Archives Center, National Museum of American History

E.R. Beers Electric Company Collection

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0232
Creators:
Beers, E.R.
Dates:
1909-1938
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
6.3 Cubic feet
6 boxes
Repository:
The collection documents E.R. Beers's business records, his personal collection of Edison trivia, and correspondence between Beers and General Electric (1909-1922).

Scope and Contents note

Scope and Contents note
This collection consisting of records of the Schuylkill Electric Construction & Supply Co. and the E.R. Beers Electric Co. and includes correspondece, advertisements, sales receipts, limited cash statements, and bids for electrical modifications. The bulk of the data is from the period from 1909 through the 1920's and mid 1930's. The collection contains advertisements that reflect the introduction of the electrical appliance to the home. Important transitions in the electrical industry are represented. For example, in July 1910 there is an acceptance by Lehigh Valley Railroad of rewiring of the Shenandoah Station according to "the rules and regulations of the Underwriter's Association" and agreement to furnish certificate of approval. Further, in February 1922 there the statement "Service for direct current motors is gradually being eliminated and will eventually be discontinued ... ."

Biographical/Historical note

Biographical/Historical note
The Schuylkill Electric Construction & Supply Co., a small electrical operation in a very important period of time, 1909 to 1938, particularly for electrical appliances reflecting the conversion of gas lighting to incandescent lighting to decorative and arc lighting. At first there were two stores, one in Reading, Pennsylvania and one in Shenandoah, PA. The partnership was dissolved January 1911, resulting in the closing of the Reading, Pennsylvania store and the continued operation of the Shenandoah, Pennsylvania store. The Kauffman Electric Co., Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania was purchased in 1919 and named the E.R. Beers Electric Company.

Administration

Author
Robert W. Ageton
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Collection donated by E.R. Beers, December 1985.
Ownership and Custodial History
Transferred to the Archives Center from the Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering, August 7, 1986.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Robert Ageton, 1989.

Using the Collection

Preferred Citation
E.R. Beers Electric Co. Collection,1909-1938, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Shenandoah (Pa.) Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Business records -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Bloomsburg (Pa.) Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Electrical engineering Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Electric apparatus and appliances Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Papers Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Electrical equipment Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
General Electric Company Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Schuylkill Construction and Supply Company. Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Mechanical and Civil Engineering, Division of Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
E.R. Beers Electric Supply Company. Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Edison, Thomas A. (Thomas Alva), 1847-1931 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-3270
Fax Number: Fax: 202-786-2453
archivescenter@si.edu