This collection contains a sketchbook and copybook of Jacob Stauffer and his son, David McNeely Stauffer. The sketch of a log house and watercolor of the Mathiot House are both attributed to David McNeely Stauffer. Letters written to D. M. Stauffer refer to The Intelligencer, genealogy related to a portrait, and his collection of signatures.
Admin/Biographical History
David McNeely Stauffer (1845-1913)
Stauffer's extraordinary life began in 1845, in Mount Joy. His father was Jacob Stauffer and his mother was Mary Ann McNeely. He was raised by his stepmother since his mother passed when he was only a year old. His childhood home had somewhat of a local legend which claimed it was haunted by the unpleasant pirate who built it.
Around 1858, economic trouble forced the Stauffers to relocate to Lancaster City. His father took a job at the Lancaster Athenaeum library (on the 3rd floor of the old city hall) for small pay with the arrangement that he could establish his patent office there. David was inseparable from his father and spent more time at the library than he did at his home on North Duke Street.
From a young age David was enormously successful in school, no doubt due to his long hours at the library and absorbing the teachings of his father who was interested in natural sciences. He graduated from high school at an accelerated pace and earned his diploma at the age of 16. From there, he attended Franklin and Marshall college on a scholarship.
A crisis strikes Lancaster in 1862 with the invasion of the confederate army into Maryland. David, along with fellow classmates, were raised into a slapdash and disastrously ill prepared unit. They were eventually involved in the battle of Antietam if one uses the term "involved" loosely. Having virtually no experience or training they were kept out of the fight. After the short-lived adventure David returned to school for another year but, possibly hoping to see more action, he rejoined the service as an artillery man. Later, he accepted a job on the railways before he was offered an appointment as Master's Mate in the navy and he once again joined the military.
After his service, he returned to railroad work where he was determined to become an engineer. By 1870 he had achieved this goal, being appointed head engineer for construction of a Philadelphia street bridge. David was 25 years old. He worked diligently as an engineer for many years and finally opening his own business in New York as a consulting engineer in 1882. Stauffer was in high demand as he was considered an expert in his trade and was widely known. He was the second American to ever become a member of the Institute of Civil Engineers in London. He also became part-owner and chief editor for "Engineering News" for 23 years.
He was very active socially, largely invested in civic improvement, and belonged to numerous societies and clubs. He was also well-traveled. Appreciative of many arts, he took a particular interest in engravings which he collected. He even published a book which is critical to many collectors today: "American Engravers upon Copper and Steel".
Stauffer married rather late in life, at the age of 47, but his meeting with his wife is so extraordinary it sounds more like a sketch from a Melville novel. A shipwreck is the romantic occasion upon which these two lovers met, David and his future wife, Florence Scribner. David had been asked on an assignment for the Engineering News and Florence had been accompanying her father on a steamship when it wrecked in the Caribbean. They were married no more than a year later and set up residence in Yonkers, New York where he died in 1913.
Stauffer's passion for sketching was no doubt due to his father whose botanical sketches are still widely admired today. Of note is David's bookplate design used by Lancaster County Historical Society, which is one of many that he designed. He also left a legacy of no less than 70 drawings of early Lancaster City buildings, an unparalleled collection. Some buildings he documented still stand today; some weren't even standing when he drew them. He drew some earlier buildings that had been destroyed using only the descriptions from those who remembered them and historical documents.
Sources:
"David McNeely Stauffer". Elizabeth Clarke Kieffer. Papers of the Lancaster County Historical Society, vol. 56. 1952 no.7David McNeely Stauffer could be called many things: scholar, soldier, traveler, engineer, artist, collector, author. Clearly a man of many talents and many pursuits, in his life he seemed determined to collect a wide variety of experiences.
"Biographical Sketch of David McNeely Knox Stauffer". John W. Jordan. The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, vol. 37. (Philadelphia : PA).
"David McNeely Stauffer: The Little-Known Legacy He Left to Lancaster." A Talk to the Lancaster County Historical Society by C. Eugene Moore. May 7th, 1996.
"David McNeely Stauffer Aids Today's Scholars" in Artists' Album/Lancaster County. Gerald S. Lestz. Science Press, 1983.
See also: David McNeely Stauffer drawings in the Curatorial Collection
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment. Patrons must make an appointment with the Director of Archival Services to view the sketchbook in Folder 1. 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.
Other Numbers
MG-369
Other Number
MG-369
Classification
MG0369
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Processed and finding aid prepared 2010; revised 2014, 2015.
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.
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-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.
Watercolor on paper of the Hardwicke mansion; beige coloring with gray/white roof and columns, green shutters on windows. The main section of the house has a grand elliptical facade with four monumental columns. The section adjacent to this has arched windows. The house continues in several smaller sections to the viewer's right; one of these sections is a greenhouse. The surrounding area is filled with grass and trees. NOT FOUND IN BOX 0066, July 2023
The painting has a caption at the bottom which reads '"HARDWICKE" NEAR LANCASTER PA'. The painting is dated "Nov. 1881" in the lower right corner.
Hardwicke was the country seat of the attorney and judge Charles Smith who married Jasper Yeates' daughter; it was built east of Lancaster, overlooking the Conestoga River, in about 1804. It may have been designed by Stephen Hills, who also designed the Old Capital Building in Harrisburg. John J. Snyder states the house was "the most sophisticated and most elegant Federal mansion in Lancaster County." He says the Smiths moved to Baltimore in the 1820s, after which a son of ironmaster Robert Coleman owned the building.
Hardwicke later became the summer home of the Cassatt family where artist Mary Cassatt was born (1844). Apparently a Colonel Wiley owned it when the railroad demolished it in Nov. 1881.
J.W.W. Loose, The Heritage of Lancaster, pp.74-75.
Height (cm)
10.16
Height (ft)
0.3333333333
Height (in)
4
Width (cm)
20.6375
Width (ft)
0.6770833333
Width (in)
8.125
Dimension Details
Hinged within a window mat..
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2017-06-28
Condition Notes
The front of the painting is in almost perfect condition, except for a few small brown dots; the reverse has several glue stains in the corners and along the sides where the paper was apparently attached to a previous backing.
Mounted in a hinged window mat.
Object ID
P.77.31.10
Place of Origin
Manheim Twp.
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Photograph of a print of a drawing of Hardwick by David McNeely Stauffer. The mansion was built as a summer home along the Conestoga River in 1795 by the Honorable Charles Smith and his wife Mary Yeates, daughter of Jasper and Sarah Burd Yeates.
Admin/Biographical History
Hon. Charles Smith sold the property to William Coleman in 1824. The Camerons, Brintons, David Longenecker, Thomas McElrath, and James Wiley owned Hardwicke before the property was purchased and developed by B. J. McGrann. The Pennsylvania Railroad eventually expanded through the property and the RCA radio tube plant was built there in 1942.
George Steinman Papers, Series 1 (MG0184_S01) https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/786b3ffc-7908-40de-9362-817467455650
George Steinman Papers, Series 2 (MG0184_S02) https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/6c7e11c6-f3ca-469c-891a-145832196710
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), George Steinman Papers (MG0184), Series 2, 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--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-184, Series 2
Other Number
MG-184, Series 2, Folder 16, Item 11
Classification
MG0184
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Added to database 12 September 2023.
Digitization of this document was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # C980002119, 2021-2024.
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.
George Steinman Papers, Series 2 (MG0184_S02) https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/6c7e11c6-f3ca-469c-891a-145832196710
Photograph Collection
Notes
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.
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 Number
MG-184, Series 1
Classification
MG0184
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Processed and finding aid prepared PK and MSH, 2008. 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.