What's online?
The William H. Wolf Photograph online collection contains images dating roughly from 1890 through 1920 taken by Dr. William H. Wolf. The images depict Pittsburgh views during the 1907 flood, the 1908 Pittsburgh Sesquicentennial parade celebration, and Pittsburgh's Luna Park.
What's in the entire collection?
The collection, held by the Archives Service Center (ASC) at the University of Pittsburgh, is focused on documenting Pittsburgh during the 1907 flood as well as area landmarks and the Sesquicentennial parade. It comprises five cellulose nitrate film negatives, nine gelatin dry plate glass negatives of varying size (none larger than 3x3), one glass positive, 21 gelatin silver print stereoviews, two hand-colored gelatin silver prints, and 51 prints of varying processes for a total of 101 items. Duplicates and a few triplicates of images exist in the collection with the level of detail varying in each.
Of particular note are the images of the 1907 flood. The City of Pittsburgh has suffered a number of floods during its long history and this collection captures damage of downtown Pittsburgh and the North Side during the flood of 1907. Images from the city's Sesquicentennial Celebration taken the following year, in 1908, show Pittsburgh in a more glorious light as dignitaries, both domestic and abroad, journeyed to Pittsburgh to join in the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the city's founding. The activities for the Pittsburgh Sesquicentennial celebration may have taken place on one of several dates: July 4, 1908, September 27 to October 3, 1908, or November 25, 1908.
Two views of Luna Park, formerly located in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, show an interesting side of Pittsburgh. While the park only existed from 1905-1909, it left a lasting impression on the city.
About William H. Wolf
Dr. William H. Wolf was a Pittsburgh-area physician, who claimed residence at one point in Allegheny City, Mt. Washington, and later, Mt. Lebanon, where he lived until his death in 1930. He was an amateur photographer who enjoyed creating his own stereoview photographs.
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