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The Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP)(1300 Locust Street) continues its 200th Anniversary programming with the second of five themed exhibits celebrating its diverse collection of documents and art reflecting our national history. In partnership with Independence Historical Trust (IHT), “All View It As An Object of High Importance”: Banking in the Early Republic is on display at HSP now through May 31. The exhibit supports the second anniversary theme of the year, “Americans and Innovation: Science, Technology, and Enterprise,” and highlights innovations and experiments in banking institutions in Revolutionary and early America.
Visitors are invited to explore the development of the banking industry in America from the American Revolution to the 1840s, the battles over how to fund the War for Independence, and the early government initiative played out through the chartering of national banks. “All View It As an Object of High Importance”: Banking in the Early Republic highlights documents through the collections from the Bank of North America and the papers of leaders involved in the First and Second Banks of the United States. Leaders such as Thomas Paine and James Wilson published pamphlets arguing for the Bank of North America charter, established by the Continental Congress, to fund the war effort.
As commercial banks expanded in the first half-century of the young American republic, so too did the paper currency- or bank notes – they issued. Featured in the exhibit are a variety of 18th and 19th-century bills, as well as records and paper samples of the Ivy Mill in Concord Township, Delaware County. This paper mill, owned by the Willcox family, became a leading supplier of paper for Provincial, Continental, and Federal currency, as well as banknote paper.
From the HSP Bank of North America collection’s 29 boxes and 672 volumes spanning 1694-1939, one of the oldest items is a deed from William Penn’s sons granting the land on which the bank would eventually be built. Prints, drawings, and blueprints depict the architectural history of the Bank and its two successors, the First and Second Banks of the United States. Other collection items on display illustrate the bank’s operation in creating and circulating banknotes, including steel printing plates. The personal accounts and estates of individual clients also appear in the collection – one that will be featured is the estate of Maria Josefa Espinosa de Cuesta, a Philadelphia businesswoman born in Mexico who ran her South American husband’s shipping business in the 1830s.
A public reception unveiling these treasures takes place at HSP on Thursday, April 18, from 6 to 8 p.m., organized in partnership with the Independence Historical Trust. The reception will feature opening remarks from David R. Brigham, Librarian and CEO of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and Jonathan Burton, Director of Development for Independence Historical Trust. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
“All View It As An Object of High Importance”: Banking in the Early Republic includes upcoming programs and speaker engagements to be hosted at HSP, including an Innovators Talk with businessperson, venture capitalist, and author Richard Vague. Vague will share his research into early American banking ventures – and concurrent class divisions – in the founding of America. The talk will take place on Wednesday, May 1, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., with both onsite and virtual tickets available. Onsite tickets include admission to the exhibit, the talk, and the reception to follow. Complimentary tickets are available for current secondary, undergraduate, and graduate students upon receipt of email at programs@hsp.org providing the student’s program of enrollment.
Founded in 1824, HSP is one of the nation’s largest archives of historical documents and boldly enters its third century, bringing the people of the past into conversations today. HSP proudly serves as Philadelphia’s Library of American History, with over 21 million manuscripts, books, and graphic images encompassing centuries of US history.
“This exhibit provides a fascinating view of the necessary role that national banking played in financing the American Revolution and building the American Republic,” said HSP Librarian & CEO David R. Brigham. “HSP’s collections are endlessly rewarding in their depth and breadth, and these collections demonstrate a dimension of our holdings that is not widely known.”
Established in 1972, Independence Historical Trust, a 501(c) 3, is a philanthropic organization that partners with Independence National Historical Park and protects, preserves, and interprets Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the 54-plus historical acres in the City of Philadelphia. As a partner, the Trust invests the public’s philanthropic dollars in park programs, conservation efforts, and capital campaigns. The Trust also works with other partners in the historic area to enhance the visitor experience.
“The Independence Historical Trust is honored to partner with HSP to celebrate their 200th anniversary by highlighting the early republic’s banking and economic history,” said Independence Historical Trust Director of Development Jonathan Burton. “This topic is pertinent to the Trust as we continue to raise funds to restore the First Bank of the United States in Independence National Historical Park.”
The collaboration between HSP and IHT proceeds as the next of HSP’s 200th-anniversary events and exhibits, embracing five broad themes found in its collections to be unveiled throughout its yearlong programming:
● The Soul of America: Visual, Performing, and Literary Arts
● Americans and Innovation: Science, Technology, and Enterprise
● Pennsylvania: Crucible of the Nation
● America’s Promise and its Many Voices
● What’s Your Story? Chronicling Families and Communities
Following ‘Americans and Innovation: Science, Technology, and Enterprise,’ from June 5 to July 26, HSP will present an exhibit illustrating political cartoons and political speech for the theme ‘Pennsylvania: Crucible of the Nation.’ From August 21 to October 7, in collaboration with Taller Puertorriqueño, a Philadelphia arts organization, HSP explores the theme ‘America’s Promise and its Many Voices.’ The exhibit will highlight Puerto Rican arts and culture and revisit prior work examining the roles archives and oral history play in strengthening neighborhoods. The anniversary year of programming concludes with the theme ‘What’s Your Story? Chronicling Families and Communities’ in conjunction with the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania from October 14 to November 22, highlighting the many places in our documents where our ancestors can be found. Support for HSP’s 200th anniversary programming is generously provided by the Richard C. Von Hess Foundation.
Exhibits can be viewed free of charge anytime during library open hours, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. In addition to its schedule of special programming, HSP’s library is open for research Tuesday through Friday. Make an appointment to explore the countless stories that are told by its collections. To learn more, please email readingroom@hsp.org.
To learn more about HSP, sign up to receive the HSP Newsletter and be the first to hear about upcoming programs and new collections. Like, subscribe to, and follow @historicalpa on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and X.
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