The 1793 Yellow Fever epidemic in Philadelphia has become well known: the story has a hero—Benjamin Rush—and a villain—a mysterious pestilential disease which killed almost 10 percent of the population. Rush has been roundly criticized, both by posterity and his contemporaries, for his harsh therapies of bloodletting and extreme medicines.
 Thursday, 10/23/14 Lecture/Panel Discussion |
 Thursday, 10/23/14 Teacher Workshop This workshop will provide teachers with in-depth background on the rich history of Germantown, as represented by five exceptional museums. It will provide resources (e.g.., the Germantown Historical Society, museum educator-consultants, literature lists and websites) for teachers and students to explore this multicultural study of community history throughout the school year. |
 Wednesday, 10/22/14 Genealogy Workshop The focus this evening will be on tips and techniques for finding immigrant ancestors while doing genealogical research. After an overview, experienced Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania volunteers will be available to provide advice individually on your specific research issue may research in library until 8:30 p.m. |
 Wednesday, 10/22/14 Lecture/Panel Discussion The Philadelphia Vigilance Committee helped runaway slaves relocate within northern Free states and Canada. Committee Chairman William Still interviewed the runaways and kept a journal documenting their escapes and experiences in bondage. Join us for a panel discussion featuring Valerie Still, Phil Lapansky, and Melvin Garrison. Part of a month-long celebration of Moonstone Arts Center’s Underground Railroad in Philadelphia |
 Thursday, 10/16/14 Special Event Brush, tease, and apply the pomade for a party all about hair! Guests will enjoy an evening of hors d’oeuvres, raffle prizes, a whiskey tasting from WhistlePig Whiskey, and an exclusive, one-night document display showing some of the best hairstyles through the centuries. |
 Thursday, 10/16/14 Genealogy Workshop HSP director of research, David Haugaard, (almost literally) wrote the book on Colonial Pennsylvania legislators (serving for many years as one of that project’s editors). David will explain the various Colonial-era records at HSP and how they can aid you in your family history research. |
 Wednesday, 10/15/14 Lecture/Panel Discussion Over twenty-five hundred service people from Philadelphia lost their lives in the Great War, and each of them had a story. Some of their stories live on in the memories of their descendants, many of whom still live in the Philadelphia area today. But many left no descendants, having died young—often in their late teens or early twenties—before they had the opportunity to start a family. As a result, there was no one left to remember and share the story of their lives. |
 Tuesday, 10/14/14 Exhibit/Display Pennsylvania has long been known as the Keystone State, and not without cause. Its history and culture have been shaped by its place—geographically and otherwise. In conjunction with the Pennsylvania Historical Association annual meeting, HSP will display selections from its collections that look at Pennsylvania as a place, whether geographical, political, or imagined. |
 Tuesday, 10/14/14 Genealogy Workshop Trying to prove that your ancestor was a Civil War hero (or at least not a deserter)? Attend this session by Dr. Daniel Rolph, HSP’s head of reference and historian. Dr. Dan is a Civil War expert and author. He will guide you through HSP’s extensive Civil War resources as well as give you help with other military records at HSP. |
 Thursday, 10/9/14 Genealogy Workshop So many databases, so little time. How does Ancestry.com compare to Family Search? What about other subscription and free databases? Experienced HSP staffer and researcher, Dana Dorman, guides you through the various databases which any user can access at HSP. |
 Wednesday, 10/8/14 Lecture/Panel Discussion A growing number of historic sites are exposing the intersection of history and mystery, utilizing the paranormal as an entertaining and educational way to share their stories with visitors. Beth Beatty, Executive Director of Fort Mifflin, and Dr. Daniel Rolph, HSP’s Historian, Folklorist & Head of Reference services, discuss their sites’ famous hauntings. After the lecture, take a tour through HSP’s most haunted locations. |
 Wednesday, 10/8/14 Genealogy Workshop The focus this evening will be on tips and techniques for using HSP collections related to place in genealogical research. After an overview, experienced Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania volunteers will be available to provide advice individually on your specific research issue may research in library until 8:30 p.m. Part two in a series of Wednesday evening genealogy workshops. |