The George Steinman Papers, Series 1 contains an album, compiled by George Steinman, with many photographs of buildings, tombstones, monuments and scenes of Lancaster city and county. Ephemera and newspaper articles are among the photographs. Represented in the album are Postlethwaite's Tavern, hotels and taverns, fire houses, the Conestoga massacre, churches, cemeteries, Ephrata Cloister, prominent citizens and their homes, Stehli Silk Mill, and schools. The four boxes contain orginal correspondence, documents, photographs and ephemera or and pertaining to the same subject matter as the album.
The George Steinman Papers, Series 2 is a collection of original correspondence, documents, photographs, and ephemera primarily compiled by George Steinman. The contents of Series 2 represent Lancaster city and county events, prominent citizens, buildings, monuments, churches, cemeteries, schools, and businesses. Most of what Steinman collected relates to 18th and 19th century Pennsylvania, highlighting Lancaster and Philadelphia. One of the key events highlighted is the Revolutionary war; with documents and images related to Philadelphia, George Washington, the Atlee family, and General Edward Hand. There are images relating to the Christiana Riot and to various buildings in early Lancaster; including but not limited to the Old Jail, the British Prison, and Postlethwaite's Tavern. Also included in the collection is currency printed by Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia in 1764, and Confederate States currency and bonds.
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Series #, Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
"Mr. Geo. Steinman who started this collection of pictures. This book was presented to the Lanc. Co. Historical Society after his death by Mr. Geo. S. Franklin."
John M. Gibson is recorded as the donor, 1968, in LancasterHistory's accession records.
LancasterHistory is committed to preserving and providing access to materials chronicling Lancaster County's heritage. As a historical resource, this document reflects the racial prejudices and actions of the era. In order to maintain the historical integrity and context of collection items, LancasterHistory does not censor historical documents or edit language, titles, or organization names when transcribing original content.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available.
The use of the original album is restricted. Please contact Research@LancasterHistory.org with questions.
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Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-184
Classification
MG0184
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Series 1 processed and finding aid prepared PK and MSH, 2008. Series 2 finding aid prepared by JE, 2018. Added to database 20 July 2021.
Digitization of this document was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # C980002119, 2021-2024.
Oil on canvas portrait of Rev. Hans Herr (1639-1725), attributed to Baron Leon von Ossko, unframed.
Painting depicts elderly gentleman with nearly shoulder-length hair and long beard, wearing a plain brown coat with two buttons showing at front; plain dark background. Up-cast eyes and unsmiling face denote a properly pietistic expression for this patriarch and pastor of the first group of Mennonites to settle in Lancaster County in 1710. At upper right hand corner in block letters is painted "HANS HERR."
Canvas is attached with tack to sides of a mitered stretcher. The miters are fitted at back with a cast iron device embossed with two patent dates of 1883 and 1885.
The book Genealogical Record of Rev. Hans Herr & His Lineal Descendants depicts a copy of this painting, noting that it was painted by John Funk. Von Ossko reportedly produced a number of these paintings for the Herr descendants, apparently copying the original Funk portrait. The artist married a descendant of Hans Herr, Ella Louisa Breneman, in 1884. They lived in Lancaster City. Marrying into the Herr clan likely sparked the idea for generating copies of the patriarch on canvas.
(Written by Wendell Zercher.)
Provenance
The Farmers (Mr. and Mrs. C. Richard Farmer) say they obtained painting from an unknown source. They gave it to their son years ago, but he never used it.
This painting was after the original by John Funk of Strasburg.
Puncture of 1/2" x 1/2" to right of sitter's left eye; near complete puncture at bottom, 7" in from right corner, with pigment loss. A ft-long scratch begins at right of sitter's curl and extends obliquely to lower right corner. Some pigment loss at edges; deterioration of canvas and tacks failing along left edge. Soiled overall. A small piece of paper is affixed at back to repair the major puncture. Recent tacks added to secure canvas at sides.
Oil on canvas of Christian Herr House (often called the Hans Herr House) with a man and a woman in front. Green hues with glossy finish. Three quarter inch wooden frame with rounded outer edge and lower inner border. Painted gold with recessed markings in a darker color.
Inscription: Signed lower right: "17-CHHR-19 Lancaster, H.P. Palmer 1926." Sticker on paper back: " Hans Herr House painted by H. P. Palmer" Below is label: "Christian Herr House Built 1719 Oldest house in our county"
On back of canvas on pencil script: "Hans Herr House 1719 Willow Street, Lancaster County Pa H.P. Palmer July , 1926"
VAP update: paper backing is loose in places and has acidified. Paper tape from previous repair has loosened. Behind is early 20th century calendar art of woman, dog and child in lamplight
VAP update: 9/1/2015 acidic backing replaced with acid free board. Original backings can be found in object file.