The founding collection of painting and sculpture at Boston Public Library is representative of the collecting and exhibiting habits of the mid- to late-19th century: oil portraits, copies of antique statues, a variety of decorative arts, and portrait busts (all almost exclusively Neoclassical... more

Edward Howe Forbush was elected Ornithologist to the State Board of Agriculture in 1894, named State Ornithologust by the state board in 1908, and became director of the Division of Ornithology (Dept. of Agriculture) in 1919. Resolves 1921, c 5 authorized the publication of Birds of... more

The Pamphlet Collection contains pamphlets owned by various individuals and collected by Mary Fifield King or donated directly to the Library. Some of the owners of the pamphlets are featured in other collections owned by the Weymouth Public Libraries, namely the Fifield Family Collection and... more

This collection consists of items from the Pamphlets Relating to the Overseers of the Poor collection hosted by Boston City Archives. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

The Panama Pacific International Exposition was the 1915 worlds fair held in San Francisco, California. Taking over three years to construct, the fair had great economic implications for the city that had been almost destroyed by the great earthquake and fire of 1906. The exposition was a... more

This collection consists of items from the Pandemic Peace and Promise collection hosted by Reading Public Library. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

Warren S. Parker (1861-1944) built houses for a living before he was appointed Building Inspector for the City of Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1907. He served in this position for twenty-five years, becoming interested in old Quincy houses and residents.At the core of the Parker Collection are over... more

This collection consists of items from the Parks, Greenspaces & More collection hosted by Melrose Public Library. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

The Parson Capen House is one of the finest surviving examples of Elizabethan architecture in America. The house is situated on a knoll overlooking the Common, originally on a twelve-acre lot of land granted Reverend Capen by the Town in 1682. He served his congregation for forty years,... more

This collection consists of items from the Parson Smith family papers (MS032) collection hosted by Historic New England. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

Established in 1854, Temple Israel of Boston is the second oldest synagogue in New England. It has been the largest Reform synagogue in New England for most of its history, and it remains an important regional and national force in American Jewish and secular life. This collection from Temple... more

A co-founder of the Valley Women’s Center and the Everywoman’s Center at UMass Amherst, Patricia Lee Lewis has been an important part of the vibrant activist culture in the Pioneer Valley since her graduation from Smith College in 1970, advocating for women, civil rights, peace, the environment,... more

The Town of Milford established the library on August 30, 1858. It existed in various locations between 1858 and 1886, when it moved into the Memorial Hall building. The library remained in this Civil War memorial building for one hundred years. A new facility was authorized by a vote of the... more

Paul Gavarni (pseudonym of Hippolyte-Guillaume-Sulpice Chavalier, 1804-1866) was a French draftsman, watercolorist, and lithographer. Although he achieved recognition as a watercolorist, like his contemporary, Honoré Daumier, Gavarni is best known for his lithographs, which provided a forum for... more

An artist, writer, and activist for the disabled, Paul S. Kahn was born on Nov. 6, 1945, into a second-generation family of Jewish immigrants in Auburndale, Mass. Early in life, Kahn rebelled against the perceived “powerlessness” of the neuromuscular disorder with which he was born, pursuing an... more

This collection consists of items from the Paul Tsongas Digital Archives collection hosted by University of Massachusetts Lowell Libraries. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

This collection consists of items from the Pauline Cashman Condon Wedding Collection, 1918 - 1919 (MS059) collection hosted by Historic New England. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

The Peabody & Stearns architectural drawings contain materials related to the architectural commissions undertaken by the Peabody & Stearns architectural firm, including commercial, residential, and ecclesiastical projects in New England and beyond. The collection comprises materials... more

This collection consists of items from the Peabody Glass Plate Photographs collection hosted by Peabody Institute Library, Peabody. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

This collection consists of items from the Peabody Institute Library of Danvers Permanent Art collection hosted by Peabody Institute Library, Danvers. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

This collection consists of items from the Peabody Mat Leather Company collection hosted by Peabody Institute Library, Peabody. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

The Peak House Heritage Center collection contains institutional records that document the study and management of the Peak House. Materials include photographs and negatives; newspaper clippings, booklets, and other publications; reports, notes, and transcripts of oral histories; maps and... more

A pioneer of African dance in the United States and a vital scholarly voice, Pearl Primus burst onto the scene in the early 1940s as a choreographer, performer, composer, and teacher. Born in Trinidad in 1919 and raised in New York City, Primus was introduced to performance through the... more

Richard and Kayla Pechter's collection began with a world map, whose depiction of the world of the 1600s got them interested. Over time, their collection focused on maps that were fascinating to study, beautiful looking, and significant in the development of mapmaking. As much as the Pechters... more

This collection consists of items from the Pedro Tovookan Parris papers (MS034) collection hosted by Historic New England. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

The Pemberton Mill was incorporated in 1853. On January 10, 1860 at 5:00 in the afternoon, the entire structure collapsed burying its workers under a mass of brick, mortar, timber, and machinery. The news spread throughout the city sending volunteers to aid in the rescue work. To add to the... more

The City of Newton owns a wealth of historic materials that speak to the community's social, cultural, and governmental past. These materials reflect the civic life of and provide insight into Newton from the 19th through the early 20th century, a time when Newton was transforming from... more

This collection consists of items from the People of Lynn collection hosted by Lynn Public Library. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

This collection includes portraits, groups, and other photos, where the primary content consists of people. Some photos may also commemorate events or have landmarks, structures, or other significant features included in the image. Most of the photos are Granville-related, although some are from... more

Collection of eight albums:Portrait Album, circa 1860: Contains portraits of important individuals in the history of the school, including Samuel Gridley Howe, Michael Anagnos, and Laura Bridgman, in addition to teachers and staff.Perkins Institution Kindergarten Department Album, World's... more

This collection consists of postcards of the Perkins campus at its former locations in South Boston, the first kindergarten for the blind in Jamaica Plain, and Perkins' current location in Watertown, Massachusetts. The images are in both black and white and color and include views of the campus,... more

This collection consists of items from the Perry Paint collection (CC002) collection hosted by Historic New England. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

This collection consists of items from the Personal photographic collection (PC004) collection hosted by Historic New England. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

This collection consists of items from the Personal Records of the Members of the Board of Aldermen and Common Council collection hosted by Boston City Archives. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

Peter Simon’s life and work as a photojournalist follows the quintessential arc of the counterculture, baby boom generation. The son of Richard Simon, founder of Simon and Schuster, Peter grew up in the New York City suburb of Riverdale and attended Boston University, graduating in... more

This collection consists of items from the The Phi Journal collection hosted by Digital Transgender Archive. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

The Philip Hale Photograph Collection contains items owned and used by Boston music critic Philip Hale in his writings. The photographs contain professional photos of composers, conductors, musicians, actors, dancers, vocalists, and other performers.

A 21-year-old carpenter, Phillip N. Pike left his home in North Adams, Massachusetts, in August of 1917 to enlist in the Signal Corps. Ordered first to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas for training, and then to France in December of 1917, Pike was assigned to the 78th Aero Squadron of the... more

This collection consists of items from the Phillips family film collection (MR001) collection hosted by Historic New England. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

This collection consists of items from the Phillips family papers. Anna Pingree (Wheatland) Phillips (1870-1938) papers (MS043) collection hosted by Historic New England. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

This collection consists of items from the Phillips family papers. James Duncan Phillips (1876-1954) papers (MS047) collection hosted by Historic New England. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

This collection consists of items from the Phillips family papers. Margaret (Duncan) Phillips (1847-1926) papers (MS048) collection hosted by Historic New England. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

This collection consists of items from the Phillips family papers. Nannie Jencks (Borden) Phillips (1877-1963) papers (MS049) collection hosted by Historic New England. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

This collection consists of items from the Phillips family papers. Stephen Clarendon Phillips (1801-1857) papers (MS050) collection hosted by Historic New England. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

This collection consists of items from the Phillips family papers. Stephen Henry Phillips (1823-1897) papers (MS045) collection hosted by Historic New England. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

This collection consists of items from the Phillips family papers. Stephen "Stevie" Phillips (1907-1971) papers (MS044) collection hosted by Historic New England. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

This collection consists of items from the Photograph albums collection (PC009) collection hosted by Historic New England. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

Two bound albums of photographs documenting the aftermath of the Nobi Earthquake (1891) and the Great Kanto Earthquake (1923), two of Japan's deadliest and most powerful recorded earthquakes. These material are held at Amherst College Archives & Special Collections in Amherst, MA.

The Photograph Collection consists of images documenting the people, places and events of Southeastern Massachusetts from the late nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century. Most of the subjects are linked to New Bedford, Massachusetts and the surrounding towns of Fairhaven, Dartmouth,... more

Williams College Photographic Collection contains material from the 1850s-current.

This digital set represents all photographic material from the Stevens-Coolidge Place Collection, including photographs, photo albums, and negatives of Ashdale Farm and other properties; the Stevens, Kunhardt and Coolidge families; relatives and friends; John G. Coolidge's collection; and... more

Includes Carleton Watkins photographs of Yosemite Valley, Eadward Muybridge's nine panel panorama of San Francisco from California Hill, 1877, Alexander Gardner's photographs from Across the Continent on the Kansas Pacific Railroad, Timothy O'Sullivan's and William Bell's photographs for the War... more

The National Archives at Boston provides access to and preserves the permanently valuable historical records of Federal agencies based in the New England states. Among our holdings are photographs from the First Naval District, a now defunct district in existence from 1915 to 1976, which was... more

In his 30-year career at the Standard-Times (1950s to 1980s), Edward Milton "Milt" Silvia captured on film people and events from raging fires in the historic district to ships sinking in the Atlantic, from the worn hands of old men in prison to children smelling daffodils. His body of work is... more

In 1952, Helen Keller and Polly Thomson embarked on a three-month trip to the Middle East, visiting Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Israel.This collection of 35mm color slides was taken by Karl Meyer, the Director of the School for the Blind, Swiss Friends of the Armenians Mission,... more

This collection consists of items from the Phyllis Frye collection hosted by Digital Transgender Archive. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

This collection consists of items from the Phyllis M. Ryan Papers collection hosted by Northeastern University Library. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

The Lawrence Public Library acquired a collection of paper dolls from a longtime Friend of the Library, Phyllis Tyler. There are 16 sets of dolls that include clothing and accessories. Dolls include the movie stars Betty Grable and Ava Gardner, and a set of “Pilot Dolls” that were Women’s Air... more

Perkins School for the Blind pioneered the first physical education program in the United States for students with blindness or visual impairment. When Samuel Gridley Howe opened the school's doors in 1832, he was immediately troubled by his students' poor health. In that era, children who were... more

Presented here is a collection of black and white photographs taken by dentist Dr. T. Otis Loveland of Newton Corner, Nonantum Square and Centre Street from 1893 to 1898. The City of Newton owns a wealth of historic materials that speak to the community's social, cultural and governmental past.... more

This collection consists of items from the Pierce family papers (MS023) collection hosted by Historic New England. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

This collection consists of items from the Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum collection hosted by Provincetown History Preservation Project. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

Founded in Athol, Mass., prior to1922, the Pine Beach Association operated a summer resort on the northern end of Lake Rohunta, a 383-acre reservoir owned largely by the Rodney Hunt Company. Recognizing the touristic and recreational opportunities, the Association built Pine Beach into a... more

This photograph collection documents a wide variety of campus activities, events, student life, and people, including alumnae, faculty, staff, students, both the Wellesley and Chestnut Hill campuses, commencements and convocations, presidents, sports events, and parents weekend. The photographs... more

A collection of items about the history of Plainville from the Plainville Public Library.

Presented here is a plan of lots for sale and abutting owners, probably drawn up by Thomas B. Proctor, a non-resident of Newton who owned buildings and land in Newton Corner around 1869. The City of Newton owns a wealth of historic materials that speak to the community's social, cultural and... more

The City of Newton owns a wealth of historic materials that speak to the community's social, cultural, and governmental past. These materials reflect the civic life of and provide insight into Newton from the 19th through the early 20th century, a time when Newton was transforming from... more

The City of Newton owns a wealth of historic materials that s peak to the community's social, cultural, and governmental past. These materials reflect the civic life of and provide insight into Newton from the 19th through the early 20th century, a time when Newton was transforming from... more

This is the primary collection illustrating the landscape design work of Frederick Law Olmsted Sr. (1822-1903), his sons John Charles Olmsted (1852-1920) and Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. (1870-1957), and the successive Olmsted firms. The records contain a wide range of media and format, and... more

To commemorate the 300th anniversary of the arrival of the Pilgrims, the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts erected new monuments and its citizenry enacted a public outdoor pageant dramatizing "the history of the life and struggles of the Pilgrim Fathers." The height of the celebration occurred on... more

This collection consists of items from the Police Rules and Regulations collection hosted by Boston City Archives. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

This collection consists of items from the Post Card Pictures collection hosted by Winthrop Public Library and Museum. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

This collection consists of items from the Postcard collection hosted by Provincetown History Preservation Project. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

The Postcard Views of Scottish Rite Buildings collection contains a selection of early 20th-century postcard views of Scottish Rite buildings in the United States. Includes both exterior and interior views.

This collection consists of items from the Postcards of Female and Male Impersonators and Cross-dressing collection hosted by Digital Transgender Archive. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

The posters that make up this collection were found in a map case in the second floor stacks of the Lawrence Public Library. Many of the posters from the First and Second World Wars were made from original lithographs that were signed by the artist.

Rural and sparsely populated, Prescott, Massachusetts, was founded in 1822 along the ridge separating the West and Middle branches of the Swift River. Its three villages (North Prescott, Atkinson Hollow, and Prescott Hill) never amounted to more than a few houses each, and the town's... more

This collection consists of items from the Presidential Inauguration Images collection hosted by Framingham State University, Henry Whittemore Library. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

A collection of Williams College Presidential induction speeches.

This collection includes small, medium, and large format negatives taken by Boston press photographers dating from the 1920s through the early 1970s. It was amassed by photojournalist Dennis Brearley during the course of his career as a working photographer. From 1978 to 2012, Mr. Brearley and... more

A variety of collected textual materials from the Williams College Special Collection's holdings.

This collection consists of items from the Prints and engravings collection, 1830s-1920s (GC002) collection hosted by Historic New England. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

This collection consists of items from the Proceedings of the School Committee collection hosted by Boston City Archives. Information about the items has been provided by the holding institution so that they may be included in Digital Commonwealth.

Prior to World War II, produce was packed in wooden crates with attractive labels, designed to catch the buyer's eye, pasted on the ends. After the onset of war, rationing, cost cutting, and a search for cheaper materials in every industry motivated the fruit packers to experiment with cardboard... more

The City of Newton owns a wealth of historic materials that speak to the community's social, cultural, and governmental past. These materials reflect the civic life of and provide insight into Newton from the 19th through the early 20th century, a time when Newton was transforming from... more

The City of Newton owns a wealth of historic materials that speak to the community's social, cultural, and governmental past. These materials reflect the civic life of and provide insight into Newton from the 19th through the early 20th century, a time when Newton was transforming from... more

The City of Newton owns a wealth of historic materials that speak to the community's social, cultural, and governmental past. These materials reflect the civic life of and provide insight into Newton from the 19th through the early 20th century, a time when Newton was transforming from... more

After the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970, the agency initiated DOCUMERICA, a nationwide project headed by Gifford D. Hampshire. The goal of DOCUMERICA was to create a foundational visual document representing the state of the environment in the country at the time. To... more

Represented here are panoramic photographs taken with a banquet camera or panoramic camera between the years 1910 and 1981. Images depict events, banquets, and conventions of various organizations and churches, primarily Armenian ones.