Johnson House / Archives & Collections
DISCOVER · RESEARCH · PRESERVEExplore the stories behind the history.
Search our virtual collection guide for records of the Johnson family, abolitionist networks, Germantown community life, and the preservation of the house.
What would you like to discover?
Select a suggested search topic. Copy its keyword, then open the virtual library and search there.
Suggested keywords are starting points, not guaranteed search results. The external library is the authoritative collection index.
Search the archive in four steps.
Our virtual library opens in a separate browser tab.
Open the library
Select the button below to reach the public ArchivesSpace database.
Search by keyword
Type a person, place, subject, or phrase. Try alternate spellings or fewer words if needed.
Browse collections
Choose the Collections tab to see collection-level descriptions and finding aids.
Save a finding aid
Open a collection and use its print/download control to save a PDF when available.
Tip from the prior guide: searching “cookbook” may return different results than “cook book.”
A window into Germantown history.
Browse the five established Special Collections groupings. Availability of individual records may vary.
Johnson Family
Woman’s Club of Germantown
Underground Railroad & Abolition
Images on Paper
Audio-Visual Media
The website also lists SC-6 (Germantown Mennonite Historic Trust — Johnson House Files), whose processing and public availability require verification.
Need help with a collection?
Collection descriptions are not the same as digitized items. Some physical materials require an advance research appointment, and staff can help you understand access and usage restrictions.