About Us
Historic Frankford: Gateway to the Great Northeast

Museum
The HSF Museum is a treasure house of historical art and artifacts. On display are furniture, paintings, sculpture, china, ceramics, silverware, tools, toys and games, household items and appliances, clothing and costumes, jewelry and personal possessions, military uniforms, weapons, musical instruments, fire equipment, Native American artifacts, and flora and fauna. Incorporated into the HSF building are a pair of fireplace mantels from the eighteenth-century Waln mansion and a magnificent federal period doorway from the 1801 Allengrove mansion, while furniture and decorative arts from many of the area’s prominent homes are also on exhibit.

Library
The HSF Library contains an extensive collection of research materials documenting the history of the Northeast Philadelphia region from the seventeenth century to the present. Included are photographs, maps, newspapers, books and journals, personal papers of families and individuals, records of businesses and organizations, and other materials. The Library also houses the J. Friend Lodge Collection of Abraham Lincoln and Civil War books, documents, and artifacts. From 1680s William Penn deeds documenting the early settle­ment of the region to 1920s game-day programs of the Frankford Yellow Jackets football team, the Library houses a wide range of historical materials.

Library Research Policy
The library at the Historical Society of Frankford is a closed stack library due to the uniqueness of the collections. All research requests are handled by qualified volunteers.

• Research requests must be in writing to the HSF with a SASE.
• The request must include details of what resource/references have been consulted so that time is not wasted duplicating efforts. Please supply as much detail as possible and be specific on what you are requesting to be researched.
Send a self addressed stamped envelope (#10) with a check or money order in the amount of $20 (for a preliminary 30 minute search) payable to:
• Historical Society of Frankford
  Library
  P.O. Box 4888
  Phila., Pa. 19124
Please write “research request” in the memo section of your check or money order.
     When research is completed, HSF will mail to requester (in self addressed stamped envelope) any information found and a list of all sources researched and if additional time is required.

• Photocopies will not be made. Citations will be provided when applicable.
• HSF will not research whole families.
• HSF will not provide copies of deeds or other government documents. For this HSF recommends Philadelphia Archives or PA State Archives.
• HSF will not accept telephone research requests.
• HSF is not accepting email requests at this time.
• There is a limit of 3 hours for research.
• Fee schedule is $20 for 30 minutes (preliminary search listing all sources searched and the result of the search).
• Additional research, up to 3 hours at $40 an hour.
• For transcription of documents of 50 words or less, or abstracts of documents up to 100 words, fee is $50 per hour.
NOTE: Research requests will be handled in the order in which they are received. HSF is an all volunteer organization so please expect at least 6 months to receive a response. Thank you for your patience.
HSF recommends a preliminary search to start with. If HSF feels that more time is required, we will let requester know on preliminary search form.

Volunteer Opportunities
HSF is always looking for volunteers to help with monthly programs, collection projects, and other activities. If you are interested in serving as a volunteer, please call the Society and leave a message or email us at info@frankfordhistory.org.