Resources on Historic Buildings
The following links to the holdings of the Pennsylvania State Archives and the resources available at the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office will be useful to patrons conducting research on historic buildings.
Historic Preservation Holdings
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission's PA State Historic Preservation Office holds a variety of material - both in automated and paper formats - about buildings, archaeological sites and other historic properties in the Commonwealth. Types of material available include photographs, maps, histories, narrative descriptions, National Register of Historic Places nomination forms, the results of county survey projects, and integrated online locator systems.
State Archives Holdings
Digitized Microfilm
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Federal Direct Tax for 1798 (digitized rolls 7309-7332 in MG-262, Special Collections Microfilm), also known as the "Glass Tax" or "Window Tax," provides measurements and other descriptive data about the buildings owned by each taxpayer. These records are available online through Ancestry.com.
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Federal Direct Tax for Lancaster County, 1815 (digitized rolls 11990-11998 in Record Group 47, County Governments) contain much of the same kind of descriptive information on buildings as the 1798 Direct tax except that the number and size of the window openings is not specified.
Record Group Holdings
RG-1 Records of the Department of Agriculture
RG-6 Records of the Department of Forests and Waters
- Valley Forge Park Commission Blueprint, 1928. (1 folder) {#6.8}
[Descriptions]
- Valley Forge Park Commission Condemnation Proceedings, 1940-1946. (6 folders) {#6.9}
[Descriptions]
- Valley Forge Park Commission Reports, 1919, 1935-1939. (2 volumes) {#6.10}
[Descriptions]
- Photographs and Negatives, [ca. 1890-1971]. (16 cartons, 1 box, 36 drawers) {#6.20}
[Descriptions]
RG-7 Records of the General Assembly
- Capitol Preservation Committee Completed Projects Files, 1997-1999 (1 volume, 12 videotapes and Digitized Microfilm Rolls 5763-5772) {#7.84}
[Description]. The files relate exclusively to the renovation of the State Capitol in Harrisburg.
RG-9 Records of the General State Authority
- Construction Photographs and Blueprints, 1932-1939. (10 boxes, 4 folders) {#9.1}
[Description]. Photographs and blueprints are for Commonwealth-owned buildings.
RG-12 Records of the Department of Highways
- Historical Reference Files of Joseph W. Hunter Relating to State Roads, Turnpikes, and the National Road, 1806-1929. (11 boxes) {#12.7}
[Description]. Historic buildings are occasionally noted on the margins of these roads.
- State Road and Turnpike Maps, 1706-1873. (650 items) {#12.9}
[Description]. Historic buildings are occasionally noted on the margins of these roads.
- Applications File, [ca. 1907-1910], (892 glass slides and film negatives and 5 volumes) {#12.25}
[Description]. Historic buildings occasionally serve as backgrounds.
- Lantern Slide File, [ca. 1907-1930] (Approximately 1,400 lantern slides) {#12.26}
[Description]. Historic buildings occasionally serve as backgrounds.
- Main File of Black and White Prints and Negatives, [ca. 1924-1956]. (61 boxes, 40 drawers) {#12.10}
[Description]. Historic buildings occasionally serve as backgrounds.
- Photographic Unit's Construction File, 1938-1961. (8 drawers) {#12.11}
[Description]. Historic buildings occasionally serve as backgrounds.
- Photographic Unit's File of Mounted and Unmounted Prints, [ca. 1915-1932]. (17 boxes) {#12.12}
[Description]. Historic buildings occasionally serve as backgrounds.
- Photographic Unit's Slide File, 1940-1948. (1 box) {#12.15}
[Description]. Historic buildings occasionally serve as backgrounds.
RG-13 Records of the Historical and Museum Commission
- Photographs, 1960-1980. (10 boxes, 2 folders) {#13.190} [Description]
- Graeme Park House Drawings, [ca. 1918-1919]. (1 flat box) {#13.64} [Description]
- Reports, Correspondence, Blueprints, and Miscellaneous Records Relating to Historical Property Maintenance, 1945-1975. (5 cartons) {#13.67} [Description]
- Valley Forge Park Commission Reports and Files, 1908-1975. (1 carton) {#13.68}[Description]
RG-17 Records of the Land Office
RG-20 Records of the Department of General Services
- Reports, Correspondence, Photographs, Blueprints, and Miscellaneous Records Relating to Works Progress Administration Construction Projects, 1930-1943. (4 cartons, 1 box) {#20.5}
[Description]. Records relate to Commonwealth-owned properties.
- State Art Commission Minutes, 1919-1950, 1965-1968. (9 folders) {#20.40}
[Description]. Records relate to Commonwealth-owned properties or buildings funded by the Commonwealth.
- State Art Commission Indexes to Projects, 1965-1987. (3 volumes, 3 folders) {#20.41}
[Description]. Records relate to Commonwealth-owned properties or buildings funded by the Commonwealth.
- State Art Commission Projects, 1981-1982, 1985. (2 folders) {#20.43}
[Description]. Records relate to Commonwealth-owned properties or buildings funded by the Commonwealth.
- Building Demolition Files, 1974-1985, 1988-2002. (7 cartons) {#20.42}
[Description]. Records relate to Commonwealth-owned properties.
- Building Demolition Files of the Bureau of Real Estate and Insurance, 1951-1966. (3 boxes) {#20.10}
[Description]. Records relate to Commonwealth-owned properties.
- Capitol and Capitol Park Extension Photographs, 1896-1928, 1950. (1 box, 1 drawer) {#20.34}
[Description]. Photographs depict buildings in the Capitol Park Extension in Harrisburg.
- Construction Plans and Specifications for Public Buildings and Bridges, 1893-1975. (7 drawers, 150 folders) {#20.35}
[Description]. Records relate to Commonwealth-owned properties.
- Minutes, 1915-1930. (16 folders) {#20.37}
[Description]. Records relate to Commonwealth-owned buildings.
- Report of the Capitol Park Extension Commission, 1920. (1 folder) {#20.38}
[Description]
RG-22 Records of the Department of Education
- Historic Properties File, 1931-1945. (4 boxes) {#22.5}
[Description]. File relates to historic properties owned and operated by the Department of Education.
- Photographs of Elementary and High Schools, undated. (23 prints) {#22.6}
[Description]
RG-31 Records of the Department of Commerce
- Photograph File of Mounted Prints and Negatives, 1938-1954. (9 boxes, 12 cartons) {#31.6}
[Description]
- Photograph File of Transparencies, 1938-1954. (9 boxes) {#31.7}
[Description]
- Aerial Photographs and Index of the 1940 Aerial Survey of Pennsylvania, 1937-1942. (32 drawers, 26 cartons) {#31.18}
[Description] [Images]
- Geographic Index to Aerial Surveys, 1946-1950. (3 volumes) {#31.19}
[Description]
RG-46 Records of the Valley Forge Park Commission
RG-47 Records of County Governments
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Record Group 47 Records of County Governments contain digitized microfilm copies of county tax, deed, and estate records that are useful for establishing ownership of tracts of land, documenting property valuations, and in some cases providing estate inventories revealing how homes were furnished.
Manuscript Group Holdings
Manuscript Group 11 Map Collection, 1681-1973
- Many county and township maps depict extant buildings and the T.M. Fowler bird's eye views of towns and cities are particularly valuable sources of information.
- Other good map depictions of historic buildings can be found in the Digital Sanborn Maps, 1867-1970, maintained as a browsable website by Proquest Information and Learning.
Please note: this is a subscription service and you need to access this resource through a subscribing library or other organization. The State Archives has no affiliation with this site, nor do we hold more than a few original Sanborn Maps in our own Manuscript Group 11
Manuscript Group 31 Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society Records, 1959-1969
- Records relate exclusively to covered bridges.
Manuscript Group 85 J. Horace McFarland Papers. 1859-1866, 1898-1951
- Photographs depict historic buildings and streetscapes in Harrisburg and nearby towns.
Manuscript Group 165 Lloyd Mifflin Collection, 1835-1965
- Photographs depict some historic buildings in Columbia Borough and vicinity.
Manuscript Group 171 Samuel W. Pennypacker Papers, 1703-1916 (bulk 1851-1916)
- Photographs depict some historic building throughout southeastern Pennsylvania.
Manuscript Group 174 Historical Society of Berks County Deposit of Union Canal Company of Pennsylvania Papers, 1792-1885
- Materials relate to the Union Canal and iron furnaces lying in Berks County.
Manuscript Group 175 Pine Grove Furnace Collection, 1785-1914
- Materials relate exclusively to Pine Grove.
Manuscript Group 185 Harmony Society Papers, 1742-1951
- Papers relate exclusively to Old economy Village.
Manuscript Group 199 Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania Collections, [ca. 1830-1974]
- Some photographs depict train stations and also other buildings as background.
Manuscript Group 203 Cornwall Furnace Collection, 1768-1940
- Materials relate exclusively to Cornwall Iron Furnace.
Manuscript Group 213 Postcard Collection, [ca. 1880-1974]
- Postcards depict buildings and streetscapes throughout Pennsylvania.
Manuscript Group 214 Warren J. Harder Collection, 1928-1968
- Photographs depict buildings and streetscapes in Harrisburg and vicinity.
Manuscript Group 217 Harrisburg Home Star Collection, [ca. 1920-1971 (bulk 1961-197l)]
- Photographs relate to Harrisburg and vicinity.
Manuscript Group 218 Photograph Collections, [ca. 1853 - ongoing]
- Photographic subjects include buildings throughout Pennsylvania.
Manuscript Group 240 William W. Stoey Collection, 1893-1925
- Photographs depict buildings in Dauphin, Cumberland, York, and Adams Counties.
Manuscript Group 280 Arthur D. Bransky Collection of Charles Ross Photographs, 1905-1906
- Photographs depict buildings in Adamsdale, Alburti, Allentown, Annville, Blandon, Bowers, Campbelltown, Centerpoint, Fleetwood, Fogelsville, Hereford, Kutztown, Macungie, Monterey, Newberry, Pottsville, Reading, Shamokin, Temple, Topton, West Leesport, and Williamsport.
Manuscript Group 281 Samuel W. Kuhnert Papers, [ca. 1912-1976]
- Photographs depict buildings in Dauphin, Cumberland, Lancaster, Lebanon, York, Perry, Northumberland, Montour, and Lycoming Counties.
Manuscript Group 289 George Hart Photographs, [ca. 1860-1960]
- Photographs depict some buildings in Reading and Philadelphia.
Manuscript Group 291 Hope Lodge Collection, 1920-[ongoing], & undated
- Materials relate exclusively to Hope Lodge.
Manuscript Group 303 R. Brognard Okie Architectural Papers, 1793, 1828-1949
- Drawings relate primarily to homes constructed in the Philadelphia suburbs but some as far away as Erie.
Manuscript Group 316 Historic Fort Hunter Museum Collection, 1843-1940, 1954, 1978
- Materials relate exclusively to Fort hunter Historic site.
Manuscript Group 324 Old Mill Village Collection, 1845-1847, 1857-1870, 1883-1897, 1907-1915, 1932-1937, & undated
- Materials relate exclusively to Old Mill Village.
Manuscript Group 325 Pine Street Presbyterian Church Photograph Collection, [ca. 1895-1925]
- Photographs depict some buildings in Harrisburg.
Manuscript Group 326 Bowers-Rawson Family Photographs, [ca. 1865-1911]
- Photographs depict buildings in Potter County including Austin, Costello, and Germania.
Manuscript Group 327 Ira J. Stouffer Postcards, [ca. 1915]
- Postcards depict buildings in Blair, Cambria, Centre, Dauphin, Franklin and Huntingdon counties.
Manuscript Group 329 Ivan L. Carter Photograph Collection, [ca. 1922-1938]
- Photographs depict buildings in and around Carlisle.
Manuscript Group 335 Violet Harner Wise Photographs, [ca. 1945-1965]
- Photographs depict some buildings in Harrisburg.
Manuscript Group 338 Real Estate Trust Company of Philadelphia Records, 1861-1963
- Records relate exclusively to real estate development in Philadelphia.
Manuscript Group 339 Cornwall Ore Bank Company Records, 1802-1935, 1954
- Records relate exclusively to Cornwall Ore Banks.
Manuscript Group 343 Carl W. Gatter Architectural Research Books, 1981
- Records relate to a planned but never carried out reconstruction of the "Slate Roof House" in Independence Park, Philadelphia.
Manuscript Group 344 Susquehanna Company Records, 1754-1803
- Contains abstracts of deeds and conveyances for tracts located in the Wyoming Valley.
Manuscript Group 351 Julius F. Sachse Deposit of Ephrata Cloister Materials, 1680-1939 (bulk: 1725-1931)
- Materials relate exclusively to the Ephrata Cloister.
Manuscript Group 354 Old Economy Village Collection, [ca. 1813-1953]
- Records relate exclusively to old economy Village.
Manuscript Group 362 Denise Weber Photographs, 1906
- Photographs depict the Vinton Colliery in Vintondale.
Manuscript Group 367 Lawrie and Green Collection, [ca. 1922-1960]
- Drawings depict buildings located in Harrisburg and vicinity as well as the Lycoming County Courthouse, Williamsport; the Sunbury Hospital, Sunbury; the Hunt Library and Student Union Building at Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh; the Warren Municipal Building, Warren; and the Williamsport YWCA Building, Williamsport.
Manuscript Group 380 Mattie Edwards Hewitt Photographs, [ca. 1925-1945]
- Photographs depict buildings in east central Pennsylvania including in Adamsdale, Alburti, Allentown, Annville, Blandon, Bowers, Campbelltown, Centerpoint, Fleetwood, Fogelsville, Hereford, Kutztown, Macungie, Monterey, Newberry, Pottsville, Reading, Shamokin, Temple, Topton, West Leesport, and Williamsport.
Manuscript Group 385 Walter Benson Photographs, [ca. 1955-1985]
- Photographs depict buildings in Annville, Harrisburg, Hershey, Gettysburg, Grantville, Fort Indiantown Gap, Linglestown, Middletown, Stoverdale, Strasburg, and Wellsville.
Manuscript Group 394 Pennsbury Manor Collection, 1746-1942
- Records relate exclusively to Pennsbury Manor.
Manuscript Group 396 Milford H. Patterson Architectural Designs, [ca. 1940-1980]
- Drawings depict Utz Potato Chip Co., Hanover; Bethlehem Steel Co., Steelton; West Shore Country Club, Camp Hill; Hershey Chocolate Corp., Hershey; Zion Lutheran Church, Harrisburg; and St. Paul's Lutheran Church, New Cumberland.
Manuscript Group 419 United States View Company Photographs, [ca. 1880-1900]
- Just 64 photographic prints depicting people standing in front of vintage houses.
Manuscript Group 425 Ebasco Environmental Company Aerial Photographs, [ca. 1980-1985]
- Aerial photographs depict portions of Adams, Bedford, Chester, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Lancaster, Somerset and York Counties.
Manuscript Group 432 Rathmell Covered Bridge Collection, 1950-1960
- Materials relate to covered bridges across Pennsylvania.
Manuscript Group 437 Karl Arndt Collection of Harmony Society Materials, 1794-1949
- Materials relate exclusively to Old Economy Village.
Manuscript Group 439 Edward K. Barnsley Papers, 1801-1932, 1986 (bulk 1932-1986)
- Materials relate to the reconstruction of Pennsbury Manor.
Manuscript Group 464 Francis Cooper Photographs, 1896-1920
- Photographs depict buildings in Juniata and Mifflin Counties.
Manuscript Group 480 J. B. Lankes Photograph Collection, 1923
- Photographs depict barns located near Adamstown, Carlisle, Chambersburg, Dillsburg, Elizabethtown, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lititz, Millersburg, Newville, Shiremanstown, Summit, Waynesboro, Wellsville, and Wescoesville.
Manuscript Group 482 Albert F. Zimmerman Photographs, 1865-1938
- Photographs depict buildings and streetscapes in Williamsport and vicinity