This series comprises subject files related to the two locations of the Mary J. Drexel Home and Philadelphia Motherhouse of Deaconesses (MJDH/PMD). The records are from 1884-1999 with the bulk dating from 1884-1962. They include typewritten business correspondence, annual reports, invitations, news clippings, news accounts, reports, meeting minutes, pamphlets, brochures, postcards, Christmas cards, printed reports, and copy prints and negatives. Subject matter is divided between the first location of the MJDH/PMD at 2100 S. College Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and its second location at 801 Merion Square Road, Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. When the PMD relocated to the 801 Merion Square Road location, the MJDH relocated to 238 Belmont Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. There are no records in the series related directly to that location. Subject matter includes the cornerstone laying and dedication of the 2100 S. College Avenue location. This series includes the contents of the cornerstone, probably retrieved when the building was razed. It also includes material related to the dedication of the chapel at this location, dedication of the organ, and information related to the preservation of the bell tower bell. Other information in this series pertains to the acquisition of the 801 Merion Road location, with a history of the relocation of the motherhouse, including events surrounding the land acquisition and the dedication of a building addition for retired deaconesses. Also of note are the records that provide background on the property itself, originally known as "Skylands." Extraneous records in this series include two folders that pertain to the Drexel Family portraits that hung in the MJDH/PMD and include records related to the appraisal and insuring of the portraits. These folders contain copy prints and copy negatives of some of the portraits in addition to correspondence about use of copy prints. Oversized items including an 1888 copy of a lease agreement between the MJDH and the German Hospital of Philadelphia; an undated blueprint drawing of the basement of the MJDH; a plat map from 1907 of the 29th ward of Philadelphia which included the MJDH/PMD property; and architectural drawings dated 1886 of the front and side of the MJDH are located in a folder across from the mapcase area. Files are arranged by subject.
