Online Resources
Committed to serving those that are unable to visit the Seaport Museum for research, online reference materials have been posted online for those interested in a deeper look into collections. Online tools include finding aids and inventories of archival collections, collection guides of subjects and themes represented in the museum's collection and other materials that are helpful for information.
New resources are added to this page as soon as they become available. Please check back often for updated tools!
To access the files saved as PDFs, you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free software.
General Reference
How to Identify Sailing Ships
Library catalog
Collection Guides
18th century records of the Port of Philadelphia
American Revolutionary War
Cruiser Olympia Collection
Old China Trade
Shipping and Trade from Philadelphia to the World
U.S. Civil War
World War I
World War II
Finding Aids & Inventories
Personal papers
Albert Family papers, 1859-1956
Barry-Hayes papers, 1723-1875
George Betts collection, 1942-2002
Conner Family papers, 1816-1903
Gridley Family collection, 1860-1960s
Inverso Family papers, 1943-1945
Theresa B. Nirdlinger papers, 1898-1899
Stickney Family collection, 1825-1992
Tipton Family papers, 1862-1868
Recreation on the rivers
Schuylkill Navy collection, 1859-2009
Undine Barge Club records, 1856-1986
Vesper Boat Club records, 1895-1980
West Philadelphia Boat Club records, 1871-1917
Shipbuilding, design & Technology
Thomas D. Bowes M.E., Associates records, 1904-1980
John E. Hand & Sons Company records, 1865-2002
John Lenthall collection, 1790-1874
John Lenthall papers, 1794-1865
John H. Mathis Company records, 1919-1987
New York Shipbuilding Corporation records, 1895-1967
Seaport Museum collection of New York Shipbuilding Corporation, 1919-1964
Ward collection of New York Shipbuilding Corporation materials, 1919-1969
Riggs & Brother Company records, 1887-1929
RTC Shipbuilding Company records, 1921-1965
William Cramp & Sons Ship and Engine Building Company collection, 1872-1945
Voyages & Travels
Henry Grier Bryant papers, 1892-1907
John Clegg journal, 1847-1848
Elliston P. Morris Family papers, 1898-1938
Pollack collection of ocean liner ephemera, 1935-1967
Thayer Family collection, 1892-1986
A sailor's Life
Marvin Rosefield Keck papers, 1916-1972
Mount Cloud Lord collection, 1892-1944
Pennsylvania Nautical School records, 1795-2006
Seamen's Health & Welfare
Benjamin Gwinn Harris journal, 1800-1814
Seamen's Church Institute records, 1828-2000
Dr. Joseph Wilson, Jr. papers, 1816-1887
Commerce & Business
Samuel Archer letters, 1826-1838
Lee Family papers, 1803-1896
Ogden and Cuthbert Family papers, 1750-1906
Philadelphia Maritime Exchange records, 1870-1967
Red D Line records, 1861-1936
George Sproule papers, 1784-1947
Walsh Family papers, 1847-1855