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Collection
Adam Reigart Jr., John S. Murphy Collection
Title
Adam Reigart Jr., John S. Murphy Collection
Object ID
MG0331
Date Range
1762-2003
, Massachusetts Brenner & Reed Cambridge, Massachusetts Cape May, New Jersey Charles C. & J. Watson Christ Church Burial Ground Cincinnati, Ohio Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.) Correspondence Delaware Dixon Walker & Co. Earp & Bros. Finding aids Grape Hotel Greene County, New York H. Behlen & Co. Illnesses
  1 document  
Collection
Adam Reigart Jr., John S. Murphy Collection
Title
Adam Reigart Jr., John S. Murphy Collection
Description
The Adam Reigart Jr., John S. Murphy Collection contains correspondence between Adam Reigart, Jr. in Lancaster and Philip Wager in Philadelphia and their families. The letters are primarily from the early nineteenth century and provide information about family illness, travel, visits, business, and family chatter. The receipts and invoices show purchases made in Lancaster and Philadelphia, especially clothing, fabric, dry goods, and meat. The remainder of the collection is made up of newspaper articles, books, and an album of poetry and drawings. The items were housed in a gig trunk which is now in the museum collection.
Admin/Biographical History
Adam Reigart, Jr. (1765-1844) was born in Lancaster. He was the eldest son of Col. Adam Reigart, owner of the Grape Tavern which served as general headquarters during the Revolutionary War. Adam Jr. founded the Reigart Wine Store in 1785 and was in business with Philip Wager in Philadelphia and Philip's son Peter throughout his career. He was the first president of the Lancaster branch of the Bank of Pennsylvania, and was involved with the Conestoga Navigation Company and the Union Fire Company.
Adam Jr. married Mary Magdalena Wager (1772-1806) in 1791. Mary was the daughter of Philip Wager, a Philadelphia wine merchant. They had eight daughters and a son. Susan married Stephen C. Slaymaker and Margaretta married Henry Y. Slaymaker.
Date Range
1762-2003
Year Range From
1762
Year Range To
2003
Date of Accumulation
1762-2003
Creator
Murphy, John Slaughter, 1921-2011
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 08
People
Arnold, Benedict
Baker, W.
Bare, Jacob
Blight, Peter
Boughter, Charles
Breidenhart, George
Brien, Edward
Brown, Luke
Butter, Charles
Cassidy, Edward
Clarke, John
Clendenin, Samuel
Coleman, Edward
Coleman, William
Edwards, Susanna
Ehler, John
Fisher, Sammy
Fox, Sam M.
Frey, John
Gaskill, Edmund
Gay, Edward F.
Getz, John
Givens, John
Graeff, George
Greland, D.
Hahn, B. Christian
Harrison, George
Haverstick, William
Hopkins, A. R.
Hopkins, Ann
Houston, James
Hubley, Frederick
Hubley, Joseph
Hultzheimer, N.
Hyde, Charles
Irving, Robert
Jack, Joshua
Kauffman, Jacob
King, George
Kirkpatrick, William
Kline, Jacob
Lane, John
Leiper, George G.
Lowry, Robert
Lowry, Robert K.
Mayer, George Louis
Metzger, Emanuel
Metzger, George
Metzger, Jacob
Miller, Barbara
Miller, Henry
Miller, Martin
Miller, Philip
Montgomery, William
Morris, John
Mosher, Joseph
Murphy, John Slaughter
Myer, John
Myers, John
Newlin, Nathaniel
Nice, Levi
Nimrod, Maxwell
Ogilby, Joseph
Otto, Jacob S.
Otto, John C.
Pennington, Edward
Peters, Abraham
Phinney, Zina
Price, Joseph
Price, Richard
Reigart, Adam
Reigart, Adam, Jr.
Reigart, Ann
Reigart, Emanuel
Reigart, Henrietta
Reigart, Maria Wager
Reigart, Mary
Reigart, Mary C.
Reigart, Philip Wager
Reigart, Susan
Rimfast, John
Sample, Joseph
Schaubel, Johannis
Sener, Samuel Miller
Sewell, Charles S.
Shaeffer, Jacob
Shenk, Abraham
Shenk, Christian
Shippen, Peggy
Singer, A.
Slaymaker, Henry Edwin
Slaymaker, Mary Steele
Slaymaker, Stephen Cochran
Smith, Ann
Smith, Anthony
Smith, Ralph
Stein, Philip
Steinman, George
Stewart, William
Sullivan, Susannah
Wager, George
Wager, Hannah
Wager, James
Wager, Mary
Wager, Peter
Wager, Philip H.
Wager, Sally
Wager, Sophia
Wager, William
Walsh, Christopher
Wentz, Thomas
Wertz, Christian
Wharton, Charles
Whitaker, George
Whitaker, John
Wimer, Michael
Winroth, Margaret
Witmer, David
Woodmund, William
Yeiser, Philip
Other Creators
Reigart family
Subjects
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Invoices
Letters
Obituaries
Receipts (Acknowledgments)
Search Terms
Adam Reigart and Son
Albums
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Boston, Massachusetts
Brenner and Reed
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cape May, New Jersey
Charles C. and J. Watson
Christ Church Burial Ground
Cincinnati, Ohio
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Correspondence
Delaware
Dixon Walker and Company
Earp and Brothers
Finding aids
Grape Hotel
Greene County, New York
H. Behlen and Company
Illnesses
Invoices
J. Walker and Company
John Warden and Sons
Kentucky
Lancaster
Lancaster County Almshouse
Lancaster Bar Association
Lancaster Intelligencer
Lancaster Journal
Lancaster New Era
Lancaster Sunday News
Lane Slaymaker and Company
Letters
London, England
Lower Windsor Twp., York County, Pennsylvania
Lowry and Myers
Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
Manuscript groups
Margaretta Furnace
Marietta Bank
Morning News
Mount Auburn Cemetery
New York, New York
Newspaper clippings
Obituaries
Ohio
Pennsylvania German Society
Pensacola, Florida
Peter Wager and Company
Philadelphia Inquirer
Pratt and Kintzing
Race Street
Receipts
Reeve's Tavern
South Carolina
Southwark, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Spain
St. James Episcopal Church
Union Fire Company
Vintners
Wager and Company
Washington Fire Company
West Point Military Academy
William Noyes and Company
Wine merchants
York Springs Boarding House
York Springs, York County, Pennsylvania
York, York County, Pennsylvania
Extent
2 boxes, 35 folders, 1.5 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0331
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Related Item Notes
Gig trunk (2003.078)
Adam Reigart Collection (MG0122)
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Adam Reigart Jr., John S. Murphy Collection (MG0331), Folder #, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Restrictions are noted at the item level.
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.
Accession Number
2003.078
Other Numbers
MG-331
Classification
MG0331
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Processed and finding aid created by KR. Added to database 8 March 2022.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
United Steel Workers Union, Local 285, Records
Title
United Steel Workers Union, Local 285, Records
Object ID
MG0514
Date Range
1934-1990
) Newsletters United Steelworkers of America. Local 285 (Lancaster, Pa.) Search Terms: Armstrong Cork Company Business records Correspondence Finding aids Kerr Group, Inc. Labor unions Letters Manuscript groups Minutes Newsletters United Steel Workers Union, Local 285 Related Materials at LancasterHistory
  1 document  
Collection
United Steel Workers Union, Local 285, Records
Title
United Steel Workers Union, Local 285, Records
Description
The United Steel Workers Union, Local 285, Records contain minutes of union meetings, negotiations with Armstrong Cork Company and Kerr Group, Inc., publications of Local 285 and Armstrong, correspondence with national union representatives, union flyers and other documents related to labor issues and strikes at Armstrong.
Date Range
1934-1990
Year Range From
1934
Year Range To
1990
Date of Accumulation
1934-1990
Creator
United Steelworkers of America. Local 285 (Lancaster, Pa.)
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 11
Subjects
Business records
Labor unions
Labor unions--Records and correspondence
Letters
Minutes (Records)
Newsletters
United Steelworkers of America. Local 285 (Lancaster, Pa.)
Search Terms
Armstrong Cork Company
Business records
Correspondence
Finding aids
Kerr Group, Inc.
Labor unions
Letters
Manuscript groups
Minutes
Newsletters
United Steel Workers Union, Local 285
Extent
8 boxes, 206 folders, 6 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0514
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Related Item Notes
Armstrong World Industries Collection (MG0032)
Kerr Group, Inc. and Armstrong Cork Company Architectural Drawings, 1916-1992 (MG0372)
Photograph Collection
Notes
This finding aid is a box list showing folder titles in order to make the collection available to researchers. The documents within the folders have not yet been cataloged at the item level. LancasterHistory replaced the folders with acid-free archival folders and retained the original folder titles. The newsletters, Local 285 Spotlight and Floor Plant Journal, were organized and placed in folders.
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), United Steel Workers Union, Local 285, Records (MG0514), Folder #, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
This collection is not fully cataloged, but may be used by appointment. Please contact research@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
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.
Accession Number
2009.MG0514
Other Numbers
MG-514
Classification
MG0514
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Box list prepared by FM, 2010. Added to database 12 March 2022.
Documents
Less detail

Harriet Lane, First Lady of the White House

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/lhdo1133
Author
Shelley, Mary Virginia.
Date of Publication
c1980.
Call Number
920.7 L265s 1980
Responsibility
Mary Virginia Shelley & Sandra Harrison Munro ; with ill. by Regina Weatherlow.
ISBN
0915010291 :
Author
Shelley, Mary Virginia.
Place of Publication
Lititz, PA
Publisher
Sutter House,
Date of Publication
c1980.
Physical Description
48 p. : ill. ; 21 cm.
Summary
Presents a biography of James Buchanan's niece who was the White House hostess during her uncle's presidency, helped create the National Gallery of Art, and started the first pediatrics hospital.
Subjects
Johnston, Harriet Lane, - 1830-1903. - Juvenile literature.
Buchanan, James, - 1791-1868. - Family - Juvenile literature.
Johnston, Harriet Lane, - 1830-1903.
Buchanan, James, - 1791-1868. - Family.
Presidents - United States
Presidents
Additional Author
Munro, Sandra Harrison,
Weatherlow, Regina.
Location
Lancaster History Library - Book
Call Number
920.7 L265s 1980
Less detail
Collection
Edward Hand Reunion and Genealogy Collection
Title
Edward Hand Reunion and Genealogy Collection
Object ID
MG0116
Date Range
1805-1984
  1 document  
Collection
Edward Hand Reunion and Genealogy Collection
Title
Edward Hand Reunion and Genealogy Collection
Description
Collection consists largely of information on the descendants of Edward Hand and on the Hand Family Reunion. Contains correspondence, genealogical materials, family charts, photographs, and commemorative booklet 1912, on Lancaster County in the Revolutionary War. Also, three documents concerning the settling of the Hand estate.
Date Range
1805-1984
Year Range From
1805
Year Range To
1984
Date of Accumulation
1805-1984
Creator
Hand family
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 03
People
Hand, Edward
Lear, Robert H.
Brien, Edward
Brien, Dorothy Hand
Hand, Jasper
Subjects
Genealogy
Family records
Letters
Search Terms
Genealogy
Family records
Family reunions
Rock Ford
Correspondence
Letters
Manuscript groups
Finding aids
Extent
1 box, 27 folders, .5 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0116
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
Edward Hand Reunion and Genealogy Collection (MG-116), Folder #, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pa.
Other Numbers
MG-116
Classification
MG0116
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Added to database 1 May 2019.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Daniel Reiber Collection
Title
Daniel Reiber Collection
Object ID
MG0210
Date Range
1805-1981
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.) Correspondence Delaware River Diaries Finding aids Genealogy Leacock Twp. Letters Manuscript groups Marriage certificates Newspaper clippings Obituaries Port Louis, Mauritius Raccoon Island, Gloucester County, New Jersey Related Materials at LancasterHistory: McCaa
  1 document  
Collection
Daniel Reiber Collection
Title
Daniel Reiber Collection
Description
The Daniel Reiber Collection contains the personal papers of Martin Bickham, who married Mme. Emilie Raymonde Adeline Eugenie Rivalz de St. Antoine in 1805. Many of the documents and letters are in French, some have been translated into English. There is genealogy tracing lines of the McCamant, Jenkins, McCaa, and Andes families from 1722-1942. Obituaries, correspondence with the McCaa family, and deeds for the Caernarvon Cemetery are among other items in the collection.
Date Range
1805-1981
Year Range From
1805
Year Range To
1981
Date of Accumulation
1805-1981
Creator
Reiber, Daniel Grube, 1910-1990
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 05
People
Rivalz de St. Antoine, Emilie Raymonde Adeline Eugenie
Andes, John B.
Bickham, Alfred
Bickham, Stephen Girard
Bickman, Martin
Buchanan, James
Carpenter, William
Collins, Lavina Bickham
Curwen, Joseph
Diffenbaugh, Peter
Diller, Edwin Carpenter
Diller, John Vagan
Frailey, Charles R.
Girard, Stephen
Grube, Daniel Houder
Hull, Isaac
Hull, Louisa
Larramendi, Joseph Jean
Line, Gabriel
Marks, Elizabeth
McCaa, David G.
McCaa, David Jenkins
McCaa, James
McCaa, William J.
McCamant, Alexander
McCamant, James B.
McCamant, Thomas J.
McCamant, Wallace
McMichaels, William
Reed, George
Rivalz, Martin Stephen
Roland, George Oliver
Subjects
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Diaries
Genealogy
Letters
Obituaries
Search Terms
Bangor Episcopal Church
Caernarvon Cemetery
Caernarvon Cemetery Association
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Correspondence
Delaware River
Diaries
Finding aids
Genealogy
Leacock Twp.
Letters
Manuscript groups
Marriage certificates
Newspaper clippings
Obituaries
Port Louis, Mauritius
Raccoon Island, Gloucester County, New Jersey
Extent
1 box, 14 folders, .25 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English, French
Object ID
MG0210
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Associated Material
See collections related to Martin Bickham at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
See collections related to Martin Bickham and Stephen Girard at Girard College.
Related Item Notes
McCaa Collection (MG0281)
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Daniel Reiber Collection (MG0210), 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-210
Classification
MG0210
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Processed and finding aid prepared by CF, Summer 2011. Added to database 20 February 2022.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
RCA, Thomson Consumer Electronics (Lancaster Plant) Records
Title
RCA, Thomson Consumer Electronics (Lancaster Plant) Records
Object ID
MG0398
Date Range
1942-1997
Electronics News Correspondence Employees Finding aids Focus in Lancaster General Electric Company Letters LTEC News Manuscript groups Newsletters Radio Corporation of America RCA RCA Family RCA, Picture Tube Division Television picture tubes Televisions Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc. Zero-Defects Program
  1 document  
Collection
RCA, Thomson Consumer Electronics (Lancaster Plant) Records
Title
RCA, Thomson Consumer Electronics (Lancaster Plant) Records
Description
The RCA, Thomson Consumer Electronics (Lancaster Plant) Records contain items from Radio Corporation of America and Thomson Consumer Electronics. The collection includes histories of the facility, publicity, corporate and local plant newsletters, employee policies and programs, personnel directories and organizational charts, 1980 information on the color picture tube, and correspondence and information about the Zero Defects program. The newsletters contain a wealth of information about, and pictures of, employees of the Lancaster plant, as well as the activities of the company.
Admin/Biographical History
A 90-acre cornfield purchased by the U.S. Navy in 1942 led to the most modern electron tube plant in the world. The U.S. Navy produced radar tubes in Lancaster during World War II. Radio Corporation of America purchased the plant in 1946 and converted it over to television tube production. The Lancaster plant primarily manufactured color picture tubes until 1972. The following years were devoted to support other facilities. Thomson Consumer Electronics, a French company, bought the rights to RCA's consumer electronics in 1986 and closed the Lancaster plant in 2006.
System of Arrangement
This collection is divided into three series based on the donors.
Series 1 RCA, Thomson Consumer Electronics (Lancaster Plant) Records
Series 2 RCA History and Newsletters
Series 3 Zero-Defects Program, George A. DeLong Papers
Date Range
1942-1997
Year Range From
1942
Year Range To
1997
Date of Accumulation
1942-1997
Creator
Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 10
People
DeLong, George A.
Other Creators
Bechtold, Keith
DeLong, George A., 1922-2002
Subjects
Brochures
Employees
General Electric Company
Letters
Newsletters
Radio Corporation of America
Television picture tubes
Television--Receivers and reception
Search Terms
Brochures
Consumer Electronics News
Correspondence
Employees
Finding aids
Focus in Lancaster
General Electric Company
Letters
LTEC News
Manuscript groups
Newsletters
Radio Corporation of America
RCA
RCA, Picture Tube Division
Television picture tubes
Televisions
Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
Zero-Defects Program
Extent
3 boxes, 40 folders, 1.5 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0398
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Related Item Notes
Conestoga Television Association Records (MG0400)
Notes
Series 1 Gift of RCA, Thomson Consumer Electronics (Lancaster Plant), 10 April 2010
Series 2 Gift of Keith Bechtold, 5 April 2006
Series 3 Gift of Jeanne S. DeLong, in memory of George A. DeLong, 20 November 2008.
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), RCA, Thomson Consumer Electronics (Lancaster Plant) Records (MG0398), Series #, 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 site 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-398
Classification
MG0398
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Processed and finding aid prepared by WP.
Added to database 21 February 2022.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Charles Kessler Papers
Title
Charles Kessler Papers
Object ID
MG0432
Date Range
1939-2004
H. Buchanan, James Johnston, Harriet Lane Subject Headings: Authors Family records Jewish veterans Letters World War, 1939-1945 Search Terms: Authors Correspondence Family records Finding aids Jewish veterans Letters Manuscript groups World War II World War, 1939-1945 Processing History: The
  1 document  
Collection
Charles Kessler Papers
Title
Charles Kessler Papers
Description
The Charles Kessler Papers contain some personal and professional correspondence, research for articles and books, and manuscripts for published and unpublished works. Kessler authored several pamphlets and books on local history including Lancaster in the Revolution in 1975 and President Buchanan: Trapped in a Whirlwind in 2003.
Admin/Biographical History
Charles H. Kessler, a World War II veteran, began his career as a reporter for the Reading Eagle Times, and later worked for the Lancaster New Era until his retirement in 1984.
Date Range
1939-2004
Year Range From
1939
Year Range To
2004
Date of Accumulation
1939-2004
Creator
Kessler, Charles H., 1921-2005
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 10
People
Kessler, Charles H.
Buchanan, James
Johnston, Harriet Lane
Subjects
Authors
Family records
Jewish veterans
Letters
World War, 1939-1945
Search Terms
Authors
Correspondence
Family records
Finding aids
Jewish veterans
Letters
Manuscript groups
World War II
WWII
Extent
13 boxes, 127 folders, 6.5 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0432
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Charles Kessler Papers (MG0432), Box #, Folder #, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Restrictions are noted at the folder or item level.
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 site 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-432
Classification
MG0432
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
The collection has not been fully cataloged. Added to database 22 February 2022.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
John Wise and History of Ballooning Collection
Title
John Wise and History of Ballooning Collection
Object ID
MG0019
Date Range
1850-1993
) Letters (LHo-LOC sh 85076240) Search Terms: Aeronautics Air mail service Airships Aviation Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.) Correspondence Finding aids Hindenburg (Airship) Hot air balloons Letters Manuscript groups Newspaper clippings Obituaries Reconnaissance aircraft �230 North President Avenue
  1 document  
Collection
John Wise and History of Ballooning Collection
Title
John Wise and History of Ballooning Collection
Description
The John Wise and History of Ballooning Collection contains material about John Wise, a pioneering balloonist from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and the history of ballooning. Articles written by and about John Wise provide information about the man and his career. The bulk of Series 1 is correspondence, research notes, and drafts of "The John Wise Story," by John H. Andrews. Series 2 contains material about the ballooning hobby, other early aircraft, and the history of air mail.
Admin/Biographical History
As an adventurous and inquisitive young boy, John Wise was drawn to the skies above his native Lancaster County. He was fascinated by aerial pursuits and began to conduct experiments. He tied his cat to his homemade parachute and observed the cat's safe descent from a local church steeple.
A keen interest in ballooning developed and Wise became a famous aeronaut. Although balloon ascensions were common at county fairs and carnivals he had never observed an ascension before he made his first one in Philadelphia in 1835. John Wise completed 462 balloon ascensions including Lancaster ascensions from Penn Square and the prison yard.
In the nineteenth century many ascensions were made just for the novelty of the event, but John Wise's approach was from a scientific perspective. Each ascension gave him a chance to conduct scientific investigations of the atmosphere, pneumatics and hydrostatics.
It also gave him the opportunity to develop a more advanced flying machine. Wise was the first to observe the "great river of air which always blows from west to east" in the higher regions of the atmosphere. Today we call this phenomenon the jet stream. He also developed the ripcord safety mechanism.
John Wise promoted the advantages of balloon transportation. In 1843 he conceived a project for crossing the Atlantic Ocean and asked Congress to appropriate $15,000 for the project. Congress rejected the appropriation. Wise suggested a plan to bomb the Castle at Vera Cruz during the Mexican War and during the Civil War the Bureau of Topographical Engineers requested his services as a balloonist. He is credited with the first airmail transportation in 1859.
Detailed descriptions of his ascensions and experiments are found in his book, Through the Air, published in 1873. The last ascent of John Wise took place on September 29, 1879 from St. Louis, Missouri. This flight ended disastrously in Lake Michigan where his balloon fell and his remains lie.
Prepared by the Lancaster County Historical Society, ca. 1995.
System of Arrangement
This collection is arranged into two series.
Series 1 John Wise
Series 2 History of Ballooning
Date Range
1850-1993
Creation Date
1850-1993
Year Range From
1850
Year Range To
1993
Date of Accumulation
1850-1993
Creator
Andrews, John H.
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 01
People
Albertson, Catherine
Andrews, John Henry
Atkinson, S. C.
Bache, Hartman
Ball, Charles I.
Bartlett, Mrs. R. A.
Batchelder, Robert C.
Beckwith, A.
Beller, William
Black, J. W.
Blanchard, Jean Pierre
Blitzstein, Madelin
Bradbury, Ray
Brown, Elizabeth B.
Bruce, George
Burlingame, Roger
Burr, George
Byars, W. W.
Casey, Louis
Cessna, Clyde
Coffman, Ramon
Cornish, Joseph Jenkins, III
Cox, Palmer
Douty, Esther
Douty, Esther M.
Drepperd, Carl W.
Edwards, Vincent
Elvin, Thomas
Evans, William
Field, Francis J.
Fischer, Hans
Fleck, Glen
French, Melvin
Galzer, Emmett J.
Gambetta, Francis Leon
Greeley, A. W.
Grimm, Janet
Gryzewski, Tad
Halmi, Robert
Harrell, D. Tudor
Hautrive, M.
Hayden, F. Stansbury
Hopkins, Philip S.
Hunt, E. F.
Ingle, Harold E.
Kehr, Ernest A.
Keith, Barbara
Kessler, F. W.
Klein, Frederic S.
Kouwenhoven, John A.
Kreider, Ira
Kriebel, Robert C.
Kriebel, Robert G.
Lamorisse, Albert
LaPaz, Lincoln
Lindbergh, Charles
Lindquist, H. L.
Long, Elmer R.
Lundgren, Laura May Gross
Madsen, Peter
Maier, Alfred D.
Maxwell, George T.
McCloskey, Lores
McDevitt, William
Mills, James
Myers, Wilfred
Naves, Glen W.
Nicklin, John
Pasquarella, Gus
Peers, W.
Prevost, John W.
Roland, John
Rosenfeld, Albert
Sanabria, Nicolas
Schatvet, H. C.
Serviss, Garrett P.
Smith, Philip R., Jr.
Stehling, Kurt R
Steinmetz, Rollin
Stilphen, George F.
Taylor, Florence
Thompson, Howard
Topping, A.D.
Waitt, Robert
Warner, B. H.
Watson, Marion A.
Wetherill, Richard B.
Whipple, A. W.
Wilbur, W. H.
Wise, John
Wiseman, Frederick J.
Wolcott, Charles
Wolf, Constance
Woodruff, J. C.
Wright, Wilbur
Young, Pearl
Other Creators
Lancaster County Historical Society (Pa.)
Subjects
Hot air balloons
Hot air balloons--Launching
Airships
Aeronautics
Letters
Air mail service
Hindenburg (Airship)
Reconnaissance aircraft
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Search Terms
Aeronautics
Air mail service
Airships
Aviation
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Correspondence
Finding aids
Hindenburg (Airship)
Hot air balloons
Letters
Manuscript groups
Newspaper clippings
Obituaries
Reconnaissance aircraft
Extent
3 boxes, 40 folders, 1 scrapbook, 1 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0019
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-19
Classification
MG0019
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
This collection was cataloged prior to 1997; added to database on 28 February 2018.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Gibbons Diaries, Family Papers, and Mill Records
Title
Gibbons Diaries, Family Papers, and Mill Records
Object ID
MG0846
Date Range
1727 - 1980s
Gibbons family. The collection includes documents related to James Gibbons, Daniel Gibbons, Joseph Gibbons, and several other family members. The letters, 1783-1865, describe the daily activities within the family and on their property which was located in Lampeter Township, Lancaster County. The deeds
  1 document  
Collection
Gibbons Diaries, Family Papers, and Mill Records
Title
Gibbons Diaries, Family Papers, and Mill Records
Description
This collection contains letters, family papers, deeds, diaries, and mill records from three generations of the Gibbons family. The collection starts with documents focused on James Gibbons, then contains papers central to Daniel Gibbons, and finally end with the third generation papers surrounding Joseph Gibbons. The letters in this collection span from 1783 until 1865. The contents within the letters describe the daily happenings within the family and on their property which was located in Lampeter Township, Lancaster County. The family deeds in the collection detail the exchanging of property to and from the Gibbons family mostly within Lampeter Township and Upper Leacock Township, Lancaster County. The deeds span from 1727 to 1879. Also included are some miscellaneous family papers that span from 1799 to 1871. The content of these family papers ranges from anonymous stories about the Gibbons family, an independent order of Good Templars of Joseph Gibbons, to a land draft of James Gibbons' Land. This collection also contains diaries from various members of the Gibbons family, spanning the three generations. These diaries detail the day to day lives of the Gibbons family and also include historical anniversaries of important events or detail the passing of members within the Gibbons family and the surrounding community. The Mill Records in the collection contain information about [ ]. Overall, the Gibbons Family collection includes the regular happenings over the family's three generations in both business and secular life.
Date Range
1727 - 1980s
Creator
Gibbons family
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 19
People
Bonsall, Daniel
Bonsall, Edward Horne
Bonsall, Rachel
Brinton, William
Brown, Ellen
Brubaker, Marianna Gibbons
Conrad, Abraham
Dunbar, Andrew
Dunbar, Mary
Eaby, Christian
Eaby, Samuel
Earle, Mary Hussey
Evans, Thomas
Evans, Rebecca
Evans, William
Gibbons, Abraham
Gibbons, Caroline
Gibbons, Daniel
Gibbons, Deborah
Gibbons, Joseph
Gibbons, Phebe Hussey Earle
Gibbons, Rachel
Gibbons, Samuel
Gibbons, William
Grigs, Joseph
Hamilton, James
Hertzkey, John
Kendall, John
Kirk, Jeremiah
Lightfoot, Jepthat
Miller, Eliza
Miller, John
Reynolds, Margaret
Stauffer, Christian
Steer, Joseph
Stevens, Thaddeus
Thomas, William B.
Wartnaby, Elizabeth
Subjects
Business records
Deeds
Letters
Mills and mill-work
Quakers
Society of Friends
Westtown Boarding School
Search Terms
Business records
Correspondence
Deeds
Diaries
Finding aids
Lampeter Twp.
Leacock Twp.
Letters
Manuscript groups
Mill Creek
Mills
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Quakers
Society of Friends
Westtown Boarding School
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0846
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Copies
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
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.
Accession Number
2021.008
Other Numbers
MG-846
Other Number
MG-846
Classification
MG0846
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Folders 1-30 processed and finding aid prepared from the donor's notes by MB, 8 July 2021. Added to database 12 July 2021.
Documents
Less detail
Collection
Ranck Family Reunion Records
Title
Ranck Family Reunion Records
Object ID
MG0663
Date Range
1928-2002
Headings: Letters Minutes (Records) Family reunions Programs (Publications) Search Terms: Cemeteries Correspondence Family reunions Finding aids Genealogy Letters Manuscript groups Maps Minutes Obituaries Programs Scholarships Songs Related Materials: Processing History: Processed and finding aid prepared
  1 document  
Collection
Ranck Family Reunion Records
Title
Ranck Family Reunion Records
Description
The Ranck Family Reunion Records contain reunion programs of the Ranck family from 1928 to 2002, lists of descendants from 1983 to 2000, minutes from 1976 to 2002, and letters and correspondence pertaining to the Ranck clan.
Date Range
1928-2002
Year Range From
1928
Year Range To
2002
Date of Accumulation
1928-2002
Creator
Ranck family
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 13
People
Poole, Vera
Ranck, E. M.
Ranck, Ezra H.
Ranck, Harriet M.
Ranck, Iola S.
Ranck, P. J.
Rank, George Seldomridge
Ronk, John
Shippen, Edward, Jr.
Subjects
Family reunions
Letters
Minutes (Records)
Programs (Publications)
Search Terms
Cemeteries
Correspondence
Family reunions
Finding aids
Genealogy
Letters
Manuscript groups
Maps
Minutes
Obituaries
Programs
Scholarships
Songs
Extent
1 box, 11 folders, .5 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0663
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Original documents may be used by researchers--contact Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to visit or request at 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-663
Classification
MG0663
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Processed and finding aid prepared by KV, September 2013. Added to database 30 September 2021.
Documents
Less detail

10 records – page 1 of 1.