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News, events, updates, and tidbits from the Presbyterian Historical Society. Use tags to read related articles or sort by author for similar posts written by PHS staff members and volunteers.

Why I Give: Zandra Maffett

February 6, 2023

--by Zandra Maffett

I was an infant when my father the late Reverend Robert Lee Maffett founded Bethel Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, PA. My formative years, and those of the countless young people who passed through its doors, was nurtured, encouraged and supported by dedicated and loving adult leaders. Through its community center there were a variety of programs for adults and families.

Sadly today, congregations are smaller and many church...

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Guest Blogger

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Why I Give

PHS Welcomes New Intern

February 6, 2023

We are happy to welcome Matty Marrow to the Presbyterian Historical Society as our new BKBB Archives Intern.

Matty recently graduated from Community College of Philadelphia with an Associates degree in English and is currently enrolled as a History major at Pennsylvania State University. Matty enjoys studying African American and Pan-African history and is interested in increasing the accessibility of history of--and the teaching to--underrepresented groups and cultures. Outside of school and work, Matty enjoys spending time with their boyfriend Sim, and their cat Hash Brown...

Author:

Kristen

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Building Knowledge and Breaking Barriers, News and Events

African American Leaders: James H. Costen

February 1, 2023

Portrait of Rev. Dr. James Hutten Costen, undated. Pearl ID: islandora:294511

Each month, the Presbyterian Historical Society is bearing witness to the lives of African American leaders throughout the history of the denomination. Click here to learn how PHS is collecting records of the Black...

Author:

Nick

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African American History, African American Leaders Series

Our Work In The Archives, Fourth Quarter 2022

January 31, 2023

Your archives workers had a productive end of the year in 2022! Let's learn more about how PHS staff served our constituents.

We had 61 research visits in the quarter from 14 different U.S. states as well as Canada, Japan, and South Korea. We did 245 retrievals from our collection, providing access to more than 380 boxes, books, microfilm reels, and other items.

Combining in-person researchers and remote users, staff responded to 441 inquiries about our holdings. Many of the questions concerned genealogy, minister and missionary biographical information, baptismal and marriage...

Author:

David S

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Quarterly Reports