Constitutional Centennial Commission papers

The Constitutional Centennial Commission papers are broken down into five series. The small group of general administrative papers of the commission within the first series include the following manuscript items: Resolutions/Acts authorizing the Commission; lists of Committee members; materials pert...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Corporate Author: Constitutional Centennial Commission (U.S.) (Creator)
Collection:Constitutional Centennial Commission Papers
Collection Number:0676
Format: Manuscript
Language:English
Subjects and Genres:
Online Access:Link to finding aid
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
LEADER 08406ntc a2200853 u 4500
001 ead-0676
008 230717i xx eng d
040 |e dacs 
041 0 |a eng 
099 |a 0676 
110 2 |a Constitutional Centennial Commission (U.S.)  |e creator 
245 1 |a Constitutional Centennial Commission papers  |f 1884-1887 (bulk, 1886-1887) 
300 |a 5.0 Linear feet  |f ; 10 boxes, 6 volumes 
520 |a The Constitutional Centennial Commission papers are broken down into five series. The small group of general administrative papers of the commission within the first series include the following manuscript items: Resolutions/Acts authorizing the Commission; lists of Committee members; materials pertaining to the opening dinner; minutes, legal papers, drafts for printed items such as menus, programs, and poetry; and drafts, both written and typed, of Circular letters sent from the Commission. Except where noted, all material in the collection dates inclusively to 1886-1887. Correspondence accounts for the largest portion of the collection. Letters of acceptance, letters of refusal, and letters requesting invitations represent most of the material in this group. There are, however, letters dealing with arrangements and the general business of the Commission. The principle of provenance was followed as much as possible. However, there were times when this proved to be less useful to the researcher. For example, the correspondence was alphabetical – either by last name, location, or by profession. Generally, it was arranged in groups but with no real rhyme or reason. Unfortunately, this method was very inconsistent, and frequently the same individual appeared in different groups. It seemed most useful to arrange all the correspondence alphabetically by name (or by institution if the author was clearly acting as a representative of that organization). Some of the larger groups, such as foreign ministers, newspapers, railroads, and schools were kept together. Likewise, letters of refusal and letters of acceptance were also separated from one another. These were interfiled because the content of the letter often held more information than a simple yes or no. There are also books listing all refusals and all acceptances for the festivities. The third series within this collection is made up of lists of names of invited guests. Basically there are two sub-groups of lists. One is lists of individuals from different states and territories; the other group lists provide names according to profession. There is also some miscellaneous information on accommodations. Because each state and territory accepted a certain amount of financial responsibility, there seems to be little information on the financial operation of the Commission. Receipts and vouchers, estimates of expenses, and three bank books fill out the small group of financial papers. The largest gap within the collection seems to be with the general administrative papers of the Commission. These gaps can best be filled by referring to the printed materials. For example, complete lists of committee members may be found in the group of published lists as well as in the “Official Programme”. Similarly, there are printed Bills and Resolutions which are not included among the manuscript Bills and Resolutions. Items ground within the final series, printed materials, are: “Proceeding of Governors;” information on the Military display; Civic and industrial display items; certificates; addresses and orations; invitations to various centennial events; tickets; menus; music; poetry; programs; souvenir booklets; photographs; and general magazine articles on the Constitution.  
520 |a The Constitutional Centennial Commission was organized in December of 1886. Its purpose was to provide for a celebration of the "Centennial Anniversary of the Framing and Promulgation of the Constitution of the United States". Records of the commission: list of names of guests invited, letters of acceptance, letters of refusal, and miscellaneous letters, 1887; official programs, broadsides, pamphlets, memorial to the Senate and House of Representatives, songs, tickets, 1887; correspondence of Colonel A. Loudon Snowden, marshal of Philadelphia, 1887; letter book, guests' register book, account book of expenditures, letter copy book, acceptance book, magazines, 1886-1887. 
524 8 |a Cite as: [Indicate cited item or series here], Constitutional Centennial Commission papers (Collection 676), Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 
541 1 |a Gift of the Constitutional Centennial Commission. 
545 |a The Constitutional Centennial Commission was organized in December of 1886. Its purpose was to provide for a celebration of the "Centennial Anniversary of the Framing and Promulgation of the Constitution of the United States." The formal celebration involved plans for: a commemorative oration and poem, a military display, an industrial processional display, and creation of a memorial within the city of Philadelphia reflecting the progress of the Nation since the signing of the Constitution. Invitations to participate in the celebration were extended to the President and his cabinet, the Federal Judiciary, Congress and all national Government agents, members of civic organizations across the country, descendants of the Signers of the Constitution, and all individuals of local prominence. John A. Kasson was appointed Chairman of the Centennial Commission with Hampton L. Carson serving as Secretary. Commissioners were designated by the governors of the states and territories. Each commissioner was responsible for securing a list of individuals from within their respective geographical zones to whom invitations were to be sent. Committees and subcommittees were formed within the commission. 
555 |a Finding Aid Available Online:  
600 1 4 |a Barringer, Lewin W. 
600 1 4 |a Brewster, Frederick Carroll  |d 1825-1898. 
600 1 4 |a Campbell, James V. 
600 1 4 |a Carrol, Thomas 
600 1 7 |a Carson, Hampton L. (Hampton Lawrence)  |d 1852-1929  |2 MANX_db 
600 1 4 |a Fenner, Charles Erasmus  |d 1834-1911. 
600 1 4 |a Finley, J. J. 
600 1 4 |a Gantt, Thomas T. 
600 1 4 |a Garrison, Charles Grant  |d 1849-1924 
600 1 4 |a Goshen, Alfred T. 
600 1 4 |a Green, Marcellus. 
600 1 4 |a Hailey, John Edward  |d 1838-1923. 
600 1 4 |a Hazzard, Rowland. 
600 1 4 |a Henry, William Wirt. 
600 1 4 |a Henszey, Samuel A. 
600 1 4 |a Holliday, William H. 
600 1 7 |a Hoyt, James A.  |2 Local Sources 
600 1 4 |a Jones, Edward F. 
600 1 7 |a Kasson, John A.  |2 Local Sources 
600 1 4 |a Kimball, Benjamin A. 
600 1 4 |a Knight, Edward W. 
600 1 4 |a Lapham, William Berry  |d 1828-1894. 
600 1 7 |a Little, Amos  |2 MANX_db 
600 1 7 |a Lodge, Henry Cabot  |d 1850-1924.  |2 NACO Authority File 
600 1 4 |a Lucas, Daniel Bediger  |d 1836-1909. 
600 1 4 |a Makintosh, Richard 
600 1 4 |a Masterson, Murat 
600 1 4 |a Ordway, N. G. 
600 1 4 |a Paine, Clinton P. 
600 1 4 |a Palmer, John M. 
600 1 4 |a Pennoyer, Sylvester 
600 1 4 |a Purcell, Edward B. 
600 1 4 |a Ramsey, Alexander  |d 1815-1903 
600 1 4 |a Reeve, Charles. 
600 1 4 |a Richardson, James Daniel  |d 1843-1914. 
600 1 4 |a Robertson, William M. 
600 1 4 |a Robinson, Henry Cornelius  |d 1832-1900. 
600 1 4 |a Rodney, John H. 
600 1 4 |a Tappan, James C. 
650 7 |a Commemorative Celebrations--Philadelphia.  |2 Local sources 
650 7 |a Ephemera.  |2 Local sources 
650 7 |a Industry and Technology--19th Century.  |2 Local sources 
650 7 |a Menus.  |2 Local sources 
650 7 |a Parades--19th Century.  |2 Local sources 
650 7 |a Prints.  |2 Local sources 
650 7 |a Programs.  |2 Local sources 
650 0 |a Sheet music--United States--History--19th century.  
650 7 |a Tickets.  |2 Local sources 
650 7 |a United States--Constitution--Centennial celebration.  |2 Local sources 
650 7 |a United States--Constitution--Centennial Commission--Philadelphia--1886-1887.  |2 Local sources 
655 0 |a Correspondence. 
655 0 |a Invitations. 
655 0 |a Poems. 
852 |a The Historical Society of Pennsylvania  |b Constitutional Centennial Commission Papers  |l 0676 
856 4 2 |y Link to finding aid  |u http://www2.hsp.org/collections/manuscripts/c/CCC0676.html