Name/Title
Upsala Donors ListEntry/Object ID
2017.21.8Scope and Content
Upsala Events:
1. Invitations for card parties for Upsala House, 5th-11th, 1951-1955. Each has brief statement from women's committee who organized events, a list of the full committee and a list of patronesses.
2. Handwritten/typed sheets, include list of 1951 card party participants, names and addresses of patronesses from 1951-1953, a duplicate list of card party contributors for 1953, a March 24, 1951 letter to Mrs. Wasserman from women's committee chair Josephine V. Ritter asking for her support for card party, large envelope with card party mailing list for 1954.
3. Newspaper clippings:
Germantown Courier , May 7, 1953, "Vernon Fair, Upsala Card Party Highlight Club Calendar for May" discusses Germantown Week highlights.
Germantown Courier, Feature Page, May 8, 1952 with photo of Upsala Mansion.
The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 14, 1952 with articles on "Upsala, Historic Germantown Mansion Built on Site of Revolutionary Battle, has Smoke House on Second Floor Back" which focuses on history of construction of house, its historic value and its current status. "Gay Card Party to Aid Upsala Mansion Fund" advertises for 8th card party to raise funds for restoration of the house.
Two loose newspaper clippings one a photo of Mrs. J. Bradford Ritter chair, Mrs. A. Jackson Sailer,co-chair and Mrs. Robert F. Irwin, Jr. of Upsala women's committee reading historic document at Upsala House and "Upsasla Women to Hold Annual Tea"announcing their tea and listing names of all those on committee.
Germantown Courier, May 14, 1953 "Architect Restores Colonial Mansion of His Ancestors". Notes how George Clarence Johnson architect and descendant of 18th century Johnsons that built Upsala house has been doing restoration work. Germantown Courier, May 27, 1953, "Fine Weather Favors Annual Upsala Fete" on 9th card party at Upsala attended by 400 players with the newly renovated library being the feature for visitors that year.
Germantown Courier, May 21, 1953, "Upsala Preservation Begun After Fire Nearly Destroys Landmark" gives history of the Upsala Women's Committee who saved the house from demolition following a fire which had almost destroyed it in 1942. Notes why house is considered one of best examples of 18th century architecture in America.
( A handwritten note on bottom states there are inaccuracies in text).
Germantown Courier, May 27, 1953,"Sparrow Jack House Gets For Sale Sign", article that deals with history of Sparrow House so called because onetime owner,painter John Barley brought sparrows from England in effort to save colonial trees. They were to eat catepillars. House dates from 1700's and was once used by George Washigton for overnight stay. Gives basic history of the house. The Evening Bulletin March 24 and March 27,1954
Articles memorializing Frances Wister, long time president of Philadelphia Orchestra's Women's Committee. Photo of Ms. Wister with Eugene Ormandy conductor of the orchestra.
Newspaper (unnamed, undated) photo of Mrs. J. Bradford Ritter, chairman of 10th annual Upsala card party with Mrs. Whitney Ashbridge of Caracas, Venezuela, Mrs. John Lotz of Melrose Park and Mrs. George B. Brewer of Germantown.
Germantown Courier, May 27, 1954, photo of Mrs. Willliam C. Sheehan of Mt. Airy , Mrs. Allen Greenlaw of East Falls, Mrs. Robert Orbean of Olney, Mrs. Jose Alvarez and Mrs. Thomas Cope at white elephant table. Second photo of Mrs. J.Trevor Peirce and Mrs. A. Jackson Sailer, co-chair of Upsala card party putting log on fire at Upsala house.
Article, (undated, unnamed paper) "Upsala's Front Lawn Figured In Batttle of Germantown" focuses on how in October 1777 Battle of Germantown American cannon were set up on front lawn of Upsala House. Johnson's who occupied it for over 100 years noted name came from Swedish city. Photo of giant silver maple trees on back of house.
The Philadelphia Inquirer Magazine, July 7, 1957, "Germantown's Famous Avenue". Color print reproductions of Shippen-Blair House, John Wistar House, Upsala House , Germantown's oldest school and Wyck House with brief history about each.
Evening Bulletin, March 12,1954 photo of Orville Bullitt president of Philadelphia Orchestra Association and Miss Frances Anne Wister Part of original Women's Committee celebrating 50 year anniversary. Germantown Courier, May 19, 1955 "Annual Card Party to be Held Wednesday at Upsala" announcing 11th annual Upsala card party with photo of Women's Committee members standing in front of new oil burner at Upsala House.
Two newspaper (unnamed, undated) photos of women at Upsala house playing bridge on front lawn and two examining a tapestried occasional chair inside house.Collection
UpsalaArchive Details
Date(s) of Creation
1951 - 1955Archive Items Details
Date(s) of Creation
1951 - 1955