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Archives at Lehigh University: Local History

Library guide for identifying, understanding and using archival collections, including personal papers, organizational and institutional records; primary and secondary sources.

Local History Collections at Lehigh

Lehigh University Libraries holds a wide range of material related to its own history and its geographical surroundings. These materials include privately printed brochures and pamphlets, essays and books, manuscripts, master's theses and doctoral dissertations, local and federal government records and publications, audio-visual recordings, blueprints, site plans, reports, maps and born-digital files. Starting with a simple ASA Library Catalog subject search, for example, "Lehigh University -- History" or "Bethlehem (Pa.) -- History" can reveal variety of useful titles. Many of these titles might be on open stacks and might be checked out; contact Special Collections to discuss how to access restricted material.

Some of the unique local history collections:
Bethlehem Housing Authority Records, 1943-1963
Bethlehem Redevelopment Authority Records, 1953-1999
Bethlehem Police Department Records, 1916-1949
Lehigh Pocono Committee of Concern LEPOCO Archives, 1965-2000s
South Bethlehem Historical Society Archives, 1860s-1990s

 

Digital Local History at Lehigh

All items and titles are available open access and full-text.

Local History: Scrapbooks, pamphlets, booklets, city anniversaries, other historical material related to Lehigh Valley.

Lehigh Valley Geology: Geological and economical histories of Lehigh and Northampton Counties, by Prof. Benjamin L. Miller. These two titles published in 1942 and they still are the top authoritative works on economical geology of Lehigh Valley. Miller covered topics from the Ice Age to cement and mining industries to the first ice cream and pretzel makers of the area.

Lehigh Valley Rail Road Land Documents: The collection contains approximately 384 documents (deeds, titles, indentures, correspondence and leases) for anthracite coal lands, 40 envelopes, 20 maps, two pamphlets, one photogravure, and one large colored "painting."

Lehigh Valley Rail Road Annual Reports: 1863-1941 -- Board of Directors' annual reports to the share holders.

Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company Records: 1826-1940s -- Maps, technical drawings, reports, broadsides and other documents by LCNC.


 

 

Lehigh Valley Academic Independent Colleges (LVAIC) Libraries

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Lehigh Valley Academic Independent Colleges: Since 1969, the Lehigh Valley Association of Independent College’s success has been founded on the principle of collaboration. Our unique consortium, one of the oldest in the country, consists of 6 member colleges and universities in the Lehigh Valley, as well as 6 associate member institutions in the eastern Pennsylvania region.

Each LVAIC college library holds unique collections about their institutions and Lehigh Valley history.
Cedar Crest College - Cressman Library
DeSales University - Trexler Library
Lafayette College Library 
Lehigh University Libraries
Moravian College - Reeves Library
Muhlenberg College - Trexler Library

Local History Repositories