Subject Areas - Sources of Local History in Special Collections

Books, pamphlets, and other published materials:
Check MUSCAT  for Special Collections' holdings. Our stacks are closed so you must make your requests at the reference desk in our Reading Room.  In most cases, our copies are rare and/or first edition, but there may be a second copy in the main stacks that can circulate.  We also keep complete copies of past Spectrums, Faculty Meeting Minutes, Course Catalogues, and Alumni Records available in our Reading Room.

For non-published materials, including maps, photographs, ephemera, and manuscripts, consult the archivists.

Subject Vertical Files:
A collection of miscellaneous files relating to the history of Adams County and surrounding areas. Researchers may investigate subjects such as "Adams County-History," "Eisenhower," the "Gettysburg Academy," the "Gettysburg Address" (including its 70th, 85th, 87th, 89th, and 100th anniversaries), and the Lutheran Theological Seminary.

Oral History Collection:
Researchers will find paper copies of interviews about
Adams County in World War II and the Lincoln Highway (U.S. Route 30) in the Reading Room.

Manuscript (MS) and Vertical File Manuscript (VFM) Collections, with call numbers and links to inventories where appropriate.

Adams County German Prisoner of War Camps. Major Laurence C. Thomas was in command of two camps, Camp Sharpe located on the Emmitsburg Road on the Gettysburg Battlefield was a labor camp, and Camp Michaux in Pine Grove Furnace State Park was an interrogation camp. Materials were confiscated by members of the intelligence corps and came into the possession of Major Thomas. The collection includes accounts of prisoner escapes, military passes, newspapers from the United States, England and Germany, maps of Paris, military passbooks, military service book, pocket atlas, ration coupons, German postcards, pocket card explaining how to attack various tanks with German weaponry, and a diary. MS-056.

Adams County Poorhouse (Almshouse) Ledger. 1837-1875. AMs. CWVFM-123.

Adams, Franklin Pierce. Letter from Pierce to Mr. Cooper of the Hanover Evening Sun regarding his participation in the 1943 Victory Book Campaign. 10 December 1942. TLS- 2pp. VFM-1.

Baker, George Washington. (1872- 1956) Historical notes on Adams County, specifically Abbottstown, Berlin, the York-Gettysburg Turnpike, and the East Berlin Branch Railroad. Newspaper Clippings and Correspondence. MS-37pp. VFM-277.

Bible Society of Theological Seminary and Pennsylvania College. Treasurer's book from 1850-1859. MS- 64pp. VFM-16.

Biglerville, Pennsylvania. World War II letters to Olive Tipton and Sara Miller. MS-029.

Bream, Henry T. Papers. A Gettysburg resident and College Alumni, Henry Bream was active in both community organizations and college athletics after graduation MS-064.

Cashtown Ledger 1790-1845 with a diary, January 1861 - May 1863. Mentions the death of George Hartman, 165th PA. 1 AMs item. CWVFM-124.

Company A, 26th Pennsylvania. Articles and essays written about the College Company in the Pennsylvania Militia and other accounts of the Battle of Gettysburg. 8 MS items. CWVFM-119.

Cooper, Thomas Yost. A graduate of Hanover, Pennsylvania High School and a city editor of the Hanover Evening Sun. Collection includes a scrapbook from Hanover High School (1900), correspondence, and Cooper's newspaper articles and manuscripts. Unprocessed collection.

Duttera, John W. Duttera was a Staff Sergeant in the Army Air Force and stationed in the Philippines where he worked on aircraft engines. The collection largely includes letters from Duttera to Ruth Feiser, who later became his wife, of New Oxford, PA, 30 June 1942-17 December 1945. The collections also consists of letters written by Joseph Atland 19 January 1942-18 March 1943, one note from William Heller, 23 December 1943, one letter by one letter by Charles Blackburn, May 1943, letters written by Ruth Feiser, photographs, copies of newspaper clippings, and song lyrics and jokes. 2 boxes. Unprocessed collection.

Gettysburg Store Ledger, 1853-1866. The book includes store and Gettysburg Bank transactions. 1 box. Unprocessed collection.

Gotwald, Luther A. Jr. One rough draft, Df-11 pp., and a proposal of "A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Seminary Ridge" with corrections, October 1999. MS-16 pp. VFM-232.

Hanson, Dr. Henry W. A. Two 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg Medals, b/w photographs from the 70th Anniversary of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, and several letters regarding the Anniversary event; among other documents. (28 items). VFM-233.

Harkey, Simeon. Three letters from Harkey 1831-1840 describing daily life at the Gettysburg Gymnasium, Seminary, and his parish in MD. ALS- 6pp. VFM-67.

Hoover, J. Edgar. Letter on US Dept. of Justice letterhead to Mr. Barnitz, thanking him for his thoughtfulness regarding an article from the Gettysburg Times. TLS- 1pp. VFM- 75.

Huber, Charles H. Collection includes publications, catalogues, commencement exercise booklets, and 19th Century material concerning the Gettysburg Academy. See also series one for Gettysburg Academy correspondence. MS-005.

Jacobs, Henry Eyster. ALS-3pp. from Henry B. Jacobs containing his remembrances of Lincoln. Also, a manuscript from H.E. Jacobs. Some excerpts from the manuscript were published in Dr. Jacob's book, "Lincoln's Gettysburg World Message," in 1919. MS- 39pp. VFM-79.

Lewars, Elsie S. Postcard from Mrs. Lewars, Gettysburg, PA to Mr. Luther Grossman discussing her new book. ALS- 1pp. VFM-188.

"The Life of Farmers in South Central Pennsylvania During World War II" Paper by David Worley for History 421. 30 April 2004. DS-43pgs. VFM-261

The Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania . Letters, notes, and records of the Lincoln Fellowship of Pennsylvania and the annual celebrations of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address since 1938 as well as other special projects the Fellowship was involved with. Also includes videorecordings, newspaper articles, photograms, and other documentation of events. (On deposit) MS-065

McConaughy, David. Papers contain correspondence regarding the soldiers' reunion in August 1869 in Gettysburg and materials about the establishment of the National Cemetery in Gettysburg. MS-022.

Miller, John Ephraim Corwin. Ledger books from his hardware store in New Oxford, PA, April 1875-1 December 1903. 4 boxes. Unprocessed collection.

Musselman Family. Photocopies of articles regarding Musselman family, the Musselman farming business, and company president John Hauser. Also includes Fall 1985 issue of the Gettysburg Hospital Quarterly and Down Memory Lane with Members of the Adams County Fruit Growers Association, vol. II. VFM-244.

Musselman Stadium Dedication. Newspaper articles, press releases, and articles regarding the stadium. Also includes notes, correspondence, and plans by Gettysburg College officials, as well as two tickets for a Sept. 25, 1965 Bucknell V. Gettysburg football game. VFM-247.

New Oxford Store Ledger. 1878-1890. Record of store transactions. 1 box. Unprocessed collection.

Office of the Union Canal Company of Pennsylvania. 36cm x 54cm broadside titled "Report, Relative to the Enlargement of the Union Canal" and minuets of Meeting of the President and Managers of the Union Canal Company of Pennsylvania. 26 May 1922. 2 D. VFM-253 (oversize)

Parker, Horace Shepard. "Address on Gettysburg" includes some good descriptions of the battle, a speech by F.H. Shepard. 19 Aug. 1913. MS- 14pp. VFM- 191.

The Processor. Publication issued "by the employees of the Pet Milk Company, Musselman Division." Unprocessed collection.

Rockefeller, Nelson A. Letter from Gov. Rockefeller to Mrs. Pennell accompanying his book, "The Future of Federalism." 19 July 1962. TLS-3pp. VFM-123.

Schmucker, Samuel S. See correspondence; e.g. Schmucker to David McConaughy, August 14, 1863. MS-023.

Scott Paper Co, Limited. Letter from E. Irvin Scott trying to convince PA College to buy their toilet papers. Also includes samples of 4 types. 19 Aug 1893. TLS-4pp. VFM-192.

Sloan, Samuel. Letter to Deputy surveyor Samuel Cochman. Mentions James Gettys and political leaders of the time. 28 June 1800. ALS- 2pp. VFM-133.

Star and Republican Banner. Newspaper d. Tuesday Morning, December 31, 1833 with a letter to the Editor regarding " Pennsylvania College." MS-4pp. VFM-237 (oversize).

Stevenson, Adlai Ewing. Two letters from Governor Stevenson to Robert Bloom, thanking him for his support. 4 Aug 1952; 11 Nov 1952. TLS- 2pp. VFM-142.

Taylor, Kenneth. Emails to granddaughter, Jeanne Taylor - series of memories of his time in high school, college, and the army during the Great Depression. MS-39pgs. VFM-171

Topographic Map of Adams County, Pennsylvania. Adams County, Plate I, surveyed in 1906-1908. 1 D. VFM-227.

Tway, Lewis. See "Report of the Reunion of the 147th Reunion Association Held at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1913." MS-011.

"Views in Gettysburg, PA." Ballou's Pictorial Vol. VIII, No. 9 (Boston: Saturday, March 3, 1855). Article gives a short description of Pennsylvania College and the Theological Seminary. MS-16 pp. VFM-228.

Wayne, John. Letter selecting his choices for Spectrum Queen. 26 Jan 1968. TLS- 1pp. VFM- 162.

Wood, William W. "The Apple Industry of Adams County," thesis submitted for a Master of Science at Gettysburg College 11 June 1924. MS-125 pp. VFM-224.

Yingling, Jacob, Class of 1952. Papers. Researchers should note that the collection is rich in local history, particularly Adams County, Pennsylvania history, as well as the history of Carroll County, Maryland. Series I, II, and VIII especially reflect this trend. See series one for a plethora of primary documents, including an Adams County Court Record Book (late 19th Century). Collection also contains materials that provide context to schooling in the Gettysburg area (late 19th and early 20th Centuries). See also Civilian Conservation Corps Annual, 1936 which documents the work of the CCC in Gettysburg. MS-049

Zimmerman, Jeremiah. Letter to librarian John Knickerbocker with his donation of several campaign materials from the 1860 election. 2 Feb. 1933. TLS- 4pp. VFM- 201.