Primary Sources

Teachers, need a primary source to create a lesson in the classroom? 

Students, need a source for research project? 

You can find the primary sources that used in the unit plans here where they are searchable by keyword, title, and topic.  

Besides an image of the source, on its page, you may also find ways to purchase copies for the classroom, a transcription, and its proper citation for inclusion in a bibliography.

Our digitized collection, however, is much bigger than this selection.  Be sure to search the Collection section of our website too.

And if you  need help reading old handwriting, there are many sources on line, such as this one from ancestry.com.

Browse Sources
“Committee on Employment: Freedmen’s Employment Agency Books, 1862-1865”

This record comes from the Pennsylvania Abolition Society Committee on Employment's Freedmen's Employment Agency books in the early 1860's.
Employment Circular

This document is an employment circular from the Pennsylvania Abolition Society's Committee on Employment.
Report from Teacher to Clarkson Educational Association

This was a report from teachers to the Clarkson Educational Association detailing their thoughts on the school.
Floor Plan of Clarkson Hall

This is a floorplan of Clarkson Hall, a school run by the Pennsylvania Abolition Society and its headquarters for many years.
Census of the Condition of Colored People in Philadelphia (2)

This is another page of the Census on the Condition of Colored People in Philadelphia in 1847 which studed the local African-American community.
Census of the Condition of Colored People in Philadelphia (1)

This is a page from the Colored Census of Philadelphia conducted in 1847. This census focused on gathering data about the African-American community in Philadelphia.
One More Piece of Chinatown Torn Down

This newsletter in English and Chinese was published in July 1975 to protest demolition within Chinatown.  State and City officials are held to blame.
A Map of the Country Between Wills Creek and Monongahela River shewing the route and Encampments of the English Army in 1755

This map, found in the Journal of General Edward Braddock's Expeditons shows the route and encampments of the British Army in 1755. 
A Draft of Fort Pittsburgh by Lieutenant Hutchins

This map shows a draft of Fort Pittsburgh drawn by Lieutenant Thomas Hutchins dated April 4, 1759 and contains a detailed key that names different areas within the fort. 
A Rough Plan of the Fort Building at Pittsburgh

This map shows a rough plan of Pittsborough, the name given to the area between the Monongahela and Ohio Rivers by General Forbes when the British reclaimed the land in 1758. The plan is from the Penn Family Papers on Indian Affairs and does not contain a date. 
Social Action Flyer

This flyer from 1968 invites its reader to hear Reverand Andrew J. Young speak about the meaning of social action at Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church.
CORE/SNCC Meeting Flyer

This 1966 CORE/SNCC flyer informs readers of an upcoming meeting entitled "Down South - Up South." It presents the time and place of the meeting as well as a number of prominent guests scheduled to attend. 

To see additional flyers, click the "View or Buy" button at the right. Then use the "Zoom/more media" button on that page.