The collection contains records and material related to the Borough of Bryn Athyn (official government) .  Bryn Athyn began as a village in the last decade of the 19th century, eventually receiving  borough status in 1916.  This collection contains early records of the Village Association, and some government records deposited by the Borough (very few).

The community of Bryn Athyn was formed in the late 19th century by members of the Philladelphia Swedenborgian Church (New Church).  This collection documents the early Village Association (before becoming a Burough) as well as the various community groups, old and new, that sprang up in the community.  This collection does not contain any official records of the Borough of Bryn Athyn.