Further Reading
A list of useful books and publications related to history and preservation
If you have any suggestions, email dchpn_planning@yahoo.com
Also check out Preservation Alliance online bookshop for these books and many more
HISTORIC PRESERVATION/ BUILDINGS
Historic Preservation Specific Building Types Window Repair General Maintenance
Historic House Buying Architecture Economics and Historic Preservation
HISTORY
Municipal History A-D E-N P-U People/ Genealogy Trees, Transportation
HISTORIC PRESERVATION/ BUILDINGS
​
Historic Preservation
Historic Preservation: An Introduction to Its History, Principles, and Practice (Second Edition)- Norman Tyler
Historic preservation, which started as a grassroots movement, now represents the cutting edge in a cultural revolution focused on “green” architecture and sustainability.
This is the only book to cover the gamut of preservation issues in layman’s language: the philosophy and history of the movement, the role of government, the documentation and designation of historic properties, sensitive architectural designs and planning, preservation technology, and heritage tourism, plus a survey of architectural styles. It is an ideal introduction to the field for students, historians, preservationists, property owners, local officials, and community leaders. Updated throughout, this revised edition addresses new subjects, including heritage tourism and partnering with the environmental community
​
The Past and Future City: How Historic Preservation is Reviving America's Communities- Stephanie Meeks
National Trust President Stephanie Meeks explores the many ways that saving and restoring historic fabric can help a city create thriving neighborhoods, good jobs, and a vibrant economy.
Purchase through National Trust and get 20% discount with code
​
Protecting Historic Properties, a Guide to Research and Preservation- Brandywine Conservancy, 1984 Purchase on Amazon
​
Places + People: A Book List for Kids- list of children's books by LA Conservancy about places, architecture, and preservation
https://www.laconservancy.org/places-people-book-list-kids
Specific Building Types
The Historic Barns of Southeastern Pennsylvania – Architecture and Preservation – Built 1750 to 1900
Discussed in this text are the primary factors that have determined the fundamental structures and appearances of the six great barn classifications, including forest resources. Other featured topics are architectural aspects and regionalisms, dates of construction, survival of 18th-century examples, mysterious decorations, and barn preservation. Completing this treatise are representative color photographs, building plan sketches, charts conveying the prevalence of types, and a glossary of barn terms.
​
The Wayside Inns of the Lancaster Roadside- Julius Sachse, 1913 Purchase on Amazon
The Paper Makers- Early Pennsylvanians and their Water Wheels- Jane Levis Carter, 1982 Purchase on Amazon
​
Building Technology Heritage Library
The Building Technology Heritage Library (BTHL) is primarily a collection of American and Canadian, pre-1964 architectural trade catalogs, house plan books and technical building guides. Trade catalogs are an important primary source to document past design and construction practices. These materials can aid in the preservation and conservation of older structures as well as other research goals. Access here
​
Sears Houses- All the information you need about Sears kit homes (1908-1942), including a blog, archive of catalogs, and information on how to identify Sears Houses. Access here
​
​
Window repair and preservation
Old Windows Made Easy- Scott Sidler- Learn more and purchase
Steel Window Made Easy (eBook)- Scott Sidler- Learn more and purchase
Old Windows In-Depth (both of above together)- Scott Sidler- Learn more and purchase
​
​
General Maintenance/ Building Preservation
The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring and Reconstructing Historic Buildings- revised by Anne Grimmer, 2017
The Guidelines for these four treatments have been revised and updated to include more building materials and systems, such as those that have become “historic” since this document was first issued in 1995. The Guidelines, which are abundantly illustrated with all new photographs in color, have also been expanded to address new topics and provide additional guidance. PDF
​
The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties & Illustrated Guidelines on Sustainability for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings- Anne Grimmer et al.
These revised and greatly expanded guidelines replace the chapter on "Energy Conservation" in The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation & Illustrated Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings, published in 1992. PDF
​
Living in the past- Scott Sidler
The ultimate book for old house owners! Filled with dozens of full color tutorials of the most common repairs you’ll face, this book gives you the information you need to navigate living in an old house. Learn more and purchase
​
Historic Restoration Plan (eBook)- Scott Sidler
Get a plan for the restoration of your historic building. Whether it’s a house or some other building this guide will help you start off on the right foot and put together a plan that will save you money and stress as you restore your old house.
​
Old House Basics- Scott Sidler
This simple 25-page booklet is the perfect “quick-start” guide for any homeowner of an old or historic home who wants to learn what to expect from living in a vintage house and how to handle the inevitable “quirks” you encounter.
​
10 Tips: Restoring vs. Rehabilitating Your Historic House- National Trust Website
​
Life Expectancy of Building Components- Scott Sidler
A guide that lists the expected lifespan of most materials in an old house PDF
​
​
Historic House buying
10 Tips for Inspecting Historic Houses Before You Buy- National Trust Website
​
10 Tips for Financing Your Historic House- National Trust Website
​
How to Find a Historic House- National Trust Website
​
​
Architecture
A Field Guide to American Houses (Revised): The Definitive Guide to Identifying and Understanding America's Domestic Architecture- Virginia Savage McAlester
Now in paperback: the fully expanded, updated, and freshly designed second edition of the most comprehensive and widely acclaimed guide to domestic architecture: in print since its original publication in 1984, and acknowledged everywhere as the unmatched, essential guide to American houses. This revised edition includes a section on neighborhoods; expanded and completely new categories of house styles with photos and descriptions of each; an appendix on "Approaches to Construction in the 20th and 21st Centuries"; an expanded bibliography; and 600 new photographs and line drawings
​
Get Your House Right: Architectural Elements to Use & Avoid- Marianne Cusato
Sick of McMansions? Marianne Cusato, creator of the award-winning Katrina Cottages, is a champion of traditional architectural principles: structural common sense, aesthetics of form, appropriateness to a neighborhood, and sustainability. She presents the definitive guide to what makes houses look and feel right, revealing the dos and don'ts of livable home design. Hundreds of elegant line drawings--rendering the varieties of architectural features and displaying “avoid” and “use” versions of the same elements side by side--make this an indispensable resource for designing and building a timelessly beautiful home.
​
Seventeenth Century Survivors: Pre-1700 Buildings in the Five Country Philadelphia Area- Jane Feaver, 1982 Purchase on Amazon
​
​
Economics and Historic Preservation
​
The Economic Impact of Historic Preservation in Philadelphia
Report for Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, by Econsult, 2010 Read Here
​
Measuring Economic Impacts of Historic Preservation
Report to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation by PlaceEconomics, 2013 Read Here
PlaceEconomics Website
​
Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation Activities in Pennsylvania
Report for PHMC and Preservation Pennsylvania by Econsult and Urban Partners, 2011 Executive Summary Full Report
​
Preservation and Residential Property Values: The Case of Philadelphia
UPenn Thesis by Prema Katari, 2005 Read Here
​
The Economic Case for Historic Preservation- Webinar video here
Why is historic preservation so critical to protecting communities’ culture and identities? Today, with the representatives from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, PlaceEconomics, Bedrock Detroit, and Wheeling Heritage, we will count the dollars and cents behind historic preservation.
​
​
HISTORY
​
Municipality Histories
DCPD: a copy is available for viewing at DCPD offices
Some may be available at local historical societies or libraries or on Open Library (openlibrary.org), and you can try ABE Books (abebooks.com) as well to purchase.
​
Delaware County
History of Delaware County, PA- Henry Graham Ashmead, 1884 Read online
History of Delaware County, PA- George Smith, 1862 Read online
​
Aston
Rockdale- Anthony F.C. Wallace, 1972 Purchase on Amazon DCPD
​
Bethel
Bethel Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Thru Three Centuries- George Walter Goodley, 1987 (rare)
​
Bethel Township, Delaware County (Images of America)- Elizabeth McCarrick, 2013 Purchase on Amazon DCPD
​
Chadds Ford
Around Chadds Ford (PA) (Images of America)- Karen Smith Furst, 2005 Purchase on Amazon
Chester
Historical Sketch of Chester, on Delaware- Henry Graham Ashmead, 1882. Purchase on Amazon
​
History of Chester- John H. Martin, 1877 Purchase on Amazon
​
Pioneer on the Delaware (History and Chronicles of the Delaware County National Bank 1814-1964)- John V. Diggins,
1964 Purchase on Amazon
​
History of the Delaware County National Bank- Henry Graham Ashmead, 1914 Purchase on Amazon DCPD
​
Chester (and its vicinity,) Delaware County, in Pennsylvania : with genealogical sketches of some old families- John H.
Martin, 2015 (reprint) Purchase on Amazon
​
Chester (PA) (Images of America)- Chester Historical Preservation Committee, 2004 Purchase on Amazon
​
Collingdale
Collingdale Borough (Images of America)- Elizabeth MacGuire, 2012 Purchase on Amazon
​
Concord
Prosperity and Progress: Concord Township 1683-1983 (Vol 1, the Colonial Legacy)- Robert P. Case, 1983
​
Darby Borough
Darby Borough (PA) (Images of America)- Darby Borough Historical and Preservation Society, 2003 Purchase on Amazon
​
Edgmont
Edgmont, The Story of a Township- Jane Levis Carter, 1976 Purchase on Amazon
​
Glenolden
The History of Glenolden- Keith Lockhart, 1994 Purchase on Amazon
​
Haverford
Haverford Township (PA) (Images of America) Purchase on Amazon
​
Lansdowne
Views of Lansdowne (Images of America)- Matthew Shultz, 1996 Purchase on Amazon
​
Marcus Hook
Marcus Hook (PA) (Images of America)- Patricia Ann Miller, 2007 Purchase on Amazon
​
Marple
Marple's First One Hundred Years- Lucy Simler, 1985 Purchase on Amazon
​
Marple and Newtown Townships (Images of America)- Mike Mathis, 1998 Purchase on Amazon
​
Media
From Media's Past- I. Frank Lees, 1977 Purchase on Amazon
​
Middletown
History of Middletown Township- Henry Pearson, 1985 Purchase on Amazon Purchase on Amazon
​
Middletown Township, Delaware County (Images of America)- Mary Anne Eves, 2011 Purchase on Amazon
​
Nether Providence
Nether Providence (Images of America)- Michele S. Davidson, 2010 Purchase on Amazon
​
Newtown
Historic Newtown Township- Alice and Carl Lindborg, 1984 Purchase on Amazon
​
Marple and Newtown Townships (Images of America)- Mike Mathis, 1998 Purchase on Amazon
​
Prospect Park
Prospect Park Centennial 1894-1994- Keith Lockhart, 1994 Purchase on Amazon
​
Radnor
A Rare and Pleasing Thing: Radnor- Katharine Hewitt Cummin, 1977 Purchase on Amazon
​
Ridley Park
The History of Ridley Park- Keith Lockhart, 1987 Purchase on Amazon
​
Ridley Township
The History of Ridley Township- Keith Lockhart, 1987 Purchase on Amazon DCPD
​
Rose Valley
A History of Rose Valley- Peter Ham, et al, 1973 Purchase on Amazon
​
The School in Rose Valley: A Parent Venture in Education- Grace Rotzel, 1971 Purchase on Amazon
​
Sharon Hill
Sharon Hill (Images of America)- Kathleen Clarke, 2009 Purchase on Amazon
Springfield
Springfield Township, Delaware County (Images of America)- Springfield Historical Society, 2004 Purchase on Amazon
​
Swarthmore
Swarthmore Borough (Images of America)- Susanna K. Morikawa and Patricia C. O'Donnell, 2009 Purchase on Amazon
​
Tinicum
Historical Sites (located near the Westinghouse Steam Turbine-Generator Division Plants)- E.D.J. Campen, 1983 DCPD
​
Upland
The Crozers of Upland 1723-1926- David A. MacQueen, 1932 Purchase on Amazon
​
Upper Darby
A History of Upper Darby- John H. Tyson, et. al., 1972 Purchase on ABE Books
​
The History and Development of Upper Darby Township, 1609-1987- Thomas J. DiFilippo, 1988 Purchase on Amazon
DCPD
​
Upper Darby (Images of America)- Beverly Rorer and Barbara Marinelli, 2011 Purchase on Amazon
​
Upper Providence
The Rose Tree Families- Jane Levis Carter, 1984 Purchase on Amazon
​
​
People/ Genealogy
Thomas Leiper- Scottish Patriot of the American Revolution- John Ashhurst Leiper, 1976 Purchase on Amazon
​
Passengers and Ships Prior to 1684- Walter Lee Sheppard, Jr., 1970 Purchase on Amazon
​
The Papers of William Penn- Drs. Richard and Mary Dunn and Dr. Caroline Robbins Purchase on Amazon- Vol 1, Vol 2, Vol 3, Vol 4, Vol 5
Penn's Colony: Genealogical and Historical Materials Relating to the Settlement of Pennsylvania. (A heritage classic)- George E. McCracken, 2007 Purchase on Amazon
​
Immigration of the Irish Quakers into Pennsylvania, 1682-1750 : with their early history in Ireland- Albert Cook Myers, 2015 Purchase on Amazon
​
Swedes of the Delaware Valley (Images of America Series)- Margaret Murray Thorell, PHD, 2011 Purchase on Amazon
​
Welsh Settlement of Pennsylvania- Charles H Browning, 1912 Purchase on Amazon
Welsh Founders of Pennsylvania- Thomas Allen Glenn, 2000 Purchase on Amazon
​
​
Historic Trees
Penn's Woods 1682-1982: The oldest trees in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Eastern Shore, Maryland - Halfred W. Wertz and M. Joy Callender, 1981 Purchase on Amazon
​
​
Trains/ Trolleys/ Transportation
Suburban Philadelphia Trolleys (PA) (Images of Rail)- Kenneth C. Springirth, 2007 Purchase on Amazon
​
West Chester Pike (Images of America)- Stephen J Edgcumbe, 2012 Purchase on Amazon
​
Pennsylvania Main Line Railroad Stations: Philadelphia to Harrisburg (Images of Rail)- Jim Sundman, 2016 Purchase on Amazon
​
​
​