FRANK W. MELVIN PAPERS
1708-1961 (bulk 1920-61)
8 cu. ft.
Papers of Frank W. Melvin (b. 1884, d. 1961). Philadelphia lawyer, who held many important legal and historical positions in Pennsylvania. Among the latter were the chairmanship of the Pennsylvania Historical Commission, 1935-1939, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 1956-1961, and the Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania 300th Anniversary Commission, 1937, 1938. He was a member of the Valley Forge Park Commission, 1936-1939 and the Brandywine Battlefield Commission, 1947-1961. He was also governor of the Swedish Colonial Society, Philadelphia,1936-1946, and that society's honorary governor for life, 1946-1961.
Pertaining principally to Melvin's historical activities, papers include correspondence,
reports, minutes, copies of legislation, invitations and programs, newspaper
clippings, booklets and pamphlets, photographs, and maps. Among the chief subjects
are the general operations of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
and its predecessor, the Pennsylvania Historical Commission; the historic properties
of these commissions, particularly Pennsbury Manor and Old Economy; the Valley
Forge and Brandywine Battlefield Park commissions; four church parks in Philadelphia,
those of Christ Church, St. Joseph's, St. George's, and Gloria Dei, and their
relationship to Independence National Historical Park; the Pennsylvania 300th
Anniversary Commission and related observances of the 1938 anniversary of Swedish
settlement on the Delaware; the American Swedish Colonial Museum in Philadelphia;
and various other historical committees, societies, etc., in the state. Included
is correspondence with state and national political leaders; the legations of
Sweden and Finland; the National Park Service; the Pennsylvania Historical Commission
and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; the Pennsylvania Federation
of Historical Societies; individual historical societies and related organizations
in the Commonwealth; ministers and other churchmen, particularly in the Philadelphia
area; officials of the city of Philadelphia; and Pennsylvania architects and
lawyers. Notable among the correspondents are Leo A. Achterman, Arthur C. Bining,
Donald A. Cadzow, James H. Duff, Gilbert S. Jones, David L. Lawrence, M. Atherton
Leach, Henry W. Shoemaker, and Dr. S. K. Stevens. With the papers are a number
of early Pennsylvania deeds, dating from the period 1708-1824.
- General Correspondence and Biographical Data, 1920-1961. (4 boxes) {#139m.1}
- Commissions and Honors, 1936-1959, undated. (2 folders) {#139m.2}
- Deeds, 1708-1824. (1 folder) {#139m.3}
- Maps, 1912-1945, undated. (10 folders) {#139m.4}
- Photographs, 1958, undated. (1 folder) {#139m.5}
- Printed Items and Speeches, 1926-1960, undated. (13 folder) {#139m.6}
- The container listings for this Manuscript Group are available for viewing and word-searching in PDF format: [Holdings]
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