Call Number:

2002.53

Repository:

Chestnut Hill Historical Society

Extent:

3.5 linear feet

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

2002.53

Date:

circa 1843-1930

Creator:

Kelsey family

Abstract:

Jeannette Washburn Kelsey (Mrs. Albert W. Kelsey) of "Rauhala", Chestnut Hill, Pa., was the daughter of Governor C.C. Washburn of Wisconsin (d. 1882). The Kelsey family papers, circa 1843-1930, include personal and social correspondence, business receipts, clippings, scrapbooks, greeting cards, memoirs, notes, photographs, printed ephemera and more.

Jeannette Washburn Kelsey (Mrs. Albert W. Kelsey) of "Rauhala", Chestnut Hill, Pa., was the daughter of Governor C.C. Washburn of Wisconsin (d. 1882). The Kelseys lived at "Rauhala" ("peaceful home"), 8765 Stenton Ave., later owned by Jay Cooke and presently owned by Keystone Hospice. The house was built by William Platt and was next owned by John Welsh, Jr.

This collection includes personal and social correspondence, business receipts, clippings, scrapbooks, greeting cards, memoirs, notes, photographs, printed ephemera and more.

In the collection is a Germantown Friends School Yearbook from 1897, a St. Paul's Church leaflet, 1921, a Wissahickon Kennel Club tag, 1903 and a printed booklet entitled, "Albert Kelsey in Memoriam." There are receipts from Chestnut Hill merchants such as Justus Dickinson, Morris Williams & Co., Charles Rubican, and Edward Dwyer. There is a letter with the letterhead, "Village Improvement Association of Chestnut Hill," 1886 to Col. Kelsey. There are two homemade copies of the "Scarlatina Times," made by the Kelsey sisters presumably while they were in quarantine for scarlet fever.

Material contains references to many well-known and socially prominent people, including politicians, writers, actors, diplomats and businessmen. Some of the names mentioned: John Story Jenks, Dr. John McCloskey, Dr. L Duhring, J.B. Gest, Anna Bell Comegys, A.B. Drexel, Pierre Botkin, Mrs. Hillaire Belloc, Mrs. Gilbert, Joseph Darling, Bill Whittem, Walter Dwyer Coal Company, Ida Vernon, Paul Cret, Eleanor Emlen.