Skip header and navigation

Revise Search

44 records – page 1 of 5.

Collection
Scrapbook Collection
Title
Scrapbook of Charles R. Frailey
Object ID
MG0434_Box103
Date Range
1890s
Collection
Scrapbook Collection
Title
Scrapbook of Charles R. Frailey
Description
This scrapbook was originally the ledger of Charles' brother, Henry L. Frailey, for the Lancaster Home Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Henry may have also used it as journal for personal records and scrapbook.
Charles R. Frailey turned this ledger into a scrapbook in the 1890s with newspaper articles of noteworthy events and stories that related to crime and justice in Lancaster County. More importantly, the edges of the pages of the scrapbook contain notes, quotations and signatures, many of which relate to the various stories he collected.
Frailey's notes in the margins of the scrapbook provide an enormous amount of first-hand opinions and information about Lancaster events that are not captured in newspaper articles or in other official documents. The scrapbook provides a look at crime and crime prevention in the 1890s in Lancaster through the eyes of a former Police Chief. It is an important part of the history of the Lancaster City Bureau of Police.
This scrapbook and ledger also contain sketches of historic houses in Lancaster and a list of surviving members of the Lancaster Fencibles, 1898.
Admin/Biographical History
Charles R. Frailey was born in Lancaster in 1825. He married Sarah A. Baer in 1850, raised a family in Lancaster, and was a member of Friendship Fire Company. He was employed as a clerk and scrivener and taught penmanship. In 1865, Charles was elected city alderman and became the City of Lancaster's first Chief of Police.
In 1865, Mayor George Sanderson established the Lancaster City Police force. A man named Charles Frailey was the first Chief of Police. Officer Frailey oversaw 21-night policemen who successfully restored order. https://www.epsagents.com/security-guards/armed-unarmed-security-guards-lancaster-pa/
Date Range
1890s
Creation Date
Charles Frailey's Scrapbook, 1890-1902
Henry Frailey's Ledger, 1850-[1890]
Creator
Frailey, Charles R., 1825-1904
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 22
People
Frailey, Charles R.
Frailey, Henry Leonard
Other Creators
Frailey, Henry Leonard, 1826-1890
Subjects
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Crime
Crime prevention
Lancaster (Pa.)
Law enforcement
Marginalia
Police
Police chiefs
Scrapbooks
Search Terms
Architecture
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Crime
Crime prevention
Lancaster
Lancaster City Bureau of Police
Lancaster Home Mutual Fire Insurance Company
Law enforcement
Ledger books
Marginalia
Newspaper clippings
Police
Police chiefs
Police officers
Scrapbooks
Object Name
Scrapbook
Language
English
Object ID
MG0434_Box103
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Related Item Notes
Lancaster City Archives Collection (Records of Arrests; Police Dockets; Police Logs)
Notes
A few of the stories contained in the Frailey Scrapbook:
Murder of David Buckwalter Landis: Landis was president of Lancaster's Conestoga National Bank. The murderer, Ralph W. Wireback, was the tenant of a house that was owned by Landis. As part of the lease agreement, Wireback was allowed to occupy the house until Landis sold it. When Landis did sell the house and attempted to dispossess Wireback, Wireback sent his family away from the house and boarded it shut. A final confrontation between the tenant and the landlord on April 7, 1898 resulted in the murder. On August 24th, 1899, Wireback was found guilty of 1st degree murder and sentenced to death. His execution was set for June 7, 1893.
William E. Martin's escape: Although the LCPD began to use patrol wagons in 1892, officers often escorted criminals to the local prison on foot. This proved to be disastrous in the case of William E. Martin. On October 27, 1898, Martin haplessly attempted to sell a team of horses he had stolen to a city constable and was promptly arrested. As he was being taken to jail, Martin managed to overpower Constable Jacobs on East Walnut Street, and, threatening the constable with his (Constable Jacob's) own gun, he bolted.
Burglary at Lime Rock: A burglary was committed on December 9, 1898 in Lime Rock, a settlement at the intersection of the Reading and Columbia Railroads between Manheim and Lititz. The burglars entered the home of Albert Longnecker and demanded that he surrender his valuables to them. Longnecker, despite being rather elderly, attempted to fend off the intruders, but he along with his four other family members were bound. While the burglars rummaged through the house, one of the female family members wrestled free and ran to one of their neighbor's homes. She rang a bell which caused the burglars to flee, taking with them only $3 that they had found in the Longneckers' coat pockets.
In 1899, a bill was passed "to fix, regulate, and establish the fees to be charged and received by constables of this commonwealth." These fees covered such services as levying fines, serving executions, executing search warrants, etc.
In July 1882, George "Tid" Brimmer, who is associated with the infamous Buzzard Gang, allegedly set the Lancaster County Almshouse on fire on the same afternoon that the gang burned the barn of Samuel Ranck. The Almshouse had burned down three times previously, and was later rebuilt and burned down once again in 1900.
An article entitled "Changes of 40 Years: What an Old City Report Showed" from February 20, 1900 details how the LCPD transformed since 1860: "From one High Constable and four Ward Constables and night-watchmen, at an expense of $2,674, we now have a Chief of Police, 2 Sergeants, 18 policemen, and three patrol drivers and a turnkey, costing $19,820, supplemented with police patrol, patrol call boxes, police station house, etc…improvements scarcely dreamed of 40 years ago…"
James Burns, who was convicted of complicity in the Jacobs-Kendig revenue stamp counterfeiting conspiracy, was freed from the Eastern Penitentiary in 1900 after serving a period of one year and six months.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
This scrapbook may be used by appointment--contact Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to visit.
Copyright
This scrapbook may be photographed without flash. 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.
Accession Number
2010.ClarkeHess
Classification
MG0434
Description Level
Item
Less detail
Collection
Eleanor Fulton, Presbyterian Collection
Title
Eleanor Fulton, Presbyterian Collection
Object ID
MG0050
Date Range
1703-1991
  1 document  
Collection
Eleanor Fulton, Presbyterian Collection
Title
Eleanor Fulton, Presbyterian Collection
Description
The work of Eleanor Fulton, a professional researcher. Contains information on the Presbyterian Church in Lancaster County, including First Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Donegal Presbyterian Church. Also, genealogy notes for local families and St. James Episcopal Church.
System of Arrangement
Organized by subject, arranged chronologically.
Date Range
1703-1991
Year Range From
1703
Year Range To
1991
Date of Accumulation
1703-1991
Creator
Fulton, Eleanor
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 02
People
Ashmead, William
Buchanan, James
Fulton, Robert
Woodhull, John
Subjects
Genealogy
Letters
Presbyterian Church
United States--History--War of 1812
Search Terms
Booklets
Correspondence
Diaries
Donegal Presbytery
Ephemera
Genealogy
Letters
Newspaper clippings
Presbyterian Church
War of 1812
Extent
2 boxes, 56 folders, .75 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0050
Location of Originals
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-50
Classification
MG0050
Description Level
Fonds
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Scrapbook Collection
Title
Scrapbook of Grace Anna Brosius
Object ID
MG0434_Box096
Date Range
1898-1900
Collection
Scrapbook Collection
Title
Scrapbook of Grace Anna Brosius
Description
Scrapbook of Grace Anna Brosius. This scrapbook contains newspaper clippings, invitations, photographs, programs, and correspondence. The newspaper clippings supplement the invitations, reception mementos, and prizes received. Receptions include euchre parties, gatherings at the Elsmere and Swarthmore, and annual banquets in Washington, D.C. Programs for theater performances correspond to magazine clippings of actors and actresses. Grace accompanied her father, Hon. Marriot Brosius, to many society events and banquets.
Admin/Biographical History
Grace Anna Brosius was the daughter of Hon. Marriott Henry Brosius and Elizabeth Jackson Coates Brosius of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She attended Swarthmore College from 1895-1897. She married Clement Miller Biddle (1876-1959) on 28 November 1900 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
https://www.geni.com/people/Hon-Marriott-Brosius/6000000006598453470
https://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/agents/people/16142
https://archive.org/stream/biddlefamilygene00gayp/biddlefamilygene00gayp_djvu.txt
Date Range
1898-1900
Creation Date
1898-1900
Year Range From
1898
Year Range To
1900
Creator
Biddle, Grace Anna Brosius, 1877-1960
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 22
People
Biddle, Grace Anna Brosius
Brosius, Marriot
McKinley, William
Subjects
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Ephemera
Invitation cards
Photographs
Programs (Publications)
Scrapbooks
Search Terms
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Ephemera
Invitations
Newspaper clippings
Photographs
Programs
Scrapbooks
Swarthmore College
Extent
1 volume with loose items
Object Name
Scrapbook
Language
English
Object ID
MG0434_Box096
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Associated Material
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College:
Swarthmore College Photograph Albums (SFHL-PA-010)
Biddle Family Papers (SFHL-RG5-177)
Related Item Notes
Scrapbooks:
1911-1926; 1926-1937 (MG0434_Box097)
1935-1959 (MG0434_Box098)
Photograph albums and loose photographs (Grace Anna Brosius Biddle Collection)
Album 1, 1900s-1940s (GB-01-01-001 to GB-01-01-111)
Album 2, 1900-1907 (GB-01-02-01 to GB-01-02-41)
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Scrapbook Collection (MG0434), Box #, Object ID, 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 for permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Accession Number
2011.Malin
Other Numbers
MG-434
Other Number
MG-434, Box 96
Classification
MG0434
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Added to database 13 April 2022.
Less detail
Collection
Bucher-Ortmann Pharmacy Collection
Title
Bucher-Ortmann Pharmacy Collection
Object ID
MG0211
Date Range
1895-1967
  1 document  
Collection
Bucher-Ortmann Pharmacy Collection
Title
Bucher-Ortmann Pharmacy Collection
Description
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.
Date Range
1895-1967
Year Range From
1895
Year Range To
1967
Date of Accumulation
1895-1967
Creator
Ortmann, Werner, 1925-2017
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 05
People
Ortmann, Werner
Bucher, William L.
Subjects
Account books
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Drugstores
Envelopes
Formulas, recipes, etc.
Medicine--Formulae, receipts, prescriptions
Pharmacists
Poisons
Columbia (Pa.)
Search Terms
Account books
Bucher Pharmacy
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Columbia
Drugstores
Envelopes
Finding aids
Formulas, recipes, etc.
Manuscript groups
Medicine--Formulae, receipts, prescriptions
Newspaper clippings
Ortmann Pharmacy
Pharmacies
Pharmacists
Poisons
Extent
1 box, 6 folders, .25 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0211
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Related Item Notes
Strasburg Pharmacy Records (MG0282)
Heinitsh Business and Family Records (MG0447)
Medical, Dental, and Veterinary Collection (MG0480)
Notes
Preferred Citation: Bucher-Ortmann Pharmacy Collection (MG0211), 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-211
Other Number
MG-211
Classification
MG0211
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Added to database 27 August 2021.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Wheatland Diner Records
Title
Wheatland Diner Records
Object ID
MG0549
Date Range
1955-1973
  1 document  
Collection
Wheatland Diner Records
Title
Wheatland Diner Records
Description
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.
Admin/Biographical History
Wheatland Diner is now the Columbia Diner (2011).
Date Range
1955-1973
Year Range From
1955
Year Range To
1973
Date of Accumulation
1955-9173
Creator
Wheatland Diner, Inc.
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 12
People
Friend, Neal
Kusuplos, Spiros A.
Sanders, Ruth V.
Schaal, Dorothy C.
Snyder, Robert N.
Trott, M. William
Subjects
Advertising
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Diners (Restaurants)
Menus
Recipes
Search Terms
Advertising
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Correspondence
Diners
Finding aids
Manuscript groups
Menus
Newspaper clippings
Recipes
Wheatland Diner
Extent
2 boxes, 10 folders, 3 sets of blueprints, 1.5 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0549
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Related Item Notes
See also the Photograph Collection
Notes
Preferred Citation: Wheatland Diner Records (M0549), 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.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-549
Other Number
MG-549
Classification
MG0549
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Processed and finding aid prepared by high school intern, JP, Summer 2010.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Scrapbook Collection
Title
Corporate Lancaster
Object ID
MG0434_Box030
Date Range
1890-1927
Collection
Scrapbook Collection
Title
Corporate Lancaster
Description
Corporate Lancaster encompasses a large variety of businesses throughout the county. Many of these businesses are power companies including electric, water and coal. Some of the major companies mentioned include Atglen Water Company, Susquehanna Canal Water and Power Company, Pennsylvania Water and Power Company, Lititz Water Works, Edison Electric Illuminating Company, and Holtwood Coal Company. These comprise the majority of the scrapbook, however, many retail, savings and insurance companies are also mentioned. Recognizable names are F. W. Woolworth and Company, City Savings and Trust, Lancaster Home Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Steinman Hardware Store, and the Hager Store. Information about taxes, population, censuses and stocks are featured in some of the newspaper clippings. Many modes of transportation were written about, such as trolley lines, railroads and canals. The materials available in this book include an account book, newspaper clippings, photographs, advertisements, and postcards.
Date Range
1890-1927
Creation Date
1890-1927
Year Range From
1890
Year Range To
1927
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 22
Subjects
Account books
Advertisements
Cadastral maps
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Electric industries
Energy industries
Lancaster County (Pa.)--History, local
Lancaster County (Pa.)--Population
Local taxation
Manufacturing industries
Maps
Photographs
Postcards
Scrapbooks
Service industries
Trolley cars
Search Terms
Bangor Episcopal Church
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Columbia
Lancaster
Newspaper clippings
Scrapbooks
Extent
1 volume
Object Name
Scrapbook
Language
English
Object ID
MG0434_Box030
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Notes
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 this item by contacting Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to your visit.
Copyright
This item 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, Box 30
Classification
MG0434
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Cataloged by CRB, October 2007. Added to database, 23 October 2023.
Previously housed in the Scrapbook Collection, Book 171
This project was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, ME60112, 2007-2008.
Less detail
Collection
Scrapbook Collection
Title
Education in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Object ID
MG0434_Box038
Date Range
1884-1901
Collection
Scrapbook Collection
Title
Education in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Description
Education in Lancaster, Pennsylvania scrapbook is a collection of programs and newspaper clippings concerning Lancaster City High School. It contains programs from graduations, Arbor Day Activities, and Christmas productions. The articles also discuss the history of education in Lancaster County including some prominent people like Thaddeus Stevens, J. P. McCaskey, Thomas H. Burrowes, and E. E. Higbee. Other items of interest cover the Lancaster County Teachers' Institute, West Chester Normal School, First Presbyterian Church of Lancaster, and a list of the high school's Board of Directors.
Date Range
1884-1901
Creation Date
1884-1901
Year Range From
1884
Year Range To
1901
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 22
People
Burrowes, Thomas Henry
Higbee, Elnathan Elisha
McCaskey, John Piersol "Jack"
Stevens, Thaddeus
Subjects
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Education
Lancaster County (Pa.)--History, local
Programs (Publications)
Scrapbooks
Search Terms
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Education
Educators
First Presbyterian Church, Lancaster
Lancaster County Teachers' Institute
Lancaster High School
Newspaper clippings
Scrapbooks
West Chester Normal School
Extent
1 volume
Object Name
Scrapbook
Language
English
Object ID
MG0434_Box038
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Notes
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, Box 38
Classification
MG0434
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Cataloged by CRB, October 2007. Added to database, 25 October 2023.
Previously housed in the Scrapbook Collection, Book 22.
This project was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, ME60112, 2007-2008.
Less detail
Collection
Scrapbook Collection
Title
Marietta Scrapbook
Object ID
MG0434_BoxR010
Date Range
1879-1919
volume contains a variety of information in newspaper clippings and magazine articles about Marietta, Columbia, and the rest of Lancaster County. The articles convey a well-rounded view of local history. Topics include education, population, crime, taxes, elections, and occupations. There are also many
  2 documents  
Collection
Scrapbook Collection
Title
Marietta Scrapbook
Description
Known as The Marietta Scrapbook, this volume contains a variety of information in newspaper clippings and magazine articles about Marietta, Columbia, and the rest of Lancaster County. The articles convey a well-rounded view of local history. Topics include education, population, crime, taxes, elections, and occupations. There are also many articles on the Pennsylvania Dutch, personal histories, crime, and genealogical information within the book. Histories for the following municipalities are included: Marietta, Christiana, Columbia, Donegal, Erie, Lancaster, Lititz, Manheim, Maytown, Mountville, Peach Bottom, Salunga, and Wrightsville.
Date Range
1879-1919
Creation Date
1879-1919
Year Range From
1879
Year Range To
1919
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 22
Subjects
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Education
Job descriptions
Lancaster County (Pa.)--History, local
Lancaster County (Pa.)--Population
Local taxation
Marietta (Pa.)
Murder
Occupations
Pennsylvania Dutch
Scrapbooks
Search Terms
Christiana
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Columbia
Education
Lancaster
Lititz
Manheim
Marietta
Maytown, East Donegal Twp.
Mountville
New Holland
Newspaper clippings
Peach Bottom, Fulton Twp.
Pennsylvania Germans
Salunga, West Hempfield Twp.
Scrapbooks
Wrightsville, York County, Pennsylvania
Extent
1 volume
Object Name
Scrapbook
Language
English
Object ID
MG0434_BoxR010
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Notes
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
Restricted access.
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original volume may be used by appointment only-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-434
Other Number
MG-434, Box R010
Classification
MG0434
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Cataloged by CRB, October 2007. Added to database, 25 October 2023.
Previously housed in the Scrapbook Collection, Book 88.
This project was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, ME60112, 2007-2008.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Mary Warfel Collection
Title
Mary Warfel Collection
Object ID
MG0138
Date Range
1887-1945
Newspaper clippings Programs Scrapbooks Women Women musicians �230 North President Avenue • Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603-3125 717.392.4633 • www.LancasterHistory.org Processing History: Processed and finding aid by PW; Biographical information by DJ, Fall 2014. This collection has been documented
  1 document  
Collection
Mary Warfel Collection
Title
Mary Warfel Collection
Description
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.
Date Range
1887-1945
Year Range From
1887
Year Range To
1945
Date of Accumulation
1887-1945
Creator
Warfel, Mary Sophia, 1888-1955
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 04
People
Warfel, Mary Sophia
Other Creators
Kaseman, Paul Warren, 1921-2009
Subjects
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Harpists
Musicians
Programs (Publications)
Scrapbooks
Women musicians
Search Terms
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Finding aids
Harpists
Manuscript groups
Musicians
Newspaper clippings
Programs
Scrapbooks
Women
Women musicians
Extent
3 boxes, 18 folders, 2.5 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0138
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Related Item Notes
See also the Photograph Collection
Notes
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.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Gorman Family Papers
Title
Gorman Family Papers
Object ID
MG0674
Date Range
1903, 1905
  1 document  
Collection
Gorman Family Papers
Title
Gorman Family Papers
Description
The Gorman Family Papers contain newspaper articles about Ms. Jennie Gorman and B. F. Gorman's Grocery Store, as well as report cards for George N. LeFevre, Jr.
Date Range
1903, 1905
Year Range From
1903
Year Range To
1905
Date of Accumulation
1903-1905
Creator
Gorman family
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 13
People
Gorman, Benjamin Frank
Gorman, M. Jennie
LeFevre, George Newton
LeFevre, George Newton, Jr.
Subjects
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Grocery trade
Report cards
Stores, Retail
Search Terms
B. F. Gorman's Grocery Store
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Finding aids
Grocery trade
Manuscript groups
Newspaper clippings
North Star School
Report cards
Russell Sales Company
Stores, Retail
Extent
1 box, 1 folder, .25 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0674
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory
Notes
Preferred Citation: Gorman Family Papers (MG0674), 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-674
Other Number
MG-674
Classification
MG0674
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Processed and finding aid prepared by MG, 29 October 2013. Added to database 30 September 2021.
Documents
Less detail

44 records – page 1 of 5.