Call Number:

326

Repository:

Temple University Libraries: Special Collections Research Center

Extent:

6 linear feet (6 boxes)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Center City Residents Association (Philadelphia, Pa.) Records, Acc. 326, Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Date:

1947-2016 (inclusive) and 1947-1974 (bulk)

Creator:

Center City Residents' Association (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Form:

Clippings, Correspondence, Ephemera, Financial records, Manuscripts, Minutes (administrative records), Newsletters, Pamphlets, and Web sites

Abstract:

The Center City Resident's Association is a civic association representing the area of the city that lies between Market and South Streets, Broad Street and the Schuylkill River. The Association was established in 1948 primarily as an overseer of Rittenhouse Square and to make Center City Philadelphia a better place in which to live, work and enjoy leisure activities. The prime objective of the Center City Resident's Association has been serving and representing the community in such matters as beautification, cultural development, health and welfare, long- range planning, parking and traffic, public safety, recreation, redevelopment, schools and zoning.

For a number of years Rittenhouse Square has been the focal point of activities for the association. The historic Square laid out in 1682 as part of William Penn's Philadelphia has been the setting of numerous Center City events for many years. Two of the most important events held annually are the Flower Market, which has been taking place for sixty-six years, and the Clothesline Art Exhibit, which is nearly fifty years old. Other events include the Summer Evening Series of drama and music, the Rittenhouse Historic Tour, the Center City House Tour, the lighting of the Christmas Tree, and the annual Easter parade.

The collection includes minutes from the Board of Directors' meeting (1955-1973) and the general membership (1948-1973); budget and financial reports (1947-1972); notes from the citizens Committee on Public Education in Philadelphia (1961-1968); correspondence of CCRA (1966-1970); and community organization notes (1965-1969). Information can also be found on various committees of CCRA (1951-1969); community complaints (1951-1969); Rittenhouse Square Flower Market (1950-1972); Center City House Tours (1959-1973); CCRA membership drive (1957-1966); nominating committee notes (1947-1969) and newspaper clippings (1946-1970)

The collection also includes program and publicity information on summer evenings in Rittenhouse Square (1967-1973); questionnaires on summer evenings (1973-1974); resolutions (1948-1953); Philadelphia Schools (1948-1967) and zoning materials included (1959-1967). Brochures, pamphlets, newsletters and magazines of Center City activities are included in addition to information on transportation, traffic safety and parking, youth services, sanitation, recreation, dances, health and welfare (1957-1969), long-range planning for the area, anniversary dinners, and beautification (1967-1971). This collection includes preserved versions of the organization's website, available through Archive-It: https://archive-it.org/collections/4487