Whitaker family photographs

Transcription

1 253 Last updated on August 19, Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department 2014

2 Table of Contents Summary Information...3 Biography/History...4 Scope and Contents... 4 Administrative Information... 5 Controlled Access Headings Page 2 -

3 Summary Information Repository Hagley Museum and Library: Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department Creator Whitaker family Title Whitaker family photographs Call number 253 Date Extent 44 images General Physcial Description 44 photographic prints : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. or smaller. Location GL Box 1 Language English Abstract The Whitaker family of Philadelphia founded and operated William Whitaker & Sons, Inc., one of the oldest Philadelphia textile mills. The collection consists of photographs related to the family of William Whitaker. A number of the photographs feature buildings and bridges in and around Cedar Grove, Pennsylvania, now a part of Philadelphia. William Whitaker's mansion is featured in several of these images, with family gathered on the porch. - Page 3 -

4 Biography/History The Whitaker family of Philadelphia founded and operated William Whitaker & Sons, Inc., one of the oldest Philadelphia textile mills. Henry Whitaker had founded the firm of Whitaker & Sons in Rochdale, England, in He visited the United States in 1807 and returned in 1809 to relocate the business to Hudson, N.Y. In 1813 he again relocated to Philadelphia, where he established the Cedar Grove Mills on Tacony Creek. Henry Whitaker retired in 1822 and was succeeded by his sons Robert and William. They in turn sold out to their cousin, William Whitaker, who continued to operate the business as William Whitaker & Sons. William Whitaker died in 1878 and was succeeded by his sons. Eventually, one of them, James Whitaker, became sole owner. The business remained in the Whitaker family for six generations. It was incorporated as William Whitaker & Sons, Inc., on September 30, The Cedar Grove Mills came to specialize in mattress ticking, which was the principal product line from the 1840s until World War II. During the Civil War the firm manufactured woolen blankets for the war effort. In 1876 the Whitakers expanded into carpet manufacture through the purchase of the Tremont Carpet Mills in Frankford. After World War II the firm went into decline as the mattress ticking business moved south. The mills closed for the last time in Scope and Contents The collection consists of photographs related to the family of William Whitaker. A number of the photographs feature buildings and bridges in and around Cedar Grove, Pennsylvania, now a part of Philadelphia. William Whitaker's mansion is featured in several of these images, with family gathered on the porch. Interior views of homes are also part of the collection, at least one of which features the Whitaker's sitting room. These are filled with Victorian furniture and plants and were taken circa An exterior view of Cedar Grove Mills, the main textile mill operated by William Whitaker & Sons Inc., also appears. Whitaker family members and friends are also featured in the collection, but few are identified beyond Robert and Middy McDaniel Whitaker and Roland White. Mr. White appears in photographs with his steam automobile, and two other steam automobiles are also featured. Finally, two images of a parade in Philadelphia celebrating the end of the Spanish American War are also in the collection. - Page 4 -

5 Administrative Information Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department 2014 Access Restrictions This collection is open for research. Controlled Access Headings Corporate Name(s) Cedar Grove Mills (Philadelphia, Pa.) William Whitaker & Sons, Inc. Geographic Name(s) Cedar Grove (Pa.)--Buildings, structures, etc. Personal Name(s) Whitaker, Henry, Whitaker, William, Homes and haunts. Subject(s) Automobiles, Steam. Bridges--Pennsylvania. Butchers. - Page 5 -

6 Carriages and carts. Church decoration and ornament. City & town life--pennsylvania--philadelphia. Covered bridges--pennsylvania. Furniture, Victorian. Historic buildings--pennsylvania--cedar Grove. Interiors. Parades--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia. Water-wheels. - Page 6 -