Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title Nationality Rooms Program Office Files, Initial Deposit Creator
University of Pittsburgh. Nationality Rooms Program
Collection Number UA.40.01 Extent
3.75 Linear Feet
(3 boxes)
Date 1926-1966 Abstract These are the records of the general planning of the Nationality Classrooms in the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning by Ruth Crawford Mitchell. Language
English
. Author Archives Service Center Staff; revised by Marianne Kasica. Publisher ULS Archives & Special Collections Address University of Pittsburgh Library Systemhttp://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Copyright
All rights reserved. University of Pittsburgh.
History
The Nationality Rooms are a series of rooms within the Cathedral of Learning that represent the various ethnic groups that immigrated to Pittsburgh and built the city and its industries. Ruth Crawford Mitchell was appointed to direct the Nationality Rooms Program by Chancellor Bowman before the first spade of dirt was turned for the construction of the Cathedral. Her background in sociology and her specialization in immigrants and immigration provided her with no small amount of insight as to how to convince the various groups to sponsor and build these rooms. Mrs. Mitchell served in this capacity from 1926 until her retirement in 1956.
Acquisition Information
The bulk of this collection was deposited in the University Archives by the Nationality Rooms Program; Folders 70-83 were given to the University Library by Ruth C. Mitchell.
Previous Citation
Nationality Rooms Program Office Files, Initial Deposit, 1926-1959, UA 40.01, University Archives, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
Preferred Citation
Nationality Rooms Program Office Files, Initial Deposit, 1926-1959, UA 40.01, University Archives, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Archives Service Center Staff and revised by Marianne Kasica in 2011.
Scope and Content Notes This collection consists of the notes, reports and information files of Ruth Crawford Mitchell as part of her oversight of the planning and building of the Nationality Rooms Program and of the Educational Exchange Program.
Related Material
Nationality Rooms Program Office Files, Second Deposit, UA 40.01a, 1927-2012, University Archives, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
Subjects Corporate Names University of Pittsburgh. Nationality Rooms Program University of Pittsburgh -- Buildings Nationality Rooms (Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh, Pa.) Cathedral of Learning (Pittsburgh, Pa.) Other Subjects Classrooms -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh Universities and colleges -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh University of Pittsburgh Ethnic groups -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh Ethnicity -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh Container List Series I. Nationality Committees Scope and Content Notes These files are the Nationality Room Committees' running memos compiled by Ruth Mitchell and her staff. They are in chronological order of activities of the committees and document the fundraising, planning and designing of each room. It includes records of conversations with members of each committee. In addition to the Nationality Rooms, there were plans to create rooms honoring other people or events. These include a room showcasing Transportation in Pennsylvania and one to honor the composer Ethelbert Nevin.
Running Memos , 1927-1931 Containers box 1 , folder 1-2 Scope and Content Notes Chinese Committee, 1929-31; Czechoslovak, 1928-31; English, 1929031; French, 1930-31; German, 1928-31; Greek, 1928-31; Hungarian, 1927-31; Irish, 1931; Italian, 1928-31; Jewish, 1930 (Room under question).
Polish Committee, 1927-31; Romanian, 1927-31; Russian, 1927-31; Scandinavian, 1928-31 (original plans called for Scandinavian Room although there was Norwegian sub-committee & Swedish sub-committee within Scandinavian group); Scottish, 1929-31; Ukrainian, 1929-31 (not enough funds to establish); Welsh, 1930-31; Yugoslavian, 1927-31
Running Memos , 1932-1933 Containers box 1 , folder 3 Scope and Content Notes Chinese; Czechoslovakian; English; French; German; Hungarian; Irish; Italian; Polish; Romanian; Russian; Scandinavian; Scottish; Ukrainian; Welsh; Yugoslav
Running Memos , 1934 Containers box 1 , folder 4-5 Scope and Content Notes Chinese; Czechoslovakian; English; French; German; Greek; Hungarian; Irish; Italian
Japan; Lithuanian; Polish; Romanian; Russian; Scandinavian; Swedish; Scottish; Spanish; Welsh; Yugoslavian; Pennsylvania Transportation Room (see also FF 70-81)
Running Memos , 1935 Containers box 1 , folder 6-7 Scope and Content Notes Chinese; Czechoslovakian; English; French; German; Greek; Hungarian; Irish; Italian; Lithuanian; Norwegian; Pennsylvania Transportation.
Polish; Romanian; Russian; Scottish; Swedish; Syrian; Welsh; Yugoslav.
Running Memos , 1936 Containers box 1 , folder 8-9 Scope and Content Notes Chinese; Czechoslovak; English; French; German; Greek; Hungarian; Irish; Italian; Jewish (same controversy as 1930 over decision to have room); Lithuanian.
Norwegian; Pittsburgh (no Memo); Polish; Romanian; Russian; Scottish; Swedish; Syrian; Yugoslav; Miscellaneous others, (Finnish, Ukrainian, Ethelbert Nevin, request for Negro Room).
Running Memos , 1937 Containers box 1 , folder 10-11 Scope and Content Notes Chinese; Czechoslovak; English; French; German; Greek; Hungarian; Italian; Jewish; Lithuanian.
Norwegian; Polish; Romanian; Russian; Scottish; Swedish; Syrian; Yugoslav; Miscellaneous (Negro, Ukrainian, Irish, Nevin, Welsh).
Running Memos , 1938 Containers box 1 , folder 12-13 Scope and Content Notes Chinese; Czechoslovak; English; French; German; Greek; Hungarian; Irish; Italian; Lithuanian; Norwegian.
Polish; Romanian; Russian; Scottish; Swedish; Syrian (changed to Syrian-Lebanon); Yugoslav; Miscellaneous (Finnish, Turkish, Welsh, Ethelbert Nevin).
Running Memos , 1939 Containers box 1 , folder 14-15 Scope and Content Notes Chinese: Czechoslovak; English; French; German; Greek; Hungarian; Italian.
Lithuanian; Norwegian; Polish; Romanian; Russian; Scottish; Swedish; Syria-Lebanese; Yugoslav; Miscellaneous (Dutch, Turkish, Welsh, Nevin, Irish).
Running Memos , 1940 Containers box 1 , folder 16-17 Scope and Content Notes Chinese; Czechoslovak; English; French; German; Greek; Hungarian; Italian.
Lithuanian; Norwegian; Polish; Romanian; Russian; Scottish; Swedish; Syrian-Lebanese; Yugoslav; Miscellaneous (Irish, Nevin).
Running Memos , 1941 Containers box 1 , folder 18-19 Scope and Content Notes Chinese; Czechoslovak; English; French; German; Greek; Hungarian; Irish; Italian; Lithuanian.
Norwegian; Polish; Romanian; Russian; Scottish; Swedish; Syrian-Lebanese; Welsh; Yugoslav; Nevin; Miscellaneous (Finnish, Spanish).
Running Memos , 1942 Containers box 1 , folder 20-21 Scope and Content Notes Chinese; Czechoslovak; English; French; German; Greek; Hungarian; Irish; Italian.
Lithuanian; Norwegian; Polish; Romanian; Russian; Scottish; Swedish; Syrian-Lebanese; Yugoslav; Nevin; Miscellaneous (Jewish, Latin American).
Running Memos , 1943 Containers box 1 , folder 22 Scope and Content Notes Chinese; Czechoslovak; English; French; German; Greek; Hungarian; Irish; Italian; Lithuanian; Norwegian; Polish; Romanian; Russian; Scottish; Syrian-Lebanese; Welsh; Yugoslav; Miscellaneous (Latin American).
Running Memos , 1944-1946 Containers box 1 , folder 23-24 Scope and Content Notes Chinese 1944-45; Czechoslovak, 1944-45; English, 1944, 46; French, 1944, 46; German, 1944, 46; Greek, 1944, 46; Hungarian, 1944, 46; Irish, 1944-46; Italian, 1944, 46; Lithuanian, 1944,1946
Norwegian, 1944; Polish, 1944, 46; Romanian, 1944, 46; Russian, 1944, 46; Scottish, 1944, 46; Swedish, 1944, 46; Syrian-Lebanese, 1944, 46; Yugoslav, 1944, 46; Miscellaneous (Physical condition of rooms 1946; Dutch, 1944).
Running Memos , 1947-1948 Containers box 1 , folder 25-26 Scope and Content Notes Chinese; Czechoslovak; English; French; German; Greek; Hungarian; Irish.
Italian; Lithuanian; Norwegian; Polish; Romanian; Russian Scottish; Swedish; Syrian-Lebanese; Yugoslav.
Some memos in this group incomplete because recorder's handwriting could not be deciphered, penciled notes attached.
Running Memos , 1958-1959 Containers box 1 , folder 27 Scope and Content Notes Chinese; Czechoslovak; English; French; Greek; Irish; Italian; Romanian; Russian; Scottish; Swedish; Yugoslav.
Nationality Groups 1934 Series Campaign Containers box 2 , folder 28 Scope and Content Notes "Complete the Cathedral Campaign" progress reports from 16 Nationality groups. Notes in chronological order by Committee on fund raising ways and means. Bound Volume.
Nationality Room Committee Reports Vol. I, Memoranda on continuation Program , 1935-1946 Containers box 2 , folder 29 Scope and Content Notes Selected memoranda resumes of conversations, minutes of joint meetings of all committees and actual program proposals prepared for the Chancellor taken from files of Ruth Crawford Mitchell, University Advisor to Nationality Room Committees. Includes photographs.
Nationality Room Committee Reports Volume II, Nationality Rooms Council , 1947-1951 Containers box 2 , folder 30 Scope and Content Notes Agenda, minutes, programs for 5 year experimental Period of Cooperation in the Educational Exchange Program at the University . Material taken from files of R.C. Mitchell, Advisor to nationality Room Committees. Includes photos. Nationality Rooms Committee reorganized in 1947 and Nationality Rooms Council established.
Nationality Room Committee Reports Vol. III, Nationality Room Council , 1951-1957 Containers box 2 , folder 31 Scope and Content Notes Minutes and photographs of the Committees, publicity, publications, programs, speeches. Compiled by R.C. Mitchell.
Series II. Ruth Crawford Mitchell and Charles Elliott trips to Europe , 1936-1937, 1956 Scope and Content Notes This series contains correspondence and reports from trips abroad by the Nationality Room Program staff.
Ruth Crawford Mitchell's trip abroad , September 1936-February 1937 Containers box 2 , folder 32-34 Scope and Content Notes "The Old Country Chapter of the Nationality Classrooms." Letters from R.C. Mitchell written during the trip abroad to confer with architects and artists. Also includes progress reports to Mrs. Mitchell on the work of the committees, expense accounts of Mrs. Mitchell, photographs, telegrams.
Extracts from letters written while traveling abroad for the Nationality Rooms in the Cathedral of Learning. Typescripts and copy bound in content: primarily a travelogue and some comments on politics and the culture of the countries visited.
European Trip for Nationality Rooms Diary which is source for information in letters found in FF 31. Includes typed list of contacts in Europe.
Charles Elliot's trip abroad Containers box 2 , folder 35-36 Scope and Content Notes Charles Elliott, Associate Director of Nationality Rooms, spent a semester in Europe, September-December 1956, The files contain letters and running memos to R.C. Mitchell and committees on trip on Nationality rooms and Exchange program.
Weekly office memos sent to Charles Elliott while on trip abroad 1956 from R.C. Mitchell and office staff. These two files are missing as of April 2011.
Series III. Educational Exchange Committee Scope and Content Notes This series comprises letters regarding trips to Germany, Austria, Yugoslavia, and Italy by R.C. Mitchell in 1955. Some letters concern educational exchanges and post war conditions in the respective country; others are from Charles Elliott regarding his 1956 trip, including extracts from letters in FF 35. Other folders contain reports from R.C. Mitchell on her 1959 trip to Ireland, Poland, USSR, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden regarding the Educational Exchange programs in those countries (some cultural and sociological observations) as well as educational exchange conference reports. This is a bound volume.
Educational Exchange Committee Contacts Containers box 2 , folder 37 Series IV. Reports to the Chancellor Scope and Content Notes This series contains reports made to the Chancellor by R.C. Mitchell and others relating to the Nationality Rooms and the international education and exchange activities that emanated from the program.
Reports from the Chancellor's Advisor to Nationality Room Committees. , 1936-1943 Containers box 2 , folder 38 Scope and Content Notes Includes Deed of gift procedure, an informal contract to be signed by representatives of committees and Board of Trustees prepared by G. Stanley Rupp, 1936; also financial accounts, correspondence; program; photograph and speeches at Nationality Room supper, December 18, 1942.
Annual Reports Vol. I , 1939-1949 Containers box 2 , folder 39 Scope and Content Notes Labeled reports of Nationality Room Program Women's International Club. The whole volume concerns the Luncheon Club which was formed 1939 by representatives of Nationality Room Committees for Social luncheons with speakers. Contains minutes of meetings, programs, letters, photographs. Bound volume.
Annual Reports Vol. II , 1951-1953 Containers box 2 , folder 40 Scope and Content Notes Reports to Chancellor regarding the Committee on Educational Exchange, 1951-53; includes minutes of meetings memos to committee members, rosters of foreign students, programs, photos; Appendix is report on Nationality rooms. Bound Volume.
Annual Reports Vol. III , 1953-1956 Containers box 2 , folder 41 Scope and Content Notes Reports to Chancellor on Nationality Room Program includes clippings, publicity, photographs, organization charts; reports from scholarship awardees abroad. Bound Volume.
Annual reports Vol. IV , 1956-1957 Containers box 2 , folder 42 Scope and Content Notes Report to Chancellor includes programs clippings, photographs, reports from scholarship awardees abroad; Educational Exchange study-travel awards. Reports from Charles Elliott; running memos on Nationality Program. Clippings for Annual Reports 1958/59-1959/60 (no reports) Bound Volume.
Annual Report Cultural & Educational Exchange Program , 1957-1958 Containers box 3 , folder 43 Scope and Content Notes Includes Financial Programs, Nationality Rooms Programs; Student Hostess Program, educational exchange program, Reports, statistics, programs, photographs, clippings. Bound Volume.
International Educational interests at University of Pittsburgh Containers box 3 , folder 44 Scope and Content Notes Annual Reports 1946-51, original memoranda and annual reports by R.C. Mitchell prepared for the Chancellor covering five experimental years in the development of a University-wide program of International Educational Interests. Per RCM this first report is important because the compiler had sufficient time to make a fairly thorough study of status quo post-war. Numerous aspects of report were not continued due to lack of time and secretarial assistance. Bound Volume.
Series V. Nationality Rooms Maintenance Nationality Rooms Maintenance Record , 1950-1951 Containers box 3 , folder 45 Clippings for Annual Reports , 1958/59-1959/60 Containers box 3 , folder 45a-45b Series VI. Publications Scope and Content Notes This series contains publications about the Nationality Rooms as well as books and other materials donated to the library as a result of the rooms' programs.
Nationality Rooms Book Containers box 3 , folder 46 Scope and Content Notes Typescript of book and comments on introduction to book; description of each classroom; letters from Edward Tabor about the Czechoslovakian classroom. This book, Nationality Rooms of the University of Pittsburgh , with drawings by Andrey Avinoff was published in 1947 by University of Pittsburgh Press. fLD6015/C36IA21.
Books Donated to the University Library Containers box 3 , folder 47 Scope and Content Notes Books presented by Nationality Rooms Committees to University Libraries. Includes Book of Kells, Czechoslovakian Books 1957, Yugoslav Books 1956; Bound photocopy of list of books from National Slovak Society. (removed copy in RG 32/18, 1/7/1985)
Series VII. General Correspondence Scope and Content Notes This series contains correspondence between R.C. Mitchell and various University Chancellors between 1934-53. Other material details Mitchell's duties (1926) and title (1934) as well as the proposed Egyptian Room. Some correspondence pertains to various committees, educational exchange letters written in England (1949), the future of the Nationality Room Program (1956), and a letter from Dr. Bowman about a leave of absence for Mitchell (1944). Finally, some personal greetings and Christmas cards are present.
Nationality Rooms , 1934-1953 Containers box 3 , folder 48 Series VIII. Publicity Scope and Content Notes This series includes correspondence with the H.J. Heinz Company (1958) regarding publicity in Pittsburgh Symphony programs. Other publicity includes an article by R.C.M. in Higher Education (October 15, 1958); an article in Norwegian Magazine with translation (1947); articles on botanical designs in the rooms (R.W.C. Little, 1939); an article in Near East Service (February 1942) on the Syria Room; an article in Greater Pittsburgh (1936); and a typescript for an article in Mademoiselle (1955).
General Publicity on Nationality Rooms , 1936-1958 Containers box 3 , folder 49 Series IX. Proposed Rooms Not Built Scope and Content Notes This series has information and plans for the Pennsylvania Floor rooms and the McGuffy Room, neither of which were executed.
Pennsylvania Floor Containers box 3 , folder 50 Scope and Content Notes Proposed Pennsylvania floor, 1929-36? ( see also FF 70-81); Typescript outline of historical landmarks and events for Washington, Fayette, Cambria counties. Preliminary design scheme for proposed Westmoreland County Room; 2 memos re proposed transportation room; Negatives of snapshots of Pennsylvania Dutch type furniture considered for Pennsylvania floor (removed and placed in photograph file: Buildings Cathedral of Learning Nationality Rooms) Article on Nevin Room.
McGuffy Room Containers box 3 , folder 51 Scope and Content Notes Preliminary design scheme for proposed William McGuffey classroom, much biographical information on him (McGuffey born in Washington County), letters relating to designing room, includes clippings publicizing proposed room (clippings of new education building in Harrisburg, 1934, and clippings on historic landmarks and famous people in Western Pennsylvania as background for proposed Pennsylvania floor deleted; given to Western Pennsylvania Historical Society).
Florence Nightingale Social Room, School of Nursing , 1947-1949 Containers box 3 , folder 51a Scope and Content Notes Information about the life of Florence Nightingale, as well as a list of University Library resources about her work.
Series X. Ruth C. Mitchell Scope and Content Notes This series contains such items as a typescript of a speech in Marietta, Ohio (1934) on Ethnic Students; a speech on Nationality group life (1936); another regarding modern language teaching (1938). Mitchell wrote about or gave speeches about the Czechoslovak National Council (1939), The Third Czech Republic (1939), the Independent Slovak State (1939); the meaning of the present war to Ethnic Young People (1941); the significance of Nationality Rooms (1940); and American Poles ready for War Congress (1939). The series contains a draft of an article regarding educational directions (1942) of the Nationality Rooms, and their contribution to higher education (1943). A broadcast on the Nationality Rooms is included (Undated but post-1947). Other material documents the progress of national interests; the Committee on Educational Exchange (1951?); the History of Slavonic peoples in Western Pennsylvania; undated assorted notes; an article in The New American by Edward Tabor (1933) about governing principles in developing the rooms. See also R.C. Mitchell faculty papers, Record Group 90/F12.
Speeches and Writings on Ethnic Heritage , 1934-1951 Containers box 3 , folder 52 Principals and Procedures Relating to the Rooms , 1966 Containers box 3 , folder 52a Scope and Content Notes Principles and Procedures prepared by Maxine Bruhns in consultation with Ruth C. Mitchell. Nationality Rooms Summary Statement.
Series XI. The Classrooms Scope and Content Notes File folders 53-69 pertain to the earliest classrooms that were built. They have been likely relocated to each rooms' files. Currently not in either RG 13/3 nor RG 40.
Chinese Classroom Containers box 3 , folder 53 Czechoslovakian Classroom Containers box 3 , folder 54 French Classroom Containers box 3 , folder 55 German Classroom Containers box 3 , folder 56 Greek Classroom Containers box 3 , folder 57 Hungarian Classroom Containers box 3 , folder 58 Italian Classroom Containers box 3 , folder 59 Lithuanian Classroom Containers box 3 , folder 60 Pennsylvania German Classroom Containers box 3 , folder 61 Polish Classroom Containers box 3 , folder 62 Romanian Classroom Containers box 3 , folder 63 Russian Classroom Containers box 3 , folder 64 Scandinavian Classroom Containers box 3 , folder 65 Scottish Classroom Containers box 3 , folder 66 Yugoslavian Classroom Containers box 3 , folder 67 History Department Memorial Recitation Room Containers box 3 , folder 68 Proposed Rooms Containers box 3 , folder 69 Scope and Content Notes Unidentified artist's renderings
Series XII. Pennsylvania Floor Scope and Content Notes These files describe proposed rooms that would represent the achievements made in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. One plan called for the 2nd floor of the Cathedral to feature the Commonwealth's achievements in various endeavors and included an art room, music room, science room, transportation room and several others. An alternate plan was to dedicate a room to each of the counties in western Pennsylvania. Neither plan was ever executed.
General Themes Containers box 3 , folder 70-71 Scope and Content Notes Suggestions for the 17th Century American Classroom: notes, bibliographic notes; Mrs. Mitchell's notebook of visits to various sites in the state, furnishings, rough sketches; suggestions for rooms.
Maps of Pennsylvania counties; notes on the purpose of rooms; lists of counties and personalities; correspondence of Mrs. Mitchell and George Donehoo; extracts from the "Early History of Western Pennsylvania" Daniel W. Kauffman 1846; list of signs for second floor rooms; suggested themes for pioneer Pennsylvania floor, including numbers of students from Western Pennsylvania counties; Pennsylvania population trends
Economy Room Containers box 3 , folder 72 Scope and Content Notes Clippings from Bulletin Index; Gazette Times; Post Gazette; etc. on Old Economy (Village); Duss' Band Primer (2), and correspondence with John Duss, last of the Economites
French Room Containers box 3 , folder 73 Scope and Content Notes Notes on the early French fort and settlements
Pennsylvania German (Pennsylvania Dutch) Containers box 3 , folder 74 Scope and Content Notes Pennsylvania-German pioneers; history of the spinning wheel given by Mrs. Tracy Guthrie; copy of pioneer letter; clippings and notes; "Notes on the German element in the population of early Pennsylvania"; Pennsylvania Museum Bulletin, December 1926 – description of a Pennsylvania-German house in Lebanon County; correspondence; American-German Review April 1941 on Landis Valley Museum
Hungarian Historical Committee of Western Pennsylvania Containers box 3 , folder 75 Scope and Content Notes Extract of editorial by George Szecskay in American Hungarian Voice; Plans of Hungarian Historical Committee; committee members.
Indian (Native American) Room Containers box 3 , folder 76 Scope and Content Notes Notes; "American Indian Portraits" by Winold Reiss
Moravian Room and Philadelphia Room Containers box 3 , folder 77 Scope and Content Notes Correspondence concerning Moravian music collection; booklet on "The Moravians and their faith", "Picture book of Philadelphia Chippendale furniture"
Scotch Irish Containers box 3 , folder 78 Scope and Content Notes Excerpts from Thomas Mellon and his times; excerpts from published accounts of Scotch-Irish and German settlers; notes of conversations; "Sources of information about Scotch-Irish in Blair County."
General Furnishings and Plans Containers box 3 , folder 79-83 Scope and Content Notes Antiques; maps; correspondence with George Donahoo.
Correspondence; furniture sketches. Philadelphia Museum Bulletin, February 1928, on Cedar Grove; William Savery, chairmaker and joiner.
List of women in Western Pennsylvania history; statistics on foreign born in Pennsylvania; industries in Pennsylvania; representative flowers of Western Pennsylvania; Western Pennsylvania animals; birds of Pennsylvania; Mother tongues of foreign white stock in Pittsburgh; representative trees of Western Pennsylvania; activities in the evolution of Western Pennsylvania; racial elements in the population; subjects for mural.
Photographs of chairs, tables, desk, etc. from museums and owned by individuals in various parts of Pennsylvania.
Presentation of Theatrical Stage from the Chinese Pavilion of the New York World's Fair to the University of Pittsburgh (3/2/1966).
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