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Friends Center Corporation records

Notifications

Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College. 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:
RG4.133
Repository:
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Extent:
7 linear ft. (9 boxes and 3 oversized blueprint boxes)
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
[Indicate the cited item or series here], Friends Center Corporation records, RG4/133, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College.
Date:
1917-2010 (inclusive)
Creator:
Friends Center Corporation (Philadelphia, Pa.), Quaker Information Center, and Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting of Friends
Abstract:
The records document the planning and progress of renovations of Friends Center, a campus of Quaker-related organizations in Center City, Philadelphia. Friends Center Corporation was organized in 1972 to oversee construction plans. It is responsible for managing the Friends Center property with the goal of furthering the beliefs and testimonies of the Reigious Society of Friends. Documents illustrate Quaker process in the world of business and construction. Includes minutes, financial, legal, blueprints, and related papers.

Friends Center's place in Philadelphia history began in 1856, when the Race Street Meetinghouse was built jointly by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and what is now known as Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting.

The continuously active meetinghouse has served its congregation and the larger community for over 150 years. Important figures in the life of this building have included prominent women's right activists Lucretia Mott, Hannah Clothier Hull, and Alice Paul. In 1993 the Race Street Meetinghouse was designated a National Historic Landmark for its role in women's rights movement of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

In the early 1960s, a group of Friends responded to the long-stated wish to have a physical place where Quakers could gather for thought and action. Their response took the form of a plan for a dedicated campus, a Friends Center, where service organizations could be housed together to enable the synergies that come from physical proximity. The site they chose encorporates the Race Street Meetinghouse and its tree-filled courtyard. An adjacent 56,000 square foot office building was constructed in the early 1970s.

The campus consisted of the original Race Street Meeting House, 1520 Race Street, and a new building at 1501 Cherry Street. The campus was dedicated as Friends Center in November 1975. By the late 1990s planning began for renovation and capital improvements of the campus. Beginning in 2004, the renovation was completed in 2009 with a goal of environmental witness which included thermal wells, a green roof, and storm water management Today Friends Center continues to function as a center for Quaker concerns. In 2021 it was announced that nearby Friends Select School will purchase the building at 1520 Race Street which will formalize the connectivity between the School and the Center.

Friends Center Corporation was organized in 1972 to oversee construction plans. According to its 1996 mission statement, FCC is responsible for managing the Friends Center property with the goal of furthering the beliefs and testimonies of the Religious Society of Friends

Source: https://www.friendscentercorp.org/about/history-of-friends-center/

The records document the planning and progress of renovations of Friends Center, a campus of Quaker-related organizations in Center City, Philadelphia. Friends Center Corporation was organized in 1972 to oversee construction plans. It is responsible for managing the Friends Center property with the goal of furthering the beliefs and testimonies of the Reigious Society of Friends. Documents illustrate Quaker process in the world of business and construction. Includes minutes, financial, legal, blueprints, and related papers.

Deposited by Friends Center Corporation, Acc. 2018.066

RG4/117; Quaker Information Center records;

RG2: Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting of Friends records

Materials removed to FHL AV:

Cassette tapes 1975: Dedication of Friends Center - 3 tapes Cassette tapes 1974: Tape for slide file - 3 tapes: 1 Douglass Steere and 2 W. Camenisch. Slides presentation 1974: Script and slides Photographs: To be processed in FHL Pictures

Organization
Subject

Publisher
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Finding Aid Author
Susanna Morikawa
Finding Aid Date
March 2021
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Copyright has not been assigned to the Repository.

Collection Inventory

Needs Assessment, Executive Summary, November 2000.
Box 1
Supporting documents for Needs Assessment Meeting, 2000.
Box 1
1520 Race Street Building Master Planning Study, April 2000.
Box 1
Master Plan interim report, Daley and Jalboot, October 2001.
Box 1
Master Plan report , 2001.
Box 1
Design Charrette Final Report, 2004.
Box 1
Board of Directors minutes and notes, Sept. 2004-May 2005.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Includes 1996 mission statement and 2000 vision statement, draft for 2003-2004 annual report

Board of Directors minutes and notes , Feb.-June 2005.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Includes financial reports and drawings for renovation

Equity Partners meeting, 2006.
Box 1
Reports to the Board, 2005-2006.
Box 1
Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting Ad-hoc Committee, 2006-2008.
Box 1
Augmented Corporate Group , 2007-2008.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Reports and estimates

Rapid Response Team minutes, 2008-2009.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Rapid Response Team formally authorized on Sept. 23, 2008, to deal with immediate building concerns, 1520 Race Street.

Sprinkler system, 1972.
Box 2
Paint colors, 1973.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Cope, Lippincott, Slifer

Specifications for mechanicals, 1974.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Thomas M. Moody and Associates, Inc. Joseph C. Tuinmna. Cope Lippincott Slifer, Architects

Mechanicals, contracts, 1974.
Box 2
Fire alarm wiring system: Shelly Electric Company, Inc., 1974-1998.
Box 2
Building Accessibility surveys and report, 1994-2000.
Box 3
Proposal for Professional Landscape Architectural and Planning Services, 1996-1997.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

South Street Design Company designs for courtyard, with documentation

Utilities reports, 1996-1997.
Box 3
Friends Child Care Center: space floor plans, 2001.
Box 3
UJMN proposal - architectural and engineering , May 2003.
Box 3
J.S. Cornell & Sons management proposal , 2003.
Box 3
UJMN Renovation proposal and notes, 2004.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Ueland Junker McCauley Nicholson

AKF Engineers white paper, 2005.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Reducing Plug loads

Insurance claims, 2006.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Fire, etc.

TRF Sustainable Development loan, 2005-2006.
Box 3
Geothermal project, 2006.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Energy options, Geothermal, steam

Vince Muller correspondence, 2005-2006.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Concerning geothermal project, renovations

Swing space renovation planning , 2006.
Box 4
Eco-machine proposal, 2006.
Box 4
Miscellaneous invoices, UJMN, etc.
Box 4
Fencing and Gates, Vintage Metalworks, 2006.
Box 4
William Sothoff Company proposals: Well system, 2007.
Box 4
Project specifications for 1501 and 1515 Race Street, 2007.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Geothermal site preparation

UJM AIA contract guidelines, etc., 2007.
Box 4
McGee Owner representation services proposal , 2007.
Box 4
Clemens Construction, 2007-2009.
Box 4
ARB GeoWell consulting, 2008.
Box 4
Vestibule renovation, 2008.
Box 4
Ueland Junker McCauley Nicholson billing, 2009.
Box 5
Artesian Resources Test Results, 2009.
Box 5
Project Close-out meetings.
Box 5

Tube 1. Blueprints, 1917-1925.
Box FHL-1241 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

1917 plans for North 15th Street. Plans for Whittier, 1925.

Tube 2. Blueprints, 1933.
Box FHL-1241 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Plan of utility lines

Tube 3. Blueprints, 1954.
Box FHL-1241 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Whittier Hotel plan, Meetinghouse plan

Tube 4. Blueprints, 1966.
Box FHL-1241 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Site plan

Tube 5. Blueprints, 1971.
Box FHL-1241 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

1520 Race Street renovations

Tube 6. Blueprints, 1974.
Box FHL-1241 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

1501 Cherry Street general contractor bid set

Tube 7. Blueprints, 1972.
Box FHL-1241 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Race St Meetinghouse renovation plan

Tube 8. Blueprints, 1971.
Box FHL-1241 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Race St Meetinghouse & 1520 Race Street

Tube 9. Blueprints, 1972.
Box FHL-1241 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Stakeout and framing for 1501 Cherry St

Tube 10. Blueprints, 1972.
Box FHL-1241 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Plumbing and HVAC for 1501 Cherry St

Tube 11. Blueprints, 1973.
Box FHL-1241 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Mech and electrical for 1501 Cherry

Tube 12. Blueprints, 1974.
Box FHL-1241 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

1st floor framing, 1501 Cherry

Tube 13. Blueprints, 1973.
Box FHL-1241 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Footings and dowels, 1501 Cherry

Tube 14. Blueprints, 1973.
Box FHL-1241 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Anchor bolt plan, 1501 Cherry

Tube 15. Blueprints, 1973.
Box FHL-1241 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Steel columns, 1501 Cherry

Tube 16. Blueprints, 1974.
Box FHL-1241 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Iron works, 1501 Cherry

Tube 17. Blueprints, 1974.
Box FHL-1242 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Air handler and controls, 1501 CherryBeams and girts, 1501 Cherry

Tube 18. Blueprints, 1974.
Box FHL-1242 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Beams and girts, 1501 Cherry

Tube 19. Blueprints, 1974.
Box FHL-1242 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Plumbing supplemental, 1501Cherry

Tube 20. Blueprints, 1974.
Box FHL-1242 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Race Street Meetinghouse plans

Tube 21. Blueprints, 1974.
Box FHL-1242 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Race Street Meetinghouse as built

Tube 22. Blueprints, 1974.
Box FHL-1242 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Basement HVAC floor plan, 1501Cherry

Tube 23. Blueprints, 1974.
Box FHL-1242 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Steel job, 1501Cherry

Tube 24. Blueprints, 1974.
Box FHL-1242 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Electrical, 1501 Cherry

Tube 25. Blueprints, 1974.
Box FHL-1242 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

HVAC with notes, 1501 Cherry

Tube 26. Blueprints, 1974.
Box FHL-1242 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Site plan & organizational occupancy plan, Friends Center

Tube 27. Blueprints, 1974.
Box FHL-1242 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Demountable partition system, basement (duplicate of part of general contractor set?)

Tube 28. Blueprints, 1974.
Box FHL-1242 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

"Friends Center and Meetinghouse blue prints"

Tube 29. Blueprints, 1989.
Box FHL-1242 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

PYM office fit-out, 1501 Cherry St

Tube 30. Blueprints, 1998.
Box FHL-1242 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Meetinghouse basement renovation

Tube 31. Blueprints, 1998.
Box FHL-1242 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Meetinghouse basement renovation (dupe?)

Tube 32. Blueprints, 1979.
Box FHL-1242 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Electrical record set, 1501 Cherry

Tube 33. Blueprints, 1998.
Box FHL-1251 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Friends Center Courtyard

Tube 34. Blueprints, 2001, 1997.
Box FHL-1251 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

AFSC: EMAP, 1997; 1501 Cherry St. 2nd florr, 2001.

Tube 35. Blueprints, 2001.
Box FHL-1251 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

1501 Cherry 2nd floor.

Tube 36. Blueprints, 2004.
Box FHL-1251 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

1501 Cherry penthouse and roof

Tube 37. Blueprints, 2000.
Box FHL-1251 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Daley and Jalboot plans for study

Tube 38. Blueprints, 2005.
Box FHL-1251 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

MDF room and cooler (aka server room)

Tube 39. Blueprints, 2007.
Box FHL-1251 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Meetinghouse structural assessment Keast and Hood

Tube 40. Blueprints, 2008.
Box FHL-1251 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Meetinghouse plaster and structural repair

tube 41. Blueprints, 2006.
Box FHL-1251 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Transforming Friends Center

Tube 42. Blueprints, 1971.
Box FHL-1251 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Renovation of 1520 Race Street

Tube 43. Blueprint, 1995.
Box FHL-1251 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

1501 Cherry, Elevator renovation

Tube 44. Blueprints, 2007.
Box FHL-1251 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

1501-1515 Cherry, Construction Issue, 12/18/2007

Tube 45. Blueprints, 2008.
Box FHL-1251 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

1501 Cherry, as built 1974. Pennsylvania Historical Commission

Tube 46. Blueprints, 2008.
Box FHL-1251 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

1501 Cherry, 2008, Licenses and Inspection

Tube 47. Blueprints, 1974.
Box FHL-1251 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

New Office building

Tube 48. Blueprints, 1971-1974.
Box FHL-1251 (offsite)
Scope and Contents

Cope and Lippincott, miscellaneous plans, 1971-1974

Miscellaneous plans, 1970s.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Cope and Lippincott, miscellaneous plans. Folded, may be duplicates

Major funding grants: Applications and reports, 2002-2009.
Box 5
Early planning material, 2002-2005.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Correspondence, Consilience Owner's Representative Services, Amendments to 1972 Friends Center Corporation, Equity Partners

Planning for campaign, 2005.
Box 5
Campaign Committee minutes, 2005.
Box 5
Campaign Committee minutes, 2006.
Box 6
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Grant application, 2006.
Box 6
Campaign Committee minutes, 2007.
Box 6
Campaign Committee minutes, 2008.
Box 6
Campaign literature and solicitations, 2007.
Box 6
Solicitation direct mail packet, 2008.
Box 6
Solicitation tools: Fundraiser presentation booklet, Quizes, etc.
Box 6
Outreach to retirement communities: Crossland, Medford Leas, Foulkeways, etc.
Box 6
Outreach to Meetings, 2007.
Box 6
Press releases, campaign ads, 2005-2008.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

November 2007 issue Friends Journal contains article on project.

Friends Center newsletters, 2005-2008.
Box 7
Articles on renovation, Green building, 2005-2008.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

City Paper, PYM News, Befriending Creation, Partners for Sacred Places, etc

Day of Discernment: Environmental witness.
Box 7
General

Includes a DVD

Philadelphia AIA Design Excellence application, 2005.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Mark Ueland of UJMN Archtects and Designers

A Beacon to Friends, 2005.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Flyers, attenders list, etc.

Stormwater recognition, 2006.
Box 7
Design on the Delaware conference, 2007.
Box 7
Friends Center Open House: Green Roof event, 2007.
Box 7
Mayoral forum on Energy and Transportation, 2007.
Box 7
Green Power award: Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future, October 2007.
Box 7
Geothermal Open House, December 2007.
Box 8
College of Physicians Recognition Night, April 2008.
Box 8
AIA Historic Preservation, May 2008.
Box 8
Celebrating Green, September 2009.
Box 8
Miscellaneous events.
Box 8

Friends Center compiled historical information, circa 1960-1999.
Box 8
Director of QIC: Job description, grants, Director's log, correspondence, 2000-2002.
Box 8
Correspondence, planning, 2001-2002.
Box 8
Quaker Information Center Oversight Committee minutes, 2000-2005.
Box 8
Quaker Information Center Oversight Committee financials, etc., 2000-2005.
Box 8
Closing of Quaker Information Center, 2010.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Officially ceased to function on June 30, 2010

Neighborhood relations, 1989-2010.
Box 8
Miscellaneous correspondence, 1974-1978.
Box 8

Print, Suggest