Finding Aids

Roller skating was a popular recreational hobby between 1935 through the 1970s. Starting in the early 1940s, a handful of enterprising roller skating rink owners looking for a way to promote their rinks began giving away colorful stickers printed with the name of the rink and a skating-related graphic. This collection primarily consists of roller staking rink stickers from various states in the United States and Canada. There are a few photographs of skaters and correspondence about sticker trading.

The collection consists of official documents produced or used by Ronald DeGraw during his career as a public transit official and transit consultant, materials from pre-SEPTA operators of the Philadelphia transit system that he preserved from loss or destruction, research materials that he amassed for writing his published and projected books, and photographs and ephemera collected out of his interest in the history of transit systems, particularly electric traction lines or what came to be called light rail transit.

Established in 1915, the Rotary Club of Wilmington was dedicated to community service, and one of its most important functions was to provide educational support. Their records consist primarily of minutes, newsletters, and documentation on the club's student loan and scholarship programs.

Aloysius F. Rowe (1905-1940) worked for the New Bridge Station followed by the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad for eighteen years, he then was employed by the DuPont Company. This collection includes eight copy photographic prints of Rowe family photographs, featuring large group portraits in unidentified settings, presumably the Village of Henry Clay area.

Roy J. Plunkett (1910-1994) was the discoverer of Teflon, while working as a chemist at the DuPont Company. Plunkett's laboratory notebook documents the discovery of Teflon at DuPont's Jackson Laboratory in 1938. The notebook documents the experiments that led to the effective control of the rapid and explosive polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene gas into a solid polymer.

Royal Earl House (1814-1895) was an American inventor who patented an electic telegraph that could print Roman character letters and an electro-phonetic receiver for use in telegraphy. The collection is comprised of twenty-nine letters to House regarding his suit against the Bell monopoly for the phonetic telegraph, from 1885 to 1891.

R.R. Wright (1913-2009) was an employee of the RCA Corporation, one of the country's leading manufacturers and vendors of radios, televisions, and consumer electronics products. This is a small collection of ephemera Wright preserved throughout his thirty-three year long career with the company. Included are sample publications, manuals, stationery and small artifacts with RCA logos or advertising.

Rubbermaid Incorporated is an American manufacturer and distributor of many household items. The collection is comprised of a public relations file consisting mostly of clippings and tear sheets, generally notices of the company in local papers and the trade press. Most deal with company performance, organizational culture, and personnel changes, with particular notices of Stanley C. Gault (1926-2016), CEO from 1980 to 1991.

This print is an aerial photograph showing the full expanse of the Rudolph Wurlitzer Manufacturing Company factory in North Tonawanda, New York. The company initially imported musical instruments from Europe, but moved into manufacturing instruments by 1880. Shortly after the turn of the century, Wurlitzer moved to North Tonawanda, New York. By 1934 it had produced the first jukebox. In 1973, Wurlitzer sold its jukebox brand to a German company and closed the North Tonawanda factory.

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company was established as a black powder manufacturer in 1802 by Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours (1739-1817) and his son Eleuthère Irénée du Pont (1771-1834). The du Pont’s purchased a mill site on the banks of the Brandywine River just North of Wilmington, Delaware. This collection contains nineteen photographs of DuPont Company explosives plants, including Hagley Yard, Eleutherian Mills yard, possibly Wapwallopen, and the Pennsylvania plant.

Ruth (Bury) Leverenz (1912-2006) was a top Avon Sales Representative for twenty years, from 1958 to 1978. Avon Products, Inc. is a manufacturer and direct selling company of beauty products. For many years Leverenz was the number one sales representative in her district and won numerous sales campaigns. During Leverenz's time as an Avon Representative, she compiled sixty pages of historical communications from the company into a scrapbook. The collection provides insight into methods of direct selling, the daily work of an Avon representative, and the experience of women in small business.

Lammot du Pont (1831-1884) was a chemist and inventor, he was the grandson of Eleuthere Irenee du Pont (1771-1834), founder of E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, more commonly known as the DuPont Company. This collection contains photographs of Brandywine, Hagley area, and the family of Lammot du Pont and Mary Belin du Pont (1839-1913).

Sally Rand (1904-1979) was a burlesque dancer, most well-known for her performances of the "bubble dance" and the "fan dance." This item is a publicity photograph showing Sally Rand and her fans.

Sally Rand (1904-1979) was a burlesque dancer, most well-known for her performances of the "bubble dance" and the "fan dance." The Century of Progress International Exposition was held along Lake Michigan and Northerly Island Park in Chicago, Illinois, from May 27, 1933, to October 31, 1934. The theme was "Science Finds, Industry Applies, Man Conforms."This small collection consists of eight copy prints made from photographs of Sally Rand's Fan Dance which she performed at the Summer of 1933 at the Chicago World's Fair.

Henry A. Goffe (1846-1906) was a stationer and engraver who operated his business in Albany, New York in the 1880s. This item is a bound sample book of wedding invitations, envelopes, and visiting cards.

The architectural firm of Victorine & Samuel Homsey, Inc. was founded in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1935. It was one of the first husband-and-wife architectural practices in the U.S.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The collection contains two membership certificates from the U.S. Naval Lyceum and the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The letter is writing to inform an unidentified captain of Naval surgeon John S. Wiley's death.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). These two items are related to his service in the Navy, one a letter concerning his business interests in California, and one report regarding rotten gun breechings.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). Letter, with envelope, from John G. Lawton to du Pont transmitting model of a ship rudder.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a RearAdmiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The three page letter written to an unidentified colonel discusses the opening of the Crystal Palace in New York as part of the "Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations" World's Fair.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The letter to Andrew Hull Foote (1806-1863) says du Pont is enclosing autographs of members of the Japanese Embassy, although the enclosures are missing.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. The letter from du Pont to John E. Hoey (1837-1896) concerns the transport of invalid seamen northfrom from the South Atlantic Bloackade Squadron.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The letter from du Pont to Charles Wilkes (1798-1877) expresses regret over news of Wilkes being court-martialed.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. The letter from du Pont to George H. Stuart (1816-1890) is declining an invitation to speak as a Navy representative at an anniversary celebration of the Christian Commission.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. The letter from du Pont to Navy Officer, Gustavus Vasa Fox (1821-1883) discusses the possibility of saltpeter shortage in the Union in the early years of the Civil War.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The letter to John A. Dahlgren (1809-1870) is seeking his opinion in regard to a small steam cutter, Altheron, available for purchase.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. The letter to Major General David Hunter (1802-1886) asks for permission to see three deserters from the Confederate States Navy.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The letter from du Pont to R.C. Winthrop (1809-1894) includes an invitation to visit.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The letter to Senator James A. Bayard (1799-1880) is upon arrival of the USS Minnesota, which was commanded by du Pont, in Hong Kong.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The letter from du Pont to Theodore Sedwick (1811-1859) concerning administrative arrangements for an exhibit du Pont was superintendent at the World's Fair in New York.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The collection contains two letters written to Oscar B. Sawyer (1838-1887) and Ben Perley Poore (1820-1887).

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). These five photocopied letters are related to his term in the Navy, four from his time in the Pacific, and one dealing with the South Atlantic blockade during the Civil War.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. Andrew Hull Foote (1806-1863) was a Rear-Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Civil War and contributed to several naval reforms prior to the war. This collection consists of two letters, one from Samuel Francis du Pont to Foote in regards forwarding misdirected mail, as both were commanding ships in the China Sea. The second letter is from du Pont's father to a Naval Officer about Samuel Francis du Pont's experience aboard a ship.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). These three photocopy letters are related to his term in the Navy, one from his early career in 1820 and two letters from 1863 during the Civil War.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The collection contains an original letter and photocopies of letters regarding cost for Abraham Hart (1810-1885) publishing an essay by Henry Winter Davis (1817-1865) on the doctrine of intervention and non-intervention in diplomacy and international affairs.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The two letters from du Pont to Charles G. Halpine (1829-1868) are written during the Civil War and relate to ironclads and the evacuation of Charleston, South Carolina.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. The collection contains letters to Joel Turrill (1794-1859) and Joseph Henry (1797-1878). The letters to Turrill are personal in content, referring to their friendship which dated back to 1845 when they both served on the U.S.S. Congress. The letter to Henry references controvery in the Senate involving Henry, likely concerning the Light-House Board.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. The collection contains miscellany relating to du Pont, including testimonial from Union League of Philadelphia, receipt for newspaper subscription, envelopes, and a poem.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. The collection contains naval orders issued by du Pont to Naval orders to Acting Assistant Surgeon William H. Campbell (1832-1884) to report to Port Royal, South Carolina.

Samuel Francis Du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). His papers document du Pont's professional and personal life against the background of the pre-Civil War service.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The collection is a microfilmed selection of du Pont's correspondence with contemporaries, primarily Alexander Dallas Bache (1806-1867). The letters concern Civil War activities, especially the use of ironclads in naval operations.

Samuel Francis du Pont (1803-1865) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. He was the fourth child and second surviving son of Victor Marie du Pont (1767-1827) and his wife, Gabrielle Joséphine de la Fite de Pelleport (1770-1837). The collection is a microfilmed copy of excerpts from du Pont's journal as a midshipman aboard the Congress.

Samuel R. Russell (1880-1943) was the senior dynamite technician for the DuPont Company from 1907 to 1943. This collection consists primarily of photographs taken at various sites around the United States and South America where Samuel Russell rigged and supervised dynamite blasts.

Samuel Stockton White (1822-1879) was a Philadelphia dentist who, in the mid-1840s, began manufacturing porcelain teeth using feldspar. Within the next decades, the company he founded had become the largest manufacturer of dental instruments in the world. The S.S. White Dental Manufacturing Company records largely relate to patents and the manufacture of dental equipment. The company maintained its competitive edge by constant improvement and innovation and was thus dependent upon patent protection.

Samuel Vauclain (1856-1940) was an engineer, inventor, and was president of Baldwin Locomotive Works from 1919 to 1929. This collection contains album pages with snapshot photographs recording a month long Canada-U.S. transcontinental railroad voyage taken in July and August 1922 by Mrs. and Mrs. Samuel Vauclain, their daughter, and granddaughter in their private car, "Manhattan."

Sara Armstrong Mahler (1930-2004) was a pediatric doctor and an executive in the Clinical Division at the DuPont Pharmaceutical Company from 1964 to 2001, where she was involved in both the domestic and foreign development and approval of drugs and radiopharmaceutical imaging products. Mahler invented Symmetrel, an antiviral therapy initially used to treat influenza until widespread drug resistance developed; however, it is still an effective treatment for Parkinson's Disease. This small collection consists of two items related to her time at the DuPont Pharmaceutical Company and her invention of Symmetrel. There is one newspaper clipping and one prescription, the first prescription issued for Symmetrel in 1967.

Sarah A. Evarts (1833-1901) was one of many women who invested in the Woman's Land Syndicate in Chicago. The Syndicate sought a real estate project developed and managed by women, but ultimately failed. The papers consist of brochures, maps, and testimonial letters describing the work of the Syndicate and the prospects and new industries of the adjoining developments of South Waukegan and North Chicago.

Sarah Dennen (1882-1970) was a descendant of G.W. Peirce, the original owner of Peirce's Park (now Longwood Gardens). The collection includes biographical notes and brief reminiscence of Peirce's Park in the late nineteenth century.

The Savery family of Chester County, Pennsylvania, produced two generations of eminent mechanical engineers. Savery family papers consists of materials of the eldest son William H. Savery's (1865-1949) diaries, his father Thomas H. Savery (1837-1910) correspondence and notebooks documenting his career as a mechanical engineer, and the documents relating to Savery/Webb family property near Longwood Gardens, Hamorton and Parkerville, Pennsylvania.