Finding Aid -- Edwin Owen Lewis Papers

The Edwin Owen Lewis Papers
Catalog Number: 53514
 
 

Copyright and Restrictions

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials. The various state privacy acts govern the use of materials that document private individuals, groups, and corporations.

Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a reproduction if the document does not infringe the privacy rights of an individual, group, or corporation. These specified conditions of authorized use include:

  • non-commercial and non-profit study, scholarship, or research, or teaching
  • criticism, commentary, or news reporting
  • as a NPS preservation or security copy
  • as a research copy for deposit in another institution

If a user later uses a copy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," the user may be personally liable for copyright, privacy, or publicity infringement. This institution's permission to obtain a photographic, xerographic, digital, or other copy of a document doesn't indicate permission to publish, exhibit, perform, reproduce, sell, distribute, or prepare derivative works from this document without first obtaining permission from the copyright holder and from any private individual, group, or corporation shown or otherwise recorded.

Permission to publish, exhibit, perform, reproduce, prepare derivative works from, sell, or otherwise distribute the item must be obtained by the user separately in writing from the holder of the original copyright (or if the creator is dead from his/her heirs) as well as from any individual(s), groups, or corporations whose name, image, recorded words, or private information (e.g., employment information) may be reproduced in the source material. The holder of the original copyright isn't necessarily the National Park Service. The National Park Service is not legally liable for copyright, privacy, or publicity infringement when materials are wrongfully used after being provided to researchers for "fair use."

This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if fulfillment of the order is judged in violation of copyright or federal or state privacy or publicity law.

 

History

Edwin Owen Lewis was born on July 12, 1879 in Richmond, Virginia, the son of Louis and Elizabeth Jane (Owen) Lewis. He attended public schools in Richmond and went to the Virginia Institute and Richmond College. When Lewis was fifteen years old he started work as a typesetter for a newspaper in Richmond. His rapid efficiency and skill as a typesetter enabled him to find a new position when he moved to Philadelphia in 1896. Lewis had been impressed with the modern typesetting machines of Philadelphia's local newspapers when he stopped in the city in 1895, en route to a Presbyterian youth conference in Boston. In Philadelphia, Lewis worked for the Philadelphia Press, the Public Ledger, and The North American. While working in Philadelphia, Lewis retained his connections in Richmond, sending money back home to his family and doing occasional sports reporting for the Richmond papers.

While working as a typesetter, Lewis attended the Law School of the University of Pennsylvania. He attended classes in the old courthouse behind Congress Hall during the day and continued his typesetting work throughout the night. In spite of the grueling schedule, Lewis obtained his LL.B. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1902. After being admitted to the bar in June of that year, Lewis entered into his own private practice.

Lewis had a keen interest in politics, and shortly after finishing law school became involved with local politics in his ward. The Democratic Party nominated him to run as a State Senator representing West Philadelphia, Germantown, and Chestnut Hill. Though he lost the race to the Republican candidate, the experience propelled Lewis into the public eye, and he served in a variety of offices for the Democratic Party.

In 1905, Lewis left the Democratic Party to serve as campaign manager of a new independent party known as the City Party. Despite the party's initial failures in the Republican-dominated city, Lewis won a seat on the City Council in 1907, representing the 27th Ward. His term lasted two years, and with the election of reform mayor Rudolph Blankenburg in 1911, Lewis assumed the first of many appointive posts in the city government when he became Assistant City Solicitor as well as Chief of the Road Bureau. During this period, Lewis was involved with the progressive reforms in the Beaux Arts city planning of large boulevards that necessitated the condemnation of thousands of properties. When the Republicans regained control of the city in 1916, Lewis returned to private practice. He continued to serve on the city's Board of Recreation, to which he had been appointed in 1911. Though approached several times, Lewis refused to reenter politics until 1923, when the Republic Party presented him with an uncontested judgeship on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

Lewis' career as a judge on the Court of Common Pleas, Number 2, was long. He was reelected three times and became the president judge of the court in 1953. During his service on the bench, he heard a number of important cases involving police corruption and organized crime.

In 1953 he ruled on a case against racial discrimination at public swimming pools. His most notable achievement was the institution of the non-jury trial system, a system which saved the city a considerable amount of money. Upon his retirement in 1957, Judge Lewis returned to private practice with the firm of Norris, Lex, Hart and Ross. He also volunteered as a public defender in the Court of Quarter Sessions.

Throughout his career, Judge Lewis maintained an interest in the preservation of Independence Hall. Since the 1920s, he had been active in a number of patriotic and hereditary societies in Philadelphia. It was his involvement with the Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the Revolution that inspired Lewis to begin a campaign to preserve Independence Hall. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he appointed a committee of the Sons to look into the protection of several historic sites in Philadelphia. The main task of the committee was to devise strategies to protect these buildings from bombing. After several months of investigations by the committee and its chairman, David Knickerbacker Boyd, it soon became apparent that the resources of the Sons would not be sufficient to accomplish their goals. The Sons, wishing to remain nonpartisan, did not want to play a leading role in the political maneuvers necessary to protect Philadelphia's historic sites. As a result of this preference, Judge Lewis and D. Knickerbacker Boyd gathered together many of the committee and subcommittee members and held a public meeting in May of 1942 to form the Independence Hall Association.

As president of the Independence Hall Association, Judge Lewis led the efforts to make Independence Hall a part of the National Park system. This thirty-year project involved the redevelopment of Philadelphia's historical eighteenth century neighborhood into a national historical park. Lewis initially concentrated on the transfer of ownership of Independence Hall from the City of Philadelphia to the federal government. Though the outbreak of World War II initially delayed the process, Congress passed a law in late 1945 which created the Philadelphia National Shrines Park Commission to evaluate the possibility of creating a national park in Philadelphia. Judge Lewis served as chairman of the Commission. In 1948 the Commission submitted its report to Congress. The report was quickly approved and that same year the President signed into law the creation of Independence National Historical Park.

With the park established in law, Lewis was appointed the head of the Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission, which was tasked with overseeing the implementation and creation of the park. While he had been working with the federal government to create the park, Lewis had also successfully lobbied the governor of Pennsylvania to support the creation of a three-block mall to the north of Independence Hall. The governor committed the state to purchase and demolish the buildings on the site of the mall.

For most of the 1950s, Judge Lewis actively lobbied both Congress and the State Legislature for funding for the park. Lewis was particularly adept at wooing politicians for his cause, hosting a number of dinners and special events for legislators. His most lasting contribution, however, was in planning the park. Lewis' vision of a Williamsburg-like park, divorced from the modern city and filled with open space, became a reality through his own relentless efforts and the work of many other dedicated individuals.

Judge Lewis was involved in a number of institutions, societies, associations, and clubs in Philadelphia. He was a member of the American Philosophical Society, director and president of The Athenaeum of Philadelphia, president of the School of Design for Women (later the Moore College of Art), trustee of the Pennsylvania Museum and School for Industrial Art, director of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, president general of the General Society of the Sons of the Revolution, governor general of the Society of Colonial Wars, president of the Colonial Society of Pennsylvania, and vestryman of Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in Overbrook.

Edwin O. Lewis married Eleanor A. Lord in 1905 and they had two daughters. He remarried in 1943 to Agnes Almy Morris. He died on September 18, 1974.
 

Scope and Content

Independence National Historical Park Edwin Owen Lewis Papers
1927-1990 and undated (bulk dates: 1941-1957)

Catalog Number: INDE 53515

Volume: 10.5 LF

Description: The Edwin Owen Lewis Papers document Judge Lewis' essential role in the creation of Independence National Historical Park and in the redevelopment of Philadelphia's Old City neighborhood. The records reflect his involvement with numerous organizations in Philadelphia, as well as his contact with politicians and government officials on the local, state, and federal level. The bulk of the collection is composed of correspondence, but also contains meeting minutes and agendas, newspaper clippings, brochures and programs from various events, as well as memorabilia.
The collection spans the period 1927-1972, with the bulk of the material dating from 1941-1957.

Organization:
This collection is organized into series:
  • Series I: Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the Revolution, Committee on the Preservation of Historic Buildings
  • Series II: Independence Hall Association
  • Series III: Mixed Correspondence
  • Series IV: Mixed Events
  • Series V: Related Committees and Organizations
  • Series VI: Certificates and Memorabilia
  • Series VII: Newspaper Clippings
  • SERIES VIII: SCRAPBOOK
  • SERIES IX: AUTOBIOGRAPHY
  • SERIES X: 2023 ACCRETION

Restrictions: No

Associated Materials:

Independence National Historical Park Archives:

  • Independence Hall Association Records
  • Isidor Ostroff Papers
American Philosophical Society
  • Edwin O. Lewis Papers
 

Series Descriptions

Series I: Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the Revolution, Committee on the Preservation of Historic Buildings, 1941-1942
This series is arranged chronologically.
This series contains correspondence related to the Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the Revolution, Committee on the Preservation of Historic Buildings, and the efforts of its members to raise awareness for the preservation of historic buildings in the city. The material includes correspondence from within and without the organization, and includes meeting minutes and agendas. Much of the correspondence was conducted between Lewis and Chairman of the Committee David Knickerbacker Boyd.

Series II: Independence Hall Association, 1942-1968
This series is arranged alphabetically, and thereunder chronologically.
This series documents Lewis' involvement with the Independence Hall Association and the organization's campaign to create a national park in Philadelphia. The materials include meeting minutes from the various committees and sub-committees, as well as meeting minutes and agendas for the entire organization. There is also a sequence of correspondence from officers of the association.

Series III: Mixed Correspondence, 1927-1968, undated
This series is organized into two groups, one arranged chronologically and the other arranged alphabetically.
This series contains Lewis' correspondence on a variety of subjects. His correspondence includes both incoming and outgoing letters, as well as many telegrams and telephone messages. Due to the interrelated nature of much of Lewis' work, most of his correspondence was organized into a general chronological file. He did, however, keep correspondence related to specific subjects together, and this organization has been maintained.

Series IV: Mixed Events, 1948-1955, undated
This series is arranged alphabetically, and thereunder chronologically.
This series contains documentation related to several events of public boosterism, many of them intended to raise both local and national interest in the preservation of Independence Hall and the creation of Independence National Historical Park. In addition to correspondence and handwritten notes, this series also contains printed programs and brochures advertising and commemorating events.

Series V: Related Committees and Organizations, 1943-1957, undated
This series is arranged alphabetically, and thereunder chronologically.
This series contains documentation related to Lewis' involvement in a number of organizations in Philadelphia, including the American Philosophical Society, The Athenaeum of Philadelphia, the Joint State Government Commission, the National Council for Historic Sites and Buildings, and most notably, the Independence National Historical Park Advisory Committee and the Philadelphia National Shrines Park Commission. There is also documentation related to Lewis' campaign with the United Nations Council to establish Philadelphia as the new home for the United Nations. The material in this series is composed primarily of correspondence, much of it relating to coordinating meetings and conveying meeting minutes and agendas from the various boards.

Series VI: Certificates and Memorabilia, 1937-1972, undated
This series is arranged alphabetically.
This series contains awards, certificates, and memorabilia presented to Lewis in commemoration for his volunteer efforts with such organizations as the Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission, the Joint State Government Commission, and the Pennsylvania Constitution Commemoration Committee. The oversize materials in this series have been removed to the museum collection for preservation purposes.

Series VII: Newspaper Clippings, 1945-1957, undated

This series is arranged alphabetically.
This series contains newspaper clippings related to Lewis' work with Independence Hall and the Old City neighborhood in Philadelphia. It also includes newspaper clippings related to Lewis' political career and his efforts to have Philadelphia serve as the site for the United Nations.

SERIES VIII: SCRAPBOOK (ACC-4250)
"Happy 90th Birthday to Judge Edwin O. Lewis from INHP Staff and Advisory Commission" - scrapbook of newspaper clippings and photographs, compiled 1969

SERIES IX: AUTOBIOGRAPHY (ACC-4608)
2 copies of unpublishd typescript autobiography "A Short Story of a Long Life," UNDATED

SERIES X: 2023 ACCRETION, 1942-1990
Materials found on archives shelving during inventory. Unknown provenance

 

Container List

Box 1

SERIES I: PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY OF THE SONS OF THE REVOLUTION, COMMITTEE ON THE PRESERVATION OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS, 1941-1942
Folder 1: Correspondence, December 1941-May 1942
Folder 2: Meeting Minutes, March 16 1942

SERIES II: INDEPENDENCE HALL ASSOCIATION, 1942-1968
Folder 3: Committees – Advisory Board of Directors, 1942-1944
Folder 4: Committees – Board of Directors, Prospective members, 1944-1947
Folder 5: Committees – Committee on Arrangements, 1945
Folder 6: Committees – Executive Committee, 1942
Folder 7: Committees – Executive Committee, 1942-1943
Folder 8: Committees – Executive Committee, 1944-1946
Folder 9: Committees – Exhibit Committee, 1943
Folder 10: Committees – Facts and Figures Committee, 1942-1943
Folder 11: Committees – Finance Committee, 1942-1944
Folder 12: Committees – Hospitality Committee, 1946-1947
Folder 13: Committees – Membership Committee, 1942-1943
Folder 14: Committees – Membership Committee, membership lists, 1943-1950
Folder 15: Committees – Public Relations Committee, 1942-1943
Folder 16: Committees – Special Committee to Confer with Pennsylvania Senate and Congress, 1945
Folder 17: Committees – Sub-committee on Research and Planning, 1943
Folder 18: Meetings, March 1945
Folder 19: Meetings, 1945-1947
Folder 20: Meetings, April 1950
Folder 21: Meetings, June 1956
Folder 22: Minutes, 1947, 1950, 1968
Folder 23: Officers' correspondence – Secretary, 1942, 1944
Folder 24: Officers' correspondence – Treasurer, 1942-1943
Folder 25: Officers' correspondence – Treasurer, 1944
Folder 26: Officers' correspondence – Treasurer, 1945-1947
Folder 27: Officers' correspondence – Treasurer, 1948-1951

SERIES III: MIXED CORRESPONDENCE, 1927-1968, undated
Folder 28: Correspondence, March-July 1942
Folder 29: Correspondence, August-September 1942
Folder 30: Correspondence, October-November 1942
Folder 31: Correspondence, December 1942
Folder 32: Correspondence, January-February 1943
Folder 33: Correspondence, March 1943
Folder 34: Correspondence, April-May 1943
Folder 35: Correspondence, June-July 1943
Folder 36: Correspondence, August-September 1943
Folder 37: Correspondence, October-November 1943
Folder 38: Correspondence, December 1943
Folder 39: Correspondence, January-June 1944
Folder 40: Correspondence, July-December 1940
Folder 41: Correspondence, January-March 1945
Folder 42: Correspondence, April-August 1945
Folder 43: Correspondence, September-October 1945
Folder 44: Correspondence, November-December 1945
Folder 45: Correspondence, January-August 1946
Folder 46: Correspondence, September-October 1946
Folder 47: Correspondence, November-December 1946
Folder 48: Correspondence, January-February 1947
Folder 49: Correspondence, March 1947
Folder 50: Correspondence, April 1947
Folder 51: Correspondence, May 1947
Folder 52: Correspondence, June 1947
Folder 53: Correspondence, July 1947

Box 2

Folder 1: Correspondence, August 1947
Folder 2: Correspondence, September 1947
Folder 3: Correspondence, October 1947
Folder 4: Correspondence, November-December 1947
Folder 5: Correspondence, January 1948
Folder 6: Correspondence, February 1948
Folder 7: Correspondence, March 1948 (1 of 2)
Folder 8: Correspondence, March 1948 (2 of 2)
Folder 9: Correspondence, April 1948
Folder 10: Correspondence, May 1948
Folder 11: Correspondence, June 1948 (1 of 2)
Folder 12: Correspondence, June 1948 (2 of 2)
Folder 13: Correspondence, July 1948
Folder 14: Correspondence, August 1948
Folder 15: Correspondence, September-December 1948
Folder 16: Correspondence, January-February 1949
Folder 17: Correspondence, March-April 1949
Folder 18: Correspondence, May-July 1949
Folder 19: Correspondence, August-October 1949
Folder 20: Correspondence, November 1949
Folder 21: Correspondence, December 1949
Folder 22: Correspondence, January-March 1950
Folder 23: Correspondence, April-July 1950
Folder 24: Correspondence, August-December 1950
Folder 25: Correspondence, January-March 1951
Folder 26: Correspondence, April 1951
Folder 27: Correspondence, May 1951
Folder 28: Correspondence, June-December 1951
Folder 29: Correspondence, January-December 1952
Folder 30: Correspondence, January-September 1953
Folder 31: Correspondence, October-December 1953
Folder 32: Correspondence, January-March 1954
Folder 33: Correspondence, April-May 1954
Folder 34: Correspondence, June-August 1954
Folder 35: Correspondence, September-December 1954
Folder 36: Correspondence, January-August 1955
Folder 37: Correspondence, September-December 1955
Folder 38: Correspondence, January-March 1956
Folder 39: Correspondence, April-May 1956

Box 3

Folder 1: Correspondence, June-December 1956
Folder 2: Correspondence, January-May 1957
Folder 3: Correspondence, June-October 1957
Folder 4: Correspondence – American Institute of Architects (AIA), Committee on Municipal Improvement, 1947
Folder 5: Correspondence – Agreements, 1942-1950
Folder 6: Correspondence – Agreements: City of Philadelphia and the United States, undated
Folder 7: Correspondence – Agreements: Gloria Dei Church and the United States, undated
Folder 8: Correspondence – Agreements: Gloria Dei Church and the City of Philadelphia, 1948- 1949
Folder 9: Correspondence – Agreements: Ordinances, City of Philadelphia, undated
Folder 10: Correspondence – Agreements: United States Department of the Interior, 1943
Folder 11: Correspondence – American Bar Association, 1955
Folder 12: Correspondence – Biographical material, 1927-1957
Folder 13: Correspondence – Biographical material: "Who's Who", 1936-1957
Folder 14: Correspondence – Biographical material: Autobiography, undated
Folder 15: Correspondence – Biographical material: Interview with M.O. Anderson, 1956
Folder 16: Correspondence – Board of Revision of Taxes and Assessments, 1930-1950
Folder 17: Correspondence – Brandywine Battlefield Park, 1947
Folder 18: Correspondence – Brochures (history), undated
Folder 19: Correspondence – Brochures (history), undated
Folder 20: Correspondence – Carpenters' Hall: Demolition of buildings, 1936
Folder 21: Correspondence – Carpenters' Hall: History notes, undated
Folder 22: Correspondence – Christ Church, April-June 1947
Folder 23: Correspondence – Christ Church, July 1947-1954
Folder 24: Correspondence – Chronology of Judge Lewis and Independence Mall, undated
Folder 25: Correspondence – City Planning Committee, 1946-1952
Folder 26: Correspondence – Congregation Mikveh Israel, 1954
Folder 27: Correspondence – Contributions and donations to the Independence Hall Association, 1956
Folder 28: Correspondence – Declaration of Independence, undated
Folder 29: Correspondence – Distinguished Daughters of Pennsylvania, 1949-1955
Folder 30: Correspondence – Edwin O. Lewis Fountain, May-June 1957
Folder 31: Correspondence – Edwin O. Lewis Fountain, July-October 1957
Folder 32: Correspondence – Edwin O. Lewis Memorial Committee, 1957
Folder 33: Correspondence – Fire protection of Independence Hall and the American Philosophical Society, 1956
Folder 34: Correspondence – Flag poles, 1955-1957
Folder 35: Correspondence – Food center, 1955-1956
Folder 36: Correspondence – Floral clock, 1956-1957
Folder 37: Correspondence – Freedom Foundation, 1951-1952
Folder 38: Correspondence – Freedom Foundation: Submitted material, December 1951
Folder 39: Correspondence – Freedom Foundation: Valley Forge, 1955-1956
Folder 40: Correspondence – Free Quaker Meeting House dedication, 1968
Folder 41: Correspondence – General State Authority, 1957
Folder 42: Correspondence – Government: City of Philadelphia, ordinances, undated
Folder 43: Correspondence – Government: Federal, Committee on Insular Affairs, 1952
Folder 44: Correspondence – Government: Federal, Committee on Federal Lands, 1948
Folder 45: Correspondence – Government: Federal, Congressional Bills, undated
Folder 46: Correspondence – Government: Federal, HR 2851 hearing transcript, 1945
Folder 47: Correspondence – Government: Federal, HR 6544, 1950-1953
Folder 48: Correspondence – Government: Federal, HR 6544 hearings, 1952-1955
Folder 49: Correspondence – Government: Federal, Public Lands House Bill, 1942
Folder 50: Correspondence – Government: Federal, Public Lands House Bill, January-June 1945
Folder 51: Correspondence – Government: Federal, Public Lands House Bill, July 1945-1947

Box 4

Folder 1: Correspondence – Government: Federal, Public Law 795, 1949
Folder 2: Correspondence – Government: Federal, S 2080, Bill to Amend, undated
Folder 3: Correspondence – Government: State, Senate appropriations, 1953
Folder 4: Correspondence – Government: State, Senate Bills, undated
Folder 5: Correspondence – Government: State, Mall appropriations, 1953
Folder 6: Correspondence – Government legislation, January 1952
Folder 7: Correspondence – Government legislation, February-May 1953
Folder 8: Correspondence – Historic preservation legislative bills, undated
Folder 9: Correspondence – Historic sites of the American Revolution, undated
Folder 10: Correspondence – Independence Day broadcast, 1938
Folder 11: Correspondence – Independence Hall, Descendants of the Signers, 1955
Folder 12: Correspondence – Independence Hall, restoration by women's clubs, 1953-1954 Folder 13: Correspondence – Independence Hall, timber sale, 1956
Folder 14: Correspondence – Independence Hall Association, informal history, 1951
Folder 15: Correspondence – Independence Hall heating, 1946
Folder 16: Correspondence – Independence Mall, democratic plank, 1956
Folder 17: Correspondence – Independence Mall, Nitzsche Plan, 1936
Folder 18: Correspondence – Independence Mall and the State of Pennsylvania, 1951
Folder 19: Correspondence – Independence Mall and the State of Pennsylvania, 1952
Folder 20: Correspondence – Independence Mall and the State of Pennsylvania, 1953
Folder 21: Correspondence – Independence Mall and the State of Pennsylvania: Building, 1954- 1955
Folder 22: Correspondence – Independence Mall and the State of Pennsylvania: Photographs in Police Annual Report, 1955
Folder 23: Correspondence – Independence Mall and the State of Pennsylvania: Property acquisition, 1956-1957
Folder 24: Correspondence – Independence Mall and the State of Pennsylvania: Underground parking garage, 1954
Folder 25: Correspondence – Independence Mall and the State of Pennsylvania: Underground parking garage, 1955-1956
Folder 26: Correspondence – Jayne and Penn Mutual Buildings demolition, 1956
Folder 27: Correspondence – Krider Gun Shop, 1955
Folder 28: Correspondence – The Library Company of Philadelphia, 1957
Folder 29: Correspondence – Map of Philadelphia by Grant Simon, undated
Folder 30: Correspondence – Mumford, Lewis, 1956-1957
Folder 31: Correspondence – Murphy, Charles Abel, 1938-1939
Folder 32: Correspondence – National Park Service, 1951
Folder 33: Correspondence – National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1955
Folder 34: Correspondence – National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1956
Folder 35: Correspondence – National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1957
Folder 36: Correspondence – Old Philadelphia Development Corporation, 1956-1957
Folder 37: Correspondence – Old Saint Joseph's Church, 1956-1957
Folder 38: Correspondence – The Penn Club, 1956
Folder 39: Correspondence – Publication, undated
Folder 40: Correspondence – Redevelopment, 1956
Folder 41: Correspondence – Redevelopment, insurance companies, 1943-February 1944
Folder 42: Correspondence – Redevelopment, insurance companies, March-December 1944
Folder 43: Correspondence – Reilly, William M., estate, 1938-1939
Folder 44: Correspondence – Roll of Honor, 1953
Folder 45: Correspondence – Schools at war, "Ladies Home Journal" Project, 1942
Folder 46: Correspondence – Society Hill, 1956
Folder 47: Correspondence – Speech, "Spoilation of American Cities", 1944
Folder 48: Correspondence – Wistar Association, 1946-1949
Folder 49: Correspondence – Wistar Association, 1951-1956
 
SERIES IV: MIXED EVENTS, 1948-1955, undated

Folder 50: Chapman (Oscar L.) Luncheon, January-December 1950
Folder 51: Chapman (Oscar L.) Luncheon, December 1951-1952
Folder 52: Congressional Delegations Visit, 1948
Folder 53: Congressional Delegations Visit, 1951
Folder 54: Congressional Delegations Visit, 1952
Folder 55: Federal Commission 175th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Declaration of Independence, 1952
Folder 56: Independence Mall Dedication, 1955
Folder 57: Independence Mall Gimbel Exhibition, 1954
Folder 58: Independence Mall Luncheon Report, 1951-February 1952
Folder 59: Independence Mall Luncheon Report, March-December 1952
Folder 60: Philadelphia Independence Homecoming, February-March 1951
Folder 61: Philadelphia Independence Homecoming, April 1951

Box 5

Folder 1: Philadelphia Independence Homecoming, May 1951
Folder 2: Philadelphia Independence Homecoming, June 1951
Folder 3: Philadelphia Independence Homecoming, July 1951
Folder 4: Philadelphia Independence Homecoming, August-September 1951
Folder 5: Philadelphia Independence Homecoming, October 1951-1953
Folder 6: Philadelphia Independence Homecoming, Executive Committee meeting minutes, 1951
Folder 7: Philadelphia Independence Homecoming, newspaper clippings, undated
Folder 8: Philadelphia Independence Homecoming, programs, undated
Folder 9: Philadelphia Independence Homecoming, publications, undated
Folder 10: Philadelphia Independence Homecoming, public programs planned, 1951
Folder 11: Transfer Ceremony for Independence Hall, 1951
Folder 12: Washington Luncheon and Presidential Address, January-February 1953
Folder 13: Washington Luncheon and Presidential Address, February 1953
Folder 14: Washington Luncheon and Presidential Address, March 1953
Folder 15: Washington Luncheon and Presidential Address, April-June 1953

SERIES V: RELATED COMMITTEES AND ORGANIZATIONS, 1943-1957, undated

Folder 16: American Philosophical Society, 1945-1947
Folder 17: American Philosophical Society, 1948-1950
Folder 18: American Philosophical Society, 1951-1956
Folder 19: American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial, 1955-1957
Folder 20: The Athenaeum of Philadelphia, 1950-June 1955
Folder 21: The Athenaeum of Philadelphia, July-December 1955
Folder 22: The Athenaeum of Philadelphia, 1956-1957
Folder 23: The Elfreth's Alley Association, 1945-1948, 1956
Folder 24: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission, 1951
Folder 25: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission, 1952
Folder 26: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission, September 1953-June 1954
Folder 27: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission, July-December 1954
Folder 28: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission, January-March 1955
Folder 29: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission, April-May 1955
Folder 30: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission, June-December 1955
Folder 31: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission, 1956
Folder 32: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission, 1957
Folder 33: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission meetings, September 1949
Folder 34: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission meetings, September 1949
Folder 35: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission meetings, November 1949
Folder 36: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission meetings, April 1950
Folder 37: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission meetings, November 1951
Folder 38: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission meetings, December 1952
Folder 39: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission meetings, January 1957
Folder 40: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission meetings (Congressional), February 1957
Folder 41: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission meetings, April 1957
Folder 42: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission subject file – Application for federal employment, 1949
Folder 43: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission subject file – Appropriations, 1955
Folder 44: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission subject file – Appropriations, January-February 1956
Folder 45: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission subject file – Appropriations, March 1956
Folder 46: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission subject file – Henry A. Batten appointment, 1956
Folder 47: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission subject file – Department of the Interior, 1948-1949
Folder 48: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission subject file – First Bank of the United States, 1953
Folder 49: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission subject file – Greenfield resignation, 1956
Folder 50: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission subject file – Isaac W. Roberts nomination, 1950
Folder 51: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission subject file – Progress report, 1949

Box 6

Folder 1: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission subject file – report on the preservation of historic buildings, 1955
Folder 2: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission subject file – Harry S. Truman Luncheon, March-May 1954
Folder 3: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission subject file – Harry S. Truman Luncheon, June 1954
Folder 4: Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission subject file – Harry S. Truman Luncheon, July-December 1954
Folder 5: Independence Neighborhood Association, Inc., 1951-1953, 1957
Folder 6: Joint State Government Commission, 1947-1949
Folder 7: Joint State Government Commission, 1950-April 1951
Folder 8: Joint State Government Commission, May 1951-1952
Folder 9: Joint State Government Commission hearing, 1947-1951
Folder 10: Joint State Government Commission reports, 1949, 1951
Folder 11: National Council for Historic Sites and Buildings, 1947
Folder 12: National Council for Historic Sites and Buildings, 1948-May 1949
Folder 13: National Council for Historic Sites and Buildings, June-December 1949
Folder 14: National Council for Historic Sites and Buildings, 1950
Folder 15: National Council for Historic Sites and Buildings, 1951
Folder 16: National Council for Historic Sites and Buildings, 1952-1955
Folder 17: National Council for Historic Sites and Buildings Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, January-August 1951
Folder 18: National Council for Historic Sites and Buildings Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, September-December 1951
Folder 19: Philadelphia National Shrines Park Commission meetings, 1946-March 1947
Folder 20: Philadelphia National Shrines Park Commission meetings, April-December 1947
Folder 21: Philadelphia National Shrines Park Commission reports, 1946
Folder 22: Philadelphia National Shrines Park Commission reports, 1947
Folder 23: Philadelphia National Shrines Park Commission reports, 1948
Folder 24: Philadelphia National Shrines Park Commission reports, final – Draft, undated
Folder 25: Philadelphia National Shrines Park Commission reports, final – Photographs, undated
Folder 26: Philadelphia National Shrines Park Commission reports, final – Publication, 1947- 1948
Folder 27: Philadelphia National Shrines Park Commission reports, final – Research notes, 1947
Folder 28: Simon, Grant, 1943-1950
Folder 29: United Nations Council, February-March 1945
Folder 30: United Nations Council, March 1945
Folder 31: United Nations Council, March 1945
Folder 32: United Nations Council, April 1945
Folder 33: United Nations Council, May 1945-1947
Folder 34: United Nations Council brochures, undated
Folder 35: United Nations Council membership, 1945

SERIES VI: CERTIFICATES AND MEMORABILIA, 1937-1972, undated

Note: The following items in Folder 36 have been removed to the Museum Collection Folder 36: Oversize items:
  • Independence Hall Bell Ringers Association, undated
  • Independence National Historical Park Advisory Commission Appointment Certificate, 1972
  • Joint State Government Commission Citation, 1949
  • Newspaper magazine on city planning in Philadelphia, undated
  • The Pennsylvania Constitution Commemoration Committee Participation Certificate, 1937-1938
Folder 37: Senate of Pennsylvania Resolution of Thanks, 1951 (1 of 4)
Folder 38: Senate of Pennsylvania Resolution of Thanks, 1951 (2 of 4)
Folder 39: Senate of Pennsylvania Resolution of Thanks, 1951 (3 of 4)
Folder 40: Senate of Pennsylvania Resolution of Thanks, 1951 (4 of 4)

SERIES VII: NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS, 1945-1957, undated

Folder 41: Biographical information, 1953-1955
Folder 42: City planning, undated
Folder 43: City politics, 1956
Folder 44: Independence Hall, 1953-1957
Folder 45: Independence Mall buildings, 1953-1955
Folder 46: Independence Mall, Pennsylvania State, 1949-1955 (1 of 2)
Folder 47: Independence Mall, Pennsylvania State, 1949-1955 (2 of 2)
Folder 48: Independence Mall, underground garage, 1953-1957
Folder 49: Independence National Historical Park, 1953-1956
Folder 50: Old City Project, 1953-1955
Folder 51: United Nations site selection, 1945
Folder 52: "Philadelphia Record," Oct. 13 1945
 
SERIES VIII: SCRAPBOOK (ACC-4250)

Box 7

"Happy 90th Birthday to Judge Edwin O. Lewis from INHP Staff and Advisory Commission" - scrapbook of newspaper clippings and photographs, compiled 1969

SERIES IX: AUTOBIOGRAPHY (ACC-4608)

Box 8

2 copies of unpublished typescript autobiography "A Short Story of a Long Life," UNDATED

SERIES X: 2023 ACCRETION

BOX 9

Folder 1: Biographical Sketch: Edwin O. Lewis, UNDATED
Folder 2: Images, UNDATED
Folder 3: IHA Corresp., 1942, 1950
Folder 4: HR Report 910 & Public Law 497, 1945, 1952
Folder 5: Events, 1957-1967
Folder 6: Misc. Corresp., 1958-1974
Folder 7: Corresp. with National Park Service, 1963-1965
Folder 8: Resolution #80 - Council of the City of Philadelphia, 1976?
Folder 9: Summary of Remarks made by Eleanor Morris at the hearing of the National Park Service on the 3rd block of Independence Mall, May 30 1990

Last updated: March 23, 2023

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

143 S. 3rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Phone:

215-965-2305

Contact Us