Isaac Clarence Kulp papers
MHEP.Hist.Mss.436.1

Summary Information

Repository
Mennonite Heritage Center
Creator - Creator
Kulp, Isaac Clarence, 1938-2007
Title
Isaac Clarence Kulp papers
ID
MHEP.Hist.Mss.436.1
Date [inclusive]
1907-2007
Extent
18.5 Linear feet (19 boxes)
Language
English
Abstract
Isaac Clarence Kulp (1938-2007) was an historian, antiquarian, and folk artist of Vernfield, Montgomery Co., PA. In the 1960s he was one of the pioneers of Pennsylvania German folk culture research in the Goschenhoppen region of Montgomery County and surrounding areas. His collection of folklore notes, tape recordings, books, paintings, photographs and other manuscripts has been preserved at the Mennonite Heritage Center. The I. C. Kulp Papers include personal and family manuscripts and correspondence, papers from his involvement in organizations and projects including the Goschenhoppen Historians (of which he was a founder), and papers related to his varied interests. The highlight of Mr. Kulp’s papers are his historical and folklore diaries. During his active adult life, I. C. Kulp kept historical diaries in which he made notes about things told to him by local people regarding folklore, etc.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Mennonite Heritage Center 2008

565 Yoder Road
Harleysville, PA
215.256.3020
library@mhep.org

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Controlled Access Headings

Corporate Name(s)

  • Goschenhoppen Historians, Inc..

Family Name(s)

  • Gottshall
  • Kulp

Genre(s)

  • Correspondence
  • Family papers
  • Postcards
  • Research notes
  • Scrapbooks
  • Storytelling

Personal Name(s)

  • Kulp, Isaac Clarence, 1938-2007

Subject(s)

  • Folklore
  • Fraktur art
  • Pennsylvania German dialect

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Collection Inventory

Series A. Notebooks 

Journals and diaries 1957-2006 

Box
1-2

Fraktur, library, and personal records 1950-1997 

Box
3

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Series B. Family papers 

Clarence G. and Bessie Gottshall Kulp papers 

Box
4-5

Elizabeth Garges Gottshall papers 

Box
4
Folder
23

Henry G. Gottshall musical compositions 

Box
4
Folder
24

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Series C. Personal papers 

Sundry papers and financial records 1950-2007 

Box
4
Folder
25-40

Childhood papers 

Box
6
Folder
1-3

School papers 

Box
7

Writings 

Box
6
Folder
4-8

Biographical material 

Box
6
Folder
9-11

Artwork   [see also oversized material]

Box
8

Scrapbooks 

Box
53

Postcard collection 

Box
54-55,55A

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Series D. Correspondence 

Box Folder

Correspondence 1943-1976 

6 12-30

Correspondence 1977-1995 

9 1-26

Correspondence 1996-2006 

10 1-4

Greeting cards received 

10 5-14

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Series E. Organization and project files 

American Folklife Society 1973-1979 

Biographical/Historical note

Maintained the Keim Homestead near Lobachsville, PA and held an annual Colonial American Cherry Fair.

Box
10
Folder
15

Bethlehem '83 1983 

Biographical/Historical note

North American Mennonite adult and youth gatherings at Bethlehem, PA, 1983. I. C. Kulp was involved in a local meetinghouse tour.

Box
10
Folder
16

Brethren Encyclopedia 1978-1987 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp provided photos and some level of consultation for the Brethren Encyclopedia.

Box
10
Folder
17

Brethren Genealogists of Southern Pennsylvania 1979-1991 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp led Montgomery County (PA) tours for this group.

Box
10
Folder
18

A Brethren Pilgrimage circa 1976 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp edited and wrote for this publication. Original artwork by Leon Z. Moyer is in box 60, folder 1.

Box
10
Folder
19-20

Brethren Revival Fellowship 1960-1983 

Biographical/Historical note

Conservative renewal movement in the Church of the Brethren.

Box
10
Folder
21

Bucher's Meetinghouse, Cornwall, PA 1964-1981 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp attended annual German language services at this Brethren meetinghouse built in 1871.

Box
10
Folder
22

Christopher Dock Bicentennial 1971 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp served on the Christopher Dock Bicentennial Commemoration Committee, curated a fraktur exhibit during the bicentennial celebrations and played the role of Dielman Kolb in the film The Quiet in the Land, created for this occasion. See also posters in file 58-11 and photos of exhibited fraktur in file 39-2.

Box
10
Folder
23

Community Historians, Franklin and Marshall College 1962-1966 

Box
10
Folder
24

Delp's Meetinghouse (Herrehaus), Harleysville, PA 1958-2004 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp was instrumental in the 1956-58 restoration of this Funkite/Herrite (Reformed Mennonite) meetinghouse built in 1811, and in the celebration of annual memorial services there over a forty year period. File contains programs, song sheets, promotional materials, correspondence, etc. related to the meetinghouse and services. For related photos, see files 39-3 and 41-11 and photos 41-9-9 and 46-17-1. Audio recordings of services in the 1950s and 1960s are in box 49.

Box
10
Folder
25

The Eden Story (Eden Mennonite Church, Schwenksville, PA) 1968 

Biographical/Historical note

Drama celebrating the 150th anniversary of Eden Mennonite Church. I. C. Kulp helped produce the drama and played the role of Rev. William S. Gottshall.

Box
10
Folder
26

Fereinicht Pennsylfawnish Deitsch Fulk 1962-1986 

Biographical/Historical note

Pennsylvania German heritage society based in Berks County, PA. File consists primarily of the organization's newsletter Da Ausauga.

Box
10
Folder
27

Franconia Township, PA, 250th Anniversary 1980-1981 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp was involved with numerous parts of the anniversary celebration, including historical dinners (for which he wrote commentary on PA German food), church tours and programs, and designing a new official seal for the township.

Box
10
Folder
28

Frick's Meetinghouse, Hatfield, PA 1956-1991 

Biographical/Historical note

For nearly thirty years, I. C. Kulp was involved in annual reunion meetings at this union meetinghouse built in 1882 for use by Mennonites, Brethren, and Brethren in Christ. File contains primarily programs for annual reunion meetings, but also a certificate of participation in singing school at Frick’s Meetinghouse, July 9, 1978 (handdrawn by Bishop John E. Lapp). See file 39-5 for related photos.

Box
10
Folder
29-30

Gemeinschaft 1723 1976 

Biographical/Historical note

Manuscripts and typescripts for a play, Gemeinschaft 1723, written by I. C. Kulp, in commemoration of the organization of the Church of the Brethren in America, performed at Indian Creek Church of the Brethren, Vernfield, PA in 1976. Kulp played the role of Peter Becker. See file 39-6 for related photos.

Box
10
Folder
31

Gemeinschaft I and II 1973-1974 

Biographical/Historical note

Locally-held conferences on the theme of Christian community, with voices from across the Anabaptist spectrum. I. C. Kulp was a primary organizer, with John Ruth and Arthur Gish.

Box
10
Folder
38

German-American Tricentennial 1983 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp welcomed West German visitors to the Franconia, PA area. File contains programs, newsletters, etc.

Box
10
Folder
32

German Reformed Church in America, 250th Anniversary 1975 

Box
10
Folder
33

Goschenhoppen Historians 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp gave public talks on behalf of the Goschenhoppen Historians (see file 6-8), he was founder and first curator of the Goschenhoppen Folklife Museum, and founding editor of the Historians' folklife journal, The Goschenhoppen Region, 1968-1969. See also notebooks in box 1 and photos in file 39-7.

Box Volume

Notebooks 1965-1968 

11 1-7
Box Folder

General papers 1964-2002 

11 1-7

Board minutes 1965-2007 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp served as secretary, 1966-1967.

11 8-14

Correspondence 1965-1992  (Bulk, 1965-1969)

11 15-19

Goschenhoppen Folk Festival 1967-2007 

11 20-22

Goschenhoppen Folklife Museum 1965-1995 

12 1

The Goschenhoppen Region 1968-1970 

12 2-4
Box

Goschenhoppen Region manuscripts 1968-1970 

13
Box Folder

Membership records 1966-1968 

12 5-8

The Goschenhoppen Newsletter 1964-2007 

12 9-11

Scrapbooks compiled by Eva Frank 1965-1969   [oversized]

59 1-4

Scrapbooks compiled by Eva Frank 1965-1969   [oversized]

63 4

Goschenhoppen Sing Schieler 1981-2003 

Biographical/Historical note

Traditional singers led by I. C. Kulp. The group’s home base was Klein’s Meetinghouse, Harleysville, PA, where they led semi-annual song services (see file 12-27). This file contains financial records, programs, and original folk art invitations by I. C. Kulp (see also file 12-28). See file 39-8 for related photos and box 49 for audio recordings.

Box
10
Folder
34-35

Grundsow Lodge 1975-2003 

Biographical/Historical note

Pennsylvania German men’s club; file contains programs for gatherings of various local chapters.

Box
10
Folder
36

Harley Memorial Association 1957-2005 

Biographical/Historical note

File contains primarily programs for the annual Harley Reunion held at Klein's Meetinghouse, Harleysville and later at Peter Becker Community, Harleysville, but it also includes correspondence and historical articles (see family history research file 16-25). I. C. Kulp was a descendant of the Harley family. See photo files 40-20 and 40-21, photos 58-19-1 and 58-19-3.

Box
12
Folder
12-13

Hecklerfest 1976-1980 

Biographical/Historical note

Annual folk festival held at Heckler Plains (the historic Freed/Heckler farm) in Lower Salford Township, Montgomery County, PA. See file 39-9 for related photos and poster in file 58-11.

Box
12
Folder
14

Heckler's History of Harleysville and Lower Salford 1958 

Biographical/Historical note

Subscription lists for a reprint of James Y. Heckler's History of Harleysville and Lower Salford, published privately by I. C. Kulp, Alan Keyser and Robert Bucher, 1958.

Box
12
Folder
15

Historic Foundation of Montgomery County (PA) 1966-1968 

Biographical/Historical note

Organization founded to provide direction and networking for historical work in Montgomery County. I. C. Kulp was involved early on through his work with the Goschenhoppen Historians.

Box
12
Folder
16

Historic Schaefferstown 

Biographical/Historical note

Historical society in Schaefferstown, PA that preserves and interprets the Pennsylvania German culture of southern Lebanon County and surrounding areas. I. C. Kulp was a visionary and founder in the early 1960s, and served as a board member and in roles and activities throughout the organization, including leadership of German language worship services at the annual Schaefferstown Folk Festival. See file 39-16 for related photos, box 54 for related postcards, and file 60-9 for a related poster.

Box Folder

General papers 1960-2001 

12 17-18

Board minutes 1964-1991 

12 19-20

Folk Festival religious services 1968-1988 

12 21

Historical Society of Montgomery County (PA) 1945-1990 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp held membership in this society, circa 1958-1965. File contains transcript of a slide presentation on "Meetinghouses of Montgomery County" that I. C. Kulp gave at a meeting of the Historical Society in 1977. Slides used in this presentation are in file 41-11; digital copies are on compact disc 50-1.

Box
12
Folder
22

Historical Society of Trappe, Collegeville, Perkiomen Valley 1967-2005  (Bulk, 1998-2005)

Institute of Pennsylvania Rural Life and Culture 1958-1985  (Bulk, 1970-1974)   [oversized]

Biographical/Historical note

Annual conference sponsored by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. I. C. Kulp participated several times, sometimes as a presenter.

Box
52
Folder
1-2

James E. Frill's Musick Book 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp at one time owned a manuscript tune book entitled "James E. Frill's Musick Book" that contained musical notation of the late 17th and early 18th centuries by Reading, Pennsylvania musicians including Henry Schoener and James Frill. I. C. Kulp loaned this manuscript to Irvin Rathman, who wrote a book on it (see bound manuscript below). A transcription of the music, edited by Carl Baron, was privately published in 2002 and by the Goschenhoppen Historians in 2005.

Box Folder

Irvin Rathman research on the Frill music book 

12 24

Photocopy of the Frill music book 

12 25
Box Volume

Manuscript: James Frill and His Friends and the Musical Life of Their Town, by Irvin Rathman 1984 

12 1

Keystone Bible Institute 1977-1998 

Biographical/Historical note

Annual one-week seminar on biblical and church life themes, sponsored by the Mennonite Church. I. C. Kulp taught courses in 1982.

Box
12
Folder
26

Klein's Meetinghouse and Harley Burial Ground, Harleysville, PA 

Biographical/Historical note

Brethren meetinghouse built in 1843 for the Indian Creek congregation. I. C. Kulp was visionary in restoring the meetinghouse from a state of bad disrepair, circa 1977. He was involved in annual memorial meetings, and the meetinghouse served as the home base for his Goschenhoppen Sing Schieler (see file 10-34), who led semi-annual song services there. For related photos, see files 39-11 and 41-11 and photos 39-8-3, 40-21-9, 41-9-9, 46-17-1 and 46-18-13.

Box Volume

General papers 1939-2005 

12 27
Box Folder

Folk art invitations to song services at Klein's Meetinghouse 1986-2002 

12 28

M. Therese Page watercolor (print) of Klein's Meetinghouse and Harley Burial Ground   [oversized]

58 4

Kolb-Kulp-Culp Family Association 1925-2006 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp served on the executive committee for a number of years. This file includes executive committee and genealogical correspondence, as well as material from Warren K. Schlotterer, treasurer of the reunion in the late 1940s-early 1950s. See file 39-12 for related photos.

Box
14
Folder
1-3

Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society 1961-1982 

Box
14
Folder
4

Lower Salford Historical Society 1989-2006 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp was a visionary and founder of this historical society for Lower Salford Township, Montgomery County, PA, where Kulp was a resident. He served on the board of directors and the Bergey Mill Farmstead committee. File includes organizational documents, minutes, and material related to the celebration of Lower Salford's 250th anniversary in 1991. See also maps in oversize file 60-5.

Box
14
Folder
5-6

Lower Salford Township Bicentennial Committee circa 1975 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp proposed a commemorative booklet on Lower Salford Township for the American Bicentennial.

Box
14
Folder
7

Mennonite Historians of Eastern Pennsylvania 1974-2006 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp had a close relationship with this organization. He was given a life membership in 1978. Over many years, he attended and demonstrated at the annual Apple Butter Frolic (see file 39-1 for related photos). In 1980, he allowed the MHEP to photocopy his historical collection; one set of copies was kept by MHEP and another was given to Kulp (see boxes 18 and 19). During this process, he sat on the Library and Heritage Center Committee. Kulp loaned artifacts and his own artwork to MHEP for exhibits (see files 4-30 and 8-4), and he donated his papers and historical collection to MHEP in 2006 (see files 4-25 and 4-42).

Box
14
Folder
8

Montgomery County (PA) Federation of Historical Societies 1979-1981 

Biographical/Historical note

Sponsored the publication of Montgomery County: The Second Hundred Years. I. C. Kulp wrote an article on the Church of the Brethren (pp. 1161-64).

Box
14
Folder
9

Montgomery County (PA) Historical Advisory Board 1972-1976 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp was a member of this county board responsible for the administration of the Peter Wentz Farmstead, Worcester, and Sunrise Mill, Frederick. Plans for Sunrise Mill Park are in oversize folder 60-2.

Box
14
Folder
10-11

New Call to Peacemaking 1980-1981 

Biographical/Historical note

This was an intiative of the historic peace churches--Brethren, Friends and Mennonites. I. C. Kulp served on a speakers bureau.

Box
14
Folder
12

Old Dry Road Farm, Wernersville, PA 1977-1987 

Biographical/Historical note

Living history farm museum of which I. C. Kulp was a visionary and founder. He served on the executive board for a number of years. File includes board minutes, newsletters, promotional material, etc.

Box
14
Folder
13

Palatines to America 1983 

Biographical/Historical note

Genealogical society for descendants of colonial immigrants from the Palatinate. I. C. Kulp gave a lecture at the 1983 convention on early Schwenkfelder, Brethren and Moravian congregations in Pennsylvania.

Box
14
Folder
14

Penn'a Du documentary 1982 

Biographical/Historical note

Script for a German documentary on the Pennsylvania German ("Pennsylvania Dutch") people and dialect: Penn'a Du..., 1982. I. C. Kulp was a principal interviewee in the film.

Box
14
Folder
15

Pennsylvania Folklife Society 1957-2002 

Biographical/Historical note

One of the first and most vital PA German folklife societies, founded by Alfred Shoemaker, Don Yoder and others in the 1950s. The organization published a model folklife magazine, Pennsylvania Folklife, and hosted the annual Kutztown Folk Festival. I. C. Kulp participated as an exhibitor and lecturer for many years, on behalf of himself, the Goschenhoppen Historians, and the Pennsylvania German Studies program at Ursinus College (see file 14-27). See file 39-13 for related photos and oversize file 60-3 for I. C. and Bessie Kulp's 1965 display on "The Plain Sects of Montgomery County".

Box
14
Folder
16-19

Pennsylvania German dictionary project 1965-1999 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp was a primary informant for C. Richard Beam's work in developing a Pennsylvania German-English dictionary.

Box
14
Folder
20-23

Pennsylvania German Folklore Society 1956-1961 

Box
14
Folder
24

Pennsylvania German Society 1959-1987 

Box
14
Folder
25-26

Pennsylvania German Studies, Ursinus College 1974-1986 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp taught in this program under the leadership of Dr. William Parsons, especially in its extension at Kutztown Folk Festival. See also file 15-46.

Box
14
Folder
27

Pennsylvania Log House Society 1973-1979 

Biographical/Historical note

Organization formed by I. C. Kulp, Robert Bucher and others, with the goal of preserving early log houses, especially on the Charming Forge historic site in western Berks County.

Box
14
Folder
28

Price Family Association 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp was a descendant of the Price family. File contains copies of the Price family hymn and a history of the Abraham M. and Susan Alderfer Price family.

Box
14
Folder
29

Pricetown Meetinghouse, Pricetown, PA 1973-1982 

Biographical/Historical note

Oldest unaltered Brethren meetinghouse, built 1777. Maidencreek/Mohrsville Church of the Brethren maintains the meetinghouse and holds annual memorial services there. I. C. Kulp was involved in leading these services over a number of years. File contains primarily programs from services, but also some correspondence. See photos 39-8-1, 41-8-26 and 46-18-12.

Box
14
Folder
30

Salford Legacy 1991 

Biographical/Historical note

Planning materials for a local history journal entitled Salford Legacy, 1991. I. C. Kulp, Robert Bucher and Richard Daub planned this journal on the tails of Lower Salford Township's 250th anniversary celebrations in 1991, but it was never published.

Box
14
Folder
31

Schleitheim Seminar 1977 

Biographical/Historical note

Seminar held at Schleitheim, Switzerland to commemorate the 450th anniversary of the Schleitheim Confession of Faith. Initiative of the Historical Committee of the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Heritage Committee. I. C. Kulp was invited to participate, but ultimately did not.

Box
14
Folder
32

Schwenkfelder Library, Pennsburg, PA 1954-1960 

Box
14
Folder
33

Silent Night, Holy Night playscript 

Biographical/Historical note

Script for a play, Silent Night, Holy Night, on the story of the hymn's origin. I. C. Kulp played the role of hymn author Franz Gruber.

Box
15
Folder
1

Social Security: Surviving the System documentary 1982 

Biographical/Historical note

Transcript of a radio documentary, Social Security: Surviving the System, aired on KYW News Radio, Philadelphia, PA, 1982. I. C. Kulp participated as a commentator on the Old Order approach to provision for the elderly.

Box
15
Folder
2

Souderton-Telford Ministerium 1976 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp served on a consultation committee in relation to the American Bicentennial.

Box
15
Folder
3

Teaching and speaking engagements 1967-2004 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp taught courses on Pennsylvania German history and culture at Cheltenham Township Adult School, circa 1967-1975; Methacton Continuing Education, circa 1976; and Souderton Area Community School, circa 1982-1989. He was engaged as a public speaker in numerous settings until 2004.

Box
15
Folder
4-5

Towamencin Historical Society 1974-1975 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp lectured for this township historical society in 1975.

Box
15
Folder
6

Tulpehocken Settlement Historical Society 1974-1980 

Box
15
Folder
7

The "Wisdom Table" 1993-1995 

Biographical/Historical note

Informal group of friends who met with I. C. Kulp, John Ruth and Alan Keyser at the Energy Station restaurant, Vernfield, PA on Tuesday mornings for a number of years; sort of an ecumenical Pennsylvania German breakfast club. In the 1990s, the group held an annual Christmas banquet. File contains hand-drawn invitations by I. C. Kulp for the Christmas dinners, 1993-1995. See file 39-18 for related photos.

Box
15
Folder
8

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Series F. Personal interest files 

Amish 

Box
15
Folder
9

C. Richard Beam 

Biographical/Historical note

Pennsylvania German columnist known as "der Bischli-Gnippli," compiler of a Pennsylvania German-English dictionary, and head of the Center for Pennsylvania German Studies at Millersville University.

Box
15
Folder
10

Keith Brintzenhoff 

Biographical/Historical note

Pennsylvania German musician and proprietor of Pennsylvania Dutch Hobbies, Kutztown, PA. File contains primarily catalogs of books available in his shop, 1982-1984.

Box
15
Folder
11

Lamar W. Bumbaugh 

Biographical/Historical note

Lamar W. Bumbaugh (1910-1997)--book dealer at Barto, PA and founder of "Mountain Bummy's Herb Society," of which I. C. Kulp was a member. Kulp bought many valuable books from Bumbaugh over the years. File contains primarily book catalogs and Herb Society material.

Box
15
Folder
12

Abraham H. Cassel 

Biographical/Historical note

Abraham H. Cassel (1820-1908)--I. C. Kulp modeled his persona after this well-known Brethren antiquarian and historian. Papers, photos, etc. from Cassel and his family are in the I. C. Kulp Historical Collection (see separate finding aid).

Box
14
Folder
34

Deborah Rahn Clemens 

Biographical/Historical note

Essay on Evangelical and Reformed Church music by Deborah Rahn Clemens, 1991.

Box
15
Folder
13

Jacob C. Clemens 

Biographical/Historical note

Jacob C. Clemens (1874-1965)--amateur historian and minister in the Plains Mennonite congregation, Hatfield, PA.

Box
15
Folder
14

Sandra Lee Cronk, dissertation on Gelassenheit 

Biographical/Historical note

Manuscript dissertation, Gelassenheit: The Rites of Redemptive Process in Old Order Amish and Old Order Mennonite Communities, by Sandra Lee Cronk (1942-2000), Quaker author and co-founder of School of the Spirit at Pendle Hill retreat center, Wallingford, PA. Ms. Cronk had significant correspondence with I. C. Kulp (see boxes 9 and 10).

Box
15
Folder
15-16

Falkner Swamp Reformed Church, Gilbertsville, PA 

Box
15
Folder
17

William Fetterman 

Biographical/Historical note

Theatre scholar of New York, NY. The bulk of this file is a paper written by Fetterman on Pennsylvania German folk plays.

Box
15
Folder
18

Robert Frost, poet 

Box
15
Folder
19

Nancy Kettering Frye, essay on Sarah Richter Major 

Biographical/Historical note

Biographical essay on Sarah Righter Major (1808-1884), by Nancy Kettering Frye, 1997. Sarah Major was an early female preacher in the Church of the Brethren.

Box
15
Folder
20

John F. Funk, "Journal of the Quincyville School" 

Biographical/Historical note

Transcription of Funk's "Journal of the Quincyville School, Montgomery Co., Pa....1855". John F. Funk (1835-1930) was a Mennonite church leader and pioneer in Mennonite publishing. This journal is from his years of teaching school as a young man.

Box
15
Folder
21

German hymns 

Box
15
Folder
22-23

German language worship 

Box
15
Folder
24

Good Shepherd Reformed Church, Boyertown, PA 

Scope and Contents note

Congregational directory for 1911.

Box
15
Folder
25

Heidelberg Reformed Church, Schwenksville, PA 

Scope and Contents note

Annual reports for 1902, 1907 and 1908.

Box
15
Folder
26

Himmelsbriefen (letters from Heaven) 

Scope and Contents note

Draft of an article on Himmelsbriefen, author unknown. I. C. Kulp was very interested in the traditional reverence for  Himmelsbriefen among Pennsylvania Germans. For broadside examples of  Himmelsbriefen, see oversize file 58-7.

Box
15
Folder
27

Amos B. Hoover 

Biographical/Historical note

Old Order Mennonite deacon and founder of Muddy Creek Farm Library, Denver, PA.

Box
15
Folder
28

Alan G. Keyser 

Biographical/Historical note

File contains articles written by Keyser. He and I. C. Kulp were close friends and historical associates.

Box
15
Folder
29

Michael S. Kriebel 

Biographical/Historical note

Contemporary fraktur artist.

Box
15
Folder
30

Abraham Lincoln 

Biographical/Historical note

President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)--I. C. Kulp, particularly in his teenage years, was fascinated with Lincoln, not least because there was rumor of Lincoln having Brethren associations. See also newspaper clippings in boxes 21 and 63 and the Feb. 6, 1955 issue of Horizons, the Church of the Brethren youth periodical.

Box
15
Folder
31

Local politics 1961-1981 

Box
15
Folder
32

Stephen L. Longenecker, biography of the Christopher Sauers 1980-1981 

Box
15
Folder
33-34

Mennonites 

Box
15
Folder
35-42

Richard P. Middleton 

Biographical/Historical note

Pennsylvania German poet. File contains primarily verse written by Middleton, mostly in the form of humorous limericks, circa 1982-1983.

Box
15
Folder
43

Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Bally, PA 

Box
15
Folder
44

New Goshenhoppen Reformed Church, East Greenville, PA 

Scope and Contents note

Historical material and texts of sermons preached by Deborah Rahn Clemens, Antonio Villareal, and Thomas Marlin, 1995-2002.

Box
15
Folder
45

Old Goshenhoppen Church, Woxall, PA 

Box
15
Folder
51

William T. Parsons 

Biographical/Historical note

William T. Parsons (1923-1991)--chair of Pennsylvania German Studies at Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA. I. C. Kulp taught under Parsons in the Pennsylvania German Studies program (see file 14-27).

Box
15
Folder
46

Pennsylvania German dialect 

Related Archival Materials note

See also files 14-15 and 14-20 through 14-23, notes and notebooks in boxes 1 and 2, map of Montgomery County with PA German place names in file 60-5, and PA German word game and card file in box 64.

Box Folder

PA German dialect, general 

Scope and Contents note

File includes manuscript word lists by I. C. Kulp and issues of Pfälzer Heimatgruß, 1971-1979.

15 47

PA German dialect worship services 1959-1985 

15 48

PA German dialect hymns and folk songs 

Scope and Contents note

Some manuscript material by I. C. Kulp and others.

15 49

PA German dialect plays, poetry, columns, etc. 

15 50

Pennsylvania sites and tourism 1960-2000 

Box
16
Folder
1-3

Quakers (Society of Friends) 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp maintained close relations with several Quakers and occasionally spoke to Quaker groups.

Box
16
Folder
4

Recipes for food, soap, household remedies, etc. 

Scope and Contents note

Significant amount of manuscript material.

Box
15
Folder
52

Barbara Reimensnyder, interviews on powwowing 

Scope and Contents note

Transcripts of oral interviews conducted by Barbara Reimensnyder in Union County, PA on the topic of powwowing and home remedies, 1976.

Box
16
Folder
5

Rudy's Country Kitchen, Harleysville, PA 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp ate breakfast at this family-owned restaurant for a number of years.

Box
16
Folder
6

Alexander Schaeffer, account book transcription 

Biographical/Historical note

Transcription of an Alexander Schaeffer account book, 1762-1768. Schaeffer founded Schaefferstown, PA, where I. C. Kulp was involved with folklife preservation and interpretation (see files 12-17 through 12-21).

Box
16
Folder
7

Schwenkfelders 

Box
16
Folder
8-9

Amos L. Seldomridge 

Biographical/Historical note

Reformed minister at Old Goshenhoppen Church, Woxall, PA; involved with the Goschenhoppen Historians.

Box
16
Folder
10

Shakers (United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing) 

Box
16
Folder
11

U. S. Census, 1930, Lower Salford and Towamencin Townships, PA 

Scope and Contents note

Facsimiles of census pages for Lower Salford and Towamencin Townships, Montgomery County, 1930, with a transcription of the Towamencin Township census.

Box
16
Folder
12

Vernfield, PA 

Biographical/Historical note

I. C. Kulp lived in Vernfield (Montgomery County) all his life. For photos related to Vernfield, see files 41-2, 41-3 and 41-7 through 41-14.

Box
16
Folder
13

John Weaver, diary transcription 

Scope and Contents note

Typed transcription of the diary of John Weaver (1824-1904), September-December 1873. Photocopies of the original diary are in box 19, folders 25 through 39.

Box
16
Folder
14

William Woys Weaver 

Biographical/Historical note

Horticulturalist and culinarian.

Box
16
Folder
15

Frederick S. Weiser 

Biographical/Historical note

Frederick S. Weiser (1935-2009)--Lutheran minister, historian and fraktur scholar. File contains his article "Piety and Protocol in Folk Art: Pennsylvania German Birth and Baptismal Certificates," 1973.

Box
16
Folder
16

Don Yoder 

Biographical/Historical note

Pennsylvania German folklorist and early leader in folklife studies at the University of Pennsylvania.

Box
16
Folder
17

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Series G. Catalogs 

Auction catalogs 1958-2000 

Scope and Contents note

Catalogs from Pennypacker Auction House, Reading, PA (1962-1984), Alderfer Auction Company, Hatfield, PA (1968-2000), Horst Auctioneers, Ephrata, PA (1982-1996) and others.

Box
16
Folder
18-21

Book catalogs 1952-1996 

Scope and Contents note

Catalogs from the Weaver/Provident Bookstore and Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society book auctions, 1962-1982.

Box
16
Folder
22-24

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Series H. Research files 

Family history 

Box
16
Folder
25

Historic architecture 

Box
16
Folder
26

Pennsylvania Jewish history 

Box
16
Folder
27

Plain culture 

Box
16
Folder
28

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Series I. Photocopies 

Collected photocopies 

Box Folder

Photocopies: documents and drafts related to bridges over the East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek by the Alderfer/Groff mill, Lower Salford Twp., Montgomery Co.,PA, 1827-1860. 

17 1

Photocopy: “ Geistliche u. andächtige Lieder, aufgesetzt von Br. Johannes Preiss…,” 1753. 

17 2

Photocopy: Montgomery County Historical Society transcription of James Y. Heckler’s 1892 History of the Heckler Family

17 3

Photocopy: J. G. Henitsch apothecary record, Lancaster, PA, 1821-1834. 

17 4

Photocopies: maps. 

Related Archival Materials note

See also oversize folder 60-5.

17 5

Photocopies: letters from John B. and Sarah Young Moyer, Montgomery County, OH, to Jacob B. Mensch, 1862-1865. From the Mensch Collection at the Mennonite Heritage Center, Harleysville. 

17 6

Photocopy: Pennsylvania Town and Country-Man’s Almanack for 1764, printed by Christoph Saur, Philadelphia, PA, 1763. 

17 7

Photocopy: “ Ein neu Trauer Lied…Tod ist wieder kommen,” printed for Jacob Schweitzer by J. Bauman, Ephrata, PA, 1828. 

17 8

Photocopy: unidentified manuscript account book, ca. 1808-1896. 

17 9

Photocopies: general historical material, ca. 1649-1975. 

18 1

Photocopies: general historical material (undated). 

18 2

Photocopies: Jacob Gottschall papers 

Biographical/Historical note

Jacob Gottschall (1769-1845) was a leading bishop in the Franconia Mennonite Conference in the early to mid 19th century. File includes some manuscript translation and interpretive work by I. C. Kulp and others, circa 1980. The original papers were at one time in Mr. Kulp's collection, but were sold.

Box
18
Folder
3-8

Photocopies: I. C. Kulp Historical Collection 

Scope and Contents note

Historical material (mostly manuscript) that is or was in the I. C. Kulp Historical Collection (see separate finding aid). These copies were made by the Mennonite Historians of Eastern Pennsylvania in 1980.

Box
19
Folder
1-43

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