Collection of 179 glass and film negatives created by Alfred Hand between 1920 and 1921. They depict historic houses, places of worship, and Revolutionary War sites in Germantown and the Philadelphia region, and are accompanied by negative sleeves with descriptive manuscript notes about each site.

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House on Main St., Germantown. [graphic].
View of the front facade of the Sproegell House built early in the 18th century and purportedly occupied by John Henry Sproegell circa 1710. Stucco covers the exterior of the house and a rounded arch resting on columns flanks the off-center entrance way. Anthony Gilbert and William Keyser were occupants of the dwelling at one time., Inscribed in negative: 2894., Title from negative sleeve.
House where Sally Wister wrote her journal. [graphic].
Reproduction of etching depicting the Foulke residence in North Wales, Pa., built circa 1698-1706 and occupied by Daniel Wister's family during British occupation of Philadelphia from 1777-8. It was here that Sally Wister began a journal addressed to Deborah Norris, a friend and schoolmate. Considered a valuable historical document for its insight into social conditions during the Revolutionary War. The name Edward Foulke is etched in the lower left hand corner; he was most likely the owner of the house and the patron of the etching completed by Philadelphia artist Blanche Dillaye., Inscribed in negative: 3992., Title from negative sleeve., Text underneath original drawing: House at North Wales, Montgomery Co., Pa., in which Miss Sally Wister Wrote her Journal, addressed to Debby Norris, in 1777-8.
Independence Hall. [graphic].
Depicts the south elevation and bell tower of Independence Hall. Built 1732-1748 by Andrew Hamilton and Edmund Woolley. Extensive renovations and additions completed incrementally between 1750 and 1973. Meeting place of the Second Continental Congress from 1775-1783 and the site where the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776., Inscribed in negative: 2247., Title from negative sleeve., Also identified as the Pennsylvania State House.
Independence Hall. [graphic].
Oblique view of the south elevation and bell tower of Independence Hall from Fifth Street, showing the stone wall that surrounds the square. Built 1732-1748 by Andrew Hamilton and Edmund Woolley. Extensive renovations and additions completed incrementally between 1750 and 1973. Meeting place of the Second Continental Congress from 1775-1783 and the site where the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776., Inscribed in negative: 2248., Title from negative sleeve., Also identified as the Pennsylvania State House.
The Ivy, Old York Road at Church Road, Ogontz. Oldest part built by Richard Wall in 1682. He came from Cheltenham, England in that year. It was one of the very earliest meeting houses in Philada. County & the only one now standing. [graphic].
Oblique view of ivy covered dwelling built by Richard Wall in 1682 on Church Road, immediately west of Old York Road., Inscribed in negative: 3343., Title from negative sleeve., Original negative housed in freezer.
The Ivy, pump and fireplace (now occupied by Mrs. Joseph Bosler) [graphic].
Depicts a large fireplace, a water pump and trough in the shed of the dwelling built by Richard Wall in 1682 on Church Road, immediately west of Old York Road., Inscribed in negative: 3345., Title from negative sleeve., Original negative housed in freezer.
John & Mildred Keen house cor. of Chestnut & Mansion Sts. on site of present Drexel Institute. [graphic].
Copy photograph depicting the south and west elevations of the Keen residence at the northeast corner of 32nd and Chestnut Streets. Two people stand in a doorway facing 32nd Street. Demolished and occupied by the Drexel Institute building in 1891., Inscribed in negative: 1874., Title from negative sleeve.
John Bartram's house. [graphic].
Rear view of ivy-covered two story stone residence with pilasters and dormer windows. Botanist and farmer John Bartram built residence in 1730-1731. Altered in 1770, the residence and garden deteriorated throughout the 19th century, but was restored in the 1920s by the John Bartram Association., Inscribed in negative: 2956., Title from negative sleeve., Modern reference print available.
John Bartram's house. [graphic].
Rear view of ivy-covered two story stone residence with dormer windows. Botanist and farmer John Bartram built residence in 1730-1731. Altered in 1770, the residence and garden deteriorated throughout the 19th century, but was restored in the 1920s by the John Bartram Association., Inscribed in negative: 2237., Title from negative sleeve.
John Bartram's House, side view. [graphic].
Exterior view of vine covered flank of dwelling built 1730-1731 and altered in 1770 by botanist John Bartram. Three girls stand in the drive next to the house., Inscribed in negative: 433., Title from negative sleeve.
John Bechtel House, 5226 Germantown Ave. [graphic].
View of the ivy covered east front of the John Bechtel House, built in 1742. The word "Painting" is visible on the store front window of 5224 Germantown Avenue. Later occupied by the Textile Museum of the Germantown Historical Society., Inscribed in negative: 3354., Title from negative sleeve., Original negative housed in freezer.
[Johnson House, 6306 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia.] [graphic].
Oblique view of east front and south elevation of the former residence of John Johnson built 1765-1768 by master builder Jacob Knor at 6306 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA. Shows the front door to the three-story stone house. The first story contains windows with shutters and a shingled awning. Dwelling also includes dormer windows and chimneys on the roof. In the left, a picket fence and a portico over the side entrance is visible. Trees and an utility pole are in front of the property. John Johnson resided in the house during the Battle of Germantown. The dwelling sustained damage including a hole in the parlor door caused by a cannon ball and a chipped corner. It served as a station on the Underground Railroad. The Johnson family owned the house until 1908. The Woman's Club of Germantown purchased the house in 1917, and in 1980, gifted the house and its contents to the Germantown Mennonite Historic Trust to operate as a house museum. In 2002, the deed of ownership was transferred to the Johnson House Historic Site, Inc., Inscribed in negative: 2890., Title from negative sleeve., Date inferred from photographic medium and content., Purchase 1988., Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
Johnson House door. [graphic].
Exterior views of the front façade of the former residence of John Johnson built 1765-1768 by master builder Jacob Knor at 6306 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA. Shows the front door with a shingled awning flanked by shuttered windows. A broom is propped against the doorframe. Two trees grow in the sidewalk in front of the house. Partial view of the picket fence in the left. John Johnson resided in the house during the Battle of Germantown. The dwelling sustained damage including a hole in the parlor door caused by a cannon ball and a chipped corner. It served as a station on the Underground Railroad. The Johnson family owned the house until 1908. The Woman's Club of Germantown purchased the house in 1917, and in 1980, gifted the house and its contents to the Germantown Mennonite Historic Trust to operate as a house museum. In 2002, the deed of ownership was transferred to the Johnson House Historic Site, Inc., Inscribed in negative: 2893., Title from negative sleeve., Date inferred from photographic medium and content., Purchase 1988., Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
Jonathan Evans' House, 322 Union Street, now DeLancey. [graphic].
View of the residence built for Jonathan Evans circa 1786 at 322 Union Street, including three houses nearby. The size and style of these neighboring homes contrast greatly. A man in a suit and hat sits with two children on the stairs below the bow window of 324 Union Street. A woman stands outside of 320 and two men sit on the stairs of 318 Union Street, both much smaller than the homes nearby. Occupied by Joseph Ley circa 1880., Inscribed in negative: 3624., Title from negative sleeve., Jonathan Evans descended from the Evans family that settled in Gwynedd, PA circa 1698. Evans was active in the Quaker community in Philadelphia, and was a leading figure in the Hicksite separation of 1827., Original negative housed in freezer.
Junk shop at 13th & Pine [graphic].
View from the southwest depicting the exterior of the antique shop of James Eham, an African American, at 1237 Pine Street. Shop is heavily adorned with antiques and curiosities, including cigar store Native Americans, ship models, a rooster weather vane, and a ship's helm. Posters, including a playbill for a production of "Our Colored Boys Over There" at the African American playhouse, the Royal Theater (opened in 1920), cover an adjacent building. Other neighboring buildings are visible. Eham, born enslaved in Virginia, settled in Philadelphia in 1876 and soon after became an antiques dealer. By 1927, he owned two antique stores in Philadelphia and one in New York. Eham was also a Baptist minister, as well as worked as a hotel porter later in his life., Inscribed on negative: 3700., Title from negative sleeve., Date inferred from content., Modern reference print available., Original negative housed in freezer., Purchase 1988., Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014., Research file about James Eham (1842-1930) available at repository.
Keyser House, 6205 Germantown Ave. [graphic].
Exterior view of west front of house built by Dirck Keyser, a Mennonite preacher and silk merchant who immigrated from Amsterdam in 1688. Demolished in 1950 for a supermarket., Inscribed in negative: 3375., Title from negative sleeve., Original negative housed in freezer.
Krider's gun store, N.E. cor. 2nd & Walnut Sts. [graphic].
Depicts Krider's gun store at the northeast corner of 2nd and Walnut Streets, looking east at the south front and west flank. Includes a partial view of the sign for St. Alban's Hotel in the foreground, along with a sign advertising Shore Dinners at Bookbinder's Restaurant (125 Walnut Street). A cigar shop and Bookbinder's are visible in the background. A plaque is posted near the Second Street doorway of the gun shop, marking the site as the birthplace of John Drinker, the first white child born in Philadelphia. The brick building was constructed by John Drinker as a residence in 1751 and altered to a gun shop in 1826. John Krider purchased the shop in 1856. Building demolished in 1955., Inscribed in negative: 2193., Title from negative sleeve., Modern reference print available.
Lafayette's headquarters at Chadd's Ford. [graphic].
Depicts the front elevation of the Joseph Gilpin House, occupied by the Marquis de Lafayette during the Battle of Brandywine. The original portion of the house was constructed circa 1695. Wings were added to the north of the original frame house in 1745 and to the west in 1782. Gideon Gilpin occupied the house when it was used by Lafayette. The house was reconstructed by George Edwin Brumbaugh and purchased by the State of Pennsylvania in 1949., Inscribed in negative: 3150., Title from negative sleeve.
Lafayette's headquarters at Chadd's Ford. [graphic].
Oblique view of the front elevation of the Joseph Gilpin House, obscured by a large tree in the foreground. Owned by Gideon Gilpin when the Marquis de Lafayette occupied the house during the Battle of Brandywine. The original portion of the house was constructed circa 1695. Wings were added to the north of the original frame house in 1745 and to the west in 1782. The house was reconstructed by George Edwin Brumbaugh and purchased by the State of Pennsylvania in 1949., Inscribed in negative: 3151., Title from negative sleeve.
Lafayette's headquarters at Chadd's Ford, Pa. [graphic].
Laundry hangs from a line near the side elevation of the Joseph Gilpin House, occupied by the Marquis de Lafayette during the Battle of Brandywine. The original portion of the house was constructed circa 1695. Wings were added to the north of the original frame house in 1745 and to the west in 1782. Gideon Gilpin occupied the house when it was used by Lafayette. The house was reconstructed by George Edwin Brumbaugh and purchased by the State of Pennsylvania in 1949., Inscribed in negative: 3149., Title from negative sleeve., Modern reference print available.
Laurel Hill, Randolph Mansion. [graphic].
Exterior view of front facade of the colonial mansion, Laurel Hill. The central portion of the house was built circa 1767, the single story addition circa 1800 and the octagonal wing after 1837. Built for Rebecca Rawle and her second husband, Samuel Shoemaker. The house was purchased by physician Philip Syng Physick in 1828 and it passed to Physick's daughter Sarah Randolph who in turn sold it to the Fairmount Park Commission in 1869. The Commission used it for employee housing from 1869-1901 and then leased it to two organizations, The Colonial Dames of America and later the Women for Greater Philadelphia, who opened it to the public., Inscribed in negative: 3203., Title from negative sleeve.
[Letitia Penn House, Lansdowne Dr. near W. Girard Ave.] [graphic].
Exterior view of Penn House in Fairmount Park, built 1713-1715 for Thomas Chalkley on land owned by William Penn's daughter, Letitia, although it was believed that William Penn built the home and lived there. Served as a tavern for many years, until the house was moved to Fairmount Park in 1883 in order to save it from destruction during a period of rapid commercial growth in the city., Inscribed in negative: 2462., Title from negative sleeve., Also known as the Letitia Street House., Modern reference print available.
Livezy House (Wm. Rittenhouse, father of David.) (Livezey's Lane) Owned by Joshua Garsed. Built some time before 1745. Washington's headquarters, formerly known as the monastery of the Wissahickon. Bought by Livezey in 1800. 1940, Valley Green Canoe Club.
Exterior view of the front facade of dwelling built for Thomas Shoemaker from 1733-1739. Thomas Livezey bought the property, including a grist mill, from Shoemaker in 1747 and named it Glen Fern. The house was enlarged and raised one story in 1765, and sometime before 1853 a rear ell was constructed., Inscribed in negative: 3143., Title from negative sleeve., Also known as Glen Fern, the Thomas Shoemaker House and the Valley Green Canoe Club (1909).
Loudoun, 4650 Germantown Ave. [graphic].
Distant view of porticoed front facade, with a partial view of an outbuilding. Original portion (i.e. east end) of house constructed in 1801 for Philadelphia merchant Thomas Armat by builders Peter L. Berry and John Ardis. Armat had the house built for his only son, Thomas Wright Armat. The west end was built in 1810 and the Greek portico in 1830. Named after Loudoun County, Virginia where Armat first settled in America., Inscribed in negative: 3330., Title from negative sleeve., Original negative housed in freezer.
Loudoun, 4650 Germantown Ave., built by Thos. Armat. occupied in 1920 by Mr. Albanus Chas. Logan & Miss Maria D. Logan. [graphic].
Exterior view of porticoed front facade. Original portion (i.e. east end) of house constructed in 1801 for Philadelphia merchant Thomas Armat by builders Peter L. Berry and John Ardis. Armat had the house built for his only son, Thomas Wright Armat. The west end was built in 1810 and the Greek portico in 1830. Named after Loudoun County, Virginia where Armat first settled in America., Inscribed in negative: 3329., Title from negative sleeve., Original negative housed in freezer.
Mason & Dixon Line monumental stone with Penn's Coat of Arms on one side & Lord Baltimore's on the other and the stone marking the tangent of the N. & S. line of the Mason & Dixon Line to the circular boundry between Pennsylvania & Delaware. The latter wi
Depicts two stones, one with an "M" carved into it and another roughhewn stone next to it. Planted as markers in 1764 by Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon to determine the boundary line between Pennsylvania and Maryland. Guided by the position of the stars, Mason and Dixon placed two stones every mile, one carved with an "M" facing south and the other marked with a "P" facing north. At five mile increments William Penn's coat of arms faced the Pennsylvania side and Leonard Calvert's coat of arms faced Maryland. This system was used for the entire 233 mile-long boundary line., Inscribed in negative: 3672., Title from negative sleeve., Original negative housed in freezer.
[Mason & Dixon Line stone marking boundry between Delaware & Maryland, on farm of Dr. H. A. Cleaves of Wilmington (Baker.) Side showing arms of Lord Baltimore.] [graphic].
Depicts a small stone in a field, with Lord Baltimore's (Leonard Calvert's) coat of arms carved into it. Stones similar to this one were planted as markers in 1764 by Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon to determine the boundary line between Pennsylvania and Maryland. Guided by the position of the stars, Mason and Dixon placed two stones every mile, one carved with an "M" facing south and the other marked with a "P" facing north. At five mile increments William Penn's coat of arms faced the Pennsylvania side and Leonard Calvert's coat of arms faced Maryland. This system was used for the entire 233 mile-long boundary line., Inscribed in negative: 3675., Title from negative sleeve., Original negative housed in freezer.
Mason & Dixon Line stone marking boundry between Delaware & Maryland, on farm of Dr. H. A. Cleaves of Wilmington (Baker.) Side showing arms of Wm. Penn. Probably the 75-mile stone. [graphic].
Depicts a small stone in a field, with William Penn's coat of arms carved into it. Stones similar to this one were planted as markers in 1764 by Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon to determine the boundary line between Pennsylvania and Maryland. Guided by the position of the stars, Mason and Dixon placed two stones every mile, one carved with an "M" facing south and the other marked with a "P" facing north. At five mile increments William Penn's coat of arms faced the Pennsylvania side and Leonard Calvert's coat of arms faced Maryland. This system was used for the entire 233 mile-long boundary line., Inscribed in negative: 3673., Title from negative sleeve., Original negative housed in freezer.
McFadden Estate. Sorrel Horse Inn, Conestoga Rd., Radnor Township, 1768. Lafayette & Washington slept here several times. [graphic].
Rear view of the McFadden house, also known as Barclay Farm, the residence of George H. McFadden, built circa 1769 and occupied by the Sorrel Horse Inn around the time of the Revolution. Renovated after designs by Horace Trumbauer from 1923-4., Inscribed in negative: 3614., Title from negative sleeve., Original negative housed in freezer.
[McFadden Estate. Sorrel Horse Inn, Conestoga Rd., Rosemont.] [graphic].
Oblique view of the front and side of the McFadden house, also known as Barclay Farm, the residence of George H. McFadden, built circa 1769 and occupied by the Sorrel Horse Inn around the time of the Revolution. Renovated after designs by Horace Trumbauer from 1923-4., Inscribed in negative: 3616., Title from negative sleeve., Original negative housed in freezer.
[Mennonite Meeting House, 6119 Germantown Ave., at n.e. cor. Herman St., Philadelphia.] [graphic].
Exterior view of front facade of Mennonite church and cemetery surrounded by an iron fence. Includes a partial view of the adjacent dwelling. Church built in 1770 to replace the original log church constructed in 1708 on Germantown Avenue above Herman Street by early Germantown settlers. Considered the first Mennonite Church in America, founded in 1688., Inscribed in negative: 2443., Title from negative sleeve.
Merchants' Exchange. [graphic].
View of the east front of the Merchants' Exchange, showing the rotunda and cupola of the building constructed between 1832 and 1833 after designs by William Strickland for the Philadelphia Exchange Company. Photograph taken from the the intersection of Dock, Third, and Walnut Streets. A cart loaded with boxes sits in the foreground and a sign for H. M. Hillman Metals is visible in a window on the ground level., Inscribed in negative: 3291., Title from negative sleeve., Original negative housed in freezer.
Merion Meeting House. [graphic].
Depicts the front of the meeting house, including the pedimented hood over the west side door. Most window shutters are closed, except for the solitary window over the main entrance door. Built in 1695 and identified as the oldest house of worship in Pennsylvania. William Penn preached in this meeting house., Inscribed in negative: 2926., Title from negative sleeve., Modern reference prints available., Original negative housed in freezer.
Merion Meeting House, blt 1682 [sic], attended by Wm. Penn. [graphic].
View of the meeting house from the west, showing one of the corner privies. Also depicts a pedimented hood over the side door and closed window shutters. Built in 1695 and identified as the oldest house of worship in Pennsylvania. William Penn preached in this meeting house., Inscribed in negative: 2925., Title from negative sleeve., Modern reference print available., Original negative housed in freezer.
Mill Grove, Audubon, Pa. Home of J. J. Audubon built 1762, now owned by Mr. Wetherill. [graphic].
Exterior view of Mill Grove, partially hidden by trees in the foreground. Built in 1762, purchased by Captain Jean Audubon in 1789 and occupied in 1803 by his son John James Audubon. Audubon was an artist, author and naturalist and was best known for his bird preservation work and published bird drawings, "Birds of America". Samuel Wetherill acquired the property in 1813 to supply lead for his paint manufacturing company., Inscribed in negative: 2744., Title from negative sleeve.
Miss Sally Wister, whose journal written at the age of 16, depicts much of the Revolutionery period. It is edited by her great-nephew, the late Owen Wister, & is a gay and amusing book. [graphic].
Silhouette of Sally Wister, who moved into the Foulke mansion in North Wales, Pa., with her family during British occupation of Philadelphia from 1777-8. It was here that Sally Wister began a journal addressed to Deborah Norris, a friend and schoolmate. Considered a valuable historical document for its insight into social conditions during the Revolutionary War., Inscribed in negative: 3995., Title from negative sleeve.
Morris House. [graphic].
Exterior view of west front of dwelling built 1786-87 by John Reynolds and sold to Luke Wistar Morris in 1817., Inscribed in negative: 2210., Title from negative sleeve., Also identified as the Reynolds-Morris House, Israel Wistar Morris House and Luke Wistar Morris House.
Morris House, 5442 Germantown Ave. Built by Jacob Deschler in 1772. Occupied by Washington in 1793 & 4. [graphic].
Depicts a woman and an automobile passing in front of the ivy-covered Deshler-Morris House, travelling north on Germantown Avenue. Dwelling built in 1772 for Quaker merchant David Deshler. Colonel Isaac Franks' owned the house when George Washington sought refuge here from the Yellow Fever epidemic that swept through Philadelphia in 1793. Nicknamed the "Germantown White House" during his occupation. The Morris family occupied the house for more than 100 years until they donated it to the National Park Service in 1948., Inscribed in negative: 2429., Title from negative sleeve.
Morris House, door, 225 S. 8th St., blt. 1785. [graphic].
Exterior detail of west front of dwelling, showing Flemish bond construction, pilasters flanking the front doorway and windows surmounted by keystone lintels. Built 1786-87 by John Reynolds and sold to Luke Wistar Morris in 1817., Inscribed in negative: 2207., Title from negative sleeve., Also identified as the Reynolds-Morris House, Israel Wistar Morris House and Luke Wistar Morris House.
Mount Pleasant, home of Benedict Arnold in Fairmount Park. [graphic].
View of front facade of the mansion built 1761-1765 for Captain John Macpherson after the designs of Thomas Nevil in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pa. A person, attired in a hat, a scarf, a long coat, and shoes, sits on a wooden chair at the top of the steps on the left side of the house. Mount Pleasant was described by John Adams as "the most elegant seat in Pennsylvania," and is an excellent example of Philadelphia's Middle Georgian country houses of the 1760s. Macpherson, a privateer during the Seven Years’ War, purchased the estate with profits from these operations. Free white and Black laborers, indentured servants, and at least four enslaved people of African descent, whose names are unknown, worked on the plantation. In 1779, General Benedict Arnold purchased Mount Pleasant for his wife Peggy Shippen, but they never occupied the house. In 1792, General Jonathan Williams purchased the mansion. The City of Philadelphia purchased the property from the Williams family in 1869. On behalf of the city, the Philadelphia Museum of Art restored the house in 1926., Inscribed in negative: 2495., Title from negative sleeve., Also identified as the Arnold Mansion., Purchase 1988., Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.

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