Historical Society of Pennsylvania

In college, I studied abroad in Denmark and my host family had an apple tree. After the apples were harvested in November, we had apples cooked in every way imaginable, or so I thought. We did not have them covered in rice, wrapped in a cloth and boiled until the rice was cooked, and served with a delicious wine sauce. This recipe is in the dessert section of Ellen Emlen’s Cookbook, but I think they would make a lovely side dish to sausage or porkchops. The apple is sweet and... the rice nutty, making for an interesting contrast of flavors. #Foodiefriday #foodiefridaysatHSP #apples, #EllenEmlen, #18thCenturyCooking --Tara O'Brien Rice Dumplings, in Ellen Emlen’s Cookbook [Markoe and Emlen Correspondence Collection #2071] Click below for a printable recipe: http://ow.ly/3uEU50CJ5jx

Wishing everyone a Happy Hanukkah from the staff at HSP! #firstnightofhanukkah #MakeHistoryYours

This year marks the 125th anniversary of the completion of the Philadelphia Bourse. As noted in their first annual report, the idea began at an informal meeting in November, 1890 to create a "General Exchange, in which should be concentrated all the varied business interests of our city..." After a few months of additional meetings and subscription sales, the Bourse was charted in June 1891. The Bourse was originally set up as a commodities exchange, a centralized place i...n which goods were traded. It was also designed to both protect and promote Philadelphia’s commercial interests. After securing property on the block surrounded by Fourth, Fifth, Merchant (now Ludlow), and Ranstead streets, construction on a new building commenced in October 1893 and was completed in 1895. The Bourse became an office and retail complex in the late 1970s and is listed on the national register of Historic Places. HSP has two collections of records from the Bourse. The first, Philadelphia Bourse papers (#1358) chiefly contains papers that relate to the organization of the Bourse Corporation and to the erection of the Bourse building. The Philadelphia Bourse records (#3227) includes minute books, annual reports, and other financial material dating from 1891 to 1966. #MakeHistoryYours

Just one week left to register for our Locating Church Records in Pennsylvania genealogy workshop. Spots are limited so be sure to register today! http://ow.ly/sKxl50CH5ru

In the spirit of spooky and macabre, this week’s #OnlyAtHSP features a unique item that’s a bit of a mystery. At first glance, the item may appear to be a Victorian fan or a collar, but according to some of our current and former staff, it is likely an unfinished handmade lampshade. The final product would be cut out, rolled, and placed atop a lamp. But it’s not only what the item may be that makes this curious, but also its unique and strange design. The item has a variet...y of images including devils grinding people with a mortar and pestle, knights jousting on giant animals and a demon shooting people out of a cannon. The creator may have had a strange sense of humor, as also included are images of a man presenting a flower bouquet to a woman. It even offers a hopeful view of the future as two men are beating down death with a bottle labeled Holloway Universal Medicin [sic] and a plate of pills. If any of our readers have further ideas that can help provide more information, please let us know! #OnlyatHSP #Halloween #VictorianImages https://digitallibrary.hsp.org/index.p/Detail/objects/11382

"Our Book of Recipes is a compilation cookbook from the cooks at Der Dutchman Restaurant. Sprinkled throughout the book are little jingles and their translations. The Cookies and Small Cakes section starts off: Küchlein, Küchlein, Sie sin gut Komm und grik ains, und... Noe finst aus! (Cookies, cookies, Are so good. Come and get one, and You’ll find out!) Pennsylvania Dutch food is a fairly well-known, home-spun cuisine, and familiar to many Pennsylvanians. Because of my family’s strong Pennsylvania Dutch heritage, I was immediately drawn to this cookbook, and was very excited to work through the recipes. Food can be a great way to get in touch with your roots. Digging into genealogy brings forth so many stories and connections. HSP’s vast collections and resources have made it one of the largest family history libraries in the country. For more information on HSP’s genealogical resources, check http://ow.ly/Z2t550C0R4j. #FoodieFridays #foodiefridaysAtHSP #pumpkincookies #derdutchman #amishcooking #pennsylvaniadutch #makehistoryyours #genealogy --Kate Devlin "Pumpkin Cookies" in "Our Book of Recipes (With Pennsylvania Dutch Jingles)" by Daniel J. Lehman [TX 715 .A33 no.48] Click below for a printable recipe: http://ow.ly/IRQS50C0R4l

Join us (virtually) on Friday, November 5 for the culmination of our two year project, "The Art of Reintegration: Veterans and the Silences of War." The project engaged veterans and nonveterans alike in a series of discussions about topics including heroism, suffering, homecoming, and more. These discussions were framed in the context of three conflicts: World War I, the Vietnam War, and the Global War on Terror. Driven by the analysis of art, poetry, and archival sources fro...m HSP’s own collection, the discussions created an environment of open inquiry and reflectiona space where participants could speak honestly and situate their unique perspectives into a broader historical and artistic context, and explore how war can change everything and nothing. We now invite you to participate in the culmination of this project. This online program is open and free to the public. Participants will join with members and leaders of the discussion groups to talk openly and without judgement about what reintegration meansfor veterans and for civilians alikeand most importantly, what it entails. Click below for more details and to register: http://ow.ly/VSc250BZQSQ

Big news! #MyWishForUS, which we launched with @historymadebyus and museums across the nation, is the first program to be officially recognized by @America250 the official commission coordinating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Share your vision: MyWishForUS.com.

During the War of 1812, Philadelphia citizens raised concerns that the British fleet could easily make it up the unprotected Delaware River. Nothing was built during the war, but afterwards began construction of a star-shaped fort on Pea Patch Island, 15 miles south of Wilmington, Delaware, which was finished in the 1820s. The fort caught fire in 1831, and a new fort was completed by 1860. It was utilized throughout the Civil War as a Union garrison and prison for Confedera...te soldiers. Fort Delaware was returned to peacetime operations in the late 1860s but remained largely untouched until the late 1890s when the fort was modernized to better meet the needs of then-current naval vessels. The fort saw moderate use during the world wars, but was closed in the mid 1940s. In 1951, with help from the Fort Delaware Society, the land was handed over to the Delaware State Park Commission. Fort Delaware still stands on Pea Patch Island and today serves as museum. The island is accessible by ferry where visitors can enjoy interactive exhibits, hiking, picnicking, and ghost tours. #MakeHistoryYours #FortDelaware #RiverDefenses

Today marks the 79th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, bringing the United States into World War II. On the homefront, organizations such as the American Red Cross worked to provide relief for both soldiers and civilians. Many Philadelphians joined this effort, including Mrs. Stacy B. (Eleanor Morris) Lloyd. Lloyd, a descendant of Philadelphia’s second mayor, Anthony Morris, was the director of the nation’s first American Red Cross Allied Prisoners of War F...ood Packing Service, which opened at 30th Street and Allegheny Avenue in Philadelphia on February 1, 1943. Lloyd supervised hundreds of mostly women volunteers, many of whom were wives or mothers of men in the armed forces, as they created care packages for prisoners in war camps in Europe and Japan. By the end of the war, the packing service had sent over one million prisoner of war food packages. In recognition of her dedication to the cause, Mrs. Lloyd received the Gimbel Award for America’s Outstanding Woman in 1944. The Mrs. Stacy B. Lloyd papers on the American Red Cross’ Allied prisoners of War Food Packing Service (#3467) collection contains clippings, correspondence, photographs, and other documents related to Mrs. Lloyd’s work with the service between 1943 and 1945. #OnlyAtHSP #pearlharborday #WWII #POWs #RedCross #WWIIHomefront #relief

During World War II, supernatural customs that were still prevalent in Europe were used to afflict nefarious characters such as Adolf Hitler with disease or death. Photographs, found within the Philadelphia Record photo morgue in our collection reflect the belief in image magic that existed at that time. In February of 1941, residents of Central Europe and immigrants from that area residing in Washington, D.C., called upon the old pagan deity of Istan (akin to the Magyar o...r Hungarian word Istvan for god) to invoke his wrath to effect Hitler’s demise. Illustrations and even cardboard cutouts of a skeletal figure representing Hitler, along with wooden dolls, were stuck with pins in vital organs in the belief that the mass murderer would thus suffer destruction. As can be seen in the image here, a cat (often perceived as an animal connected to witchcraft) invokes its inherent powers upon a doll-image of Adolf Hitler by leaping onto an altar to examine the pin-pierced figure at weekly hex-related meetings. The collections of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania abound with modern imagery of a centuries-old custom, along with other supernatural-related materials. #Halloween #folklore #MakeHistoryYours

The Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations is a social service organization dedicated to serve Puerto Ricans and Latinos in Philadelphia. Founded in 1962, it was the first organization to unite the city's Puerto Rican and Latino social and civic groups into a coalition that represented Spanish-speaking constituencies to the city at large. Originally made up of a half dozen organizations, it grew to include 21 organizations and 105 delegates by 1976. The Council has playe...d a vital role in representing the needs and interests of Philadelphia’s Latino community. This includes advocacy in city government, social and educational programs, and organizing a colorful Puerto Rican Week Festival highlighting Latino culture and history. The records (19661990) include administrative and financial records, program files, newspaper clippings, and more. For related information please visit hsp.org/neighbors. #OnlyatHSP #NationalHispanicHeritageMonth See more

This is Scheherazade [Arabian Nights] who knew perhaps better than any woman in history how to enchant a man with her way of working magic with grape leaves and lamb, with many-hued rices and crisp salad greens. From the introduction of Scheherazade Cooks! by Wadeeha Atiyeh. Wadeeha Atiyeh was a Lebanese singer, dancer, actress, writer, and storyteller, who came to the United States as a young child. She was raised in Chicago by her grandparents who maintained Mi...ddle Eastern traditions. Atiyeh performed traditional music, dance, and storytelling, eventually settling in New York City. She is also the author of a number of short stories and plays. In her delightful cookbook, Ms. Atiyeh posits that it was not only Scheherazade’s ability to tell riveting tales which kept her from losing her head each morning, she also cooked! Under this premise, each section was written with its own snippet of a story, leaving the reader wanting more. The book was published in 1960 along with delightful illustrations by John Alcorn. HSP owns a small collection of Ms. Atiyeh's papers, including the manuscript to this cookbook. To make the best baba ganoush, take advantage of the hot coals of your bar-b-que. Char the eggplant on all sides thoroughly. Then wrap it in foil and allow it to continue cooking as long as the coals are hot, turning it every once in a while. #eggplant #babaganoush #appetizer #WadeehaAtiyeh #middleeastappetizer #foodiefriday #FoodieFridaysatHSP #balchinstitute American Lebanese Cultural Center --Posted by Tara O'Brien "Baba Ganoush" " in "Scheherazade Cooks!" [TX725 .N36 A76x/ Collection #MSS 9] Click below for a printable recipe: http://ow.ly/V4mG50BUtZr

Are you stuck in your genealogical research? Can't break through that brick wall? We can help. On the third Wednesday of every month, you can schedule a one-on...-one virtual consultation with a professional genealogist. These one hour sessions will help you create a research plan and strategize how to find the answers you are looking for! Click below for more details! http://ow.ly/GzNN50BTpLX See more

Register for our upcoming virtual discussion on the In Her Own Right project! This project examines collections related to the fight for women's suffrage in repositories across the region. Don't miss out on learning more about this exciting new resource!

As #Halloween approaches, we'd like to share this cautionary ghost tale, as it originally appeared in the September 12, 1787 edition of the New Jersey Journal and Political Intelligencer: "We learn from Lancaster that the following singular affair is founded on fact, and confirmed by Dr. Huston. On the evening of the 11th ultimo, a young man having obtained information of some young women near Wright's ferry, having formed a resolution of going in the evening to a cornfield t...o get some roasting ears of Indian corn, resolved he would go with a white sheet about him to represent a ghost, and have some fun in scaring them; but fatal was the consequence to him; whether he saw any thing which might be permitted to chastise him for his boldness, or what incident fell out to craze his imagination we cannot tell. But so it turned out, that after running through the fields for some hours, at last he reached a house in a manner frighted beyond description; he was immediately seized with epileptic fits, and continued to have frequent returns of them, till they put a period to his existence about the middle of last week. Doctor Huston attended him, and says when he was not in these fits, he was always scared and imagined he saw something terrible, and cried to be taken away from him." The above is a simple story, but perhaps it contains a warning to all those who would attempt to frighten others this coming Halloween. Yet, if one enjoys being "frighted," or frightened, there are many photographs, diaries, letters, newspaper accounts, etc., relating to the supernatural, available within the collections of HSP.

On this #ColumbusDay we highlight the collection of Henry Grier Bryant, an American explorer. Bryant was born in Allegheny, PA in 1859 and his family moved to Philadelphia in 1866. After graduating from Princeton and Pennsylvania Law School, he toured Europe which heightened his interest in exploration and geography. He served as president of the Philadelphia Geographic Society, among other organizations. He was one of the first Americans to explore the Great Falls of Labra...dor (Canada) in 1891 and is credited with taking the first photograph of these falls. His later expeditions to this region created accurate maps of the area as well as collecting entomological, geographical, and other valuable information. Bryant also was second in command to the Peary Relief Expedition which successfully located and returned home Robert Peary’s lost expedition in Greenland. Bryant’s later trips would take him to the Arctic, Mexico, Japan, and other places around the globe. Bryant’s collection spans from 1858-1926 and includes correspondence, notes on his expeditions, a scrapbook of notes and photographs and more. #OnlyatHSP #exploration #phillyexplorers http://ow.ly/UVN450BQ3An

Evoking the brutal winter at Valley Forge that George Washington’s army endured in 1777, the dedication of this cookbook espouses a desire to ensure that visitors to the site approach it with a sense of warmth and reverence. The book is filled with comforting and familiar dishes such as this recipe for Cream Soup. For this particular soup, celery was the featured ingredient, and the result was rich and flavorful. Using this recipe as a base, you can create any number of cream...y soups with whatever veggies you have in your fridge! #FoodieFridays #foodiefridaysAtHSP #soup #creamsoup #celery #valleyforge #marthawashington Cream Soups from Martha Washington Log Cabin Cook Book by Martha Washington Guild (Call No. Tv86 361) Click below for a printable recipe: http://ow.ly/8xTq50BOjB7 #