Records of the Pennsylvania State Vaccination Commission
Collection
Identifier: ZZ10d 1
Scope and Contents
This collection includes meeting minutes, including reports presented by both proponents and opponents of vaccination in general, but especially against smallpox; interrogations; and discussions with a variety of documents. Members of the commission include: Emil Rosenberger, chairman; Henry C. Lippincott, secretary; Edward A. Woods; William M. Welch; Jay F. Schamberg; John Pitcairn; and Porter F. Cope. Reports and discussions address the history of vaccination and smallpox, their nature and their symptoms, include statistics (US and abroad), vaccination against typhus, and also touch on tetanus and syphilis. Among persons reporting, testifying, or quoted extensively, are V.C. Vaughen, Adolf Vogt, Martin Friedrich, Robert N. Willson, Oscar Marcotte, C.M. Higgins, Benjamin Lee, and some members of the Commission. A detailed index and corrections are included with session 35 in box 3.
Sessions 1 and 30 are incomplete. There are 35 sessions in total.
This collection was originally bound in 10 grip binders consisting of acidic paperboard front and back covers. Materials were removed from these binders and placed in acid-free folders following conservation treatment.
Sessions 1 and 30 are incomplete. There are 35 sessions in total.
This collection was originally bound in 10 grip binders consisting of acidic paperboard front and back covers. Materials were removed from these binders and placed in acid-free folders following conservation treatment.
Dates
- 1912-1913
Creator
- Pennsylvania. State Vaccination Commission (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Some restrictions may apply. Please fill out the Collections Request form to request reproductions of materials and for authorization to publish or reproduce material.
Biographical / Historical
The Pennsylvania State Vaccination Commission was created in 1911 to investigate vaccination and the practice of compulsory vaccination in Pennsylvania. In accordance with the law mandating the commission, it included two anti-vaccinationists, as well as two pro-vaccinationists. Members of the commission include: Emil Rosenberger, chairman; Henry C. Lippincott, secretary; Edward A. Woods; William M. Welch; Jay F. Schamberg; John Pitcairn; and Porter F. Cope. The Commission met for the first time on Friday, March 8, 1912.
Extent
1.05 Linear feet (2 document boxes, 1 half document box)
Language of Materials
English
Processing Information
Archivist Rayna Andrews prepared a finding aid for this collection following conservation treatment performed at the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts in 2023-2026 as part of a Save America's Treasures grant, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Creator
- Pennsylvania. State Vaccination Commission (Organization)
- Title
- Records of the Pennsylvania State Vaccination Commission
- Author
- Rayna Andrews
- Date
- 2026/03/02
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Sponsor
- Conservation and digitization of this collection was supported by a Federal Save America's Treasures grant administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Repository Details
Part of the Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia Repository
Contact:
19 S. 22nd Street
Philadelphia PA 19103 United States
19 S. 22nd Street
Philadelphia PA 19103 United States
