Oldies but Goodies
Explore historical highlights from the House Archives including cabinet cards, oath books, and the Pennsylvania Constitution in German!
Step back to the 1800s!
Some of the oldest items in the House Archives collection are from the 19th Century.
Check (19th Century) by House ArchivesPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
Check to Representative Davis for Pay and Mileage, 1866
Davis served from 1860 to 1861 representing Mercer and Venango Counties before moving to Philadelphia where he later served non-consecutively in the House from 1866 to 1880.
Each of the signers biographies and portraits are included. Reproduction signatures and a timeline of events leading up to American Independence are also highlighted.
Copy of the Pennsylvania Constitution in German- a rare find!
1865 Directory (19th Century) by House Archives LibraryPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
Directory Pennsylvania Legislature, 1865
This directory from 1865 contains the names and officers of the General Assembly. These books help the Archives establish who served in what positions.
Walter Ritter Cabinet Card by House ArchivesPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
Walter E. Ritter Cabinet Card
Ritter spent most of his life practicing law before serving in the House from 1889 to 1894 representing Lycoming County.
More on Ritter here: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/BiosHistory/MemBio.cfm?ID=6082&body=H
Jacob Herzog Cabinet Card by House ArchivesPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
Jacob B. Hertzog Cabinet Card
Hertzog represented Berks County from 1893 to 1896. Before his political service, Hertzog was a teacher, painter, and organist.
More on Hertzog here: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/BiosHistory/MemBio.cfm?ID=5939&body=H
Jacob Hoffa Cabinet Card by House ArchivesPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
Jacob P. Hoffa Cabinet Card
Hoffa served Montour County from 1885 to 1890. He was a physician for most of his life and served as the burgess of Washingtonville before his time in the House.
More information on Hoffa: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/BiosHistory/MemBio.cfm?ID=6268&body=H
Oath Book (19th Century) by House ArchivesPennsylvania House of Representatives Archives
Oath Book
Oath Book signature from 1837 to 1874. One of three oath books in the House Archives collections. All the Members serving had to sign this book twice, as a promise to protect and serve the Constitution of the United States and Pennsylvania.
For more information on featured Members:
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/BiosHistory/index.cfm?body=h
Due to many original records being scattered across the country, these few original artifacts help tell a larger story of the early years in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
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