Dorman Delawareana, 1717-1946

Selections from Dorman Delawareana, 1717-1946. The materials in this collection cover a wide range of topics, reflecting their collector's interests. Several items deserve specific mention: Caesar Rodney, correspondence, 1773-1777; Thomas Rodney, papers, 1773-1797, including a manuscript book containing journal entries, accounts, scientific and political writings; James L. Devow, Jr., day book from dry goods store in Wilmington, 1845-1847; Arthur H. Grimshaw, postmasters' accounts, 1861-1866 and notes on real estate dealings, n.d.; James C. and T. Gilpin Massey, jeweler's and watchmaker's account books, 1888-1945; William Voss, engineering notes and drawings for railroad cars, 1882; Wilmington Navigation Company, minutes, 1882-1889. There are also separate folders of material on the Civil War, religion, and railroads. Donor Charles G. Dorman (1920-2000), a native of Wilmington, graduated from Wilmington High School. From an early age he was fascinated by antiques, rare books, and manuscripts. He began his career in 1949 as manager of Danby Galleries, an antiques dealer in Wilmington. Dorman then worked as an assistant curator in the Division of Political History at the Smithsonian. He was on the curatorial staff of Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia from 1960 until 1983 and took a leading role in the restoration of Independence Hall and other buildings in the park. He was the author of Delaware Cabinetmakers and Allied Artisans, 1655-1855, published in the journal Delaware History in 1960. He collected furniture, books, and manuscripts relating to Delaware.