Treasures of the Senate

Treasures of the Senate

Inspired. The Senate Library was inspired to share the Senate's past with all who work in and visit Pennsylvania's Capitol.

Uncovered. Much time and dedicated research has uncovered the Senate's untold and fascinating Institutional history.

Honored. The Senate Library honors the Senate's past and creates a legacy of this Institution through these exhibitions.


TREASURES OF THE LIBRARY OF THE SENATE is the latest exhibition inspired, uncovered and honored by the work of our Senate Library Team.

This exhibition reveals more of the lesser-known history of the Senate and the Senate Library ---- from literary pieces to historic publications to personal items donated by our Members.

TREASURES features three exhibit displays, each celebrating a different piece of the Senate story.

LITERARY LEGACY highlights some published works of our Senators.

HIDDEN GEMS displays some of our most special books in the collection of the Senate Library.

MEMENTOS FROM MEMBERS showcases memorabilia from our Senators.

  • 2000 Pennsylvania Electoral College Gavel, Senator Christine M. Tartaglione, President. Courtesy of Senator Christine M. Tartaglione and Kathleen A. Benton.
  • A Year of Change and Consequences, by former Lt. Governor and Senator Mark Singel. Courtesy of Evelyn Andrews.
  • Abe Lincoln by former Senator Alexander Kelly McClure. Courtesy of Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives.
  • Alvin York: A New Biography of the Hero of the Argonne by Senator Douglas Mastriano. Courtesy of Senator Douglas Mastriano.
  • Article, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Courtesy of Senator Elder Vogel and Heather L. Burke.
  • Bible - used by former Senator Eugene Scanlon administration of the Oath of Office, January 4, 1983. Courtesy of Susan Boyle.
  • Bobblehead, former Senator Robert C. Jubelirer. Courtesy of George Soule.
  • Bobblehead, former Senator Donald C. White. Courtesy of Senator Joe Pittman and Colleen L. Kennedy.
  • Bounding up the Steps by Dave Transue. Senate of Pennsylvania Library.
  • Campaign Material. Courtesy of Senator Anthony Williams and Brenda R. Tate.
  • Cheering Jacket. Courtesy of Senator Lisa Boscola and Jess Rodic.
  • Clean Politics, Clean Streams by former Senator Franklin Kury. Senate of Pennsylvania Library.
  • Colonial Records, 1683-1700. Senate of Pennsylvania Library. The Colonial Records are the original minutes of the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania that include the Charter of Pennsylvania from King Charles II to William Penn, Esquire, and the Frame of the Government of the Province of Pennsylvania, written by William Penn.
  • Cuff Links. Courtesy of Senator Joseph B. Scarnati III and Christy L. Short.
  • Famous American Statesmen and Orators by former Senator Alexander Kelly McClure. Courtesy of Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives.
  • Gavel. Courtesy of former Senator Robert C. Jubelirer.
  • History, 1915. Senate of Pennsylvania Library. Histories are the Combined History of Senate and House Bills and enables one to trace the history of a bill during a legislative session. A History contains the various printer's numbers of the bill and all action that occurred, including references to debate and remarks. This 1915 History is the earliest volume in the Senate Library's collection
  • House Journal, 1861. Senate of Pennsylvania Library. In this Journal, are the written words of President-elect Abraham Lincoln's speech given on Friday, February 22, 1861 when he addressed the Pennsylvania General Assembly in a Joint Session to honor President George Washington's Birthday.
  • Laws of Pennsylvania, 1801-1803. Senate of Pennsylvania Library. On display is the oldest book of Pennsylvania law. At that time, Pennsylvania Governor Thomas McKean, who served three terms in office from 1799 to 1808, signed all associated bills into law.
  • Legislative Journal, 1921. Senate of Pennsylvania Library. In this Journal, on January 18, 1921, then-Governor William C. Sproul presented the precursor to the annual State Budget Address to the General Assembly in a Joint Session. Governor Sproul set a precedence for State Budgets to be delivered in person by the sitting Governor instead of by courier.
  • Mass Card. Courtesy of Senator Anthony Williams and Brenda R. Tate.
  • Medicine Bottles. Courtesy of Senator Lisa Baker and Elizabeth L. Clancy.
  • Megaphone. Courtesy of Senator Lisa Boscola and Jess Rodic.
  • Memorial Books. Senate of Pennsylvania Library. Memorial books were produced for the proceedings of the Senate upon the death of one of its members or other distinguished dignitaries.
  • Pasta Sauce. Courtesy of Senator Joseph B. Scarnati III and Christy L. Short.
  • Pennsylvania Politics by Paul B. Beers. Courtesy of Evelyn Andrews.
  • Photograph, Senator Judy Ward. Courtesy of Senator Judy Ward, Patricia L. Snively, and Amanda L. Walker.
  • Photograph, Senator Stewart Greenleaf. Courtesy of Senator Stewart Greenleaf and Patricia L. Snively.
  • Physician Certificate. Courtesy of Senator Lisa Baker and Elizabeth L. Clancy.
  • Pop-poms. Courtesy of Senator Lisa Boscola and Jess Rodic.
  • Senate Journal, Volume XIII, 1802-1803. Senate of Pennsylvania Library. On display is the oldest Senate Journal in the Library's collection. The binding has been refurbished, but the pages are original.
  • The Senate will come to order by former Senator Robert C. Jubelirer. Senate of Pennsylvania Library.
  • State Capitol, 1906. Senate of Pennsylvania Library. This publication conveys the history of Pennsylvania's cities and buildings, including pictures and biographies of important dignitaries who attended the dedication of the Pennsylvania State Capitol on October 4, 1906.
  • Statutes at Large, Volume II, 1700-1712. Senate of Pennsylvania Library. On display is Volume 2 of 18 volumes of the Statutes at Large, containing private and public laws of the Province and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the early 19th Century. They contain charters, laws in force, and obsolete laws from 1682 through 1809.
  • Thunder in the Argonne: A New History of America's Greatest Battle by Senator Douglas Mastriano. Courtesy of Senator Douglas Mastriano.

Pennsylvania Academic Standards (History, US History, and Civics and Government) met in whole or in part* by this exhibition


Note: *The text for this exhibition is written (with the exception of field-specific language) for the sixth grade level. For more information on Pennsylvania's Department of Education Standards, and more related standards, please visit PDE SAS.

PDE Standard:
5.1.6 Principles and Documents of Government
How Senate Library Exhibition meets this standard: The entire exhibition allows the viewer the opportunity to fulfill this standard through an examination of the various points of view, secondary sources, and facts related to the historical events represented in this exhibition.

PDE Standard:
8.1.5.B: Classify and analyze fact and opinion from multiple points of view, and secondary sources as related to historical events.
How Senate Library Exhibition meets this standard: The entire exhibition allows the viewer the opportunity to fulfill this standard through an examination of the various points of view, secondary sources, and facts related to the historical events represented in this exhibition.

PDE Standard:
8.1.6.A: Explain continuity and change over time using sequential order and context of events.
How Senate Library Exhibition meets this standard: The entire exhibition allows the viewer the opportunity to fulfill this standard through an examination of the various points of view, secondary sources, and facts related to the historical events represented in this exhibition.

PDE Standard:
8.2.5.B: Illustrate concepts and knowledge of historical documents, artifacts, and places critical to Pennsylvania history.
How Senate Library Exhibition meets this standard: The entire exhibition demonstrates this standard by using various, diverse sources to illustrate places, objects, and documents critical to Pennsylvania history.

PDE Standard:
8.2.6.B: Describe the importance of significant historical documents, artifacts, and places critical to Pennsylvania history.
How Senate Library Exhibition meets this standard: All of the printed materials on display throughout this exhibition memorialize Pennsylvania's history.

Exhibition Team

  • Megan Martin, Secretary and Parliamentarian of the Senate
  • Evelyn Andrews, Librarian of the Senate
  • Jess Rodic, Assistant Secretary of the Senate
  • Jessica Valen, Communications Specialist, Office of the Secretary
  • Donna Wheeler, Administrative Assistant, Senate Library
  • George Soule, Administrative Assistant, Senate Library

Democratic Caucus Operations Staff

  • Helen E. Mabus, Graphics Director

Republican Communications Staff

  • Carol Milligan, Director
  • Douglas Gross, Director of Photography
  • Todd Krick, Director of Graphic Arts

House of Representatives Archives

  • Jesse Teitelbaum, Director

House of Representatives Republican Research Department

  • Susan Boyle, Director
  • Senator Doug Mastriano

Mementos from Members

  • Senator Elisabeth J. Baker and Elizabeth L. Clancy, Secretary
  • Senator Lisa M. Boscola, Jennifer L. Keim, Administrative Assistant, Meghan M. Lago, Legislative Assistant, and Jerry J. Livingstone, Executive Director
  • Honorable Stewart Greenleaf and Patricia L. Snively, Executive Secretary/Administrative Assistant
  • Honorable Robert C. Jubelirer
  • Senator Joe Pittman and Colleen L. Kennedy, Executive Assistant
  • Senator Joseph B. Scarnati III and Christy L. Short, Executive Assistant/Harrisburg Scheduler
  • Senator Elder Vogel and Heather L. Burke, Executive Secretary/Scheduler
  • Senator Judith F. Ward, Patricia L. Snively, Executive Secretary/Administrative Assistant and Amanda L. Walker, District Director
  • Senator Anthony H. Williams and Brenda R. Tate, Executive Scheduler
  • Senator Christine M. Tartaglione and Kathleen A. Benton, Chief of Staff