Main content

Swarthmore Schools Collection

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:
RG7.022
Repository:
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Extent:
9 linear ft. (17 boxes (and oversize photographs))
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
[Indicate the cited item or series here], Swarthmore Schools Collection, RG 7/022, Swarthmore Historical Society Records, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Date:
1896-2011 (inclusive)
Form:
yearbooks
Abstract:
The Swarthmore School District, Delaware County, Pa., was created in 1893 with the incorporation of the Borough of Swarthmore. This is an artificial collection, composed of records and memorabilia from various sources and organized by the staff of Friends Historical Library.

The Swarthmore School District, Delaware County, Pa., was created in 1893 with the incorporation of the Borough of Swarthmore. Previous to the incorporation, the area that became Swarthmore was part of Springfield Township. The new School District took over the public school building located on Yale Avenue. A second, larger structure was erected on the same site in 1898. The District graduated its first class in 1899 and subsequently erected buildings on Yale Avenue and Rutgers Avenue. From the beginning, many members of Swarthmore College faculty and staff have participated in the Borough's educational system.

Swarthmore also has a long tradition of private schools. In 1892 Arthur Hibbs Tomlinson opened a coeducational preparatory school which became the Swarthmore Preparatory School. This was converted to a boys-only school in 1913, and in the same year, Mr. and Mrs. Haldy Miller Crist opened the Mary Lyon School, a school for girls.

The great majority of Swarthmore students have attended the public schools. Swarthmore School District merged with Rutledge in 1955. In 1971, the Swarthmore-Rutledge School District was consolidated with Nether Providence School District to form the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District. The merger was completed in 1983 with the opening of Strath Haven High School.

The Swarthmore School District, Delaware Co, Pa., was created in 1893 with the incorporation of the Borough of Swarthmore. This is an artificial collection, composed of records and memorabilia from various sources and organized by the staff of Friends Historical Library.

The collection is divided into five series:

  1. Swarthmore Rutledge Elementary School
  2. Swarthmore High School
  3. Swarthmore-Rutledge K-8
  4. Swarthmore Preparatory School
  5. Mary Lyon School

Donor: Friends Historical Library collected material, PG 2, Swarthmore Preparative School and Mary Lyon

Donor: David and Eunice Ullman, 1997

Donor: Rosemary Meding, FHL 2005.006

Donor: Deborah Berggren, FHL 2006.011

Donor: David Ffrench, SHS 2012.004

Donor: Anne Stauffer Papa, SHS 2011.012

Donor: Robert A. Detweiler, SHS 2013.016

Donor: Mrs. Charles Ennis, SHS 2013.001

Donor: John MacAlpine, III, SHS.2014.001

Donor: Marshall Schmidt, SHS 2013.015

Donor: Graeme Taylor, SHS 2015.003 Donor: Estate of Alice P. Willetts, SHS 2022.004

The materials were received from multiple sources and combined with materials collected by Friends Historical Library staff concerning the Swarthmore Prep School and Mary Lyon School. In 2014 the collection was arranged according to school units and a finding aid created.

People
Organization
Subject
Place

Publisher
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Finding Aid Author
FHL staff
Finding Aid Date
2015
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Some of the items in this collection may be protected by copyright. The user is solely responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder or their heirs/assigns to reuse, publish, or reproduce relevant items beyond the bounds of Fair Use or other exemptions to the law. See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/.

Collection Inventory

Scope and Contents

Most materials are gift of Mrs. Charles Ennis and Ennis family. She taught in the School.

Archival Resource Key. Swarthmore-Rutledge Union School District handbooks, 1968-1971.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Curriculum for the 3rd grade, 1961-1962.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Primary Language curriculum, 1970.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Newsletter, 1969.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Directories, 1971-1972, 1972-1973.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Poetry Book, 6th grade, 1965.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Concerts and productions, 1966-1973.
Box 1
Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Class pictures, Mrs. Ennis classes, 1974, n.d.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Probably 6th grade

Physical Description

1 folder

Related Materials

Clippings scrapbook processed in RG7/018, Swarthmore Historical Society Scrapbook Collection, Box 5

Scope and Contents

Yearbooks and special publications. A collection of yearbooks is also available in the Swarthmore Public Library, gift of the Blundin family.

Archival Resource Key. Garnet Record [Class yearbooks], 1928.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

2 copies

Archival Resource Key. Garnet Record , 1929.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

2 copies

Archival Resource Key. Garnet Record , 1930.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

2 copies. One volume includes photographs of the 1980 reunion pasted in back of volume, gift of Kathryn Bassett.

Archival Resource Key. Garnet Record, 1931.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

2 copies

Archival Resource Key. Garnet Record, 1932.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

2 copies

Archival Resource Key. [lacking yearbooks 1933-1938].
Archival Resource Key. Spotlight, 1939.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

2 copies

Archival Resource Key. [lacking 1940].
Archival Resource Key. The Key, 1941.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

2 copies

Archival Resource Key. [lacking 1943-1948].
Archival Resource Key. The Key, 1949.
Box 3
Archival Resource Key. [lacking 1950].
Archival Resource Key. The Key, 1951.
Box 3
Archival Resource Key. The Key, 1952.
Box 3
Archival Resource Key. [lacking 1953-1956].
Archival Resource Key. The Key, 1957.
Box 3
Archival Resource Key. The Key, 1958.
Box 4
Archival Resource Key. Cornerstone, 1959.
Box 4
Archival Resource Key. [lacking 1960-1961].
Archival Resource Key. [yearbook], 1962.
Box 4
Archival Resource Key. Vicimus, 1963.
Box 4
Archival Resource Key. The Scope, 1964.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

2 copies

Archival Resource Key. Swarthmore, 1965.
Box 4
Archival Resource Key. Venture '66, 1966.
Box 5-a
Scope and Contents

2 copies

Archival Resource Key. Swarthmore High School (It Was...), 1967.
Box 5-a
Archival Resource Key. Turn turn turn, 1968.
Box 5-a
Archival Resource Key. [yearboork], 1969.
Box 5-a
Archival Resource Key. The Ecstacy [sic] and the Agony , 1970.
Box 5-a
Archival Resource Key. A Long Time Comin' and a Long Time Gone, 1970.
Box 5-a
Archival Resource Key. Once Upon a Blue Moon, 1975.
Box 4
Archival Resource Key. Time It Was, 1976.
Box 4
Archival Resource Key. Carry On, 1977.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

2 copies

Archival Resource Key. Looks Like We Made It, 1978.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

2 copies

Archival Resource Key. Hurry Sundown, 1979.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

2 copies

Archival Resource Key. Garnet, 1940, 1943.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Occasional student periodical

Archival Resource Key. The Garnet, 1953, 1957-1959.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

School newspaper. Ceased publication with June 1957 issue due to lack of student interest. The Class of 1960 created a small format publication in 1959.

Archival Resource Key. The Outlook, 1962, 1964-1965, 1969.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

School newspaper, scattered issues.

Archival Resource Key. Tempo, 1964-1971.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

All-district literary magazine, including works from elementary through high school students. Complete set.

Archival Resource Key. Rynge It Out, 1972.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Literary magazine? Single issue

Archival Resource Key. Art and Literary Magazine, 1973-1974.
Box 6
Archival Resource Key. Thought Counter Thought, 1974.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Anthology of works compiled from Creative Writing Class, 1973-1974

Archival Resource Key. 50 Years of Football, 1916-1966, 1966.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

3 copies

Archival Resource Key. SHS Curriculum, 1975-1976, 1977.
Box 6
Archival Resource Key. Commencement programs, 1938-1983.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

With gaps

Archival Resource Key. Salute to Swarthmore High School, 1983.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Includes script to "Panoply," a tribute to Swarthmore High School, 1890-1983 by Charles J. Hicks, sponsored by the Home and School Association

Archival Resource Key. Centennial Yearbook, 1912-1983, 1993.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Produced by the School Action Committee of Swarthmore, II. This informal history of the high school was compiled by a group of alumni, using photographs from the yearbooks and other sources. It includes an informal history and description of programs up do 1983 when the high school was merged into Strath Haven High School. 2 copies

Archival Resource Key. Swarthmore High School Football programs, 1945-1982.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

With gaps

Archival Resource Key. Publications: Miscellaneous.
Archival Resource Key. Class of 1930, 1980.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Announcement of success of 50th and also note to Hannah Mathews, retired teacher

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1932, 1982.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

50th reunion. Program saved by Hanna Kirk Mathews, teacher. Added reunion material of John Detlefsen, 2016.012.

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1933.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Class list

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1934, n.d.
Box 8
Archival Resource Key. Class of 1938 reunions, 1988, 1993.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

50th and 55th reunions

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1939 reunions, 1959, 1989, 1994.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

20th reunion registration/survey forms with correspondence; 50th and 55th

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1940 reunion, 1980.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

40th

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1941 reunion, 1991.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

50th

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1942 memorabilia.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Gift of W. Marshall Schmidt who was Class Scribe and gave the reunion material 1954-2003.

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1942 reunions, 1954, 1970s.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Correspondence and photos. Not labeled

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1942 reunions, 1982, 1992.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Correspondence and photos. Not labeled

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1942, The Key reunion booklet, 1992.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

50th

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1942 reunions, 1993-1996.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Correspondence and photos. Not labeled

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1942 reunions, 1997-1998.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Correspondence and photos. Not labeled

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1942 reunions, 1999-2001.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Correspondence and photos. Not labeled

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1942 reunions, 2002-2003.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Correspondence and photos. Not labeled

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1942 reunions, 2004-2013.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Correspondence and photos. Not labeled

Archival Resource Key. Obituaries of Class of 1942 members, ca. 1997-2011.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Compiled by Marshall Schmidt, Class Scribe

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1942.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Clippings concerning

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1943, The Key reunion booklet, 1988.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

45th Reunion (2 copies)

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1944 Reunions, 1984, 1989.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

40th and 45th reunion

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1950.
Box 10
Archival Resource Key. Class of 1951, 1986, 2011.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

35th reunion. Oral history CD compiled at 20th anniversary

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1953 reunion, 2003.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

50th, with notes to John and Jean McAlpine who hosted it at their home on Park Ave. and 2 CDs of the event.

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1955 reunion, 1995.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

40th

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1960.
Box 10
Archival Resource Key. Class of 1960 reunion, 1985.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

25th

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1962.
Box 10
Archival Resource Key. Class of 1963.
Box 10
Archival Resource Key. Class of 1964.
Box 10
Archival Resource Key. Class of 1965.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

50th reunion booklet

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1966.
Box 10
Archival Resource Key. Class of 1967.
Box 10
Archival Resource Key. Class of 1968, 1967-1968.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

Events, parties

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1969.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

Events, parties

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1970.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Events, parties

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1971.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Events, parties

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1972.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Events, parties

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1973.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Events, school trip

Archival Resource Key. Class of 1974, 1974.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Events, parties

Scope and Contents

Includes over-sized photographs

Archival Resource Key. Home and School, 1961-1964.
Box 12
Scope and Contents

Formal dance for seniors at Swarthmore High School and first year graduates

Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Home and School, middle school, 1968-1973.
Box 12
Scope and Contents

7th grade planning, Williamsburg trip, etc.

Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Christmas Ball, 1963-1967.
Box 12
Scope and Contents

Formal dance for seniors at Swarthmore High School and first year graduates

Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Christmas Ball, 1970-1971.
Box 12
Scope and Contents

Formal dance for seniors at Swarthmore High School and first year graduates

Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Christmas Ball, 1970-1971.
Box 12
Scope and Contents

Cancelled because of lack of student interest

Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Certificate honoring Hanna Kirk Matthews and related papers, 1965-1993.
Box 12
Scope and Contents

Much beloved high school English teacher, taught for 39 years and retired in 1965.

Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Swarthmore High School Shakespeare Society, 1975-1977 (?).
Box 12
Scope and Contents

Programs from productions staged by the Society

Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Concert programs, 1961-1974, n.d.
Box 12
Scope and Contents

Programs from productions staged by the Society

Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Junior High Basketball, Jr. Varsity football, etc., 1958, 1967.
Box 12
Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Basketball, 1959-1962.
Box 12
Scope and Contents

Notebooks, clippings, programs, etc., gift of Anne Stauffer Papa, SHS 2011-012

Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. "Swarthmore High School Handbook", ca. 1973.
Box 12
Scope and Contents

Mimeographed student project

Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Miscellaneous announcements, 1970s.
Box 12
Scope and Contents

Collected by the Ennis family, announcements

Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Newsletter, 1970-1973.
Box 12
Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Consolidation public hearing schedule, 1980.
Box 12
Scope and Contents

School district consolidation

Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Class pictures, 1924-1967.
Box ++
Scope and Contents

With gaps. Stored oversize

Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Memorabilia.
Box ++
Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Directories.
Box 13
Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Membership List.

Archival Resource Key, 1898-1899.
Archival Resource Key, 1899-1900.
Archival Resource Key, 1900-1901.
Archival Resource Key, 1903-1904.
Archival Resource Key, 1904-1905.
Archival Resource Key, 1904.
Scope and Contents

Also short circular

Archival Resource Key, 1906-1907.
Archival Resource Key. 1908-1909.
Archival Resource Key. Miscellaneous, 1904-1921.
Box 14
Scope and Contents

Includes TLS, 2/20/1913, from Arthur Tomlinson to Arthur Beardsley announcing end of co-education and the reasons behind the decision.

Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Testimonials, 1907, n.d.
Box 14
Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key, 1898-1899.
Archival Resource Key, 1899-1900.
Archival Resource Key, 1900-1901.
Archival Resource Key, 1903-1904.
Archival Resource Key, 1904-1905.
Archival Resource Key, 1904.
Scope and Contents

Also short circular

Archival Resource Key, 1906-1907.
Archival Resource Key, 1904.
Scope and Contents

February, April, June, November (Alumni) issues

Archival Resource Key, 1907.
Scope and Contents

Commencement issue

Archival Resource Key, 1911.
Archival Resource Key, 1912.
Scope and Contents

February, April and June issues

Archival Resource Key, 1913.
Archival Resource Key, 1914.
Scope and Contents

April and June issues

Archival Resource Key. The Owl, 1922.
Box 15
Scope and Contents

Yearbook

Physical Description

1 volume

Archival Resource Key. The Owl, 1930.
Box 15
Scope and Contents

Yearbook, photocopy

Physical Description

1 volume

Archival Resource Key. Athletics brochures, 1896-1907, 1909.
Box 15
Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Zoology class notebook and address notebook, -ca. 1901-1905.
Box 15
Scope and Contents

Belonged to Janet Cook McAllister. Lists male and female students

Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Little, Donald Townsend. Swarthmore Preparative School diplomas (2), 19065, 1908.
Oversize SHS chart case
Scope and Contents

Arthur Edward Bassett and Vernon Rose Waddell, Gift of Donald Little

Archival Resource Key. Prospectus and curriculum, 1918-1919.
Scope and Contents

2 copies. Volumes include photographs

Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Prospectus and curriculum, 1923-1925.
Scope and Contents

Volume includes photographs

Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Yearbooks, 1925-1929.
Box 16
Scope and Contents

2 copies of 1928 issue.

Physical Description

6 volumes

Archival Resource Key. Dorothy Jane Hendrickson, "My Memory Book", 1924-1928.
Box 17
Scope and Contents

Songs, autographs, photographs. Acc. 2006.011

Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. "Mental Photographs", 1875-1877, 1923-1935.
Box 17
Scope and Contents

Autograph album with "likes," etc. to fill in. Belonged to Dorothy Jane Hendrickson who added entries 1923-1935; it had been her grandmother's. Acc. SHS 2006.011

Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Dorothy Jane Hendrickson memorabilia, 1925-1928.
Box 17
Scope and Contents

Commencement and other programs, Class photograph (labeled). Acc. SHS 2006.011

Physical Description

1 folder

Archival Resource Key. Helen Vorhees Scrapbook, 1917-1921.
Scope and Contents

Acidic, poor condition. Stored with SHS scrapbooks, RG 7/018. Acc. FHL 2005.006

Physical Description

1 volume

Print, Suggest