The James Butler Local History Papers were acquired from a Butler family member after James Butler’s passing in 2020. Butler conducted extensive research on the historic residences on La Salle University’s campus, with a particular interest in the Belfield estate - also known as the Peale House. The research also encompassed La Salle’s South campus and Germantown. He researched the families that once resided on what is now La Salle's campus and related families by marriage, including Peale, Wister, Fisher, Butler, Kemble, Haines, Blain, Logan, and Wurts families. The collection contains photocopies of primary sources that Butler amassed over several years; as well as genealogies, his research notes, and drafts of his essays and articles. Additionally, the collection includes files related to Butler’s tours of Belfield and related events, and their residents, and correspondence with Wister family members.