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Political Reform in the Gilded Age

Wednesday, February 29, 2012 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM (ET)

Philadelphia, PA

Political Reform in the Gilded Age

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Educator Ended Free  
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Event Details

The Gilded Age of the late 1800s is not typically recalled as an age of reform, though the Pendleton Civil Service Act was signed into law in 1883. This action to stem patronage in federal jobs was a response to the dramatic expansion in the size and scope of government. Reformers hoped its passage would initiate an era of civil service reforms at the state and local levels too, but Pennsylvania did not pass a comprehensive civil service reform law until 1941.
This workshop introduces a lesson on the reform efforts using the records of the Civil-Service Reform Association of Philadelphia housed at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Benjamin Danson, a high school social studies teacher in the Rose Tree Media School District of Pennsylvania who created the lesson for the Fall 2011 issue of Pennsylvania Legacies, will showcase these documents and suggest how teachers can use them in the classroom to explore essential questions about the multiple causations of a historical event, the role of analysis in historical construction, and how individuals and interest groups help government shape policy. Attendees will receive a copy of the Fall 2011 issue of Pennsylvania Legacies.  Teachers may receive Act 48 credit.

When & Where



Historical Society of Pennsylvania
1300 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Wednesday, February 29, 2012 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM (ET)


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Historical Society of Pennsylvania



The Historical Society of Pennsylvania is one of the oldest historical societies and one of the largest family history libraries in the nation. Following a complete merger with the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies, HSP is also a leading repository of immigrant and ethnic history. It is second only to the Library of Congress for material on the nation’s founding and is the country’s third most popular destination for genealogical study. With approximately 21 million records including manuscripts, graphics, and books that span over 350 years of history, HSP is an invaluable resource for historical research.

HSP serves thousands of on-site visitors each year. It also offers a research-by-mail service and extensive online resources, including a library catalog, finding aids, digital collection, and curricular materials. HSP hosts educator workshops and public programs, and publishes a quarterly scholarly journal. To learn more about HSP or to become a member, visit us at www.hsp.org.