MG 229 - McFarland, J. Horace Collection

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Scope and Content

The collection contains an autograph book belonging to Emma V. McFarland, 1877; printed booklet of an address delivered by J. Horace McFarland as president of the American Civic Association in 1906, "The Campaign for the Preservation of Niagara Falls;" and an address published by the National Municipal League, "The Awakening of Harrisburg"; programs for celebratory services such as dedication of the Market Street Entrance to the City of Harrisburg, 1906, the ceremony for the opening of the Mulberry Street Viaduct, 1909, birthday dinners, 1929 & 1939, and the dedication of the State Historical Marker honoring McFarland, 1995; advertisements for the McFarland Company, 1894 and 1916, stylecards, 1898, two bound volumes of "Breeze Hill News," copies of booklets printed by the company, "Handbook of the Capitol," and "Education Building," and numerous clippings of civic activities of McFarland with a photo of him taken September, 1947 in Williamsburg being presented with a birthday cake by the American Rose Society, a resolution by the Senate of Pennsylvania designating September 29 as J. Horace McFarland Day, 1997; book "How To Grow Roses," by McFarland and Pyle, 1937; "The American Rose Annual," the 1936 yearbook of the Society; a proclamation by the Dauphin County Commissioners to honor the life and legacy of J. Horace McFarland declaring June 6, 2004 to be J. Horace McFarland Day in the county.

Also contains a scrapbook of clippings concerning reviews, comments on McFarland's book, "Getting Acquainted with the Trees," also thank-you notes, expressions of appreciation for his artistic achievement, press reports on various lectures given by McFarland about the City of Harrisburg, various articles about his work as president of American Civic Association and owner of the McFarland Company and advocate for civic reform, and outlines of possibilities for city improvements, 1904-1905.

The J. Horace McFarland Magic Lantern Slide Collection can be found in the Photo Archives.

Background

J. Horace McFarland, b. 1859, d. 1948, was a nationally-renowned printer, horticulturist, and conservationist. He grew up at his father's nursery along the Susquehanna River and established his first print shop on Cumberland Street. He later moved the firm to the Mount Pleasant area overlooking the city. The McFarland Press specialized in printing horticultural catalogues, although it also printed books and magazines for other publishers such as Macmillan Company and Doubleday. He served as president of the American Civic Association from 1904 to 1924. The Association was responsible for the preservation of Niagara Falls and the establishment of the National Park Service in 1916. McFarland was a staunch advocate for the "City Beautiful" project and under his leadership Harrisburg received its first water purification system, paved city streets, and a park system consisting of Riverfront and Wildwood Parks, and Paxtang Creek Parkway. He established rose gardens at his Breeze Hill home in Bellevue Park and served as editor of the American Rose Annual from 1916 to 1943. He was also chairman of the Pennsylvania Art Commission and oversaw the design and development of the State Capitol complex including the construction of the State Street Bridge and the Forum building.

Date(s): 1877-2004

Extent: 2 boxes, 17 folders, 33 enclosures