Collections

The collections of Historical Society of Pennsylvania range from genealogical and family papers to business and organizational records to collections of items such as photographs, postcards, sheet music, menus, and trade cards.  HSP's library contains a wealth of published material, including books, pamphlets, serials, and newspapers. 

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Our collections span from the seventeenth through the twenty-first centuries, and they touch upon numerous topics, from social and economic issues during the nation's founding to the effects of the Industrial Revolution to the immigrant experience of recent decades. While our collections generally focus on Philadelphia, Eastern Pennsylvania, and the greater Delaware Valley, we also have books from other states East of the Mississippi River, maps from different parts of the world, and manuscripts from national and international leaders.