This reference work presents a comprehensive survey of the cultural, architectural, and historical landmarks across the sixty-seven counties of Pennsylvania. The text originated from an initiative by the State Federation of Pennsylvania Women to document local heritage before it vanished. Local authorities, including judges, clergymen, and historians, contributed chapters detailing the pioneer history, Indian trails, and architectural achievements of their respective regions.
The volume opens with an extensive examination of Philadelphia, highlighting its colonial architecture, historic churches, and early civic institutions. The text details the city's numerous historical firsts, ranging from the first botanical garden and hospital to the printing of the first American Bible and the creation of the national flag. Particular attention is given to historic walking tours that map out preserved colonial neighborhoods, public squares, and early meeting houses.
Subsequent chapters are organized geographically by county, following chronological settlement patterns. Each section outlines the prominent geographic features, mineral wealth, and agricultural developments that shaped the local economy. Readers encounter detailed accounts of early industrial sites, including eighteenth-century iron furnaces, textile mills, and early railroad tracks that marked the onset of American manufacturing.
The work also catalogues notable art collections, museums, and educational institutions throughout the state. Descriptions of sacred architecture cover various denominations, detailing the transition from simple Quaker meeting houses to elaborate Gothic and Byzantine structures. The text incorporates rich photographic records and descriptions of public monuments, military sites, and burial grounds where key historical figures rest.
Compiled initially in nineteen seventeen and delayed by wartime conditions, the text preserves a snapshot of the Commonwealth just prior to the modern era of rapid industrial expansion. It serves as an exhaustive gazetteer for travelers and historians seeking concrete details about the foundational elements of American settlement, architecture, and local culture within the Keystone State.
