#lcpscrapbooks

Anne C. Lewis, Memories of the Home of Grandma Lewis (Philadelphia, 1896). Gift of Oliver E. Allen.

The Lewis family of Philadelphia cherished this mahogany pier table that was made for John F. Lewis (1791-1858) and later gifted to his son George on his marriage to Anne Larcombe (1831-1898) in 1851. Here it is shown in their home in the 1890s. Anne noted the matching Empire-style mahogany chairs “were its [the table] associated for many years, and still keeps company with it in our dining room.”

This kitty knows how to winter, and the fireplace is where it’s at.

George Albert Lewis, The Old Houses and Stores With Memorabilia Relating to Them and My Father and Grandfather (Philadelphia, 1900). Gift of Oliver E. Allen.

G. Albert Lewis (1829-1915) compiled his family history into an album, illustrating it with magnificent watercolors, photographs, and ephemera. Depicted here is the parlor of his parents’ home on South 2nd Street, where they lived from 1824 to 1840. He wrote that “the parlors of this house were very handsome-- the front being in red and yellow--with white and gold paint except the doors, while the ceiling was light blue.” Notice the Empire-style chairs, sofa, and the pier table with lion’s paw feet.

Our followers know how much we love the Marriott C. Morris photograph collection. For the most part this collection spans years of Marriott’s adult life as an amateur photographer, documenting family life in the late 19th century. This video is a window into Marriott’s and his sister Bessie’s childhood life through their collection of monograms. Marriott was 10 years old when he started this album.

How can we resist a scrapbook page featuring two trade cards showing different illustrations kittens playing with string? Ummm we can’t. 

This scrapbook compiled by Mary (Minnie) Campbell Harris Wilson is an inside look at Harris’ young social life and mementos she valued before she married John L. Wilson and settled on Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia. 

Every Wednesday in July, we will be participating in the #LibraryGetaway Challenge! This week’s feature comes from our Morris Collection.

Marriott C. Morris’s daughter Janet Morris created this travel journal to commemorate the family’s vacation to Europe in 1925. The first half of the journal contains Janet’s fanciful imaginings of what her trip might be like, including getting swept off her feet by a foreign man. The second half is filled with clippings, tickets, and mementos of the Morris family’s journey through England and France.

See more journals from our Morris Collection here.

Source:

Memories of the home of Grandma Lewis. Written for her grandchildren by Anne C. Lewis. Philadelphia, 1896.

This beautifully compiled memory album shows paintings of colorful interiors of Lewis’ home including this view highlighting furniture pieces.