Archival Collections
An archival collection of records is an accumulation of materials either brought together based on a common characteristic, such as a subject or medium, or created by an individual, family, organization, or business.
The Solebury Township Historical Society provides public access and archival management for records of enduring historical or cultural value.
The Society’s archival holdings date from 1776 to the present. They include materials such as minutes, ledgers, correspondence, photographs, ephemera, scrapbooks, genealogy records, maps, and blueprints that document local individuals, families, businesses, organizations, and events. Below are summaries of select collections.
For further information, please arrange an appointment as we continue to work towards providing online access to documents through our collection software.
Library and Maps
The Society maintains a rich collection of books and maps that document local history and genealogy. Our library features books on topics of interest, available for research at the schoolhouse. The map collection includes 91 original and reproduction maps, some dating back to the late 17th century. Due to their fragility, maps can only be viewed in the schoolhouse with supervision.
House History Files
For over 50 years, Carversville historian Ned Harrington researched more than 400 old Solebury houses and their histories.
Family Files
The Society has a large collection of files on many of the original and long-term Solebury families. Each file contains different items that were collected over the years by the archivists. These could include genealogies, photos, news articles, obituaries, and much more.
Solebury Farmers Club and Solebury Dairyman’s Association
This collection includes handwritten minutes of every monthly Solebury Farmers Club meeting held for more than 145 years. The club was a vehicle for the exchange of information on crops, livestock, and other farming concerns; political issues of Pennsylvania and Bucks County; fundraising for charity; and, of course, renewing and extending friendships. These are invaluable records of Solebury’s families as well as a window into their social lives from 1871 to date. Solebury dairy farmers, “realizing the benefits arising from a co-operative endeavor,” formed the Solebury Dairyman’s Association in 1878. Their handwritten book of minutes covers the co-op’s activities in detail.
School and School Board Records
The Society preserves historical records from local schools and school boards, offering insight into the evolution of education in our community. The collection includes student registers, meeting minutes, teacher records, and financial documents. Records from Solebury’s one-room schools (1905–1938) and Solebury Elementary (1938–1969) detail attendance, school operations, and the 1937 consolidation led by Robert Shaw. Additional materials include school board minutes (1929–1942), tax lists (1916–1930), and enrollment books (1913–1943) documenting students and families. These records are available for research at the schoolhouse.