Publications

History Books

The Union League has published its own histories since the late nineteenth century, a tradition that Founding Forward, and its predecessor charities, continued in more recent years.

The Abraham Lincoln Foundation

In 1884, League member George Parsons Lathrop published the first history of the Union League. Lathrop’s account was quickly followed by the 1902 Chronicle of The Union League, an in-depth account of the League’s first 40 years of activity and membership. The League published several other histories during the twentieth century – most notably the 1975 Gentlemen in Crisis by Maxwell Whiteman.

Since the organization of the Abraham Lincoln Foundation in 1996, Founding Forward (as the ALF’s successor) assumed producing several publications about the history of the Union League, and utilizing items from the collections. All of these publications detailed below are available for sale.

The Union League of Philadelphia: A History of Food & Drink

2020

Founding Forward published The Union League of Philadelphia: A History of Food & Drink, a visually stunning 50-page chronicle of the exceptional culinary experiences at the League. Featuring vintage recipes and specialties from the restaurants at each of the Union League companion amenity properties, the book is a favorite among Union League members. This project was also made possible through the generosity of Dr. Pina Templeton.

A Docent’s Guide to The Union League of Philadelphia

2018

A Docent’s Guide is a practical guidebook for a tour of the historic League House (the historic clubhouse in Center City Philadelphia), with its incredibly ornate architecte and the many amazing pieces of artwork on display. Based on a live tour with longtime, now retired, League Historian Jim Mundy, the book walks the reader through the building, sharing the history room-by-room, with mentions to the intricate details and interesting stories. This publication was made possible through the generosity of and published by Dr. Pina Templeton to honor Jim Mundy and the docents who are volunteers dedicated to sharing the history and impact of the League.

The Union League of Philadelphia: The First 150 Years

Edited by Barbara Mitnick, Ph.D., 2012

During its sesquicentennial (150th) year, in addition to hosting many programs and activities, a new book was published, The Union League of Philadelphia: The First 150 Years. This heavily-illustrated, fully-documented, colorful book, presented in the form of topical essays, is designed and written to provide an updated look at the history of the first Union League in the United States. It is a scholarly piece, and has become the basis for continual research.

The Union League of Philadelphia 125 Years: 1862-1987

by J. Robert Mendte, 1987

Following the League’s 125th anniversary celebrations, the League published a book capturing the founding and the first 125 years, and distributed it to the membership. The book is a short, easy-to-read history of the League.

Gentlemen in Crisis: The First Century of The Union League of Philadelphia, 1862-1962

by Maxwell Whiteman, 1975

Hired as the League’s first official archivist, Whiteman was brought on board to help organize and display the League’s archives for its upcoming centennial celebrations in 1962. Gentlemen in Crisis gives a detailed account of the League’s founding and first 100 years of activity with an in depth look at the actions of League founders.

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Spirit of America IX

Royal Oak: Kingmaker: A Life of Power, Seduction, and Intrigue