Abstract

Partial set of preliminary topographic surveys used as the basis for Fairmount Park construction plans and maps.

Abstract

Administrative records of the Fairmount Park Commission including early correspondence, engineering and committee reports, property management files, planning and financial records, publications, and exhibition materials. The collection is particularly strong in documenting early park development (1860s-1930s) and late 20th-century property management and planning activities.

Scope and Contents From the Series: Documents engineering activities, land acquisition, and property management through both internal correspondence between Commission members and external correspondence with the public and other entities. Includes general correspondence organized by decade, correspondence related to specific park sections (East Fairmount Park, West Fairmount Park, Wissahickon Valley Park, Cobbs Creek, Tacony Creek, Pennypack Creek), art and sculpture matters, land acquisitions, design and construction...

Scope and Contents From the Series: Documents engineering activities, land acquisition, and property management through both internal correspondence between Commission members and external correspondence with the public and other entities. Includes general correspondence organized by decade, correspondence related to specific park sections (East Fairmount Park, West Fairmount Park, Wissahickon Valley Park, Cobbs Creek, Tacony Creek, Pennypack Creek), art and sculpture matters, land acquisitions, design and construction...

Scope and Contents From the Series: Consists primarily of handwritten engineering reports, monthly progress reports, time reports, cost estimates, and property acquisition documentation from the Commission's formative years. Contains detailed engineering reports from Samuel L. Smedley and other engineering staff documenting park construction activities, material costs, land surveys, and workforce management. The bulk of committee-specific documentation relates to the Committee on Land Purchases and Damages (1900-1931),...

Scope and Contents From the Collection: This collection contains technical reports, studies, and project documentation related to Fairmount Park system properties and Philadelphia recreation facilities. Materials include historic structure reports, cultural landscape inventories, archaeological investigations, preservation and conservation evaluations, building condition assessments, master plans, environmental site assessments, engineering reports, project manuals and specifications, feasibility studies, maintenance and operation...

Abstract Items in this collection relate to East and West Fairmount Park, the original components of what has become the vast Fairmount Park system. Unique in its composition, these areas not only contain naturalist landscapes, but they are also home to a truly diverse set of historic and functional structures. In addition to a vast trail system and traditional recreational facilities (such as swimming pools and baseball diamonds), these parks are also home to an array of 18th and 19th century...

Scope and Contents From the Collection: The History Files collection contains research materials documenting parks, sites, structures, organizations, events, and individuals associated with the Fairmount Park System and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation. This collection compiles materials from diverse sources over time rather than representing the records of a single office or individual. Typical materials include correspondence, deeds, leases, newspaper clippings, photocopies of published articles and book excerpts, research...

Scope and Contents From the Collection: The History Files collection contains research materials documenting parks, sites, structures, organizations, events, and individuals associated with the Fairmount Park System and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation. This collection compiles materials from diverse sources over time rather than representing the records of a single office or individual. Typical materials include correspondence, deeds, leases, newspaper clippings, photocopies of published articles and book excerpts, research...

Scope and Contents From the Collection: This collection contains technical reports, studies, and project documentation related to Fairmount Park system properties and Philadelphia recreation facilities. Materials include historic structure reports, cultural landscape inventories, archaeological investigations, preservation and conservation evaluations, building condition assessments, master plans, environmental site assessments, engineering reports, project manuals and specifications, feasibility studies, maintenance and operation...