Constitutional Centennial Commission papers

Table of Contents

Summary Information

Background note

Scope and content note

Administrative Information

Controlled Access Headings

Collection Inventory

Commission Administrative Papers

Correspondence

Invitations- Lists

Financial Papers

Printed Materials

Summary Information

Repository

Historical Society of Pennsylvania

Creator

Constitutional Centennial Commission (U.S.).

Title

Constitutional Centennial Commission papers

ID

0676

Date

1884-1887 (bulk, 1886-1887)

Extent

5.0 Linear feet ; 10 boxes, 6 volumes

Author

Finding aid prepared by Terry Snyder.

Language

English

Abstract

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.

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Background note

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.

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Scope and content note

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.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

 Historical Society of Pennsylvania , 1987.

Revision Description

 Original finding aid reviewed, transcribed, and updated by Alaina Smith , 2023.

Provenance

Gift of the Constitutional Centennial Commission.

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Controlled Access Headings

Genre(s)

• Correspondence.
• Invitations.
• Poems.

Personal Name(s)

• Barringer, Lewin W.
• Brewster, Frederick Carroll, 1825-1898.
• Campbell, James V.
• Carrol, Thomas
• Carson, Hampton L. (Hampton Lawrence), 1852-1929
• Fenner, Charles Erasmus, 1834-1911.
• Finley, J. J.
• Gantt, Thomas T.
• Garrison, Charles Grant, 1849-1924
• Goshen, Alfred T.
• Green, Marcellus.
• Hailey, John Edward, 1838-1923.
• Hazzard, Rowland.
• Henry, William Wirt.
• Henszey, Samuel A.
• Holliday, William H.
• Hoyt, James A.
• Jones, Edward F.
• Kasson, John A.
• Kimball, Benjamin A.
• Knight, Edward W.
• Lapham, William Berry, 1828-1894.
• Little, Amos
• Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924.
• Lucas, Daniel Bediger, 1836-1909.
• Makintosh, Richard
• Masterson, Murat
• Ordway, N. G.
• Paine, Clinton P.
• Palmer, John M.
• Pennoyer, Sylvester
• Purcell, Edward B.
• Ramsey, Alexander, 1815-1903
• Reeve, Charles.
• Richardson, James Daniel, 1843-1914.
• Robertson, William M.
• Robinson, Henry Cornelius, 1832-1900.
• Rodney, John H.
• Tappan, James C.

Subject(s)

• Commemorative Celebrations--Philadelphia.
• Ephemera.
• Industry and Technology--19th Century.
• Menus.
• Parades--19th Century.
• Prints.
• Programs.
• Sheet music--United States--History--19th century.
• Tickets.
• United States--Constitution--Centennial celebration.
• United States--Constitution--Centennial Commission--Philadelphia--1886-1887.

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Collection Inventory