Philadelphia Area Archives

Joyce E. Roberts papers, 1970-2008 (inclusive)

Extent:: 11.0 linear feet
Abstract:: This collection contains the personal papers of Joyce E. Roberts, a midwife, and cover topics such as obstetric and maternal nursing, abortion, and other women's health subjects.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Barbara Bates Center for the Study of The History of Nursing [Contact Us]

Irma Lou Hirsch papers, circa 1958-1994

Extent:: 21.0 linear feet
Abstract:: Irma Lous Hirsch is a nurse educator recorgnized for her work at the American Nurses Association. This collection primarily consists of ANA-related materials. It includes project files for ANA projects, including the Quality Assurance Program of the 1970s.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Barbara Bates Center for the Study of The History of Nursing [Contact Us]

Fenton and Remak families papers, 1844-1942 (bulk) 1821-1980 (inclusive)

Extent:: 4.5 linear feet (; 14 boxes, 6 volumes, 2 flat files)
Abstract:: This collection relates primarily to two local Philadelphia families, the Fentons and the Remaks, that were joined with the 1885 marriage of Thomas H. Fenton and Lizzie Remak. Several family members are highlighted in the collection, in particular Lizzie's mother, Susan M. Scott Remak, and Thomas and Lizzie's daughters, Doris and Beatrice Fenton. The collection is rich in genealogical source material and family documents, correspondence, and photographs. There are also scattered clippings, printed matter, glass slides and negatives, and several volumes.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Benjamin West drawings, circa 1765-circa 1819, undated

Extent:: 0.95 linear feet (; 4 boxes)
Abstract:: Benjamin West was raised in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and worked most of his life as an artist in Pennsylvania and London, England. He created a wide variety of works during his career, from simple portraits to historical and religious scenes, and often utilized neoclassical elements in his designs. This collection consists of thirty-three original drawings and sketches by West, several of which served as studies or were made in preparation for larger paintings.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

The Historical Society of Pennsylvania collection of Academy of Music programs, playbills, and scrapbooks, 1857-1972, undated

Extent:: 53.6 linear feet (131 boxes, 17 volumes, 6 flat files)
Abstract:: This collection consists of playbills and programs to the various performances and special programs staged at the Academy of Music from 1857 to 1972. Among the organizations represented in the collection are the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Pennsylvania Ballet, and various opera companies. There are also programs from out-of-state companies, such as the Boston Symphyony Orchestra. In addition to the programs there are also several scrapbooks that contain ephemera and newsclippings of reviews and announcements of performances as well as special events and programs.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Batcheler, Hartshorne, and Sahlin families papers, 1789-2007 (inclusive)

Extent:: 40.0 linear feet
Abstract:: This collection contains the papers of the Batcheler, Hartshorne, and Sahlin families, descended from Axel (1826-March 5, 1909) and Axeline Sahlin (1834-1922), a Swedish couple whose children lived in Europe and the United States. Four generations of the family are documented here, with documentation centering around five families. In the United States, the family is represented by Gertrude Chandler (July 17, 1860-1953) and Axel Sahlin (1855-1937); their daughter Ellen Sahlin (February 21, 1895-June 4, 1988) and her husband, Judge Richard Hartshorne (February 29, 1888-September 19,1975); and their daughter, Penelope Hartshorne (1928-2007) and her husband, George Batcheler(1926-2009). The Swedish side of the family is represented by Axel and Axeline Sahlin and the family of their daughter, Essie Sahlin (1859-1950) and her husband, Simon Johannes Boëthius (1850-1924). The contents of this collection are mostly correspondence and other personal papers, including diaries, artwork,...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Balch Institute ethnic images in advertising collection, 1891-1999

Extent:: 0.6 linear feet (; 2 boxes, 1 flat file)
Abstract:

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

George Howard Earle papers, 1944-1950 (bulk) 1944-1960 (inclusive)

Extent:: 0.4 linear feet (; 1 box)
Abstract:: George H. Earle III was a governor of Pennsylvania (1935-1939), Minister to Austria (1933-1934), Minister to Bulgaria (1940-1942), and was in the Navy during World War II (1942-1945) where he served as Assistant Naval Attaché to Turkey (1943-1945). He finished his public and military service as Assistant Governor to Samoa (1945) before retiring to private life. On 28 March 1947, Earle testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) that while he served as Attaché to Turkey, he was also serving at President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s request as an undercover representative of the president and reported directly to President Roosevelt on Balkan matters. The collection is comprised of seven letters including three wartime letters to Earle from Franklin Roosevelt, copies of Earle’s testimony before three different House committees, a transcribed interview of Earle, and an article that Earle authored in 1960. Most of the materials describe Earle’s opinion during World War...(see more)

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

George A. Foreman scrapbooks on the Philadelphia Transportation Company, 1936-1949 (bulk) 1877-1949 (inclusive)

Extent:: 0.33 linear feet (1 box)
Abstract:: The collection consists of eighteen small scrapbook albums assembled by George A. Foreman which include photographs of Philadelphia Transportation Company elevated line workers in the early 1940s, Philadelphia public transit scenes, and holiday cards. There are also newspaper clippings, billboard advertisements, letters from coworkers serving in the military during World War II, picture postcards, and other ephemera. Additionally, one of the albums consists of photographs of the second Johnstown flood of 1936.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Oliver H. Bair Company records, 1920-1980 (inclusive)

Extent:: 396.4 linear feet (; 991 boxes)
Abstract:: The Oliver H. Bair Company was founded in 1878 with the intent to offer the best service possible for families that had to make funeral arrangements for their deceased loved ones. Originating at 41 North Eighteenth Street in Philadelphia, the funeral home's most well-known location was at 1820 Chestnut Street, and it now operates from 8500 West Chester Pike in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, as a member of Oliver H. Bair Company & Monaghan Funeral Home. The collection contains records dated from 1920-1980 and includes records not only from Oliver H. Bair Company, but also from five other funeral homes that operated in Philadelphia and were purchased by the Oliver H. Bair Company. The burial records include information on the deceased, bills pertaining to funeral expenses, newspaper clippings, and correspondence between Oliver H. Bair and the person responsible for the payment for the deceased's funeral.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]