Containing over 3,000 images, PHDIL consists of a variety of photographs, art work, and portraits.

PHDIL Facts

PHDIL, the Philadelphia Historical Digital Image Library, is a grant-funded collaborative effort between the Scott Memorial Library of Thomas Jefferson University and The Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Founded in 1824, Thomas Jefferson University is Philadelphia's second oldest medical institution and the nation's largest private medical school. The Scott Memorial Library houses the University Archives and Special Collections Department which acquires and preserves manuscripts, photographs, memorabilia, rare books, and university records to document the development of Jefferson and the history of medicine. Jefferson photographs within PHDIL include approximately 750 pre-1945 portraits of alumni, faculty, and trustees; scenes from Blockley and Children's Rehabilitation Hospitals and military hospitals; views of 19th and early 20th century anatomy/dissection labs; nurses in practice; as well as medical society and class portraits.

Also founded in 1824, The Historical Society of Pennsylvania focuses on colonial, early national, and continuing regional, state, and family history for the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. As an Independent Research Libraries Association (IRLA) member, its collections are a valuable resource for any individual studying the history of the area. PHDIL images from collections at The Historical Society include selections of photoprints documenting Philadelphia hospitals in the early 20th century from the photograph morgue of the Philadelphia Record, photographs of 19th and 20th century hospitals from the Penrose and Society collections, views of everyday life in Philadelphia at the turn of the century from the Gilliams & Stratton collection, and a number of Benjamin Ridgeway Evans watercolor drawings of Philadelphia buildings and streetscapes during the mid 19th century.

Use and Reproduction

Materials located within this website have been made available to the public for use in research and private study. Please provide proper citation of the source on all copies. (Database ID can be found on the results screen of the PHDIL database.)

For images from collections at Thomas Jefferson University:
Database ID, Art/Photo Collection, Thomas Jefferson University Archives, Philadelphia, PA
C1-013, Art/Photo Collection, Thomas Jefferson University Archives, Philadelphia, PA

For images from collections at The Historical Society of Pennsylvania:
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, name of the artist or photographer (if known), Database ID
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Army Public Relations Section, V7:2805/.11

For other use of these images, such as commercial products, print publication, broadcast, mirroring, reuse on a website or anything else that does not fall under "fair use", we require that you contact us in advance for permission to reproduce our materials.

  • Please direct requests for materials held by Thomas Jefferson University to the TJU Archives.
  • Please direct requests for materials held by The Historical Society of Pennsylvania to the Coordinator for Rights and Reproductions.

    (Permission to publish or to reproduce materials from The Historical Society of Pennsylvania's collections must be obtained in writing and in advance of publication by applying to them.)

Thomas Jefferson University and The Historical Society of Pennsylvania claim only physical ownership of all PHDIL images. Individuals wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyrights.

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