This volume documents the architectural plans and construction of significant public buildings erected on Penn Square in Philadelphia during the late 19th century. The Commissioners for the Erection of the Public Buildings present a detailed account of their endeavors, likely including architectural drawings, specifications, and progress reports. The work serves as a historical record of a major civic development project, detailing the vision and execution behind the creation of these important structures. It offers insight into the urban development and architectural styles prevalent in Philadelphia during that era.

This historical document, originally published in 1880, offers a primary source perspective on a significant period of Philadelphia's urban development. Its value lies in the detailed architectural and planning information it provides regarding the public buildings on Penn Square. As a scanned collection item from Cornell University Library, it serves researchers and historians interested in 19th-century American architecture and civic projects. The presence of marginalia suggests it has been a consulted resource over time.