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Presbyterian Historical Society celebrates its 150th Anniversary with a reception, exhibit opening, and book signing on May 17, 2002 "The mission of the Presbyterian Historical Society is to collect, preserve, and share the history of the American Presbyterian and Reformed tradition." On May 20,1852, a group of Presbyterians committed to preserving the history of their Church founded the Presbyterian Historical Society and established it in Philadelphia. The 150th anniversary of the societyÌs founding is a valuable opportunity for us to renew our outreach to Presbyterians and Philadelphians about their faith, their history, and the significant role that Presbyterians have played in the region, the country, and the world. To celebrate, the society is hosting a reception, exhibit opening, and book signing on Friday, May 17, 2002, from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., at 425 Lombard St., Philadelphia. We hope everyone will join us as we celebrate our past and open a new and vital chapter in our history. The exhibit, At Work in the World: Presbyterians and Their History at the Presbyterian Historical Society, features a small sampling of the topics and treasures that reflect that intersections of Presbyterians, their history, and the world. Letters, photographs, books, pamphlets, minutes, registers, reports, artifacts, and a host of other archival material provide a rich record of how Presbyterians lived within the history and culture of the United States and the world. Topics featured include: The Presbyterian Historical Society: A Pictorial History; Philadelphia Printers in the Era of Benjamin Franklin (fl. 1728-1790); The Alcoholic Republic: Temperance in the United States; Missionaries in China, 1837-1951; Congregations: the Berean Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia and early churches on the Delmarva Peninsula; Eugene Carson Blake (1906-1985)Òthe Great Ecumenist; and Recent Acquisitions: The Richard and Eunice Poethig Papers. Director Frederick J. Heuser notes, that " For one hundred fifty years, the PHS has conscientiously guarded our history against the fires that consume and the folly that forgets. This exhibit reflects that sacred, silent witness to the struggles and the sacrifices, the heroism and the fidelity of those who have gone before." Virginia F. Rainey will be signing copies of her newly published history of the Society: Stewards of Our Heritage: A History of the Presbyterian Historical Society (Geneva Press, $19.95). The book draws upon correspondence, reports, minutes, and photographs to tell the story of the societyÌs first 150 years. Rainey notes that "institutional history is both one of the most pleasurable and one of the most difficult topics to research." Often little is written about an institutionÌs own history, and she found herself "plowing virgin soil" which, while fascinating, held numerous challenges. Rainey holds a PhD in history from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and lives in State College, Pennsylvania. The book is available from the Presbyterian Distribution Service (800-227-3872) or the society. Additional activities planned for the anniversary year include on-line and traveling exhibits highlighting how the societyÌs collections document Presbyterian and American history and culture; events and speakers at the Philadelphia and Montreat offices; and expanded exhibit space at the ChurchÌs annual General Assembly, in Columbus, Ohio. The society is very grateful to the Phoebe Haas Trust for its generous support of anniversary activities. [Montreat speakers series] The Presbyterian Historical Society is the national archives and research center of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) It maintains its headquarters in Philadelphia, PA, an office in Montreat, NC, offering congregational services, and a records management program in Louisville, KY. The society serves all levels of the denomination, from national agencies such as the Board of Pensions here in Philadelphia to congregations all over the state of Pennsylvania and the nation. In addition to serving the church, scholars, genealogists, and the general public use our holdings to study various aspects of American culture and history. The collections demonstrates how the story of American Presbyterianism is woven into the life, culture, politics, and history of the nation.

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