A guide book of art, architecture, and historic interests in Pennsylvania
History
A guide book of art, architecture, and historic interests in Pennsylvania
Architecture -- Pennsylvania; Art -- Pennsylvania; Historic buildings -- Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania -- Guidebooks; Pennsylvania -- History
The first Mennonite Church in America was erected in Germantown, at
Germantown Avenue and Herman Street, the first service being held
therein, May 23, 1708.
The first institution in America for the care of the poor was the
Friends’ Almshouse, established in Philadelphia in 1713.
First municipal care of the poor in the United States was begun by the
City of Philadelphia in a rented building September 1, 1713; the first
building was erected in 1731.
The first Dunkard (Tunker) Church in America was formed in Germantown,
December 25, 1723, at Germantown Avenue and Upsal Street. The first
love-feast celebrated in this country was observed by them the same
evening.
The first association for the benefit of workers (or labor organization)
in America was the “Carpenters’ Company,” established in Philadelphia,
in 1724.
The first mariner’s quadrant, invented by Thomas Godfrey, a glazier, of
Nineteenth Street and Church Lane, Germantown, was made in 1730. First
used in Delaware Bay by Joshua Fisher.
In 1727 a literary society was formed here by Franklin and eleven
associates. This was the famous “Junto,” and from it originated the
Library Company of Philadelphia, the first library of a public nature in
America. The instrument of association was dated July 1, 1731, and the
charter granted by the proprietary May 3, 1742.
The first club in America organized as a dining and fishing club was the
“Colony in Schuylkill,” 1732. The name was afterwards changed to the
“State in Schuylkill.”
The first German newspaper in America was _Die Philadelphische Zeitung_,
published by Benjamin Franklin, May 6, 1732. There were but two numbers
issued.
The first type made in America was made by Christopher Saur, the
Germantown printer, in 1735.
The first volunteer fire company in America, “The Union Fire Company,”
was founded by Franklin and four associates, December 7, 1736. It lasted
for eighty-four years.
February 13, 1741, _The American Magazine, or a Monthly View of the
Political State of the British Colonies_, was published by Andrew
Bradford. This was the first magazine published in America. Three days
later, February 16, 1741, Franklin issued _The General Magazine and
Historical Chronicle for all the British Plantations in America_.
The first German Bible printed in America was by Christopher Saur, in
Germantown, 1743. Saur also published the New Testament in German. He
issued seven editions in the years 1745, 1747, 1748, 1751.
The first institution in America devoted to science and learning was the
“American Philosophical Society,” organized in 1743. By Articles of
Agreement, dated January 2, 1769, there took place a union between this
society and “The American Society for Promoting and Propagating Useful
Knowledge, held at Philadelphia,” the latter an outgrowth of the famous
“Junto” established by Franklin and his associates in 1727. From the
date of union until the present time but one society has existed, known
as the “American Philosophical Society.”
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