Guide to the Hungarian Nationality Room Committee Collection, 1926-1964 UA.40.11

Arrangement

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Hungarian Nationality Room Committee Collection
Creator
University of Pittsburgh. Nationality Rooms Program. Hungarian Nationality Room Committee
Collection Number
UA.40.11
Extent
1.5 Linear Feet (3 boxes)
Date
1926-1964
Date
1926-1929
Abstract
The records of the Committee for the Hungarian Nationality Classroom, 1926-1964, include correspondence and financial statements surrounding the establishment of the Hungarian Classroom in the Nationality Rooms Program in the Cathedral of Learning. The records include architectural drawings, memos, and minutes as well as publicity material highlighting events preceding and succeeding the opening of the classroom.
Language
The material in this collection is primarily English with some corrrespondence in Hungarian.
Author
Jasmin Simmons.
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

The collection was transferred to the University Archives by the Nationality Rooms Program Director.

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.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Jasmin Simmons in March of 2006 and updated for entering into Archivists' Toolkit by Marianne Kasica in June of 2012.

Separated Material

Oversized architectural drawings have been encapsulated and stored in Flat File Cabinet 8.

Previous Citation

Hungarian Nationality Room Committee Collection, 1926-1964, UA.40.11, University Archives, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh

Preferred Citation

Hungarian Nationality Room Committee Collection, 1926-1964, UA.40.11, University Archives, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into seven series, and then chronologically from earliest to latest. Further details are represented at the series level within the scope and content notes.

Series І. General Correspondence, 1927-1953

Series ІІ. Architectural Records, 1929-1938

Series ІІІ. Monthly Meeting Minutes, 1936-1939

Series ІV. Running Memos, 1927-1953

Series V. Finance, 1927-1957

Series VІ. Publicity Material, 1926-1955

Series VІІ. Photographs, 1926-1939

Scope and Content Notes

The records of the Committee for the Hungarian Nationality Classroom show the committee's role in promoting the cultural, intellectual, and academic heritage of Hungary. The records are in the form of correspondence, architectural drawings, photographs, and memorabilia of social events.

Much of the correspondence deals with information sent to members of the committee, Ruth Crawford Mitchell, Chancellor John G. Bowman, and Dénes Györgyi, the Budapest architect and professor in the National Hungarian Art School selected to design the classroom. Some of the records also highlight input made by the Hungarian government and instructions sent by the University of Pittsburgh detailing responsibilities in organizing a local committee. Other records detail the design of the classroom and the assistance given by Hungarians in Budapest and the United States towards its development.

History

The Committee for the Hungarian Nationality Classroom was established to coordinate the development of the Hungarian Classroom in the Cathedral of Learning at the University of Pittsburgh. Its activities were formalized in 1928 although fundraising efforts were documented from 1926. Their work emanated from the Hungarian communities within Pittsburgh and around the U.S. gathering contributions from 57 churches and societies and 455 individuals.

The chairman of the committee was Dr. Samuel Charles Gomory, a physician from McKeesport, Pa. He worked closely with Ruth Crawford Mitchell, director of the Nationality Rooms Program, who served as the University of Pittsburgh's representative. The two other substantive posts were held by George Zimmerman, treasurer, and Mrs. Joseph Urbán, secretary. The membership was divided among several smaller committees, such as advisory, entertainment, university, financial, supervisory, and publicity, and was well coordinated by other committee members. Later on, subcommittees were organized to assist with the group's social activities. Some of these activities included benefit concerts with performances by the Budapest University Chorus and the Hungarian violinist, Francis Arányi. The information on many events hosted by the committee was regularly published in Hungarian and American newspapers. The activities of the committee culminated in the dedication of the Hungarian Classroom on September 29, 1939.

The room represents the history, literature, and art of Hungary. The paprika-red wooden ceiling, along with the cabinet doors, were painted with folk motifs of birds and trees, and inscribed between the ceiling and the wall is the first stanza from the Hungarian National Anthem, the Hymnus. Above the blackboard is a carved coat of arms of the University of Buda, founded in 1388, and constructed in the wall is a cabinet exhibiting Hungarian porcelains, Hereundi and Zsolnai, as well as needlework and weaving. Every element of the room, the carvings on doors, the tulip chest and the student armchairs, celebrate Hungarian social life and custom. The right window bears the portraits of Liszt, the composer; Petofi, the poet; and Muncasy, the artist. The rear window portrays the story of the mythical founding of Hungary when King Nimrod's sons, Hunor and Magor, pursued a white stag from the east to the fertile Danube plain.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • University of Pittsburgh. Nationality Rooms Program. Hungarian Nationality Room Committee
    • Nationality Rooms (Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • Hungarian Classroom (Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh, Pa.).
    • University of Pittsburgh. Nationality Rooms Program

    Personal Names

    • Gomory, Samuel Charles
    • Györgyi, Dénes

    Genres

    • Financial records
    • Photographs
    • Clippings (Information artifacts)
    • Architectural drawings (Visual works)
    • Minutes
    • Correspondence

    Other Subjects

    • University of Pittsburgh
    • Hungarian Americans -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Universities and colleges -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Classrooms -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh

Container List

Series III. Monthly Meeting Minutes, 1936-1939
Containers
box 2, folder 1-4

Scope and Content Notes

To manage the business of the committee, monthly meetings were held on the 3rd Friday of each month. This correspondence details the administrative work of the committee.

Series IV. Nationality Room Advisor Memos, 1927-1940
Containers
box 2, folder 5-18
Series VI. Photographs, 1926-1939
Containers
box 3, folder 1

Scope and Content Notes

There are 68 photographs which capture the décor of the Hungarian Nationality Room including art on the windows and walls and the general arrangement within the classroom. The photographs also reflect visitors to the room, significant persons on the committee, and scenes from the official opening. Many of the photographs are oversized and are therefore stored in an archival box between acid free sheets. The box also contains some oversize certificates.