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Title: "Congress Hall"
Description: 1859-PIC., R86., Title from Watson inscription., Imprint date inscribed on photo., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, with corrections.
Creator: Richards, F. De B. (Frederick De Bourg), photographer
Date: 1859
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department [66037.D.4]

Title: Old first high school house - Juniper street, Penn Square
Description: View showing the first building of the Old Central High School for Boys, the first public high school in the city, built 1837-1838 on Juniper Street between Market and Chestnut streets. Building contained an astronomical observatory tower. Razed in 1853., Title, date, and photographer from accompanying manuscript note by collector., Originally part of a series of eleven scrapbooks compiled by Philadelphia antiquarian Charles A. Poulson in the late 1850s entitled "Illustrations of Philadelphia" volume 5, page 59. The scrapbooks contained approximately 120 photographs by Philadelphia painter and pioneer photographer Richards of 18th-century public, commercial, and residential buildings in the city of Philadelphia commissioned by Poulson to document the vanishing architectural landscape., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited., See Poulson's scrapbook, vol. 5, p. 13., Reproduced in The Print and Photograph Department of the Library Company of Philadelphia's Center City Philadelphia in the 19th century (Portsmouth, N.H.: Arcadia Publishing, 2006), p. 101., Arcadia caption text: On October 21, 1838, Philadelphia’s first four-year public school opened with an enrollment of 89 boys. Central High School, located on Juniper Street between Market and Chestnut streets, offered superior courses taught by respected faculty. This photograph was taken in 1853, the year the school sold the site to the Pennsylvania Railroad and began construction of a larger school. The observatory tower visible in the background reportedly had better telescopes than Harvard University.
Creator: Richards, F. De B. (Frederick De Bourg), photographer
Date: [photographed ca. 1853, printed January 1854]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo - Richards - Education [(5)2526.F.59]

Title: [Central High School for Boys, South Juniper Street facing Penn Square below Market Street, Philadelphia]
Description: View showing the first building of the Old Central High School for Boys, the first public high school in the city, built 1837-1838 on the Juniper Street between Market and Chestnut streets. Building contained an astronomical observatory tower. Razed in 1853., Attributed to F. De B. Richards., Title supplied by cataloguer., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited.
Creator: Richards, F. De B. (Frederick De Bourg), photographer
Date: [photographed ca. 1853, printed January 1854]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo - Richards - Education [(6)1322.F.115c]

Title: Mercantile Library, on the southeast corner of Fifth and Library Street
Description: View showing the building of the library, organized in 1821 for the benefit of merchants and merchant clerks, built 1844-45 after the designs of William Johnston at 125 South Fifth Street. Includes a horse-drawn carriage parked in front of the library and a partial view of Independence Square. Building demolished circa 1925., Title and photographer's imprint from Poulson inscription on mount., Date inscribed on photograph., Mount inscribed with directions: N. E. S. W., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited., Select link below for a digital image., Originally part of a series of eleven scrapbooks compiled by Philadelphia antiquarian Charles A. Poulson in the late 1850s entitled "Illustrations of Philadelphia" volume 3, page 111. The scrapbooks contained approximately 120 photographs by Philadelphia painter and pioneer photographer Richards of 18th-century public, commercial, and residential buildings in the city of Philadelphia commissioned by Poulson to document the vanishing architectural landscape., Reproduced in The Print and Photograph Department of the Library Company of Philadelphia's Center City Philadelphia in the 19th century (Portsmouth, N.H.: Arcadia Publishing, 2006), p. 11., Arcadia caption text: William L. Johnston designed this Greek Revival edifice, constructed 1844-1845, at the southeast corner of Fifth and Library streets for the Mercantile Library Company of Philadelphia, which formed in 1821 as a member-supported institution for merchants and clerks. Initially serving the specific interests of bankers, traders, and accountants, by the late 19th century the library became a place for the general public to utilize its collection of newspapers, magazines, and novels. Pictured here in 1858, the library relocated in 1869. The building was demolished c. 1925.
Creator: Richards, F. De B. (Frederick De Bourg), photographer
Date: December 1858
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo - Richards - Libraries - M [(3)2526.F.111 (Poulson)], http://www.brynmawr.edu/iconog/2526f111.jpg

Title: Philadelphia Library. On the northeast corner of Fifth and Library street
Description: View showing the Library Company of Philadelphia (organized by Benjamin Franklin and his Junto in 1731) built 1789-1790 after the designs of Dr. William Thornton on the 100 block of Fifth Street. A group of young men and boys stand near the entrance of the building. Also shows a horse-drawn carriage and lamppost in the foreground., Title and photographer's imprint from Poulson inscription on mount of (3)2526.F.105 (Poulson)/8339.F.5., Date inscribed on photograph (3)2526.F.105 (Poulson)/8339.F.5., Compass directions given in manuscript on mount., One of the images originally part of a McAllister scrapbook of views of Philadelphia., One of the images originally part of a series of eleven scrapbooks compiled by Philadelphia antiquarian Charles A. Poulson in the late 1850s entitled "Illustrations of Philadelphia" volume 3, page 105. The scrapbooks contained approximately 120 photographs by Philadelphia painter and pioneer photographer Richards of 18th-century public, commercial, and residential buildings in the city of Philadelphia commissioned by Poulson to document the vanishing architectural landscape., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited., (3)2526.F.105 reaccessioned as 8339.F.5., Part of the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom (PW-285234-22), 2023-2025.
Creator: Richards, F. De B. (Frederick De Bourg), photographer
Date: February 1859
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo - Richards - Libraries - L [(6)1322.F.10e; (3)2526.F.105], http://www.brynmawr.edu/iconog/rcd/8339f5.jpg

Title: Old wooden houses, extending southwardly from the corner of Marble Street, on the west side of Tenth Street, to Miss Sally Keene's, late Maj. Lennock's property and residence, built by "Col." Peter L. Berry. N.W. corner of Chestnut and Tenth streets
Description: View showing the dilapidated, former residences being tenanted by businesses on Tenth Street between Market and Chestnut streets. Includes John C. Murphy, carpenter and builder, at 1006 Marble Street. Also shows a horse-drawn wagon, street lamp, and signage adorning the businesses. Buildings razed 1859 for the erection of the Franklin Market., Title and photographer's imprint from Poulson inscription on mount., Date inscribed on photograph., Manuscript note by Poulson on mount: (see page 50)., Contains five newspaper clippings pasted on the mount dated March and April 1859 describing the demolition of the wooden houses for the erection of the Franklin Market., Originally part of a series of eleven scrapbooks compiled by Philadelphia antiquarian Charles A. Poulson in the late 1850s entitled "Illustrations of Philadelphia" volume 3, page 51. The scrapbooks contained approximately 120 photographs by Philadelphia painter and pioneer photographer Richards of 18th-century public, commercial, and residential buildings in the city of Philadelphia commissioned by Poulson to document the vanishing architectural landscape., Reproduced in Kenneth Finkel's Nineteenth century photography in Philadelphia (New York: Dover Publications, Inc. in cooperation with the Library Company of Philadelphia, 1980), entry #57., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited., Select link below for a digital image.
Creator: Richards, F. De B. (Frederick De Bourg), photographer
Date: March 1859
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo - Richards - Streets - Tenth [(3)2526.F.51 (Poulson)], http://www.brynmawr.edu/iconog/rcd/2526f51.jpg

Title: The Bank of Germantown Of this building Mr. Watson, the Annalist, thus writes: "It was the residence of Clarkson (City Mayor) now altered on the Bank end. It was the office of Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State, and Randolph, attorney Genl. (both, in the fever of 1793). It was still later the residence of John F. Watson, [the annalist], while cashier; and there, in the front second story chamber (North end,) he wrote out in one summer, his Annals of Philadelphia; rising at four [o'clock] and ending at eight [o'clock], A.M."
Description: Exterior view of the Bank of Germantown. Built circa 1745, the building housed the bank from 1825 to 1868. Also known as the Clarkson-Watson House, it served as the home of Matthew Clarkson 1780-95 and of John Fanning Watson, the cashier of the bank, 1825-1847. Image includes partial view of adjoining residences., Title and date from Poulson inscription on mount and photograph., Originally part of a series of eleven scrapbooks compiled by Philadelphia antiquarian Charles A. Poulson in the late 1850s entitled "Illustrations of Philadelphia" volume 3, page 75. The scrapbooks contained approximately 120 photographs by Philadelphia painter and pioneer photographer Richards of 18th-century public, commercial, and residential buildings in the city of Philadelphia commissioned by Poulson to document the vanishing architectural landscape., Also included in an annotated album containing twenty photographs by Richards entitled "Pictorial Views of Houses & Places in Germantown yr 1859." (LCP 66037.D.17), Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited.
Creator: Richards, F. De B. (Frederick De Bourg), photographer
Date: April 1859
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo - Richards - Germantown - N [(3)2526.F.75 (Poulson)]

Title: Mennonite church Of this Mr. Watson writes, " a stone church and grave-yard, near Congress hall (above on the same side of Main Street) but I mean to say nothing of church. From the wall of the ground, they shot Genl. Agnew (during revolutionary battle of Germantown). If that place should be taken (photographed), include the adjoining house of Samuel Keyser, because it is very old - and shows itself [see picture] elevated one whole story above the former road in front - and on that rising hill was the chief fight in the war
Description: Shows the stone Mennonite meetinghouse built 1770 at 6121 Germantown Avenue. Also shows the church burial ground and adjacent residence and shop of shoemaker Samuel Keyser (6133 Germantown Avenue). Keyser residence razed circa 1873., Title and photographer's imprint from Poulson inscription on mount., Date inscribed on photograph., Manuscript note by Poulson on mount: [See annals]. [Reference to John Fanning Watson's Annal of Philadelphia]., Originally part of a series of eleven scrapbooks compiled by Philadelphia antiquarian Charles A. Poulson in the late 1850s entitled "Illustrations of Philadelphia" volume 3, page 87. The scrapbooks contained approximately 120 photographs by Philadelphia painter and pioneer photographer Richards of 18th-century public, commercial, and residential buildings in the city of Philadelphia commissioned by Poulson to document the vanishing architectural landscape., Also included in an annotated album containing twenty photographs by Richards entitled "Pictorial Views of Houses & Places in Germantown yr 1859." (LCP 66037.D.1)., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited.
Creator: Richards, F. De B. (Frederick De Bourg), photographer
Date: April 1859
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo - Richards - Germantown - G [(3)2526.F.87 (Poulson)]

Title: St. Thomas' (African) Church Southwest corner of Fifth and Adelphi Street. (Episcopal) The Revd. Absalom Jones, (colored) first Rector
Description: Exterior view of the first African Episcopal church in the United States at the corner of Fifth and Adelphi (i.e., Saint James) streets, in Philadelphia, Pa. Shows an oblique view of the two-story church designed with several windows, including lunette windows. A small wall, topped with a wrought iron fence, surrounds the property. Partial view of adjacent buildings in the left and right. The church was established in 1794 by the religious and beneficent organization, the Free African Society, as a result of the discriminatory practices of the city's congregations. Absalom Jones, a freed enslaved man, became rector of the church in 1796 and remained as its minister until his death in 1818., Title and photographer's imprint from Poulson inscription on mount., Date inscribed on photograph., Originally part of a series of eleven scrapbooks compiled by Philadelphia antiquarian Charles A. Poulson in the late 1850s entitled "Illustrations of Philadelphia" volume 3, page 151. The scrapbooks contained approximately 120 photographs by Philadelphia painter and pioneer photographer Richards of 18th-century public, commercial, and residential buildings in the city of Philadelphia commissioned by Poulson to document the vanishing architectural landscape., Reproduced in The Print and Photograph Department of the Library Company of Philadelphia's Center City Philadelphia in the 19th century (Portsmouth, N.H.: Arcadia Publishing, 2006), p. 41., Arcadia caption text: This simple church, photographed in May 1859, stood at the corner of Fifth and Saint James streets. Formed in response to the discriminatory practices of the city’s congregations, St. Thomas African Church was established in 1794 as the first African Episcopal church in the United States. An outgrowth of the religious and benevolent organization the Free African Society, established by Richard Allen and Absalom Jones, the church served as a religious pillar of the elite African American community during the 19th century. Jones, a freed slave, became rector in 1796., Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021., 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.
Creator: Richards, F. De B. (Frederick De Bourg), photographer
Date: May 1859
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo - Richards - Churches and Meetinghouses [(3)2526.F.151]

Title: West side of Ninth St., from the southwest corner of Market & Ninth St. southerly to Chestnut Street &c including a view of the building of the University of Pennsylvania (part of the house on the s.e. corner of Market and Ninth St. on your left hand.)
Description: View looking south on Ninth Street showing the block between Market and Chestnut streets including the University of Pennsylvania. Also shows businesses including John F. Burke, dry goods merchant (900 Market); Samuel Conrad, dry goods merchant (s.e. cor. 9th & Market); and James M'Geoch, tailor (2 S. 9th). Displays of merchandise, including textiles, are visible at the storefronts and carts and wagons line the street., Title and photographer's imprint from Poulson inscription on mount., Date inscribed on photograph., Compass directions by manuscript note on mount., Originally part of a series of eleven scrapbooks compiled by Philadelphia antiquarian Charles A. Poulson in the late 1850s entitled "Illustrations of Philadelphia" volume 3, page 97. The scrapbooks contained approximately 120 photographs by Philadelphia painter and pioneer photographer Richards of 18th-century public, commercial, and residential buildings in the city of Philadelphia commissioned by Poulson to document the vanishing architectural landscape., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited.
Creator: Richards, F. De B. (Frederick De Bourg), photographer
Date: March 1859
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo - Richards - Streets - Ninth [(3)2526.F.97 (Poulson)]

Title: German Lutheran school house. Next to the N.E. corner of Cherry and Fourth St. on Cherry Street
Description: View looking northeast from above Third Street showing the former school house, known as the Zion Lutheran School, built in 1761 after the designs of Robert Smith, at 325-7 Cherry Street. Building tenanted by Joseph Wrigley's hotel and tavern. Also shows the adjacent G. Goebel's Hotel and Lager Beer Saloon (N.E. cor. 4th and Cherry). Two men, including a peddler with a basket, lean on the hotel signpost in the foreground. The school built by the Zion Lutheran Church also served as a parish hall and as the meeting place of the German Society., Title and date from duplicate., Attributed to F. De B. Richards., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Reproduced in The Print and Photograph Department of the Library Company of Philadelphia's Center City Philadelphia in the 19th century (Portsmouth, N.H.: Arcadia Publishing, 2006), p. 103., Arcadia caption text: The congregation of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church commissioned prominent Philadelphia architect-builder Robert Smith to construct this school house at 325 Cherry Street. Completed in 1761, the building faced some disapproval from the reverend because of its cost. Nonetheless, the Zion Lutheran School, as it became known, provided a meeting space for the German Society of Pennsylvania, a parish hall for the Zion Lutheran Church across the street, and room for classes. Antiquarian Charles Poulson’s note on this 1859 photograph mentions that the center window on the first floor was originally a front door., Richards, Philadelphia painter, etcher, and photographer produced some of the earliest successful paper photographic prints in the city, including photographs commissioned by local historian Charles Poulson to document Philadelphia.
Creator: Richards, F. De B. (Frederick De Bourg), photographer
Date: May 1859
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo - Richards - Education [(7)1322.F.57a]

Title: [The Fisher House. Formerly No. 110 now 226 South Front Street The residence of Saml. R. Fisher - where he deceased. His son (only) Thomas then occupied the house where he died, on Tuesday morning, Feby 12th 1856. The house is remarkable from the "pent" roof over the front door - where the second or upper door appears in the picture there was a window similar to that remaining. S.R.F's counting house* no. 27 (old) Dock St. and storehouses were in the rear of this, on Dock Street. The houses northerly in view are to the N.W. cor. of Front and Granite Street.]
Description: View looking east showing the 200 block of Front Street, including the former residence of merchants Samuel Rowland Fisher and his son Thomas Fisher. Also shows adjacent businesses including Kirkpatrick, DeHaven & Co., liquor dealers (228-230 S. Front) and the Pennsylvania Railroad Emigrant Line office (224 S. Front). Also shows barrels lining the sidewalk and a parked horse-drawn dray., Date inscribed on negative., Title from duplicate., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook of views of Philadelphia., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited.
Creator: Richards, F. De B. (Frederick De Bourg), photographer
Date: May 1859
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo - Richards - Residences - F [(7)1322.F.27d]

Title: The " Black Bear" Tavern; Girard estate offices; the residence of Thos. Sully, and his studio, and the music store of Geo. E. Blake; up to Fred. Brown's iron building and apothecary shop, at the n.e. corner of Fifth and Chestnut St., and the east side of Fifth St. continued, below (s. of) Chestnut in the perspective. The original Black bear tavern was on south side of Market east of Fifth Street. The stables &c are on the same lot that fronted Market Street
Description: View looking west on Fifth Street below Chestnut Street showing the businesses and residence. Shows the tavern building tenanted by Jeremiah Starr, grocer (11 S. Fifth) and Schaffer & Montgomery, wine and liquors (13 S. 5th). Also includes the office building operated by the estate of Stephen Girard; the residence of artist Thomas Sully (23 S. 5th); Blake's music store (25 S. 5th); and the renovated drug and chemical store of Frederick Brown (rebuilt late 1850s). Carts and wagons line the street and a group of men stand in front of the tavern. Tavern building razed 1859 for the erection of the Eastern Market at Fifth and Merchant streets., Title and photographer's imprint from Poulson inscription on mount., Date inscribed on photograph., Manuscript note by Poulson on mount: (see p. 56 1/2)., Originally part of a series of eleven scrapbooks compiled by Philadelphia antiquarian Charles A. Poulson in the late 1850s entitled "Illustrations of Philadelphia" volume 3, page 58. The scrapbooks contained approximately 120 photographs by Philadelphia painter and pioneer photographer Richards of 18th-century public, commercial, and residential buildings in the city of Philadelphia commissioned by Poulson to document the vanishing architectural landscape., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, edited.
Creator: Richards, F. De B. (Frederick De Bourg), photographer
Date: February 1859
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo -Richards - Streets - Fifth [(3)2526.F.58 (Poulson)]

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