About the PTPL Archives Finding Aids
Finding aids are descriptions of archival records created according to professional standards. Reading the Scope and Content section of each description and its accompanying “Contents Lists” will help you determine whether or not a particular collection contains records in which you are interested.
Unfortunately, at present, you can't search across all finding aids at once. You will need to open each finding aid individually and search it by using the CTRL F function and entering a search term.
Once you locate an item that you would like to view, please contact the archivist at 412-770-2861 or nmartin@pt-library.org to schedule a visit.
Available Finding Aids
Click on the finding aid in the list below to open a PDF of the guide.
MS 2022-089 — Guide to the Dr. David M. Anderson journal and daybook, 1874-1891
Dr. David M. Anderson was a physician in Peters Township in the late 19th century. This collection consists of a journal and a daybook created by Anderson from 1874 through 1891 as part of the recording keeping for his medical practice. The journal documents the households he treated and the fees he charged. The daybook records the amounts and nature of payments to Anderson for his medical services.
MS 2023-102 — Guide to the Boy Scouts of America Troop 320 scrapbooks, 1966-1993
The Boy Scouts of America Troop 320 scrapbooks document the membership and activities of Troop 320 during its first 27 years from 1966 to 1993. Founding scoutmaster Dave P. Hull and John Rauscher created the scrapbooks from original content in Hull’s photo albums and distributed copies to former scouts and scout leaders.
MS 2025-008 — Guide to the Civic Association of Peters Township records, 1951-1956
Records consist of a single folder of records created by the Civic Association of Peters Township, an organization that worked to address such community concerns as zoning, schools, elections and budgets dating from 1951-1956.
MS 2020-011 — Guide to the Douglass family papers, 1894-1970
The Douglass family papers include documents and photographs relating to the student and teaching careers of two generations of the Himmeger/Douglass family of Peters Township, the family’s membership in the Peters Creek United Presbyterian church, and rationing requirements during World War II.
MS 2023-096 — Guide to the Anna M. Dubbs Peters Township High School papers, 1922-1932
Papers contain Peters Township High School report cards, a commencement program, and a diploma for Anna M. Dubbs. Anna attended Peters Township High School from 1922-1925. A 1932 diploma awarded to Margaret Lorraine Dubbs is also included in the papers.
MS 2020-054 — Guide to the Carol-sue Dukstein pen and ink drawings and notecards, 1975-1976
Records consist of four pen and ink drawings of Peters Township area landmarks created by Carol-sue Dukstein, and copies of the notecards created from the sketches and sold as part of a 1976 fundraising event for Peters Township Library.
MS 2024-112 — Guide to the Lois Fosbaugh papers, circa 1870-2003
Records consist of the family photograph album of Peters Township resident Sarah Jane May Walker, elementary and Peters Township High School photographs from the 1940s and early 1950s, and assorted textual documents relating to activities at Peters Township High School.
MS 2020-017 — Guide to the Ronald Heaps papers regarding Pleasant Valley School, 1963-1964
Papers consist of four black and white photographs: three of the exterior of Pleasant Valley School while under construction in 1963 and one of the school’s cafeteria and lunch line in 1964, and a program for the school’s dedication and open house held on November 1, 1964.
MS 2020-021 — Guide to the Kerr family photographs, circa 1901-circa 1920
Three early twentieth century black and white photographs. One is of the members of the Thompsonville Band, circa 1901, one is of Pleasant Valley School, circa 1915, and one is of Pleasant Valley School students and their teacher Esther Baird, circa 1920.
MS 2022-053 — Guide to the Ralph Kessler scrapbooks, 1980-1998
Three scrapbooks compiled by Peters Township resident Ralph Kessler in the 1980s and 1990s. The scrapbooks include original photographs, copies of older photographs, ephemera, and brief local history narratives.
MS 2025-007 — Guide to the Kiwanis Club of Peters Township records, 1958-1959
Records consist of a single folder of records relating to the establishment, membership and activities of the Kiwanis Club of Peters Township from its founding in 1958 until early 1959. The folder was created by Clarence Guthrie, the Club’s first President.
MS 2019-023 — Guide to the Reinhart J. “Yup” Krebs photographs, 1939, 1940, circa 1960
Records consist of three black and white photographs, two of which document the site of the Canonsburg Lake dam in North Strabane Township in 1939 and 1940 before it was constructed and one of Yup Krebs posing with a survey theodolite in front of his Peters Township home around 1960.
MS 2025-111 — Guide to the Lushen family school photographs, circa 1902-1976
Photographs of school students and teachers that include members of the Lushen family of Peters Township.
MS 2020-001 — Guide to the Lybarger family papers, 1941-2019
Papers consist of documents, still images and audio recordings accumulated by the Lybarger family who lived in Peters Township from 1941-2020. Materials document township development, and its businesses, clubs and organizations including Center Presbyterian Church, the McMurray Lions Club, the Women’s Club of Peters Township, the Kiwanis Club of Peters Township, and the Peters Township Public Library.
MS 2023-098 — Guide to the Micklege and Schultz family papers, circa 1910-1961
Records consist of photographs of members of the Mathew Micklege family, and war ration books, photographs, photographic negatives, a property deed and a 1960 Thompsonville Sportsmen’s Club pin belonging to Elmer Schultz who married Frances Micklege.
MS 2020-002 — Guide to the E.A. Myers & Sons Incorporated records, 1955-1969
Records created and accumulated by E.A. Myers & Sons Inc. in the course of the planning, design and construction of the RadioEar laboratory and office building on the Thompsonville-McMurray Road (now Valley Brook Road) from 1955-1956. Records consist primarily of correspondence, construction specifications and plans, and photographs relating to the building’s construction. A few miscellaneous company records are also included.
MS 2021-074 — Guide to the Peters Association of Concerned Townspeople scrapbook, 1971-1984
Scrapbook created by members of the Peters Association of Concerned Townspeople, a civic organization active from 1971-1984. The association focused on monitoring local governing bodies, providing citizens with a means to voice concerns, and engaging Peters Township residents in political discourse on relevant local issues. The scrapbook consists primarily of newspaper clippings on topics such as planning, zoning, and municipal services within Peters Township.
MS 2021-067 — Guide to the Peters Township VFW Ambulance Service collection, 1972-2013
Records consist of press clippings about the Peters Township VFW Ambulance Service, a program from the Service’s 40th anniversary dinner in 2003, and four commemorative plates.
MS 2022-090 — Guide to the Peters Township municipal book, 1803-1866
The Peters Township municipal record book records election results, auditor reports, relief authorizations and stray animal reports in the township between 1803 and 1866.
MS 2022-081 — Guide to the Peters Township Chamber of Commerce records, 1954-2023
Records consist of documents, photographs and maps created or accumulated by the Peters Township Chamber of Commerce in the course of promoting the commercial, civic and general interests of Peters Township businesses and the community.
MS 2021-057 — Guide to the Peters Township Public Library records, 1956-2025
Records consist of documents and photographs created or accumulated by the Peters Township Public Library while carrying out its mission to empower individuals to learn, explore, and connect by providing enriching programs, services, and access to information.
MS 2024-005 — Guide to the Peters Township Public Library map collection, 1817-2019
Collection consists of a variety of maps of Peters Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania acquired by the Peters Township Public Library Archives. Maps include street and house number maps, zoning and land use maps, topographic and farm line maps, copies of historic maps of the township, a historical atlas and road maps of Washington County, a flood insurance map and some mine-related maps.
MS 2023-043 — Guide to the Peters Township Society of Farm Women records, 1918-1966
The Peters Township Society of Farm Women records, consisting of minute books, scrapbooks, and miscellaneous documents, document the formation of the organization in September 1918 and the organization’s activities, both social and charitable, through 1966.
MS 2024-003 — Guide to the Rankin family papers, 1885-1934
Records consist of legal, financial and labor documents of farmers William and Martin Rankin and of Martin’s sons. The records relate to farm property and labor in Union Township and the village of Hackett in Washington County, Pennsylvania.
MS 2020-036 — Guide to the Roach family papers, 1889-2020
Papers consist of photographs, diaries, and other documents created or accumulated by members of the Roach family. The papers document life in the Thompsonville area of Peters Township from 1889 until 2020.
MS 2020-098 — Guide to the School family papers, 1921-circa 1985
Records consist of documents created and collected by Valentine and Anna School. They include the personal papers of Valentine - a coal miner and resident of the Village of Hackett, a photograph album compiled by his wife Anna, circa 1925-1950, financial documents relating to Valentine’s role as treasurer of the Hackett Giants Baseball Club from 1934-1935, and records he created as the manager of the City Line Texaco service station in Washington, Pennsylvania from 1958-1965.
MS 2020-035 — Guide to the Adam Shumovich photographs, 1956, 1972
Photographs consist of two black and white aerial photographs of the houses on Carol Drive in Peters Township from 1956 and an oversize color photograph of the members of the Peters Township High School drill team – the “Rainmakers” in 1972.
MS 2023-100 — Guide to the Toni Sulkowski papers, 1970s-2003
Records consist of documents, photographs, ephemera and clothing acquired by Toni Sulkowski while working as a teacher and, later, a principal in the Peters Township School District between 1975 and 2003.
MS 2023-103 — Guide to the Turkeyfoot Grange meeting minutes, 1911-1934
Records consist of two bound volumes of meeting minutes created by Turkeyfoot Grange No. 1164 in Peters Township from 1911-1922 and 1922-1934.
MS 2023-077 — Guide to the Women’s Club of Peters Township records, 1954-1987
Records consist of a history of the Women’s Club of Peters Township and club membership applications and lists, financial records, guest books, and scrapbooks for the period 1954-1987.
MS 2020-049 — Guide to the Albert Zucco photographs of the reconstruction of the McMurray-Valley Brook intersection, 1996-1997
Color photographs and negatives of the reconstruction of the McMurray-Valley Brook intersection in Peters Township taken by Albert Zucco in 1996 and 1997.