Collection documenting the Centennial Exhibition of 1876 in Philadelphia, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of American Independence. The Centennial Photographic Company was granted exclusive rights to photograph the World's Fair.
Album of photographs documenting the Philadelphia, Middle, and Pittsburgh divisions of the Pennsylvania Railroad, incorporated in 1846. The consolidated company sought to build a trunk route from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh through the Allegheny mountains in order to compete with the Erie Canal for freight traffic. In 1854, rail passage through the Alleghenies via the "Horse Shoe Curve" was achieved and spurred the establishment and growth of the several towns depicted along the route.
Viewbook containing a folded leave of six titled photographs and a folded leave of titled, narrative texts about the images. Photographs depict "The House in which Gen'l Agnew Died Germantown" showing an exterior view of Grumblethorpe, the house built in 1744 in which British General James Agnew died in 1777; "Swedes Church. Front View" showing the Episcopalian, former Lutheran, church known as Gloria Dei Church, built 1700-1703 at 929 South Water Street; "Old Log Cabin, Richmond & Vienna Sts." showing an 18th-century style dwelling in Fishtown; "The Old Market House, Callowhill & New Market Sts." showing one of the four old market houses, known as Norwich Market, established in 1783 on the 100 block of Callowhill Street; Robert Morris Hotel Phila. Park showing the four-story hotel opposite the race bridge of the Fairmount Water Works that was razed in 1868; and "Ancient Building, First Fish House, Arch St. bel. 4th Sts." showing the 18th-century attached, brick buildings in Loxley Court that purportedly housed fishing implements for the Penn family. Images include grave stones; broadsides; signage; neighborhood dwellers; and partial views of horse-drawn carriages.
Viewbook containing six titled photographs and a folded leave of titled, narrative texts about the images. Photographs depict "Independence Hall" showing the front facade of the building built 1732-1748, including the front courtyard with the Joseph A. Baily statue of George Washington; "Whitby Hall" showing the country dwelling built in 1754 on land in Kingsessing acquired by Philadelphia merchant James Coultas in 1741;" "Friends Alms House, Walnut Bel. Fourth" showing the benevolent institution erected in 1729 and razed in 1841; "Acadamy [sic] of Fine Arts, Chestnut St. Bet. 10th & 11th Sts. Phila." showing the arched entry way to the building erected in 1806 and shortly before it was "torn down in 1870, to make way for Fox's American Theatre; "Rittenhouse Mansion, Arch & Seventh Sts." showing the former residence of astronomer David Rittenhouse built 1786-1787 by master builder Joseph Ogilby; and "St. Peters Church, Fourth & Pine" showing the Episcopal church built 1758-1761 "in the midst of a graveyard." Images also include residents; street lamps; signage; partial views of storefront awnings; and trees and greenery.
Albums of progress photographs of the early construction of City Hall built 1871-1901 on Penn Square after the designs of John McArthur, Jr. Photographs show different stages of the construction of the foundation and lower floor of the building between 1873 and 1875. Includes images of the dirt sub basement; construction materials, equipment, and workers; aerial views of the built foundation; partially completed walls and abutments; and studio views of columns and architectural ornaments. Several of the views include scaffolding; horse-drawn carts; pulleys; piles of construction debris; Pennsylvania Railroad cars on Market Street; and workers and well-dressed men, probably the commissioners, reviewing and posed on or near constructed parts of the building and construction materials. Views also show surrounding cityscape, including the Masonic Temple (Broad and Filbert); United States Mint (1331-1337 Chestnut Street); the Seventh Presbyterian Church (Broad Street above Chestnut Street); Pennsylvania Railroad Freight Depot (13th and Market); La Salle College High School (Filbert and Juniper); Sharpless & Watts, flooring tile (1325 Market Street); the spires of Arch Street Methodist Episcopal Church (s.w. cor. Broad & Arch) and First Baptist Church (n.w. cor. Broad and Arch); and other surrounding businesses (beer hall, wall paper, and furniture) and residences.
Album of photographs of aerial and landscape views taken in the park during the Centennial Exhibition of 1876, which celebrated the centennial of the United States through an international exhibition of industry, agriculture, and art. Photographs predominately depict views from observation towers at George's Hill and Lemon Hill.
