eve Committee, the Building Committee, and the Executive Committee for German Day Celebration, as well as records pertaining to project committees, and invitations, programs, fliers, and clippings related to German Society events. These records document important events in the history of the German Society, including the notable establishment of the new hall in 1888. This series is arranged chronologically.

Series “V. Correspondence and other administrative records” dates from 1774 to 1996, with a significant gap between 1916 and 1948, and consists of letterbooks, mostly kept by secretary F. H. Harjes; constitutions and by-laws of the society; business records books, guest registers, and a report regarding a legal dispute between the German Society and the City of Philadelphia. This series is arranged chronologically.

Series “VI. Herman Witte” dates from 1949 to 1980, and contains correspondence, administrative records, newsletters, financial records, fundraising materials, records pertaining to building and bar maintenance, records pertaining to the Women’s Auxiliary, graphic design proofs, printed materials, photographs, clippings, and ephemera compiled before, during, and after the administration of Herman Witte, President of the Society from 1956 to 1967. Prior to his administration as president of the Society, Witte served as the Society’s treasurer. Particularly well documented in this series are celebrations held by the Society, such as Pastorius Day, a celebration dedicated to the founder of Germantown, Francis Daniel Pastorius; and various anniversary celebrations, especially the Society’s 200th Anniversary. This series is arranged chronologically, with all records pertaining to Pastorius Day grouped at the beginning of the series, and a collection of materials originally organized by Witte by topic in Box 11, Folders 5-15.

Series “VII. Financial records” dates from 1931 to 1967 and contains checkbooks, banking statements, invoices, receipts, assorted bills, tax forms, records of stocks and bonds, records pertaining to the Charity Ball, records pertaining to the J. Otto Schweitzer Fund, records pertaining to the Women’s Auxiliary, and records pertaining to charitable contributions for the relief of distressed Germans in the state of Pennsylvania. This series is arranged chronologically, with specific charity funds grouped together chronologically before more general financial records.

This collection would be of interest for anyone interested in the history of the German Society of Pennsylvania or more generally Philadelphia-area institutions that focus on cultural identity. The collection also holds a good amount of membership records, and could thus prove valuable for genealogists or anyone else interested in past membership. Finally, the records document the German Society of Pennsylvania throughout times of celebration but also strife, and the records contemporary with the world wars could provide valuable insight into the domestic relationships and behaviors of German Americans.