Philadelphia Area Archives

Start Over Place Philadelphia (Pa.) -- Social life and customs

Friends Social Union (Philadelphia, Pa.), 1924-1990 (inclusive)

Extent:: 0.5 linear ft. (1 box)
Abstract:: Friends Social Union was founded in 1924 in Philadelphia, Pa., as a social club for Quaker men. In 1976 the by-laws were amended to include women as members. The records include by-laws, minutes, and miscellaneous, 1924-1990.

Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]

Richard Tapper Cadbury Papers, 1799-1924 (inclusive)

Extent:: 3 linear ft. (6 boxes)
Abstract:: Richard Tapper Cadbury (1853-1929) was a Quaker businessman, teacher, writer, and art connoisseur. His mother's brother, Earl Shinn, Jr., (1838-1886) was a well-known art critic. The collection contains correspondence and memorabilia of the Cadbury, Comfort, Haines, and Shinn families. The letters give a detailed picture of life in Philadelphia Quaker families of the mid 19th century, and of the hardships of those who participated in the California gold rush.

Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]

Robinson Family papers, 1723 - circa 1980 (inclusive)

Extent:: 3.25 linear ft. (6 boxes, 3 volumes)
Abstract:: Primarily the letters of Mary Robinson Morton (1757-1829), a member of the Society of Friends, reflecting the social and cultural attitudes of the day.

Held at: Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections [Contact Us]

The effusions, collection of volumes, 1905-1914 (inclusive)

Extent:: 1 volume (+ 2 photographs, 2 leaves)
Abstract:: The effusions, a collection of volumes consists of several issues of a handmade magazine bound in one volume. The magazine was created by the Philadelphia club named Ell Kube and was founded by a group of young Jewish men in 1904. There are seven volumes spanning the years from 1905-1914.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

E. Digby Baltzell Papers, 1846-1994 (inclusive)

Extent:: 10.5 cubic feet
Abstract:: Edward Digby Baltzell served on the faculty of sociology at Penn from 1947 to 1986. The E. Digby Baltzell Papers consist of manuscripts and research sources pertaining to two of Baltzell's books, Puritan Boston and Quaker Philadelphia (1979) and Sporting Gentlemen (1995).

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center [Contact Us]

McNeil Center for Early American Studies Records, 1959-2006 (inclusive)

Extent:: 18.5 cubic feet
Abstract:: The McNeil Center for Early American Studies was founded in 1978 under the name ofthe Philadelphia Center for Early American Studies with a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The Center's mission is to "promote basic research in all areas of early American history and culture" through fellowships, seminars, assistance with publication of research, and other special projects. The records of the McNeil Center for Early American Studies document the efforts of a consortium of local archival and educational institutions to "promote basic research in all areas of early American history and culture" through fellowships, seminars, assistance with publications, and other special projects.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center [Contact Us]

Raymond Pace Alexander Papers, 1880-1975 (inclusive)

Extent:: 117 cubic feet
Abstract:: Raymond Pace Alexander, lawyer, judge, civil rights leader, and civic leader, was born in Philadelphia into a large working class family. The Raymond Pace Alexander Papers Document the professional and personal life of Raymond Alexander.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center [Contact Us]

Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander Papers, 1817-1985 (inclusive) 1920-1983 (bulk)

Extent:: 83 cubic feet
Abstract:: Dr. Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander, lawyer, civil rights leader, and civic leader was born in Philadelphia into a well known upper, middle-class family. The Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander Papers document the professional and personal life of Sadie Alexander.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center [Contact Us]

Sadie and Raymond Alexander Joint Papers, 1863-2005 (inclusive) 1907-1980 (bulk)

Extent:: 16 cubic feet
Abstract:: Raymond Pace Alexander (1897-1974) and Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander (1898-1989) were pioneers among African Americans in teh legal profession and leaders in public affairs, politics, and government throughout the middle half of the twentieth century. The Said and Raymond Alexander Joint Papers contains papers and records pertaining to the Alexanders jointly.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: University Archives and Records Center [Contact Us]

Thompson Westcott scrapbooks of Charles Durang's history of Philadelphia theater between the years 1749 and 1855, 1868 (inclusive)

Extent:: 2 linear feet (6 volumes)
Abstract:: A native of Philadelphia, Thompson Westcott (1820-1888) was one of the city's leading journalists and historians of his generation. Westcott's scrapbooks consist of the complete series of the 267 chapters of Charles Durang's history of theater in Philadelphia between the years 1749 and 1855, published as weekly installments in the Sunday Dispatch from 1854 to 1863. Including page numbers, indexes, and lists of illustrations, the six volumes (available to be viewed online) are interleaved with images of theaters and portraits of famous actors and artists, as well as with personal correspondence, playbills, and additional clippings on theatrical subject.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]