Guide to the Austrian Nationality Room Committee Collection, 1977-2002 UA.40.21
Arrangement
Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Austrian Nationality Room Committee Collection
Creator
University of Pittsburgh. Nationality Rooms Program. Austrian Nationality Room Committee
Collection Number
UA.40.21
Extent
3.5 Linear Feet(4 boxes)
Date
1977-2002
Abstract
The Austrian Room Committee began construction of the Baroque-style Austrian Classroom in the Cathedral of Learning at the University of Pittsburgh in 1987, completing it in 1995. The collection of the Austrian Room Committee contains correspondence, financial information, news clippings, architectural drawings, programs, and publications.
Language
English
.
Author
Chrystal Hanna and Jessica Phillips.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System Archives & Special Collections Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Acquisition Information
Transferred to the University Archives by E. Maxine Bruhns in January 2006.
Copyright
The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.
Previous Citation
Austrian Nationality Room Committee Collection, 1977-2002, UA.40.21, University Archives, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
Preferred Citation
Austrian Nationality Room Committee Collection, 1977-2002, UA.40.21, University Archives, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Crystal Hanna and Jessica Phillips in March 2006 then revised and updated by Marianne Kasica in April of 2007.
History
The first idea for an Austrian Classroom in the Cathedral of Learning came about in 1950 via Walter Sobotka who was a professor in the University's Graduate School of Retailing. The idea never took hold for reasons unknown. It was not until the Austrian American Cultural Society, formed in 1978 by Dr. Ivo Fischer, accepted a formal invitation from the University of Pittsburgh's Chancellor, Wesley Posvar, to build an Austrian classroom within the Cathedral of Learning. The Society formed an Austrian Room Committee, joined the Nationality Rooms Council in November of 1987 and began planning for the room. The Society and the Committee made large fundraising efforts to raise the necessary $250,000 required to build this baroque-style classroom, receiving donations from individuals and corporations both in the United States and in Austria. From its inception, the Austrian American Cultural Society dedicated itself to the celebration and dissemination of information about Austrian culture and history. The Society sponsored its first Austrian Ball in 1986 and it has become an annual tradition.
The Austrian Room Committee was formed to undertake the project of designing, funding, and building the Austrian Nationality Room. Through much effort, the Chair of the Austrian Room Committee, Joseph Pandl, and Co-Chairs, Dr. Joseph Novak and Dolores Stehr, worked to create networks among native Austrians, Austrian-Americans, Austrian businessmen and corporations, and local foundations. They succeeded in securing many grants and donations of both funds and materials. In addition, two architects, Franz Gerhard Schnögass of Vienna and Günther Kaier of Pittsburgh, donated their time and effort to design the room. Construction of the room was carried out by the firm John DeKlewa & Sons, Inc. Furnishings for the room were made and shipped from Austria.
Scope and Content Notes
The records of the Austrian Room Committee contain documents relating to all aspects of the Austrian Nationality Room, from its design and inception to the fundraising required to finance the room to its dedication. There are also records relating to the Austrian-American Cultural Society: its formation, its cultural activities, and its involvement with the creation of the Austrian Nationality Room. These documents include personal and business correspondence, form letters, meeting minutes, programs, flyers, memorandums, newspaper clippings, photographs, architectural drawings, and small publications. The records of the Austrian Room Committee are arranged into nine series.
Separated Material
Oversized architectural drawings and other related drawings are being stored in a map drawer titled "University of Pittsburgh Cathedral of Learning Nationality Rooms." Folders 62 and 63 (Narration and Bid Manual) are missing.
Related Material
The Austrian Classroom is one of 26 Nationality Rooms in the Cathedral of Learning. Records for some of the other nationality rooms are housed in the University Archives.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into nine series:
Series I. Austrian-American Cultural Society
Series II. Preliminary Research and Background Information
Series III. Austrian Classroom
Series IV. Austrian Room Design and Decoration
Series V. Publications
Series VI. Special Assistance
Series VII. University Involvement
Series VIII. Fundraising
Series IX. Other Activities of the Committee
Subjects
Corporate Names
Austrian American Cultural Society (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Austrian Classroom (Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Nationality Rooms (Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh, Pa.)
University of Pittsburgh. Nationality Rooms Program
University of Pittsburgh. Nationality Rooms Program. Austrian Nationality Room Committee
Personal Names
Schnögass, Franz Gerhard
Kaier, Günther
Fischer, Ivo Fruhjof
Genres
Financial records
Correspondence
Press releases
Architectural drawings (Visual works)
Other Subjects
Universities and colleges -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
Classrooms -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
Austrian Americans -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
Container List
Scope and Content Notes
Most of the materials in this series are documents about the research conducted on Austria before the creation of the room. The remaining folders contain materials on the planning, design, architects, and construction of the Austrian Nationality Room. Documents include correspondence, memoranda, newspaper clippings, photocopies of Austrian art and symbols, and plans for the room's design and layout.
Containers
box 1, folder 12
Containers
box 1, folder 13
Containers
box 1, folder 14
Containers
box 1, folder 15
Containers
box 1, folder 16
Containers
box 1, folder 17
Containers
box 1, folder 18
Containers
box 1, folder 19-20
Containers
box 1, folder 21
Containers
box 1, folder 22-24
Scope and Content Notes
Architect, Search, 1991-1999
Franz Gerhard Schnögass, 1987-1995
Architect of Record, Gunther Kaier, 1977-1995
Containers
box 1, folder 25
Containers
box 1, folder 26
Containers
box 1, folder 27-28
Containers
box 1, folder 29
Containers
box 1, folder 30
Scope and Content Notes
This series contains correspondence and information provided by the Austrian Room Committee. It contains pictures of the nationality room prior to renovation as well as the finished product and information about decorations used during the Christmas season. The press releases and dedication materials are about the completion of the room and the grand opening of the room in 1996.
Containers
box 1, folder 31-36
Scope and Content Notes
These are files that document the progress of the room, arranged by year. It also includes a file on the original idea of an Austrian Classroom by Walter Sobotka in 1950-1952.
Containers
box 2, folder 37
Containers
box 2, folder 38-45
Containers
box 2, folder 46
Containers
box 2, folder 47
Containers
box 2, folder 48
Containers
box 2, folder 49
Scope and Content Notes
This series contains materials related to the planning and design of the Austrian Nationality Room as well as to the significance of various design choices.
Containers
box 2, folder 50
Containers
box 2, folder 51
Containers
box 2, folder 52
Containers
box 2, folder 53
Containers
box 2, folder 54-55
Scope and Content Notes
Search for an Artist and the Candidates, 1984-1996; Carpoforo Tencalla – Biography and Interpretation of Paintings, 1994
Containers
box 2, folder 56
Containers
box 2, folder 57
Containers
box 2, folder 58
Containers
box 2, folder 59-60
Containers
box 2, folder 61
Containers
box 2, folder 62
Containers
box 2, folder 63
Containers
box 2, folder 64
Containers
box 2, folder 65
Containers
box 2, folder 66
Containers
map-case 8-18, 8-20
Scope and Content Notes
This series contains multiple serial publications, pamphlets, bulletins and a photocopied book entitled Vienna.
Containers
map-case 8-18, 8-20, folder 67
Containers
map-case 8-18, 8-20, folder 68-69
map-case 8-18, 8-20, folder 68
Scope and Content Notes
Maps, issues of Wein und die Wiener 1947-1947; and others
Containers
box 3, folder 70
Containers
box 3, folder 71
Scope and Content Notes
These documents relate to aid given by high-ranking Austrians in support of creating the Austrian Nationality Room in the Cathedral of Learning.
Containers
box 3, folder 72
Containers
box 3, folder 73
Containers
box 3, folder 74
Containers
box 3, folder 75
Containers
box 3, folder 76
Containers
box 3, folder 77
Containers
box 3, folder 78
Containers
box 3, folder 79
Containers
box 3, folder 80
Scope and Content Notes
This series documents the University of Pittsburgh's hand in aiding the Austrian Room Committee in their development efforts.
Containers
box 3, folder 81
Containers
box 3, folder 82
Containers
box 3, folder 83
Containers
box 3, folder 84
Containers
box 3, folder 85
Containers
box 3, folder 86
Containers
box 3, folder 87
Containers
box 3, folder 88
Scope and Content Notes
These documents contain information regarding the financial endeavors involved in the creation of the Austrian Nationality Room. Many of the documents are letters from Joseph E. Pandl requesting donations from corporations and individuals with Austrian connections as well as from Pittsburgh area businesses.
Containers
box 3, folder 89-90
Containers
box 3, folder 91-95
Containers
box 3, folder 96
Containers
box 3, folder 97
Containers
box 3, folder 98-99
Containers
box 3, folder 100
Containers
box 3, folder 101
Containers
box 3, folder 102
Containers
box 3, folder 103
Containers
box 3, folder 104
Containers
box 3, folder 105
Containers
box 3, folder 106
Containers
box 3, folder 107
Containers
box 3, folder 108
Containers
box 3, folder 109
Containers
box 3, folder 110
Containers
box 3, folder 111
Containers
box 3, folder 112
Containers
box 4, folder 113
Containers
box 4, folder 114
Containers
box 4, folder 115
Containers
box 4, folder 116
Containers
box 4, folder 117
Containers
box 4, folder 118
Containers
box 4, folder 119
Containers
box 4, folder 120
Containers
box 4, folder 121
Containers
box 4, folder 122-123
Containers
box 4, folder 124
Containers
box 4, folder 125-127
Scope and Content Notes
Arnold Schwarzenegger; Robert and Einzi Stolz,
Containers
box 4, folder 128
Scope and Content Notes
These records contain some activities of the Austrian Room Committee after the opening of the room, including the scholarships to study in Austria as well as some correspondence files with German societies.