The processing manual used in Special Collections for all descriptive platforms, including PastPerfect.
W. Edward (Ed) Orser is Professor Emeritus of American Studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and the author of "The Gwynns Falls : Baltimore Greenway to the Chesapeake Bay" (2008), "Blockbusting in Baltimore : the Edmondson Village story" (1994), and with Joseph Arnold, "Catonsville, 1880 to 1940 : from village to suburb" (1989).
Arranged in boxes and flat files by assigned number.
No restrictions.
Reproductions allowed for research purposes. UMBC is the copyright owner; permission to reproduce is required.
W. Edward Orser papers, University Archives, Collection 196, Special Collections, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (Baltimore, MD).
A container list is available.
Accession MSS 2010-07 sent by Dr. Orser; this accession was transferred to the university publications and to Collection 55, UMBC Oral History collection. UARC 2015-19 was sent from the American Studies office; the posters had been on display in the American Studies conference room. Collection may expand.
Collection unprocessed. Each poster has been assigned a number.
Pictures of three structures- the Wilson and Poehlman Lumber Yard, Library Hall, and the Catonsville Short Line Railway Depot from the 1880s.
Related pictures of Catonsville High School (circa 1910) including a program for the dedication of the new school, faculty, maps, the school’s literary journal, and photos of graduating seniors. Also information on the contention over Catonsville’s black children attending white schools.
Graphs of Catonsville’s 1910 census indicating the percentage of Catonsville’s black population, percentage of homeownership of blacks vs whites, and the number of children attending school. Photographs show various children/ school children.
Photographs and quotes from various Catonsville school children and teachers. Schools included Westchester Elementary, Dorsey School, and Ellicott City School.
Graphs of 1910 U.S. Census indicating the birthplace of whites and blacks majority in Maryland), the age of individuals who had been born in Germany (majority were over 30), and occupation based on ethnic background. Also includes photographs of immigrant families.
Copy of a manuscript census page for the first precinct of the first District of Baltimore County and a copy of the total population figures for Baltimore County by district (first district included is Catonsville).
Map plan of Catonsville (1877) and Baltimore Sun article on suburban Catonsville.
Various Fire Insurance maps showing the growth of population in the 1930s, new bungalows, shops, new residential development, and the center of Catonsville’s black community.
Photographs of Coe family and map of the black community in which they lived.
Photographs and articles from the Argus relating to the opening of estates and summer homes in Catonsville. Includes Belle Grove and Summit.
Photo shows the store front of the County Corner Store with two older men, two children, and one adult female.
Photo shows pond and ceiling of bridge.
Photographs and quotes of flood and hurricane damage from Hurricane Agnes (1972), the flood of 1952, and Hurricane Eloise (1975)
Related materials on the Mohler brothers building the Holmehurst development. Includes photographs of houses on Holmehurst Avenue, blueprints for a house, a map showing lots for the Holmehurst development, an advertisement for Mohler brothers’ holmehurst homes in Catonsville, and a ledger book of Mohler Brothers, Inc. showing construction expenses for a Holmehurst Avenue house in 1938.
Foreground of photo shows a young boy sitting on a rock. Another child is sitting on the rock behind him and to the right are community buildings.
Photo shows a house with various trees surrounding it and two dogs running in the yard.
Photograph and signature of census enumerator John Peregoy. Graphs and ledger concerning the occupation of men/women and white/black Catonsville.
Photographs and quotes related to community shops around Catonsville. Stores mentioned include Caplan’s Department Store, Yates Store, Norton’s Pharmacy, Paul’s market, and J. W. Treuth.
Photograph and text detailing population boom and bust during 1920s-1930s. Description of streetcar lines, the Depression, and new home construction (moving towards suburban trend).
Map and text detailing the population distribution of Catonsville in 1910. Includes information on occupational distribution and ethnic concentration.
Aside from the title and one caption (for a map) the poster is blank.
Related photographs, text, and maps on the Mohler Brothers developers, local businessmen who lived in the Catonsville community. Brothers Donald and Emile Mohler first developed the Summit, then Holmehurst, then Somerset.
Photographs, advertisements, and details of development homes. Texts inform on various independent builders including Frederick Maisel Jr. and John Gerwig.
Text information on new structures in Catonsville (like the first National Bank of Catonsville and Catonsville High School), permanent housing, political challenges, reconsideration of women’s traditional roles, and tense gender and race relations.
Information on maps and their importance and information on housing. Includes images from 1896 Bromley Atlas.
Various pictures of women- playing croquet, tennis players- and photos of the Catonsville Country club, St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church sunday school class, and the Catonsville school 6th and 7th grade classes.
Graphs of 1880 US Census concerning race, place of birth, and occupation (white vs black).
Related photographs and quotes on Oella outhouses, plumbing, and water pumps.
Large outline of a Catonsville map. Large photograph of house attached to back of poster.
Various Fire Insurance Company maps showing the growth of Catonsville in the 1920s. Photos show new development buildings and the new Catonsville High School.
Graphs and photographs showing statistics from the two communities: Ellicott City and Oella. Data on percentage of homeowners vs rented, country of origin, and race.
Photographs of Harmon family, focusing on John B. Harmon Jr. showing him as a child, showing his parents John B. Harmon Sr. and Mary Agnes Harmon, graduating from Mt. St. Joseph’s College, and marrying Ann Loretta Burch. The family became entrepreneurs first as dry goods merchants then as florists.
Photographs of various individuals. Includes members of the Ladies’ Aid Society, a children’s party, the crescent elks Baseball Team, advertisement for a “talking motion picture,” and “Gossip Bench.”
Photographs and quotes of Dickey Textile Band, The Daniels Band, Dickey Field Day, and Fireman’s Carnival.
Photographs and quotes of Ellicott City. Includes St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Howard County Medical Society, Ellicott City’s Police Station, a trolley accident, and filming for a Hollywood movie.
Two maps of Catonsville.
Photographs of Catonsville Baseball Club, the Pot and Kettle Club, the Old Fellows Hall, and two advertisements from the Argus.
Text describing The Frederick Turnpike (Frederick Road), residential and commercial developments, churches, the loss of great mansions, and the commercial center. Introduction poster.
Related photographs, marriage certificate, contracts, and manuscript census of the Coe family. Emphasis on Livous A. Coe and Annie Boston Coe, a gardener and laundress.
Photographs and quotes on neighbor relations in Oella. Shows Oella Methodist Church, Mount Gilboa A.M.E. Church, the Dickey Mill, and Oella homes.
Photographs of Catonsville Methodist Episcopal Church, St. Mark’s Roman Catholic Church, and Grace African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Photographs of Frederick Road. Photograph of street car.
Related materials on Summit Park, developed by Mohler brothers, including a blueprint, advertising pamphlet, photograph of a home, and a map of lots in Summit Park.
Photographs of village center buildings including the Alpha Theater, the Standard Oil Station, the Catonsville Fire House, and a Frederick Road service station.
Quotes and one remaining photograph describing Dickey Mill, Daniels Mill, and mill workers.
Two maps of Catonsville.
Photographs of various businesses on Frederick Road including the Heidelbach Grocery store and a tailoring shop (“Sam the Tailor”).
Related materials on Somerset Group homes including blueprints, advertisements, and photographs. The home were built by the Mohler brothers under the name Edmondson Avenue Homes, Inc.
Photographs and related materials on businesses along Frederick Road including the Catonsville Sport Shop, the John Heidelbach Company, and the Adamanter Brick Company. Includes information on the NRA.
Poster describes UMBC’s Catonsville History Project, listing the project directors (Joseph Arnold and Edward Orser) and others who helped to compile the exhibit information.
Photographs and related materials on various schools/ school children including Mt. De Sales Academy and Catonsville High School. Includes articles and photos from school publications including The June Bug, the Catonsville High School yearbook, and Argus.
Two maps of Catonsville showing homes, businesses, churches, and streets.