Series “I. Company and personal records” dates from 1853 to 1948, with the bulk of materials dating from the 1860s to 1948, and documents the financial records and research interests of the Birkinbine Engineering Company. It also houses a few personal artifacts of the Birkinbine family. This series is arranged alphabetically by subject, and chronologically within each subject. Subjects include: business records, catalogs, certificates, clippings, coursework, indices, manuals, personal records, reference materials, reports, scrapbooks, senate and court proceedings, souvenirs, surveys, and writings.

Business records feature the Birkinbine Engineering Company’s financial records, project documentation, and information explaining the state of the mining, iron, and water works industries. There are a number of checks and check stub books from the Girard Trust Company detailing the Birkinbine Engineering Company’s expenditures from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as receipts, tax forms, and summaries of office accounts. Business records also contain plans and specifications for mining and water works projects, in particular the Birkinbine Engineering Company’s involvement with the South Bend Water Supply Company and areas of Mexico, some of which are written in Spanish. Business records also include rolled charts and graphs. These statistics track the production of blast furnaces and pig iron within the United States, the Birkinbine Engineering Company’s shipment records of iron ore, as well as the value and rate of increase of raw materials used in the anthracite coal industry. Also included are water works notices, ordinances, and proposals from the Chicago Water Works. Furthermore, business records feature Carl Birkinbine’s engineering registration card, and several business cards of John Birkinbine.

In addition to business records, this series contains a catalog from the Iszard-Warren Company, Incorporated for survey instruments and drawing materials. It also houses several certificates presented to John Birkinbine and Carl Birkinbine from events and organizations such as The Franklin Institute, The Jamestown Tercentennial Exposition, The Hamilton School, The Iron and Steel Institute, and The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This series also features albums of newspaper and journal clippings that highlight the Birkinbine Engineering Company’s executives, projects, and articles written by members of the Birkinbine family.

This series includes selected coursework of H.P. Birkinbine, John Birkinbine, and Carl Birkinbine from the University of Pennsylvania; specifically, hand-drawn maps, mechanical drawings, lettering sheets, topographical surveys, and the measuring implements used to execute those assignments. Furthermore, coursework subjects include a mining and metallurgy course listing from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as instructional handbooks regarding coal and mining information from the United States Department of the Interior.

This series also contains two indices of photographs and geological survey coordinates. These materials will prove useful to researchers when used in conjunction with series “II. Photographs,” and series “III. Maps, drawings and plans,” respectively. The series contains many manuals relating to engineering subjects, ranging from general topics such as civil engineering to specific subjects such as blast furnace operation. This series includes a number of reference materials relating to the mining and iron industries; however, most of this data lacks identifying information. The majority of reference materials are minimally-annotated charts and graphs; yet, several folders contain photographs and charts of precipitation patterns in Pennsylvania and New York.

This series includes reports from the late 19th century, most of which are annual reports from the Philadelphia Water Department and the Water Supply Commission of Pennsylvania. One such report from the Commissioners of Fairmount Park details the extensive Fairmount Water Works project. Furthermore, this series features writings by H.P. Birkinbine, John Birkinbine, and Carl Birkinbine; however, most Birkinbine-authored materials in this collection are by John Birkinbine. Much of the John Birkinbine materials are addresses he delivered at various organizations and events such as the American Institute of Mining Engineers, the Engineers’ Club of Philadelphia, and the Franklin Institute. Other materials authored by John Birkinbine include geological reports on iron ore and geological censuses.

This series contains extensive material regarding geological surveys conducted by the United States Department of the Interior from the 1900s to 1920s. Several of these surveys cover entire states, including Alabama, Kentucky, Maryland, and Michigan; yet, most pertain to detailed mineral deposits and geological formations along specific regions. “The geology and ore deposits of the Bisbee Quadrangle, Arizona;” “Preliminary report on the geology and underground water resources of the Central Great Plains;” and “Geology of the Marysville Mining District, Montana” are a few such examples of these surveys’ specificity. John Birkinbine wrote many of these surveys himself, especially concerning topics of iron and manganese ore production. While most of these geological surveys investigate territory United States’ territory, this series contains a few surveys of Canadian regions and one survey of India.

This series contains a unique assortment of souvenirs from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. There are many view books of United States cities such as Philadelphia, Atlantic City, and Minnesota. Souvenirs include exhibition brochures, such as “The Forestry Exhibition” by the Pennsylvania Forestry Association, and advertisements for machine parts from companies such as Weimer’s Machine Works. Souvenirs also feature brochures, invitations, and cards from dinners, meetings, and receptions from organizations including the American Institute of Mining Engineers, the Charcoal Iron Works, the Iron and Steel Institute, and the Iron and Steel Institute of Great Britain. There are also tour booklets and souvenir books from areas of Mexico as well as a stamp booklet. Other materials include pocket calendars; excerpts of children’s literature; railroad timetables; brochures commemorating visits to iron works, water works, and mining companies; and buyer’s guides.

As mentioned, this series contains several personal records of the Birkinbine family. These include death announcements and commemorations of John Birkinbine, issues of periodicals Godey’s Lady Book and Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, a genealogical chart of the Gilbert family, and a few assorted volumes on wolf hunting and biographies of graduates from Polytechnic College.

Series “II. Photographs and graphic materials” dates from 1860 to 1953 and visually documents the interests and projects of the Birkinbine Engineering Company. This series is arranged alphabetically by subject, and chronologically within each subject. Principal subjects include: landscapes, machinery, Mexico, mining, people, pipelines, and water works. After the alphabetical subject run the series is organized by format; featuring negatives, albums, stereographs, and glass slides.

Landscapes and nature subjects depict vistas of wooded areas, fauna, plant specimens, and undeveloped land. Many vantages are captured via aerial and panoramic perspectives; Presumably, some photographs are related to the Birkinbine Engineering Company’s geological surveys that were conducted to assess portions of undeveloped land for mining purposes. While some landscapes lack an obvious human presence, others more demonstrably imply the industrial processes with clearly visible machinery and infrastructure.

Machinery subjects depict machinery parts and systems of mechanical operation at various mines, water works, and iron works. Photographs of machinery parts from Platt Iron Works and Colorado Fuel and Iron Company are a strong example of the types of technology used in engineering industries at the turn of the 20th century. These machinery parts include furnaces, valves, pipes, engines, and factory buildings.

Mexico subjects illustrate landscapes and infrastructure of Mexican mining and water works interests, and larger-scale project initiatives such as the Mexico City Water Works. They also capture candid perspectives of Mexico’s inhabitants, laborers, landscapes, and fauna.

Mining subjects depict the construction of mines and railroads; workers performing activities; constructions and equipment, including trestles and other support structures; and material transportation. Regions of Western Pennsylvania, New York, Minnesota, and the Lake Superior region of Michigan are particularly well documented.

People subjects include a variety of individuals via official portraits and candid photographs. These individuals range from company executives such as John Birkinbine to laborers and migrant workers. Many images depict executives on-site at various mining projects. Some personal photographs feature family events and holiday cards. Other photographs document specific landmarks and metropolitan tourist destinations in American and European cities.

Pipeline, shipyard, and railroad subjects document the construction of mining infrastructure and transportation across undeveloped landscape -- an essential process in facilitating industrial activities. Railroad subjects include stationary cars in the midst of transporting materials. Likewise, illustrations of ships and waterways show loading docks and transportation routes.

Water works subjects document the construction and operation activities at dams and urban water works throughout the United States, such as concrete superstructures under various weather conditions in Marquette, Michigan. A significant portion of water works materials focuses on the construction and operation of the Fairmount Water Works in Philadelphia and Johnston Water Company’s Hinckston Run Reservoir.

Negatives include a wide range of the aforementioned subjects and are organized in albums and loosely grouped in envelopes. Stereographs are organized by location and likewise feature a range of subjects notably, building facades and city streetscapes; landscapes; mining projects; European cities and museums; city fairs and International Expositions; Fairmount Water Works; and oil producing regions of Pennsylvania and New York. This series contains a few albums ranging in subject from specific projects and companies such as the construction of Bull’s Bridge by Amburson Hydraulic Construction Company and French Creek State Park to more general subjects such as Birkinbine’s trips to Mexico and San Juan. This series also contains a variety of graphic materials, including illustrations of genre and literary scenes from periodicals such as Harper’s Weekly and Harper’s Bazar. Additionally, graphic materials includes posters from the 1876 and 1893 World’s Fairs, portrait prints of Benjamin Franklin, several color painting reproductions, and amateur hand painted depictions of the people of Mexico.

Series “III. Maps, drawings, and plans” dates from circa 1850s to 1950, and documents the mining interests of the Birkinbine Engineering Company as well as plans for the company’s various mining and water works projects. This series contains both flat and rolled materials, and is arranged alphabetically by subject, and chronologically within each subject. Subjects include architectural drawings, atlases, geological survey maps, plans, scrapbooks, technical drawings, and topographical maps.

Geological survey maps are grouped by region including, Africa, Asia, Canada and Puerto Rico, Europe, South America, and the United States. Similarly, maps are organized by region both globally and domestically within the United States. They include geographical, agricultural, climate, and iron ore resource atlases.

Maps depicting global areas are grouped by country or region, such as Canada, Mexico, and South America. Within the United States, maps are also grouped by region including, Mid-Atlantic states, Northeastern states, Southeastern states, and Western states. Some states are particularly well-represented including, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Furthermore, some cities are well documented, Philadelphia in particular.

Topographical maps locate deposits of raw minerals such as iron ore and coal used for company projects within the United States. These topographical maps survey specific states, cities, and the country as a whole.

Plans contain blueprints of geographical regions that serve as sites for mining and water works operations, such as Ambler water works. Many plans outline city water works grids, especially in Philadelphia.

Similarly, architectural drawings are blueprints for specific buildings, towers, and infrastructures located on industrial sites. These include factories, water towers, warehouses, and plants for mining and water works operations.

Technical drawings include blueprints for various machine parts and technology involved during the Birkinbine Engineering Company’s projects. A subset of these drawings feature water works subjects, especially for the many Philadelphia projects, such as diagrams for valves and pipes.

Series “IV. Pamphlets and journals” dates from the 1850s to the 1950s, with bulk dates from the 1870s to the 1920s, and documents the professional associations and interests of the Birkinbine Engineering Company and the Birkinbine family. It is arranged alphabetically by subject, and chronologically within each subject. Subjects include: the 1876 Centennial Celebration in Philadelphia, bridges and railroads, chemistry, coal, conservation, dams, electricity, engineering, foreign publications, forestry, gas, geology, iron and steel, mechanical arts, meteorology, Mexico, military, mining, power, religion, United States government, water works, world’s fairs, and zoology.

The 1876 Centennial Exhibition subjects include catalogs from Germany and Switzerland as well as lists of objects exhibited by the Philadelphia Board of Public Works. Bridges and railroads subjects contain manuals of railroad engineers and materials from the Phoenixville Bridge Works and the Rapid Transit Railway Pueblo and the Beulah Valley. Chemistry subjects include information regarding chemical analyses and specific chemicals from the periodic table, especially metallic elements, such as Nickel and Magnesium. Coal subjects mention anthracite and bituminous coal varieties, mining waste, and problems of the coal industry, with several materials printed from Mining and Metallurgy journal. Conservation subjects address both land and water conservation. Dams subjects focus on hydraulic-filled dams, with materials from the Ambursen Hydraulic Construction Company. Electricity subjects feature a diagram of a patent for an electric separator. Engineering subjects include journals from various organizations such as The American Society of Civil Engineers and The Engineers’ Club of Philadelphia. This series contains an assortment of reports, journals, and articles regarding forestry from organizations including the Pennsylvania Chestnut Tree Blight Commission, the Pennsylvania Forestry Association, and The United States Department of Agriculture.

Gas subjects include materials from the Rands Pneumatic Gas Works, including its associated journal, Ugi Circle. Iron and Steel is another well-documented subject with materials from prominent journals such as The Iron Trade Review and Iron Works. Information about iron and steel ranges from broad to specific, with information from the state of the United States steel industry to the chemical reactions of iron smelting and historical accounts of the first iron casting in the United States. The mechanical arts contain journals from the Franklin Institute and address the technical areas of the engineering industries such as the construction and operation of machine parts. Meteorology subjects feature materials from the Maryland Weather Service and the United States Department of Agriculture, including almanacs, forecasting charts, and catalogs of meteorology instruments. Mexico subjects feature information concerning the Mexican mining and iron and steel industries, and President Porfirio Diaz.

Military subjects contain information by the Franklin Institute and Francis R. Packard regarding military engineering and hospitals. Mining is another substantive subject in this series. It features journals from the American Institute of Mining Engineers, as well as information on mine blasting from the Laflin and Rand Powder Company. Power subjects address the generation, transmission, and applications of steam power in mining activities that helped transform the industry at the turn of the 20th century. Religion subjects contain one journal, The Religious Press Journal. United States Government subjects include annual reports from the Chicago Department of Public Works, annual reports of the City Controller in Harrisburg, and hearings before the Committee of Finance of the United States Senate. Water works is another sizable subject in this series; It contains materials from the New England Water Works Association, the Gloucester City Water Supply, and the Harrisburg Water Supply. Water Works features a wide array of subjects from river pollution and diseases such as typhoid to the construction of city water works projects. Zoology subjects largely focus on diatomacae and diatoms, with materials from The Zoological Bulletin.

Series “V. Tools and realia” dates from 1840 to circa 1920s and contains objects and research materials used in the Birkinbine Engineering Company offices. This series includes Birkinbine patents, notably the combined fire hydrant, and other patent models from the State Machine Company in Hartford, Connecticut. It contains envelopes of soil samples from Little Elk Creek and a rolled silk fabric sample. This series also contains office supplies from the Birkinbine Engineering Company, including scales, rulers and measuring implements, an engraving press, and writing implements. This series includes negative exposure cases, a glass plate holder with a sheet of glass, Carl Birkinbine’s monocle, metal-plated wooden print blocks, a metal plate engraved with “plan and section of water works and pump,” and assorted wooden and metal tools.