When the CWMP closed, all of its paper-based items moved to Founding Forward – including administrative records, but also books, pamphlets, diaries, letters, photographs, maps, newspapers, sheet music, currency, and other items related to the Civil War.
The collection documents not only the experiences of those involved in the war and fighting for the Union, but also the impact that the war had on civilian life and those who had to cope with the challenges of life in wartime. The library contains one of the most comprehensive groupings of histories of Union Army regiments, as well as many volumes on Abraham Lincoln.
The collections are largely Civil War based, but also provide great insight into the social history of Philadelphia since 1862. The collections are available for research, exhibits, lending, and more. One of the biggest assets of the collections is for genealogical research.
To search for these items, use the online Past Perfect catalog. Any item with a 1805 based catalog number – excluding the 1805.001 museum records related items – is connected to an item from the historic civil war based collection of the CWMP.
Founding Forward is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity. The mission and work of Founding Forward is made possible through voluntary contributions.