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