American Philosophical Society

Philadelphia

Founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin, the American Philosophical Society (APS) is the oldest learned society in the United States. Its collections are particularly strong in early American history, indigenous anthropology and ethnography, and the history of science. The APS Museum contains an extensive collection of 3,000 material objects dating back to the 18th century. Archival collections can be found in the APS Library. Documents are organized into Collection Areas, including Early American History, Indigenous Cultures, and the History of Science. Researchers can browse the APS’s materials through its Subject Guides and Bibliographies, and search its holdings with the Library’s Collections Search and the Museum’s Online Collections Database. Several research centers are located at the APS, including the David Center for the American Revolution, the Center for Native American and Indigenous Research, and the Center for Digital Scholarship. Much of the APS’s materials have been digitized and can be viewed on its Digital Library and its Exhibitions. Many funding opportunities are provided by the APS, including its Native American Scholars Initiative, Resident Fellowships, and the Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Curatorial Fellowships.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

Among the first libraries commissioned by famed industrialist Andrew Carnegie, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh boasts a unique selection of early Pennsylvania sources. Its Special Collections, which are held mostly at the main branch, maintain various collections related to western Pennsylvania history. Much of this is located in the General Archive Collection. One standout is the Craig Papers, which consists of over 5,000 items related to Major Isaac Craig’s career as a soldier and quarter master at Fort Pitt from 1768 to 1808. Also of interest is the Pennsylvania Department Collection, which consists of genealogical resources, microfilm collections, and various Pennsylvania newspapers. Some of the Library’s material is digitized and available online via its Digital Collections.

Eberly Family Special Collections Library

State College

Located at Pennsylvania State University, the Eberly Family Special Collections Library holds various sources related to early American history. Its Collections are especially strong in Anabaptist, Amish, Quaker, and Mennonite history, German Americana, and the Civil War. Some standouts include the Charles L. Blockson Collection of African-Americana and the African Diaspora, German-Language Broadsides in North America, and Civil War Era Diaries. Several Finding Aids are available, and the Library’s holdings can be searched via the University Libraries’ LionSearch. Researchers may also benefit from the Library’s Digital Projects and Exhibits.

Free Library of Philadelphia

Philadelphia

The Free Library of Philadelphia maintains a decent selection of early American sources. While not as vast as other research libraries in Philadelphia, the Free Library’s Rare Book Department is home to tens of thousands of rare prints. Its Collections are especially strong in Literature and The History of the Book, and include significant Children’s Book and Illustrator Collections. A one-of-a-kind Theatre Collection focuses on early Philadelphia playbills and manuscripts, with many dating back to the 18th century. Other Historical Collections include early Pennsylvania German Fraktur and imprints, presidential correspondence, prints related to the Common Law, and a diverse Americana collection. Finding Aids are available, and researchers may browse the Free Library’s holdings on its Online Catalog. Much of the Free Library’s materials have been digitized and can be viewed via its Digital Collections.

Friends Historical Library

Swarthmore

Located at Swarthmore College, the Friends Historical Library is perhaps the best research institution for the Society of Friends in the United States. Its Quaker History Resources are quite vast, as the Library serves as the official repository for many North American yearly meetings. These holdings include some 3,700 linear feet of original Quaker Meeting Records, as well as an additional 2,500 reels of microfilmed records from across the United States, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. There are also Family & Personal Papers consisting of correspondence, diaries, and property records, as well as Organizational Records related to Quaker affiliated groups and associations. Items held by the Friends Historical Library may be searched with its Online Catalog. Much of the Friends Historical Library’s holdings have been digitized and can be viewed through its Digital Collections.

Hagen History Center

Erie

Formerly the Erie County Historical Society, the Hagen History Center collects and preserves the material and documentary history of Erie and the surrounding region. Its holdings consist of over 800 separate Collections. Much of the Center’s material objects are displayed in various Exhibits.

Heinz History Center

Pittsburgh

An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the Heinz History Center is devoted to the history and heritage of western Pennsylvania. Although its Collections focus mostly on the 19th and 20th centuries, it does have a decent selection of 18th century materials. Various Exhibits at the Center demonstrate the material culture of early Pennsylvania, including the Krasik Collection of Pennsyvlania & Presidential Political Memorabilia. The Center’s Detre Library & Archives maintains its archival collections. Finding Aids and an Online Catalog are available. Much of the Center’s holdings have been digitized and can be viewed through Historic Pittsburgh.

Hillman Library

Pittsburgh

The University of Pittsburgh’s Hillman Library maintains one of the largest selections of sources related to western Pennsylvania. Its Archives & Special Collections (A&SC) holds materials that date back to the 18th century and chronicle well the European colonization of the upper Ohio River Valley. A&SC’s Rare Book Collections contain thousands of unique prints, while its Archival & Manuscript Collections are comprised of personal papers, government documents, and other records. Research Guides are available. Items held by the A&SC can be searched on PittCat. Much of A&SC’s holdings have been digitized and can be viewed through its Exhibits and through the University of Pittsburgh Libraries System’s Digital Collections. A&SC also offers several Research Grants & Awards each year. Researchers should note that the A&SC stores some of its materials at its Archives Service Center.

Historical Society of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia

The Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP) is one of the United States’ largest private repositories for early American sources. Its Collections include 20 million manuscripts which are especially rich in 17th and 18th century materials related to Pennsylvania and the larger Atlantic World. The HSP merged with the Balch Institute in 2002, giving it one of the nation’s largest collections on ethnicity and immigration. These materials can be browsed in the Balch Manuscript Guide. Several other Catalogs and Research Tools are available, including Finding Aids, Subject Guides, and the HSP’s online catalog, Discover. Resources for genealogical research can be found here. Much of the HSP’s holdings have been digitized and can be viewed only through its Digital History Projects, Exhibits, and Digital Library. The HSP operates largely in conjunction with the neighboring Library Company of Philadelphia, offering various Fellowships to support research at both institutions.

Independence Seaport Museum

Philadelphia

Formerly the Philadelphia Maritime Museum, the Independence Seaport Museum holds various collections focused on the maritime history of Philadelphia and the Delaware River Valley. Check the Museum’s Current Exhibits to see what is on display. Its J. Welles Henderson Research Center maintains the Museum’s archival and artifact collections. Subject strengths include commerce, the environment, infrastructure, maritime industries, the military, recreation, and general maritime culture. Most of the Museum’s archival holdings span the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but there are several collections that date from prior to the Civil War. These items can be searched on the Museum’s Online Catalog. Some of the Museum’s holdings have been digitized and can be viewed through Falvey Memorial Library’s Digital Library.

Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Philadelphia

Part of Pennsylvania University’s Special Collections, the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts holds over 300,000 printed works and over 14,000 linear feet of manuscripts. Its collections are separated thematically into Collections Groups. Collections of note for early Americanists include Africana Studies and African American Studies, American Studies, History, and Literature, the Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Collection of Early American Judaica, the Dechert Collection, and many others. Some of the Kislak Center’s collections are part of Penn’s Digital Projects.

Library Company of Philadelphia

Philadelphia

The Library Company of Philadelphia was founded in 1731 by Benjamin Franklin and remains one of the premiere research institutions in the United States. Its holdings total nearly a million rare books, broadsides, and manuscripts dating from the 17th to the 19th century. These items are particularly rich in Early Americana, African Americana, German Americana, Science & Technology, Popular Medicine, and Women’s History. Several search tools are available to assist researchers, such as Finding Aids, Subject Guides, and an Online Catalog. Online resources are also available, including the Library’s Online Exhibitions, Digital Humanities, and Digital Collections. The Library sponsors several Academic Programs meant to encourage scholarly work in particular subjects. Fellowships are offered by the Library in conjunction with the neighboring Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle

Doylestown

Formerly the Bucks County Historical Society, Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle serves as a major research center for local and family history related to Bucks County and the surrounding region. Mercer Museum’s Research Library boasts more than 20,000 published works, 800 manuscript collections, and over 12,000 photos and prints. The Library’s holdings are particularly strong in American technology, culture, and folk art. Of note is the Bucks County Archives, which contain thousands of feet of county records dating back to 1684. Collections can be searched via the Library’s Online Catalog.

Moravian Archives

Bethlehem

The Moravian Archives in Bethlehem is one of the official repositories of the Moravian Church in America. Its collections document much of the Church’s activities in the Western Hemisphere, including their various missions into Native America. Several online search tools are available to assist researchers, including an Online Finding Aid and an Online Book Catalog. There are also Finding Aids for individual collections. Its Digital Resources are open access and include various digitized collections from the Archives’ holdings. Other online resources include the Archives’ Exhibits and the Bethlehem Digital History Project. Various Research Grants are awarded by the Archives each year.

Pennsylvania State Archives

Harrisburg

Home to over 250 million documents, the Pennsylvania State Archives is the central repository for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Although concerned primarily with the official records of the commonwealth, the Archives boast significant collections of personal papers that are particularly strong for the 18th century. Research Guides are available, and the Archives’ holdings can be searched via its Online Catalog. Much of the Archives’ materials have been digitized and can be viewed through the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission’s Our Documentary Heritage.

Philadelphia City Archives

Philadelphia

Part of Philadelphia’s Department of Records, the Philadelphia City Archives serves as the official repository for the city. All manner of public records can be found at the City Archives, including vital records, deeds and mortgages, city directories, court and police records, almshouse and prison records, and hospital records. Much of these date back to the 18th century, with some land records going back to the founding of the city. An online database for Historical Land and Vital Records is available, but it is by subscription.

Presbyterian Historical Society

Philadelphia

The Presbyterian Historical Society is oldest denominational historical society in the United States. Its Collections include over 30,000 cubic feet of official church records and private papers. A significant amount of material is from the 18th and 19th centuries. There are Guides to Archival Collections and Online Catalogs to assist researchers in browsing the Society’s holdings. Other useful resources include the Church Record Surveys and Hall’s Index of American Presbyterian Congregations. The Society also provides several digital resources, including Exhibits and the Pearl Digital Collections.

The Rosenbach

Philadelphia

The Rosenbach is a private research library that features a collection of nearly 400,000 rare books, manuscripts, and material objects. These Collections are particularly strong in Americana, American Literature, Furniture, Lighting, & Textiles, and Fine Arts. Also of interest is a unique collection of New Spain and Early Independent Mexico Manuscripts. Researchers can browse and search the Rosenbach’s holdings through its Catalogs, Databases, & Collection Guides. The Rosenbach’s Gallery Gateway provides free online access to its various museum exhibits.

Trexler Memorial Library

Allentown

Trexler Memorial Library serves as the main library for Muhlenberg College. Its Special Collections & Archives holds various sources related to early Pennsylvania. A fine Rare Books Collection includes several 16th and 17th century Lutheran Bibles and texts, travel narratives, works of American history, and several staples of the literary canon. Also of note is the Pennsylvania German Collection, which consists of books, periodicals, and other ephemera related to the Pennsylvania German language and history. The collection also includes the Muhlenberg Papers, a prominent early Pennsylvania family in the 18th and 19th centuries. Examples of fraktur, early broadsides, and several other materials round out the collection. Also available is the Ray R. Brennen Map Collection, which includes some 60 pieces of cartographic material, many of which date from the 18th century. Items held by the Trexler Library may be searched with its Online Catalog. Much of the Special Collections material has been digitized and can be viewed through its Digital Collections.

Other Pennsylvania Archives & Sources

The Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries keeps a running list of member institutions whose holdings include extensive and unique archival material. Finding aids for member libraries can be searched through the Philadelphia Area Archives Research Portal (PAARP). Another useful resource was the Hidden Collections Initiative for Pennsylvania Small Archival Repositories. Although no longer functioning independently, the Hidden Collections Initiative’s finding aids are available through the PAARP. Also of interest is the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, which maintains a list of Pennsylvania museums and historical sites. There are also digital resources specific to Pennsylvania. These include the Power Library: Pennsylvania’s Electronic Library, which provides access to digitized collections from various Pennsylvania repositories, and Historic Pittsburgh, a collaborative project that digitizes primary and secondary sources from various institutions related to Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania is well represented in Historic Indentures, and only database that describes and digitizes early American land deeds.

Sources on early Pennsylvania can be found at various regional repositories, including the Delaware Historical Society, the Maryland Center for History & Culture, the New Jersey Historical Society, the New-York Historical Society, and the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. Check also with the Library of Congress, the National Archives and Records Administration

As the site of Dutch, English, and Swedish colonization, Pennsylvania sources can be found at the Netherlands’ Nationaal Archief, Sweden’s Riksarkivet, and the United Kingdom’s British Library and National Archives at Kew. Pennsylvania was also a space of German colonization, so sources may be found at various archives in Germany, especially in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Palatinate, and Rhineland. Check with FamilySearch’s Germany Archives and Libraries for more information.