Guide to African American Resources
This resource, taken from "Guide to African American Resources at the Pennsylvania State Archives" by Ruth E. Hodge, is an easy-to-use reference for identifying and locating information available at the Pennsylvania State Archives relating to African Americans. This guidebook, although comprehensive in scope, represents only a sampling of the many record and manuscript groups and special collections containing information on the African American experience in the Commonwealth. The survey includes brief descriptions of individual record and manuscript groups and examples of the types of information they contain.
Please use the list of record groups (Government records) and manuscript groups (non-Government records) below to explore African American resources at the Pennsylvania State Archives.
Please note, some records have been updated since the original 2000 publishing of the guide. See update details(opens in a new tab) for more information.
Record Groups
1 Department of Agriculture(opens in a new tab)
2 Department of the Auditor General(opens in a new tab)
3 Civil Service Commission(opens in a new tab)
4 Office of the Comptroller General(opens in a new tab)
5 Constitutional Conventions and Council of Censors(opens in a new tab)
6 Department of Forests and Waters(opens in a new tab)
7 General Assembly(opens in a new tab)
9 General State Authority(opens in a new tab)
10 Office of the Governor(opens in a new tab)
11 Department of Health(opens in a new tab)
12 Department of Highways(opens in a new tab)
13 Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission(opens in a new tab)
14 Department of Internal Affairs(opens in a new tab)
15 Department of Justice(opens in a new tab)
16 Department of Labor and Industry(opens in a new tab)
17 Land Office(opens in a new tab)
19 Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs(opens in a new tab)
20 Department of General Services(opens in a new tab)
21 Proprietary Government(opens in a new tab)
22 Department of Education(opens in a new tab)
23 Department of Public Welfare(opens in a new tab)
24 Office of the Register General(opens in a new tab)
25 Special Commissions(opens in a new tab)
26 Department of State(opens in a new tab)
27 Pennsylvania's Revolutionary Governments(opens in a new tab)
30 Pennsylvania State Police(opens in a new tab)
31 Department of Commerce(opens in a new tab)
33 Supreme Court(opens in a new tab)
34 Department of Community Affairs(opens in a new tab)
36 Legislative Reference Bureau(opens in a new tab)
38 Superior Court(opens in a new tab)
40 Department of Insurance(opens in a new tab)
41 Navigation Commission for the Delaware River and its Navigable Tributaries(opens in a new tab)
42 Department of Revenue(opens in a new tab)
43 Department of Environmental Resources(opens in a new tab)
45 Department of Mines and Mineral Industries(opens in a new tab)
46 Valley Forge Park Commission(opens in a new tab)
47 County Governments (original records)(opens in a new tab)
48 Municipal Governments(opens in a new tab)
50 Public School Employees' Retirement System(opens in a new tab)
51 Legislative Reapportionment Commissions(opens in a new tab)
52 Department of Transportation(opens in a new tab)
54 Local Government Commission(opens in a new tab)
55 School Districts(opens in a new tab)
56 State Ethics Commission(opens in a new tab)
57 State System of Higher Education(opens in a new tab)
58 Department of Corrections(opens in a new tab)
60 Pennsylvania Public Television Network Commission(opens in a new tab)
64 Office of the Lieutenant Governor(opens in a new tab)
68 Pennsylvania Heritage Affairs Commission(opens in a new tab)
Manuscript Groups
2 Business Records Collection, 1681-1963(opens in a new tab)
4 County Records Collection, 1767-1918(opens in a new tab)
6 Diaries and Journals Collection, 1763-1938(opens in a new tab)
7 Military Manuscripts Collection, 1758-1931(opens in a new tab)
8 Pennsylvania Collection (Miscellaneous), 1626-1970(opens in a new tab)
9 Pennsylvania Writers Collection, 1899-1970(opens in a new tab)
11 Map Collection, 1681-1973(opens in a new tab)
13 John Adlum Papers, 1794-1836(opens in a new tab)
14 J. Simpson Africa Papers, 1734-1891 (bulk 1772-1891)(opens in a new tab)
15 Hiram C. Alleman Papers, 1856-1926(opens in a new tab)
17 Samuel Penniman Bates Papers, 1853-1895(opens in a new tab)
19 Sequestered Baynton, Wharton and Morgan Papers, 1725-1827(opens in a new tab)
23 Arthur C. Bining Collection, [ca. 1898-1955](opens in a new tab)
28 James Buchanan Collection, 1815-1863(opens in a new tab)
32 Samuel Calvin Papers, 1850-1856(opens in a new tab)
33 Simon Cameron Collection, 1816, 1835-1875(opens in a new tab)
38 Cope Family Papers, 1793-1937(opens in a new tab)
43 Dock Family Papers, 1865-1951(opens in a new tab)
44 William H. Egle Collection, 1814-1899(opens in a new tab)
48 Fall Brook Railroad and Coal Company Records, 1768-1938 (bulk 1819-1938)(opens in a new tab)
49 John L. Finafrock Collection, 1915-1942(opens in a new tab)
53 Reah Frazer Papers, 1739-1879 (bulk 1821-1856)(opens in a new tab)
54 J. Alexander Fulton Papers, 1846-1900 (bulk 1846-1861)(opens in a new tab)
56 John White Geary Collection, 1847-1873(opens in a new tab)
58 Joshua and Thomas Gilpin Collection, 1771-1854(opens in a new tab)
59 John S. Goodwin Collection, 1861-1865(opens in a new tab)
63 Gross Family Papers, 1805-1918(opens in a new tab)
64 Haldeman-Wright Family Collection, 1789-1899(opens in a new tab)
66 Edward Hand Papers, 1777-1788(opens in a new tab)
72 Hiester Family Papers, 1750-1865(opens in a new tab)
73 Liliane Stevens Howard Collection, 1915-1959(opens in a new tab)
75 Joseph M. Huston Collection, [ca. 1903-1907](opens in a new tab)
76 Horace A. Keefer Papers, 1881-1934(opens in a new tab)
81 McAllister Family Papers, 1775-1850(opens in a new tab)
85 J. Horace McFarland Papers. 1859-1866, 1898-1951(opens in a new tab)
90 John R. Miller Collection of Cumberland County Government Records, 1768-1914(opens in a new tab)
92 Sequestered John Mitchell Papers, 1758-1781(opens in a new tab)
93 Moore Family Papers, 1749-1934 (bulk 1749-1887)(opens in a new tab)
98 Orbison Family Papers, 1750-1902(opens in a new tab)
100 Pennsylvania Association of Women Deans, Administrators and Counselors Papers, 1922-1984(opens in a new tab)
104 Potts Family Papers, 1704-1853(opens in a new tab)
108 Peter F. Rothermel Papers, 1864-1880(opens in a new tab)
109 George W. Schultz Collection, 1875, 1927-1947(opens in a new tab)
113 Lewis Slifer Shimmell Papers, 1873-1931 (bulk 1873-1915)(opens in a new tab)
115 Mrs. Lawrence M. C. Smith Collection, 1775-1929 (bulk 1823-1874)(opens in a new tab)
117 John Spencer Papers, 1828-1861(opens in a new tab)
121 John Strohm Papers, 1816-1874(opens in a new tab)
125 Edward Shippen Thompson Collection, 1684-1941 (bulk 1746-1904)(opens in a new tab)
133 Welles Family Collection, 1805-1898(opens in a new tab)
137 Jasper Yeates Family Papers, 1726-1830 (bulk 1761-1812)(opens in a new tab)
139 Frank W. Melvin Papers, 1708-1961 (bulk 1920-1961)(opens in a new tab)
141 John D. Black Papers, 1815-1923 (bulk 1861-1923)(opens in a new tab)
142 John R. Haudenshield Papers, 1901-1962(opens in a new tab)
143 Sarah R. Meseroll Collection, [1733-1956, & undated](opens in a new tab)
145 Daniel H. Hastings Papers, 1877-1931(opens in a new tab)
146 Ross A. Hickok Papers, 1768-1943(opens in a new tab)
149 Stevens-Outman Family Papers, 1856-1972(opens in a new tab)
153 Marlin E. Olmsted Papers, 1874-1913(opens in a new tab)
155 Curtin Iron Works Records, 1810-1941(opens in a new tab)
156 Edward Martin Papers, 1866-1967 (bulk 1894-1966)(opens in a new tab)
159 John S. Fisher Papers, 1886-1940(opens in a new tab)
160 Arthur H. James Papers, 1937-1943(opens in a new tab)
164 Hiram Gilbert Andrews Collection, 1890-1964(opens in a new tab)
166 Matilda Elliott Stuart Collection, [ca. 1701-1902](opens in a new tab)
168 Robert E. Pattison Papers, 1855-1904(opens in a new tab)
169 Herman Blum Collection, 1681-1971(opens in a new tab)
170 Pennsylvania Historical Association Records, 1932-1981(opens in a new tab)
171 Samuel W. Pennypacker Papers, 1703-1916 (bulk 1851-1916)(opens in a new tab)
172 Harry Shapiro Collection 1911-1939, 1956-1959(opens in a new tab)
175 Pine Grove Furnace Collection, 1785-1914(opens in a new tab)
180 Millicent Barton Rex Collection, 1762-1949 (bulk 1814-1880)(opens in a new tab)
181 William A. Stone Papers, 1898-1903(opens in a new tab)
182 Lebanon County Historical Society Deposit of Manuscript Collections, 1757-1940(opens in a new tab)
185 Harmony Society Papers, 1742-1951(opens in a new tab)
186 Francis A. Pitkin Papers, 1933-1966(opens in a new tab)
188 Woods Family Collection, 1794-1952 (bulk 1861-1866)(opens in a new tab)
190 James H. Duff Papers, 1943-1951(opens in a new tab)
191 David L. Lawrence Papers, 1959-1966(opens in a new tab)
192 Paul A. W. Wallace Papers, 1931-1967(opens in a new tab)
196 Horace M. Engle Collection,1971-1973(opens in a new tab)
197 Allegheny County Workhouse Records, 1866-1971(opens in a new tab)
199 Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania Collections, [ca. 1830-1974](opens in a new tab)
200 Poster Collection, 1854-1971, and undated(opens in a new tab)
201 Gertrude Howard Nauman Papers, 1780-1972(opens in a new tab)
203 Cornwall Furnace Collection, 1768-1940(opens in a new tab)
204 State YMCA of Pennsylvania Records, 1869-1969(opens in a new tab)
206 John S. Fine Papers, 1951-1955(opens in a new tab)
207 George M. Leader Papers, 1955-1959(opens in a new tab)
208 William W. Scranton Papers, 1963-1967(opens in a new tab)
209 Raymond P. Shafer Papers, 1967-1971(opens in a new tab)
212 William E. Stewart Collection, [ca. 1861-1946](opens in a new tab)
213 Postcard Collection, [ca. 1880-1974](opens in a new tab)
214 Warren J. Harder Collection, 1928-1968(opens in a new tab)
215 Ethnic Studies Collections, 1789-1975(opens in a new tab)
216 Carlisle Indian School Collection, 1878-1969(opens in a new tab)
217 Harrisburg Home Star Collection, [ca. 1920-1971 (bulk 1961-197l)](opens in a new tab)
218 Photograph Collections, [ca. 1853 - ongoing](opens in a new tab)
219 Philadelphia Commercial Museum Photograph Collection, [ca. 1840-1954](opens in a new tab)
227 Solomon Fox Collection, 1862-1879(opens in a new tab)
228 William C. Armor Collection, 1862-1930(opens in a new tab)
230 David W. Howard Collection, 1863-1889(opens in a new tab)
233 Theodore Gregg Collection, 1851-1874(opens in a new tab)
247 Algernon Sydney Logan and Robert Restalrig Logan Papers, [ca. 1680-1945](opens in a new tab)
249 Brady Family Papers, 1814-1964(opens in a new tab)
250 Harrisburg Community Theatre Records, 1925-1975(opens in a new tab)
252 Stephen Girard Collection, 1786-1856 (bulk 1828-1842)(opens in a new tab)
253 Jacob J. Bierer Papers, [1795-1907](opens in a new tab)
254 Audio-Visual Collection, [ca. 1920 - ongoing](opens in a new tab)
262 Special Microfilm Collections, [ca. 1620-1975](opens in a new tab)
264 International Utilities Political Memorabilia Collection, 1789-1972(opens in a new tab)
269 State Museum of Pennsylvania Collection, 1827-1965(opens in a new tab)
270 Macfarlane-Little Family Papers, 1831-1945(opens in a new tab)
271 Mrs. Frances Toby Schwartz Collection, 1838-1972(opens in a new tab)
272 Pennsylvania Military Museum Collection, 1789, 1856-1994 & undated(opens in a new tab)
274 Lehigh Valley Railroad Company Records, 1849-1962 & undated(opens in a new tab)
275 Miscellaneous Manuscripts of the Revolutionary War Era, 1771-1791 & undated(opens in a new tab)
278 Eunice Mildred McCloskey Collection, 1931-1979(opens in a new tab)
279 George N. Wade Papers, 1916-1973(opens in a new tab)
280 Arthur D. Bransky Collection of Charles Ross Photographs, 1905-1906(opens in a new tab)
281 Samuel W. Kuhnert Papers, [ca. 1912-1976](opens in a new tab)
283 Genevieve Blatt Papers, 1934-1977(opens in a new tab)
284 Leroy Horlacher Papers, 1918-1925 & undated(opens in a new tab)
286 Penn Central Railroad Collection, [ca. 1835-1968](opens in a new tab)
289 George Hart Photographs, [ca. 1860-1960](opens in a new tab)
292 Salem United Church of Christ Deposit of German Reformed Salem Church of Harrisburg Records, 1787-1916(opens in a new tab)
294 French Azilum Collection, 1781-1936 & undated(opens in a new tab)
296 Thomas Kramer Collection, 1780-1889 (bulk 1835-1882)(opens in a new tab)
297 Mary Sachs Collection, 1929-1970(opens in a new tab)
299 Commonwealth Association of Students Records, 1973-1979(opens in a new tab)
301 John Crain Kunkle Collection, 1798-1873, 1936-1966(opens in a new tab)
302 Bowman's Department Store Records, 1880-1969(opens in a new tab)
304 Political Memorabilia Collection, 1900, 1918, 1964-1990(opens in a new tab)
306 Ernest P. Kline Papers, 1965-1978(opens in a new tab)
307 Albert F. Heess Correspondence, 1899, 1901-1945(opens in a new tab)
308 Thomas W. Pomeroy, Jr. Papers, 1969-1979(opens in a new tab)
309 Milton J. Shapp Papers, [ca. 1971-1979](opens in a new tab)
310 John Duss Papers, 1882-1951(opens in a new tab)
311 Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company Records, 1792-1978(opens in a new tab)
313 Central Pennsylvania Quarry, Stripping and Construction Company Records, 1903-1961(opens in a new tab)
317 Mary Barnum Bush Hauck Papers, 1931-1979(opens in a new tab)
320 Edward Stover Papers, 1857-l935(opens in a new tab)
321 Charles T. Douds Papers, 1920-1978(opens in a new tab)
324 Old Mill Village Collection, 1845-1847, 1857-1870, 1883-1897, 1907-1915, 1932-1937, & undated(opens in a new tab)
325 Pine Street Presbyterian Church Photograph Collection, [ca. 1895-1925](opens in a new tab)
329 Ivan L. Carter Photograph Collection, [ca. 1922-1938](opens in a new tab)
330 Knoedler Family Collection, 1900-1940(opens in a new tab)
332 Henry Mohn Family Collection, 1944-1958(opens in a new tab)
333 George Washington Fenn Papers, 1829, 1861-1929, & undated(opens in a new tab)
334 Lowengard Family Papers, 1907, 1909-1921, & undated(opens in a new tab)
336 Hastings-Hickok Family Estate Papers, 1766-1901(opens in a new tab)
339 Cornwall Ore Bank Company Records, 1802-1935, 1954(opens in a new tab)
341 Florence Amelia Linderman Papers, [ca. 184O-1948](opens in a new tab)
342 George Howard Earle Papers, 1932-1939, 1949, 1966, & undated(opens in a new tab)
343 Carl W. Gatter Architectural Research Books, 1981(opens in a new tab)
345 M. Lee Goldsmith, Inc. Records, 1872-1977(opens in a new tab)
346 Cornwall Furnace and Hopewell Forge Account Books, 1752-1766(opens in a new tab)
347 Jean F. Gerdes Photographs, [ca. 1925-1958](opens in a new tab)
348 Martin C. Brumbaugh Papers, 1879-1919(opens in a new tab)
350 American Association of University Women, Pennsylvania Division Records, 1942-1981(opens in a new tab)
352 Maclay Family Papers, 1788-1933(opens in a new tab)
354 Old Economy Village Collection, [ca. 1813-1953](opens in a new tab)
356 Daniel B. Strickler Collection, 1916-1919, 1943-1957, 1967, & undated(opens in a new tab)
357 Pennsylvania Women's Legislative Exchange Records, 1968-1981(opens in a new tab)
358 Mrs. James Lewis Hook Autograph Collection, 1752-1810(opens in a new tab)
359 104th Cavalry, Pennsylvania National Guard Veteran's Association Collection, [ca. 1914-1975](opens in a new tab)
360 Pennsylvania State Police Memorabilia Collection, 1910-1920(opens in a new tab)
362 Denise Weber Photographs, 1906(opens in a new tab)
363 William K. Sowers Collection, 1917-1958(opens in a new tab)
366 Graeme Park Collection, 1743-1918(opens in a new tab)
367 Lawrie and Green Collection, [ca. 1922-1960](opens in a new tab)
368 General Assembly Collections, 1798-1996(opens in a new tab)
373 Richard A. Snyder Collection, [ca. 1962-1984](opens in a new tab)
374 American Civil Liberties Union, Harrisburg Chapter Records, 1955-1957, 1969-1971, 1974-1983, 1970-1992(opens in a new tab)
375 Benjamin Franklin Fisher Papers, 1862-1881, 1892, 1915, & undated(opens in a new tab)
379 State Fencibles Collection, 1875-1885, 1891, 1898, 1911-1981(opens in a new tab)
387 Raymond Hoffman Collection of Records of the Society of the 28th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, 1918, 1944-1970(opens in a new tab)
389 James A. Beaver Papers, 1790, 1796, 1841, 1849-1915, & undated(opens in a new tab)
391 Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association Collection, 1914-1987(opens in a new tab)
393 Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Company of Butler, Pennsylvania Records, [ca. 1902-1970](opens in a new tab)
395 Donald H. Kent Collection, [ca. 1937-1975](opens in a new tab)
396 Milford H. Patterson Architectural Designs, [ca. 1940-1980](opens in a new tab)
397 M. Harvey Taylor Collection, 1896, 1901-1902, 1905, 1911, 1913-1917, 1929-1982(opens in a new tab)
402 Phadrig Cahill's United Press International Photographs, 1954-1975(opens in a new tab)
406 Robert P. Casey Collection, [ca. 1953-1987](opens in a new tab)
407 Joseph Rhodes, Jr. Papers, 1970-1980 (bulk 1973-1980)(opens in a new tab)
409 Oral History Collection, 1970-2005(opens in a new tab)
410 Pennsylvania Campaign for a Nuclear Weapons Freeze Collection, 1982-1987(opens in a new tab)
411 Hershey Museum Local History Collection, 1734-1931(opens in a new tab)
420 John W. Harper Collection, 1716-1888(opens in a new tab)
433 George I. Bloom Collection, 1916-1988(opens in a new tab)
436 National Guard of Pennsylvania, 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment, 108th Field Artillery Records, 1847-1947(opens in a new tab)
439 Edward K. Barnsley Papers, 1801-1932, 1986 (bulk 1932-1986)(opens in a new tab)
449 Harry Seylor Papers, 1946-1980(opens in a new tab)
451 Senator H. Craig Lewis Papers, 1974-1992(opens in a new tab)
454 L.H. Kinnard Chapter #7 of the Telephone Pioneers of America Collection, 1920-1987(opens in a new tab)
456 Pennsylvania Academy of Science Records, 1964-1984(opens in a new tab)
459 Historical Foundation of Pennsylvania Records, 1961-1994(opens in a new tab)
465 Capitol Area Music Association Records, 1974-1994(opens in a new tab)
467 Lillian Louise Ball Family Photographs, 1870-1930(opens in a new tab)
473 Gospel Music Workshop of America Harrisburg Chapter Collection, 1990-1999(opens in a new tab)
485 T. Fred Woodley Collection, 1830-1937(opens in a new tab)
494 C. Delores Tucker Papers, 1960-2005(opens in a new tab)
503 Reverend Leroy Patrick Papers(opens in a new tab)
This resources taken from "Guide to African American Resources at the Pennsylvania State Archives" by Ruth E. Hodge. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Harrisburg, 2000.