Rehousing of Hidden Library Collections

FAIN: PG-258350-18

Chester County Historical Society (West Chester, PA 19380-2658)
Jasmine Smith (Project Director: May 2017 to March 2021)

The purchase of archival storage supplies for five collections of books, manuscripts, periodicals, ephemera, and media resources documenting Chester County, Pennsylvania. They include the Tom Chambers Collection documenting diversity and community social justice initiatives during Chambers’s three-term tenure as West Chester Mayor; architectural drawings from the Frens and Frens Restoration Architecture firm, including Historic Sugartown and Birmingham Friends Meeting House; a Postal History collection of rare stamps, postal covers, postmarks, and other ephemera; 125 years of the CCHS institutional archives; and over 75 linear feet of YWCA records capturing the experiences of African Americans and Women in Chester County between 1957 and 1996.

The Chester County Historical Society (CCHS) requests a Preservation Assistance Grant to purchase protective storage enclosures for library manuscript collections that are currently inaccessible and inadequately housed. The CCHS Strategic Plan includes in the collections department mission the need to “gather, preserve, and provide access to CCHS’s extraordinary collection.” The collections targeted with this grant must be preserved and made accessible. Collection preservation through rehousing is specified in the institutional Preservation Plan 2011-2018, Objective C: “All collections are properly housed using appropriate storage materials.” Grant funds will be used to rehouse collections that capture: 1) minority communities and social justice movements, 2) postal history, 3) architectural history, and 4) CCHS’s role in the county. These four topics are underrepresented in available library collections and will build the Library’s limited documentation of 20th century history.

Associated Products

Frens and Frens Restoration Architects Records Finding Guide (Web Resource)
Title: Frens and Frens Restoration Architects Records Finding Guide
Author: E. Richard McKinstry
Abstract: This finding guide describes the Frens and Frens Restoration Architects Records collection held in the CCHS Library. It includes a biographical note on the company, arrangement and description information, and a complete collection contents list, along with extensive related materials.
Year: 2019
Primary URL: http://chestercohistorical.org/frens-and-frens-restoration-architects-records
Primary URL Description: This URL links to the finding guide on the CCHS website.

Robert Brinton Postal History Collection Finding Guide (Web Resource)
Title: Robert Brinton Postal History Collection Finding Guide
Author: Jasmine Smith
Author: Bill Schultz
Abstract: This finding guide describes the Chester County Historical Society's holdings in the Robert Brinton Postal History Collection, including a biographical note, full collection contents, and related materials. The Robert Brinton Postal History Collection includes a wide range of postal history material. Robert Brinton was a collector, exhibitor, and research, working on a comprehensive book history of the postal system.
Year: 2019
Primary URL: http://chestercohistorical.org/robert-brinton-postal-history-collection
Primary URL Description: This URL links to the Robert Brinton Postal History Collection finding guide.

Tom Chambers Collection Finding Guide (Web Resource)
Title: Tom Chambers Collection Finding Guide
Author: Seth Wheeler
Abstract: This is the finding guide for the Tom Chambers Collection at the Chester County Historical Society. It includes a biographical note and collection contents. The collection consists of Mayor Tom Chamber’s papers for political and veteran events in the early 1990s.
Year: 2018
Primary URL: http://chestercohistorical.org/tom-chambers-collection
Primary URL Description: This URL links to the finding guide for the Tom Chambers Collection.

West Chester YWCA Collection Finding Guide (Web Resource)
Title: West Chester YWCA Collection Finding Guide
Author: Maddux Pearson
Author: Kelsey Killion
Author: Shane Smith
Abstract: This is the finding guide for the West Chester YWCA Collection at the Chester County Historical Society. It includes a historical note and full collection contents. The collection consists of both materials devoted to the administration of the organization and the promotion of its programs to the public.
Year: 2019
Primary URL: http://chestercohistorical.org/west-chester-ywca-collection
Primary URL Description: This URL links to the finding guide for the West Chester YWCA.

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