Name/Title
The WissahickonEntry/Object ID
2013.34.3.59a-bDescription
The Edwin C. Jellett Series of Scrapbooks, Volume 3 -The Wissahickon
Page 59 contains:
(a, top) A reproduction drawing that is captioned: "Reproduction of an advertisement of the first paper mill in America. Erected on the Wissahickon by David Rittenhouse in 1690. (From an engraving made in Phila. about 1825 by P, E. Hamm)." A notation at the bottom indicates "Beehive, 1932." It should be noted that the caption is incorrect. The first paper mill in America was erected on the Wissahickon in 1690; however, it was erected by William Rittenhouse, great grandfather of David Rittenhouse, who was born in 1732. The reproduction drawing shows a four story structure (likely stone). A large earthern "mound" in the front of the structure makes the entry level at the third story, while the bottom two levels are visible from the side profile.
(b, bottom) This reproduction drawing is captioned: "Rittenhouse Paper Mill, Germantown. Built seven years after Penn founded the city. Penn helped to rebuild it when destroyed by a freshet in 1700. Copyright 1908 by John Wanamaker. Sketched expressly for the Wanamaker Store." It should be noted that the sketch has an incorrect caption. The sketch is that of the stone dwelling that was the birthplace of David Rittenhouse, not the first paper mill in America. The paper mill was built on land where this dwelling is located, but this dewlling, as shown, is not the paper mill. For a reproduction of the paper mill, see scrapbook page 59, 2013.34.3.59a.Collection
GHS Scrapbook CollectionMade/Created
Date made
1900 - 1910Notes
Creation Date: 1932
