Call Number:

PA.073

Repository:

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Extent:

.2 cubic ft. (1 box)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item or series here], The Harned photographs, PA 73, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College.

Date:

1911-1992 (inclusive)

Creator:

The Harned (Rest home) (Moylan, Pa.)

Abstract:

The Harned was a non-profit boarding home for the elderly in Moylan, PA, under the care of Media Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends. It operated under the direction of The Harned Committee. It was established in 1940 through the bequest of Quaker sisters, Phebe and Katherine Harned, and laid down in 1994. The collection contains loose and mounted photographs, clippings, and a scrapbook depicting residential life.

Phebe Harned was born October 12, 1841, and died May 3, 1927, and her sister, Katherine S. Harned, was born December 17, 1848, and died November 16, 1931. The Harned sisters were Orthodox Friends and lived in Springfield Township, Delaware County, PA.

The Harned, a non-profit boarding home for elderly men and women, was established through bequests from Katherine S. and Phebe Harned. A trust fund was initiated upon the death of Katherine Harned in 1931. In their wills, the Harned sister called for the appointment of a committee under the oversight of Chester (later Media) Monthly Meeting. They intended for the Home to be established in their home in Springfield, PA, but allowed for the Committee to have full authority to build or change locations. In February 1938, the Harned Committee, or Board of Directors, was appointed by Chester Monthly Meeting. In April 1940, subcommittees were established, including Advisory and Finance Committee, Admission Committee, and House and Grounds Committee. The first residents moved in during the fall of 1940. It was decided in 1943 that the Committee would buy the "Stellwagen property" in Moylan, PA, and the move was made in 1944.

The Harned was a very small, home-like facility with only eleven residents at full capacity. It was closed in June 1994 due to financial difficulties. The Harned Trust was continued, with income going to three established Quaker retirement homes: Barclay/Friends Hall, Stapeley Hall, and the Estaugh group in New Jersey (Medford Leas, etc.).

This collection features photographs of The Harned boarding home in the form of a scrapbook, loose color photographs, negatives, mounted black and white photographs, and some handwritten notes and newspaper clippings. The images depict the Harned sisters, residents of the boarding home, parties, and even a Centennial Celebration. The clippings are by and about the residents of the Harned. Of special interest is a sketch by Margaret H. Wright. The collection was removed from RG4/083.

The photographs are arranged in folders in the box according to photograph type or subject (e.g., scrapbook, negatives, miscellaneous, etc.) but not chronologically.