Finding Aid for Library Archives
Trafford Historical Society Finding Aid Worksheet
Abstract: The Trafford Historical Society was established as a non-profit group in 2016 with an initial project aimed at collecting photographs for the book “Images of America TRAFFORD” published in 2017 by Arcadia Publishing. The proceeds from the sale of the book were to be used to assist the small group of volunteer members in the preservation of items such as photographs, correspondence, publications, advertisements, scrapbooks, and any other material related to the Borough of Trafford, Pennsylvania, founded in 1904. The collection also contains pre-1904 items related to the early settlements in Westmoreland County upon which Trafford was built, namely Cavittsville and Stewart Station, formerly part of North Huntingdon Township.
This list of items is a work in progress and frankly, could use a bit of organization by a volunteer willing to tidy up the Word Document and/or browse through the collection to see what’s in the box. However, it is a start, and we hope that it will allow anyone researching family or past business interests to come into the Trafford Community Public Library and find the items that help tell their history.
BOX 1
Description: Penn Trafford High School memorabilia
Inventory: A photo of the Old Rotary International’s members and their initialed signatures from the late 1930’s; 2 Trafford High embellished spirit flags, a larger dark tan one with a football player and smaller dark burgundy one with two tomahawks crossed behind the head of an indian; the diploma of a Trafford High School graduate, Martha Eleanor Wampler, from May 27, 1937; Martha Eleanor Wampler’s certificate of proficiency in Writing from June 1, 1933 at the Peterson School of Penmanship; The Letter Award, given to Ann Behe, awarded of the season 1951-1952 in G. A. A.; a T-shaped letterman’s jacket patch labeled with the letter GAA downward upon the T; a T-shaped letterman’s jacket patch designed to look like the exterior of a football with a small embellished football at the very bottom of the patch; a letterman’s jacket basketball shaped patch with the letters “JR T HI” going across the middle of the basketball design of the patch; a letterman’s jacket football shaped patch with the letters “JR T HI” going across the middle of the football design of the patch; a letterman’s jacket volleyball shaped patch with the words “Trafford Champs 1938 Volleyball” positioned downwards along the volleyball design of the patch; a brown and white circular pin with the design of the words “Trafford High School”; “Better Than Best” orange and brown “OUR HAWKS” circular pin; “Happiness is Homecoming ’69’” brown and white Trafford High School oval shaped pin with the design of a smiling dog wagging his tail and waving a T.H.S. flag while sitting on his hind legs; “Trafford High Homecoming” brown and white circular pin with the design of a number 22 football player in the ready positon from the year 1967. All pins have a safety pin like back and a metal exterior.
BOX 2
Description: Trafford shirts and banners
Inventory: Trafford Centennial 1904-2004 t-shirt; Bicentennial U.S.A. 76 Trafford t-shirt; Trafford High warrior head sweatshirt; Welcome Trafford 1904-1954 Golden Anniversary banner; Trafford Anniversary Diamond Jubilee 1904-1979 banner
BOX 3
Description: Penn Trafford High School Reunion Memorabilia
Inventory: Photo Binder of Trafford High School Class of 1958 Reunion; Reunion photos, newspaper clippings, & etc.; Trafford High School All Class Reunion 1998 VHS
BOX 4
Description: Historical photographs collected for publishing in the 1979 Trafford Souvenir Book
Inventory: Various folders containing photographs of people and landmarks organized by category.
BOX 5
Description: Historical Records
Inventory: Folders containing: Trafford 75th Anniversary memorabilia; Maps of Borough of Trafford; Photo ID lists of names; Diamond Jubilee Correspondence; Business Histories; Biographies
BOX 6
Description: Borough of Trafford bindings
Inventory: Zoning Ordinance 1960; Comprehensive Plan for Trafford Borough 1961 (2 copies); Downtown Parking Study 1984
BOX 7
Description: Documents, photographs, and souvenirs from Trafford, England
Inventory: Newspaper clipping titled ‘Bruno visits Trafford’s namesake sister city; Trafford Metropolitan Borough pamphlets; Papers and photographs of ‘British Westinghouse’; Lancashire County Cricket Club mug with stuffed animal duck; Channel Island Toys stuffed bear wearing Trafford England sweater; Manchester United keyring
BOX 8
Description: Historical Documents
Inventory: Sun Seamen’s Memorial; letter from Sun Oil Company to Mrs. Barbara Badosh 1942; photocopy of Celebration program titled ‘We Welcome Home Soldiers Sailors Marines and All who served their country’ Trafford and Community 1919; New memorial for Trafford Park contribution envelope; Photocopied letters sent to Mr. Andrew Capets from Mr. Lynn Lloyd; Borough of Trafford building permit placard 1941; The Trafford Trolleys booklet; Excerpts of The Penn Trafford Prospectus 1960s-70s; Real Estate documents for 508 7th St; Historical photos and letters pertaining to George and Andrew McWilliams
BOX 9
Description: Trafford Fire Co. No. 1 Booklets
Inventory: 23rd Annual Street Fair booklet (2 copies); 25th Annual Street Fair 1949; 1956 Trafford Directory; 1959 Trafford Directory; 1961 Trafford Directory; 1962 Trafford Directory; 1964 Trafford Directory; 1966 Trafford Directory; 1967 Trafford Directory (2 copies); 1969 Trafford Directory; 1970 Trafford Directory
BOX 10
Description: Trafford Anniversary memorabilia, Church programs, historic documents
Inventory: Folder 1: Certificate of ownership to Mr. & Mrs. Reynold Peduzzi of Souvenir Stock of the Trafford, 50th Anniversary, Inc.; Photocopies of Trafford Anniversary ribbons and buttons; Certificate of ownership to Mrs. C. L. Mitchell of Souvenir Stock of the Trafford, 50th Anniversary, Inc.; The Tomahawk newspaper Fiftieth Anniversary Edition 1954; Trafford Lions Club Fiftieth Anniversary and Charter Night booklet 1995 (2 copies); Golden Anniversary Borough of Trafford Souvenir Booklet
Folder 2: Piano Recital Programs, United Presbyterian Church 1917 & 1918; Stewarts Station United Presbyterian Church Programs 1867-1948; Dedication Service of Christian Life Church program 1974; Faith United Presbyterian Church Family Directory; First Presbyterian Church of Trafford Final Service program 2002; St. Regis Church monthly collection envelope 1957
Folder 3: Trafford Recreation Board B-Y Park Project Update Feb 10, 1998
Folder 4: ‘Womanless Wedding’ 1949 photographs
Folder 5: Dr. Pogue Pavilion Steering Committee letter to Trafford Recreation Board; Trafford Commerce Center pamphlet; Polish Club Parking Lot Letter to Council; Pennsylvania Water Company Rates and Rules booklet; Trafford Borough Council document 1963; Trafford Borough Bicentennial U.S.A. Committee; Trafford Emergency Medical Service letter 1980; Misc. deposits, receipts, and parking violation; Polish Roman Catholic Union of America Centennial Anniversary pamphlet 1974; “The Queen’s a Gent” play poster sponsored by the Trafford American Legion Home Association; District Attorney voter postcard for John N. Scales
Folder 6: Reynold A Peduzzi Sr. envelope containing titles and deeds
Folder 7: Trafford Middle School directory for Bicentennial Chorus presents I Love America, A tribute to God and Country 1976; Trafford Borough Inc. booklet ‘25th Anniversary and Old Home Week’; Borough of Trafford Resolution for Robert Dirinaldo; Trafford Town Crier Winter Edition 195; Trafford Town Crier Summer Edition 1995; B.Y. Park contribution letter; Borough of Trafford Secretary Office letter to Trafford Planning and Zoning Commission 1960; misc. photos.
BOX 11
Description: Trafford papers and articles featuring Trafford
Inventory: Folder 1: Trafford News and Shopper Bulletin’s from Jan 11th, Jan 25th, Feb 8th, and Feb 21st 1934; Photocopies from Pittsburgh Press and Gazette 6/1902 of Trafford City articles
Folder 2: Trafford Area Bulletin issues 1-44
Folders 3-6: Misc. Newspaper clippings
BOX 12
Description: Trafford Centennial memorabilia
Inventory: Trafford Centennial CD-R B. Ruffolo 8/8/04; Trafford Centennial Parade CD-R Gino S. 8/7/04; Happy Birthday Trafford VHS; 2 photo albums
Folder 1: multiple copies of Trafford Centennial Schedule of Events; multiple copies of 2004 Trafford Centennial Calendar; Trafford Centennial Souvenir Book
Folder 2: multiple copies of Penn Trafford News ‘Trafford celebrates centennial’; various newspaper clippings
BOX 13
Description: Business memorabilia
Inventory: Folder 1: Trafford Diamond Jubilee Sisters of the Swish pin; McKlveen & Groft Mes Wear and Shoes map book; Joe Griffin, C.L.U. Nationwide Insurance desk calendars 1978, 1980
Folder 2: misc. photos; Remembrance of First Holy Communion photo June 4 1933
Folder 3: Trafford Bridge Dedication Archival DVD 2013; Trafford Bridge Demo photos by Harold Behe April 2012; 2 Trafford Veterans Memorial Bridge Dedication Ceremony pamphlets; Trafford Bridge Dedication Banquet & Dance Program
Folder 4: Mikan Motor Company matchbook; envelope with ‘Names, Business, etc. Geo McBride’; misc. Trafford business advertisements; Weyandt Drug Company Log Book and Station Directory
Folder 5: list of Trafford Businesses 1979 and later including name, location, open & close dates; misc. business receipts and records
Folder 6: newspaper clippings; misc. business receipts and records
Folder 7: Mikan Motor Company Pontiac Road Maps of America book
Folder 8: Sherm Edwards Candies order form; Wynn & Starr Co. photocopies; C.V. Lloyd Vegetable Plants price list 1919; employee ID card, 46th Outing and Basket Picnic held by Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co. Idlewild Park, 1934; C. V. Lloyd’s Certificate of War Necessity Commercial Vehicle; Trafford Water Company meter rates for water supply card; Photo of Westinghouse Foundry, Mikan Motor, and Fairmont Ave.
Folder 9: Happy Birthday Trafford 1979 newspaper excerpt with Diamond Jubilee Calendar of Events
