The Mayor James H. Ross Collection documents Ross's political career from 1933-1937. James Ross, a businessman and civic leader, served as mayor of Lancaster from 1934-1938. The collection consists primarily of correspondence and a scrapbook. The letters are related to his mayoral election and responsibilities, the James H. Ross Ready to Wear Department Store, and personal matters. The scrapbook, compiled by his wife, contains information about his political career, the department store, and other local merchants, and provides a good background on the housing issues that threatened Lancaster City. The collection gives a fragmented picture of life in Lancaster in the 1930s, including commercial transactions, the Depression, religious charitable organizations, politics, and the Democratic Party.
Admin/Biographical History
James H. Ross was born in Green County, Ohio. When he was six, Ross's family moved to Monroe County, West Virginia where he attended school until he was seventeen. His family moved back to Ohio where he finished his schooling at Bowersville High School. After graduating, Ross moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania and began working for M. T. Garvin & Co. Ross left M. T. Garvin & Co. in 1928 and established his own store, James H. Ross Ready to Wear Department Store, in December of that same year. James H. Ross was elected Mayor of Lancaster as a Democrat in 1934.
Please make an appointment with the Research Center staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org to view the scrapbook.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-58
Classification
MG0058
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Scrapbook, Career of James Ross, Former Merchant and Mayor, was previously housed in the Scrapbook Collection, Book 121. Scrapbook, Career of James Ross, Former Merchant and Mayor, was cataloged and preserved with funding from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, ME60112, 2007-2008.
The Bucher-Ortmann Pharmacy Collection contains memorabilia from the Bucher Pharmacy and Ortmann Pharmacy in Columbia, including an account book and prescription formula books.
Admin/Biographical History
The pharmacy began with the Bucher family in 1895 and continued when Werner Ortmann purchased the business in 1953.
This collection contains records of the Wheatland Diner, including correspondence, advertising, menu, recipe cards, blueprints and documents for the sale of the property. Newspaper articles report the plan for and delivery of the diner ,fires, 1956 fatal accident, problems with teenage customers and the sale of the property.
Ladies' Auxiliary of St. Joseph Hospital (Lancaster, Pa.) Records
Description
This collection contains records for the Ladies' Auxiliary and Junior Auxiliary of St. Joseph Hospital in Lancaster, PA from 1881-2002. One volume contains the names of volunteers and the hours they logged from 1967-1992. Newsletters, programs, and newspaper articles provide information about the many community activities and fundraising events of the organization.
Admin/Biographical History
St. Joseph Hospital (1883-2000) started in a moderate-sized building on College Avenue that was purchased by the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, Philadelphia Foundation. The Ladies' Auxiliary began in 1903 to promote the community's health and welfare, engage in fundraising activities, and promote good relations between the hospital and community. The Junior Auxiliary was made up of volunteers who had limited time available, participated in fundraising activities, and met in the evening at five general meetings per year.
Preferred Citation: Ladies' Auxiliary of St. Joseph Hospital (Lancaster) Records (MG0473), Box #, Folder #, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Persons wishing to publish any material from this collection must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-473
Other Number
MG-473
Classification
MG0473
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Processed and finding aid prepared by DC, 2009. Added to database 7 September 2021.
"Thaddeus Stevens to be Honored: Will Be Inducted into Penna. Hall of Fame." Newspaper article regarding Stevens' induction, as well as the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame in general and past inductees. Photocopy. 7 November 1974.
"Remarks by John Ward Willson Loose on the Installation of the Hon. Thaddeus Stevens in the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame." Discusses Stevens' life and work. Photocopy. 16 November 1974.
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Thaddeus Stevens Collection (MG0115), Part 1, Folder # or Object ID, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact Research@LancasterHistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-115
Other Number
MG-115, Part 1, Folder 20, Insert 5
Classification
MG0115
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Added to database 11 July 2023.
Digitization of this document was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 202010016624, 2020-2023.
Catharine B. Spitler Scrapbook, Book 2, 24 December 1971- 15 April 1987
Description
Catharine B. Spitler, a resident of Landisville, Pennsylvania, compiled these scrapbooks. Book one contains information primarily about World War II. The newspaper clippings include information about Lancaster natives, both men and women that were involved in World War II, including ranks and location of service. There are also articles about the United States involvement in World War II. Interesting local articles and programs discuss the World War II Memorial in West Hempfield Township. Columbia's Sesquicentennial was documented through a series of newspaper clippings located in this scrapbook.
Book two is a compilation of newspaper clippings, engagement announcements, wedding announcements and obituaries pertaining to Lancastrians. Locations around Lancaster County that were mentioned are as follows: Lancaster, Hempfield, Ephrata, Maytown and Mount Joy. An interesting subject within the second scrapbook is the1972 Flood of Lancaster (Hurricane Agnes).
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions. Please request these items by contacting Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to your visit.
Copyright
These items may be photographed. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-434
Other Number
MG-434, Boxes 79 and 80
Classification
MG0434
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Cataloged by CRB, October 2007. Added to database, 28 September 2023.
Previously housed in the Scrapbook Collection, Books 128 and 130.
This project was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, ME60112, 2007-2008.
These volumes contain various newspaper clippings, printed materials, and ephemera collected by Edith Raub Helm. The books provide insight into her life including the schools she attended-Shippen School for Girls and Briarcliff Junior College. The scrapbooks focus on the social aspects of women's lives, featuring the theatre, wedding invitations, and engagement, marriage, and birth announcements.
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions. Please request these items by contacting Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to your visit.
Copyright
These items may be photographed. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-434
Other Number
MG-434, Boxes 44 and 45
Classification
MG0434
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Cataloged by CRB, October 2007. Added to database, 25 October 2023.
Previously housed in the Scrapbook Collection, Books 10 and 11.
This project was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, ME60112, 2007-2008.
The Mary Warfel Collection contains materials collected by or pertaining to Mary Warfel, world renowned harpist from Lancaster County. There are scrapbooks, newspaper articles, programs, reviews, event announcements, and correspondence.
Admin/Biographical History
Mary Warfel was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1888 to a family of exceptional musical talent. Both her parents were musicians and her grandfather was a Viennese baritone. From an early age Warfel is said to have shown signs of her brilliance as she displayed unusual common sense and sound judgment. As a young lady Warfel decided to follow in the footsteps of her family as she went to study music at St. Mary's College, Notre Dame in 1905. While at St. Mary's Warfel studied the harp and the piano. Warfel wrote in her diary which she kept through the duration of her time at St. Mary's that the harp was her favorite instrument to study. Finishing her studies in 1906 Warfel would go on to graduate with honors.
Upon leaving college Warfel traveled to Philadelphia where she would study under the tutelage of Constantin von Sternberg. During this period of her life Mary Warfel's studies were more focused on the piano however the harp still remained her first love and she never abandoned hope of someday becoming a prominent harpist.
After her time with von Sternberg Warfel returned to Lancaster where she began her music career. Warfel kept track of her career by saving the newspaper articles and various letters wrote to her throughout her career. The first record that Mary Warfel saved came from a concert in Philadelphia on April 11, 1909 where she played the Woodland Presbyterian Church. From this point on until her breakout season Warfel played a handful of concerts every year mostly being recognized as a auxiliary performer barely getting much recognition.
Warfel's career took off after she played a concert in New York City on Palm Sunday in 1914. This was Warfel's final performance of the 1913-14 season. The 1914-15 season would turn out to be huge for Warfel as she would play concerts in Lancaster, York, Harrisburg, Baltimore, Washington, Philadelphia and New York City.
The 1916-17 season would be even bigger for Warfel as she became a well-known name in New York and played several large venues such as the Biltmore Hotel and Carnegie Hall. Despite Warfel's success on a grand stage she never divorced herself from her home town. For Mary Warfel, Lancaster City was home and she prided herself on trying to make Lancaster a premier music town by bringing in various big name artists to play concerts. Fritz Kreisler was one of the big names that Warfel brought to Lancaster, who was referred to by the local paper as the world's greatest violinist. Warfel also never stopped playing local venues herself. Throughout her career and no matter how big her name got Warfel had always played concerts at the Iris Club and the Fulton. By the end of the 1916-17 season Warfel's prestige had grown greatly and she became recognized as an elite harpist being compared to Ada Sassoli another great harpist of the era. A newspaper article that Warfel saved towards the end of the season mentioned that she was in high demand in New York.
Warfel's career would continue to grow and her reputation would as well. Her prestige grew to the point where she became recognized as the premier harpist in the United States and throughout all her success her attitude never changed. An article from a paper in Altoona in 1918 described Mary as, "Someone who distinguishes herself by not being the type of musician who will not do something because it is not in her contract." She was known to go out of her way to do things for others and such behavior gained her a great deal of followers.
During the twenties Warfel played less concerts and focused on her music series, bringing prominent names to Lancaster. Mary Warfel certainly would have been a well-known name amongst music lovers during her lifetime. Unfortunately she did not leave much of a legacy because all of her work consisted of live performances. The remaining records of Mary Warfel are newspaper articles from various cities that she saved, personal letters addressed to her, and several short excerpts from history books on Lancaster County. Regardless of what Mary Warfel did or did not leave she still stands among Lancaster's most distinguished citizens as a nationally recognized musician who played one of the most difficult instruments to master.
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
The items in Folders 10 and 11 were a gift of Paul Kaseman.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Folder 16 is restricted. All other items in the collection may be used--contact Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to visit or request at the Reference Desk.
Copyright
Collection items may be photographed. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-138
Classification
MG0138
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Processed and finding aid by PW. Biographical information by DJ, Fall 2014. Added to database 26 December 2023.
The Auto Racing Collection contains photocopies of photographs of race car drivers, newspaper articles, advertisements, and programs related to auto racing at Lancaster County speedways. The items include a history of auto racing in Lancaster County, information about J. Earl Way, and an article about a benefit for the Williams Grove Old-Timers Association.
Admin/Biographical History
J. Earl Way (1907-1997) of Salunga, Pennsylvania was a barber, dance instructor, and local band leader. He was also involved in auto racing, was a race promoter at Landisville Speedway, and wrote articles about racing for several newspapers. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43953963/obituary-for-j-earl-way-aged-89/
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Auto Racing Collection (MG0137), Folder #, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-137
Classification
MG0137
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Processed and finding aid prepared by AS, 1999. Finding aid typed by KS, March 2013. Added to database 25 September 2021.
The Lancaster Sketch Club records are comprised of meeting minutes, correspondence, exhibition programs and membership lists. The exhibition programs show the works exhibited and names of the artists. The club had a studio at 106 N. Christian Street, Lancaster. These records were apparently kept by Miss Gertrude Cosgrove, secretary of the organization.