Special Collections
104 Paterno Library
814.865.7931
UL-spcolref@lists.psu.edu
James P. Quigel, Jr.
Title: Head - Historical Collections and Labor Archives
Special Collections
104 Paterno Library
814.865.7931
UL-spcolref@lists.psu.edu
Historical Collections and Labor Archives (HCLA) is a collecting unit within the Eberly Family Special Collections Library.
HCLA collects primary sources documenting the history of Pennsylvania and U.S. industrial society.
HCLA houses more than 400 collections -- including oral histories, photographs, newspapers, leaflets, pamphlets, sound recordings, microfilms, films, maps, and posters -- dating from 1650 to the 1980s.
Instructions for searching our materials can be found here.
If you have not used a special collections library before, please note that we are open for fewer hours than some other parts of the library, and that you must use our materials in our reading room. For more information, please visit our brief online tutorial and tour.
HCLA holdings include a range of primary source material documenting the daily operations of the coal and oil industries. These collections include both personal papers and business records, ranging from correspondence, scrapbooks and photographs to office files, memoranda, and reports.
Thomas Richards (T.R.) Johns Papers, 1853-1948: Includes correspondence, clippings, scrapbooks, photo albums, and letterpress books documenting Bethlehem Steel's affiliated mines and labor conditions in PA and WV. See also the Johns digital collection: Beneath the Surface: Life, Work, and Social Structure in the Mining Community of Heilwood, PA
Anthracite miners' heritage collection, 1871-1954: (microfilm) Office files generated by the Hudson Coal Company of Pennsylvania for anthracite coal mines located in Lackawana and Luzerne Counties, and payroll records for mines located in Luzerne County. Restricted access.
Michael J. Kosik Anthracite Mineworkers Collection, 1863-1916: Contains official and manuscript records of strikes and organizations in eastern Pennsylvania collected by labor leader Michael Kosik. Includes photographs, clippings, and a record book from mine workers organizations.
Carl Peterson Papers (Northwest Mining Exchange, Brockway, PA), 1899-1974: Documents Peterson's work at Hudson Coal Company, Northwestern Mining & Exchange Company, and mining associations to promote worker safety, combat black lung disease, and increase efficiency.
Clearfield Bituminous Coal Corporation (Pa.) Land Tract Records and Property Maps, circa 1885-2009: Contains mining maps (including digitized oversize hardback maps), CD/DVDs, photographic prints of company towns and land tract records from company towns.
John P. Herrick Oil History Collection, 1791-1957 (bulk 1930-1949): Consists of research materials on oil and gas production, refining, pipelines, transportation, and biographies.
Andrew Sloan Ralston deed book, Titusville, Pa, 1865-1874: Records oil leases and warranty deeds, lists the names of clients, and includes an index to the deeds and leases.
HCLA holdings include a range of primary source material documenting the daily operations of the iron, steel, metal & machinery industries. HCLA collections include both personal papers and business records, ranging from correspondence, scrapbooks and photographs to office files, memoranda, and reports.
Centre Furnace (Centre County, Pa.) Records, 1813-1880: Consists of daybooks, ledgers, time books, pig iron account books, ore books, coal books, and grist mill books.
Curtin Ironworks (Centre County, Pa.) Records, 1810-1941: Microfilmed. Contains correspondence, production information, and accounts documenting business at Eagle Forge; Eagle Works; Eagle Rolling Mills; the Curtin Forge Company; and the Eagle Ironworks.
The Swigart-Shedd family collection on Pennsylvania iron furnaces, 1845-1991: Contains research material and papers, clippings, furnace site descriptions, photographs and other documents.
Standard Steel Car Company employment records, 1915-1939: Contains employment records, including personal, family, residence, past employment, nationality, position, and pay rate information.
Mackintosh, Hemphill & Company Records, 1868-1988: Consists of clippings, booklets, collective bargaining agreements, letters, and court documents concerning the Company, including its dissolution and impact on employees.
American Steel and Wire Company Records, 1919-1920: Consists of training material for foremen in science, steel industry technology, business and management through Employee Voluntary Instruction lectures.
HCLA holdings include a range of primary source material documenting the daily operations of the lumber & wood industries. HCLA collections include both personal papers and business records, ranging from correspondence, scrapbooks and photographs to office files, memoranda, and reports.
Lumber Rafting Oral History Collection, 1873-1975 (bulk 1963-1965): Documents the Pennsylvania timber industry, focusing on rafting with some information on clearing, lumber used, and mills. Includes 60 interviews, list of boat scaffolds, news article, and film.
Craig Humphrey Collection on the Susquehanna River Logging, 1871-1998: Includes West Branch land and timber data, a transcript of T.W. Lloyd’s “When Lumber was King,” interview notes, a river pilot diary (photocopy), photographs, and other materials.
Tyrone Saw and Planing Mill Financial Records, 1885-1930: Consists of account books and ledgers recording sales and legal settlements.
Forest History Collection, 1880-1975: Consists of journals, clippings, booklets, photographs and glass lantern slides, documentation related to forestry education at Penn State.
HCLA holdings include a range of primary source material documenting the daily operations of the railroad industry. HCLA collections include both personal papers and business records, ranging from correspondence, scrapbooks and photographs to office files, memoranda, and reports.
Pennsylvania Railroad and New York Central Railroad Records, 1853-1965: Contains correspondence, reports, financial records, and technical information primarily from northern and western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio.
Baltimore and Ohio-Buffalo, Rochester, and Pittsburgh Division Records, circa 1920-1977: Includes management-labor committee case files, accident reports, personnel files, and dispatch sheets.
Bellefonte Central Railroad Records, 1875-1987: Contains the corporate archives, including executive correspondence, financial and administrative records, annual reports, operations records, and photographs. Employee case files, engine photographs, deeds, and real estate papers are restricted.
Pennsylvania Locomotive and Traction Car Photograph Collection, 1933-1983: Consists of more than 1,400 photographs of locomotives, railroad cars, trolleys, and railroad stations from throughout Pennsylvania.
Other notable collections include:
Collection of Business and Financial Books from Central Pennsylvania, 1789-1948: Consists of record books from diverse PA businesses. Includes daybooks, ledgers and journals covering early iron furnace operations, sawing and lumber mills, general stores and area merchants, hotel registers, and others.
Berkshire Knitting Mills records, 1906-1970: Documents the operations and labor relations of the Berkshire Knitting Mills (Reading, PA). Contains photographs and microfilm materials, including union and legal documents, scrapbooks, company newspapers, technical notebooks, and minute books. Restricted access on some diaries until 2022 (Reels 10-15 closed).
Andrew Carnegie and Charles Schwab Correspondence, 1896-1901 (bulk 1900-1901): Contains correspondence and telegrams between Carnegie and executive officers of the Carnegie Steel Company, chiefly Schwab, concerning business interests.
William Brown Dickson Papers, 1880-1941 (bulk 1897-1941): Contains personal and business papers William Dickson, the steel industry manager and officer of Carnegie Steel, U.S. Steel Corporation, and Midvale Steel and Ordnance Company. Includes correspondence, diaries, clippings, photographs, writings and draft material for Dickson's memoirs, Steel and Democracy.
Harrington Emerson Papers, 1848-1931: Documents the personal life and career of the early industrial engineer, developer of scientific management, and leader of the US efficiency movement. Includes correspondence, writings, consulting reports, business records, clippings, photographs and memorabilia.
