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Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks Records

Notifications

Held at: Temple University Libraries: Special Collections Research Center [Contact Us]

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Temple University Libraries: Special Collections Research Center. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Call Number:
SCRC 312
Repository:
Temple University Libraries: Special Collections Research Center
Extent:
80 linear feet (83 boxes)
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks, SCRC 312, Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Date:
1931-2006 (inclusive)
Creator:
Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks
Form:
Administrative records, Architectural drawings, Born digital, Clippings, Correspondence, Ephemera, Financial records, Floppy disks, Glass negatives, Histories (literary works), Landscape architecture drawings, Ledgers (account books), Mailing lists, Membership lists, Minutes (administrative records), Negatives, Newsletters, Pamphlets, Photocopies, Photographs, Press releases, Publications (documents), Reports, Slides, and Web sites
Abstract:

Frances Ann Wister founded the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks (Landmarks) in 1931 to save the Samuel Powel House, an eighteenth century Georgian residence in Philadelphia's Old City that was in danger of demolition. Since then, Landmarks played an active role in the preservation of numerous historic structures in Philadelphia, including the Old Franklin Institute, United States Customs House, and Elfreth's Alley. It has also worked to cultivate both public and government interest in historic preservation generally. Between 1940 and 1980, Landmarks acquired three additional historic houses in Philadelphia and Chester County, which it has worked to restore, interpret and manage as house museums: Grumblethorpe in Germantown, the Hill-Physick House in Society Hill, and Waynesborough, in Chester County. In the 1990s, Landmarks also coordinated an Elderhostel touring program (currently known as Road Scholar).

The Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks Records contains a variety of administrative records dating from its founding in 1931 to 2017. More specifically, there are board minutes and committee records; annual meetings; annual reports; documentation of general site management and collection management, including CAP (Conservation Assessment Program), MAP (Museum Assessment Program) and other reports; long range planning; capital projects; and membership records. There are numerous financial records for Landmarks generally, as well as its Elderhostel tourism program. The collection also includes records more specifically dealing with the history of each of its four house museums, their site management, restoration, and interpretation.

This collection includes preserved versions of the organization's website, available through Archive-It.

The collection is arranged into 5 series as follows:

Series 1. General administrative records, 1947-2006

Series 2. Financial records, 1931-1998

Series 3. Elderhostel records, 1992-2000

Series 4. Building records, 1932-circa 2000

Series 5. Website versions in Archive-It, 2002-2017

Additions to this collection are expected. Websites are captured using Archive-It periodically, and the latest additions may not yet be included in this finding aid. For information on material-physical and digital, including captured websites-that may have been added since the last finding aid update, please contact the Special Collections Research Center.

Placed on deposit by the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks via Jonathan Burton, Executive Director in October 2016.

Collection has been arranged at series level; boxes within each series are in original order.

All original boxes have been replaced; only folders in poor condition have been replaced. Collection is listed at box level. Finding aid prepared in November 2017 by Courtney Smerz, Collections Management Archivist.

People
Subject
Place

Publisher
Temple University Libraries: Special Collections Research Center
Finding Aid Author
Machine-readable finding aid created by: Rajkumar Natarajan, Sky Global Services India (P) Ltd.
Finding Aid Date
May 2024
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research. Glass negatives in box 60 are restricted due to preservation concerns. Personnel records in box 28 are restricted for 50 years from date of creation.

Use Restrictions

The Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks Records is the in custody of the Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries. Intellectual property rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. Researchers are responsible for determining the identity of rights holders and obtaining their permission for publication and for other purposes where stated.

Collection Inventory

Board records. Minutes, 1990-2000.
Box 1
Board records, including history of board, 1960s-1990s.
Box 2
Annual meetings, 1990s.
Box 2
Annual reports, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1990s.
Box 2
General administration. Assorted records, arranged chronologically, 1947-1989.
Box 16
General administration. Assorted records, arranged chronologically, including strategic plan, long range plan, by-laws, house committee, 1987-2003.
Box 17
General administration. Collection management records, including Collection and Building Management Policy (1992), Needs Assessment report (2002), General Conservation Survey (1989), Heritage Investment Program Assessment (2002), Collections policy (2002), 1989, 1992, 2002.
Box 17
General administration. Collection management records: Collections Committee, Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) (1997), Museum Assessment Program (MAP) (1998, 2000), National Trust for Historic Preservation Comprehensive Historical Assistance Program for Historic House Museums Final Report (undated), collection survey (1990), 1990-2000.
Box 18
General administration. Newsletter, circa 1988-2001.
Box 18
General administration. Young Members, events, 1997.
Box 19
General administration. Assorted records, including membership, general correspondence, development, payroll, and personnel, 1980s-1990s.
Box 19
General administration. Events, including annual meetings, galas, young members, fundraising, filming and screening film about George Washington, 1960s-1990s.
Box 20 to 23
General administration. Friends of Powel House, Friends of Landmarks, 1970s-1980s.
Box 24
General Administration. [Margo Burnette Records, Executive Director], including public relations, membership, collection committee, especially objects on loan from other institutions, 1989-1993, bulk: 1990-1991.
Box 25
General Administration. [Margo Burnette Records, Executive Director], including development, membership, and annual giving, Elderhostel, site manager records, fundraising, especially regarding "Swenson's" consultancy, 1989-1993, bulk: 1990-1991.
Box 26
General Administration. [Margo Burnette Records, Executive Director], including board records, budget, finance, and membership committees, development, marketing, and tourism, 1989-1993, bulk: 1990-1991.
Box 27
General Administration. [Margo Burnette Records, Executive Director], including long range planning, board, property and program committees, capital projects, and a site management study, 1989-1993, bulk: 1990-1991.
Box 28
General Administration. [Margo Burnette Records, Executive Director], personnel records (RESTRICTED), circa 1989-1993.
Box 28
General Administration. [Margo Burnette Records, Executive Director], "chronological file", 1989-1991.
Box 29
General Administration. [Margo Burnette Records, Executive Director], Patricia M. Nova, Executive Assistant, correspondence, 1989-1991.
Box 29
General Administration. [Michael Lane Records, Executive Director], including site management, committees, financial records, especially grants, annual meeting, capital projects, interpretation, by-laws, strategic plan, and conservation assessment program (CAP), circa 1990-2000.
Box 30 to 33
General administration. Assorted records, including site rental records, conservation, site manager reports, all especially relating to the Hill-Physick-Keith House, circa 2000-2010.
Box 34
"Memorabilia, " assorted clippings, printed materials, calendar pages, photographs, and other records, 1987-1988.
Box 82
Wall paper design proof, plans for repairs at Grumblethorpe and plans for garden restoration at Powel House, 2003-2006.
Box 82

Financial records. Audit reports, 1958-1997.
Box 3
Financial records. Tax returns; 990s; bureau of charitable organizations, 1970s-1990s.
Box 3
Financial records. Cash receipts and disbursements, 1935-1945.
Box 4
Financial records. General ledger, 1954-1986.
Box 4
Financial records. Treasurer's reports and other records, 1931-1991.
Box 4
Financial records. Bills, receipts, invoices, 1931-1979.
Box 4
Financial records. General journal, 1988-1996.
Box 5 and 6
Financial records. Reports, 1995-1996.
Box 5 and 6
Financial records. Assorted, including finance committee (1982-1991), 1932-1994.
Box 7
Financial records. Payroll, taxes, audit, membership, 1959-1982 (bulk: 1970s).
Box 8
Financial records. Grants, budget, funds (capital and other), annual giving, corporate membership, 1970s-1980s.
Box 9
Financial records. Payroll, office expenses.
Box 10
Financial records. General journal, 1992, 1996-1998.
Box 10
Financial records. Budgets, 1997-1998.
Box 10
Financial records. Assorted, including capital plan and 990s, 1990-1997.
Box 10
Financial records. Bank statements, 1993, 1997, 1987-1989.
Box 11
Financial records. Bills, receipts, invoices, 1993.
Box 11
Financial records. Investments(?), 1985.
Box 11
Financial records. Events, 1996.
Box 11
Financial records. Assorted, including budgets, annual giving, audits, bank statements, treasurer's reports, catering contracts, 1989-1992.
Box 12
Financial records. Bills, receipts, invoices, 1996-1997.
Box 13 and 14
Financial records. Insurance, appraisals, 1980s-1990s.
Box 15
Financial records. General ledger, 1980-1986.
Box 80
Financial records. Grumblethorpe (ledger), 1960s.
Box 81
Financial records. General ledgers and cash disbursements, 1977-1978, 1982-1986.
Box 83

Elderhostel, 1992.
Box 35
Elderhostel, 1993-1996.
Box 36
Elderhostel, 1996-1997.
Box 37
Elderhostel, 1997-2000.
Box 38

Powel House. Early legal/financial papers and articles, 1931-1940s.
Box 75
Powel House. Sales and research for Philadelphia Georgian: The City House of Samuel Powel…, by George Tatum.
Box 76
Powel House. Subject files. Appliances-Construction (mostly photocopies), 1930s-1960s.
Box 77
Powel House. Subject files. Curators-Floors (mostly photocopies), 1930s-1960s.
Box 78
Powel House. Subject files. Ironwork-Pest Control (mostly photocopies), 1930s-1960s.
Box 79
Powel House. Assorted records, including Ladies Committee minutes and other records, gift shop, Historical Assistance Program (National Trust for Historic Preservation) (1986), original map of systems and building manual, site report, 1940s-1990s.
Box 39
Powel House. Assorted records, including House Committee, admissions, and guide schedules, 1987-1988.
Box 40
Powel House. Assorted records, including grant records, events, publicity, 1990s.
Box 40
Powel House. Assorted records, including curator's reports, programming notes, 1980-1981, 2006.
Box 40
Powel House. Assorted records, including financial, site rental, Ladies Committee, and other, 1970s-1980s.
Box 41
Powel House. Financial records, mostly bills, receipts and invoices for utilities, house improvements and maintenance, and preservation, circa 1980-2000.
Box 42
Powel House. Reference materials, Financial records, mostly bills, receipts and invoices for utilities, house improvements and maintenance, and preservation, circa 1980-2000.
Box 43
Hill-Physick-Keith House. Purchase and Registration, 1960s-1970s.
Box 63
Hill-Physick-Keith House. Subject files. Archaeological tests-Garden, 1960s-1970s.
Box 64
Hill-Physick-Keith House. Subject files. Household supplies-Window cleaning, 1960s-1970s.
Box 65
Hill-Physick-Keith House. Ladies, Restoration and Preservation Committees, House manual (1989), and other records, 1960s-2000s.
Box 44
Hill-Physick-Keith House. Assorted reports regarding documentation and interpretation, including site manager reports, "resource notebook" with collection list (1988), furnishings plan (1988) and paint research reports (1995), publicity, brochures, and photographs, 1960s-1990s.
Box 45
Hill-Physick-Keith House. Assorted reports regarding documentation and interpretation, including site manager reports, "resource notebook" with collection list (1988), furnishings plan (1988) and paint research reports (1995), publicity, brochures, and photographs, 1960s-1990s.
Box 46
Hill-Physick-Keith House. Assorted records, including promotional materials, guiding and guides, and calendars, 1990-2000.
Box 47
Hill-Physick-Keith House. Reinterpretation, Dr. Physick's office, 1990s.
Box 47
Hill-Physick-Keith House. Assorted records, marketing and promotion, fundraising, events, and other records. Reinterpretation, Dr. Physick's office, 1990s.
Box 48
Hill-Physick-Keith House. Financial records, mostly bills, receipts and invoices for utilities, house improvements and maintenance, and preservation; site rental records, 1970s-1980s.
Box 49
Hill-Physick-Keith House. Financial records, mostly bills, receipts and invoices for utilities, house improvements and maintenance, and preservation, 1980s-1990s.
Box 50
Hill-Physick-Keith House. Site rental records, research and reference materials, 1980s-1990s.
Box 51
Hill-Physick-Keith House. Research and reference materials.
Box 52
Hill-Physick-Keith. Visitor logs, 1967-1976.
Box 81
Waynesborough. Acquisition of property, house committee minutes, site manager reports, plans and elevations, systems, "Architectural History and Management Plan", CHAP, and carriage house project, 1979-1993.
Box 53
Waynesborough. Assorted records, including Carriage House project, grants, property management, financial, and house manual (1989), circa 1989-1990.
Box 54
Waynesborough. Financial records, mostly bills, receipts and invoices for utilities, house improvements and maintenance, and preservation, 1980s-1990s.
Box 55
Waynesborough. Financial records, mostly bills, receipts and invoices for utilities, house improvements and maintenance, and preservation, 1980s-1990s.
Box 56
Grumblethorpe. Early records, including Purchase Fund Committee, legal papers, and Redevelopment Authority (mostly photocopies), circa 1938-1959.
Box 66
Grumblethorpe. Early records, including property acquisition, mortgage, and other legal papers, 1930s-1940s.
Box 67
Grumblethorpe. Restoration records, 1940s-1959.
Box 68
Grumblethorpe. Restoration records, 1959-1976.
Box 69
Grumblethorpe. History, drawings, guest book, 1938-1957.
Box 70
Grumblethorpe. Subject files. Archaeology-Electric (utilities), 1940s-1970s.
Box 71
Grumblethorpe. Subject files. Electrical supplies-Household supplies, 1940s-1970s.
Box 72
Grumblethorpe. Subject files. Insurance-Pest control, 1940s-1970s.
Box 73
Grumblethorpe. Subject files. Philadelphia Foundation grant-Window cleaning, 1940s-1970s.
Box 74
Grumblethorpe. Assorted records, including constitution and by-laws, House and other committee records, and other, 1932-2004.
Box 56
Grumblethorpe. Assorted records, including general correspondence, events, printed materials, and financial records, 1939-1990s.
Box 57
Grumblethorpe. Assorted records, including reference materials, tour and educational programs (2000s), garden project (1963-1990), Sally Wister bedroom project, insurance appraisal, property information, and Archaeological Feasibility Study (1977), Material Culture Report (1999), and a conservation assessment (1997), 1960s-2000s.
Box 58
Grumblethorpe. Assorted financial records, including bills and receipts, development, reports, and site rentals, 1949-1999.
Box 59
Grumblethorpe. Responses to the Wister's 50th Wedding Anniversary party, 1951.
Box 59
Grumblethorpe. Glass negatives. RESTRICTED, undated.
Box 60
Slides of unidentified house interior and photo album of snapshots of food for catered event, undated.
Box 60
5 inch floppy discs, undated.
Box 61
5 inch floppy discs, undated.
Box 62
Series 5: Website versions in Archive-It, 2002-2017.
Scope and Contents

Series 2 contains preserved versions of the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks's website. To access these sites, see the Temple University Special Collections Archive-It web page: https://www.archive-it.org/collections/4487

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