PITTSBURGH HISTORY & LANDMARKS FOUNDATIONONE STATION SQUARE, SUITE 450PITTSBURGH, PA 15219 -II7 O

Address Correction Requested

Non-Profit Org.U.S. POSTÂGE

PÂIDPittsburgh, Pa.

Permit No. 598

Ãprll1992Published for the members of the Pittsburgh History & l,andmarks Foundation No. 123

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Churches and Their Futures

Communities Seek Ow Advice

Landmarks' Preservation Fund

Pittsburgh Architecture:Harsh Architecture

Landmarks and RlucationLandmarks knew, from the time of itsorigin in 1964,fhaf education was fun-damental to its purposes: that bothschool pupils and the adult public hadto be shown what they might otherwiseoverlook, be told about what they didnot know, in their built environment. Itis Landmarks'position, after all, thatmuch that has survived from the Pitts-burgh region's past can and should beintegrated with the future form thatregion takes. However, this requires aheightened public appreciation of theworks of the past, information that putsthem in context, guidance in looking atthe out-of-fashion, the battered, thegrimy, the obscure survivors from thepast to discover their half-hidden merits.

To further these ends we publishedbooks, booklets, and this Newsletter,conducted tours, and presented lectures,all primarily for adults. But more wasnecessary, and in 1981 we formed aneducation department. This, in 1984,was given huge impetus by a $200,000grant from the Claude WorthingtonBenedum Foundation, allowing theestablishment of a Revolving Fund forEducation. The Revolving Fund createdboth an endowment and a working cap-ital base for the education department,and encouraged the implementation ofprograms which would generate revenueto replenish the fund. This fund wasincreased by $300,000 after a two-yearcampaign that ended in 1990, withgrants from the Richard King MellonFoundation, the Mary Hillman JenningsFoundation, and an anonymous donor.

Since 1984, Landmarks has accom-plished the following:

o published six books and numerousbooklets;

¡ hosted over 200 tours and lectures formembers and friends;

¡ created two traveling exhibits and pub-lished accompanying exhibit guides; .

o created an audio-visual tape based on .the Landmark Survivors exhibit;

o created curriculums for and regularlytaught seven courses for teachers,adults, and students;

. sponsored fwe Hands-On HistoryFestivals for area schools;

r created Portable Pittsburgh and pre-sented it more than 600 times;

¡ trained 45 volunteers to help teach our

Alan Tßd,alc øcplains afloor plan ø second. gra.dc satd.enx at Library El.em.entary Schaol.

'Iom Demlm, an archítectural illustrøtor, and second. gra.d,ers ¿¿ S¿. T?æresa of Aaila.

ffii:.:rr:,,. .;:

Gary Carbugh creatÊs a human arch out ofsmdenx from Library Elernenmry S chaol.

education programs and lead tours;initiated Ar chit e cts-in-the- S c ho o ls ;and worked with local, state, andnational organizations interested inhistoric preservation education.

Each year more than 12,000 peopleparticipate in Landmarks' educationprograms featuring the history andarchitecture of the Pittsburgh region.For complete information on our edu-cation programs, call Diane DeNardo,director of education , at (412) 471-5808.

Architects-in-the-SchoolsLandmarks' education department hadan idea - after students explored archi-tecture through our exhibits, slide pro-grams, and classroom activities,wouldn't it be exciting for them to beable to talk with a real architect!

Thanks to the volunteer cooperationof a group oflocal Pittsburgh archi-tects, students now are able to dojustthat. Ar chit e c ts-in-t he - S chools volunteertheir time (and energy!) to enthusiasti-cally discuss their careers with elemen-tary school students. Some show slidesof their designs, others exhibit blueprints and scale models, turn studentsinto structural elements, or collaboratewith the students on the design of adream school. Each architect answersan array of questions from the simple tothe profound.

During the first two years of theprogram, the following architects haveparticipated as Architects-in-the- Schools :

Marsha Berger, Marsha Berger ArchitectGary Carlough, The Design AllianceJohn Cunzolo, NJC AssociatesTom Demko, Architectural IllustratorKen Doyno, Rothschild ArchitectsKenneth C. EvansBill Hashinger, Landmarks Design

AssociatesAnne-Marie Lubenau, Landmarks

Design AssociatesStefani Ledewitz, Quick Ledewitz

ArchitectsBob Lynch, Robert Dale Lynch ArchitectCherie Moshier, The Design AllianceKen Nagie, Foreman & Bashford

Dan Rothschild, Rothschild ArchitectsAlan Tisdale, NJC AssociatesCharles Wellington, Johnson/Schmidt &

AssociatesLandmarks coordinates the Architects-

in-the-Schools program and extends itsthanks to the architects for making theprogram such a success.

Architectso Engineerso and Designers:If you are interested in receiving informa-tion about the Architects-in-the-Schoolsprogram, please call Diane DeNardo at(412) 471-s80&

Dan Rothschild and. third graders at St.Theresø of Aaila in Penlsaille.

.{.

Page 2 PHLF Naas April 1992

ffiNEWS

Welcome ['{etu MembercThe Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation welcomes thefollowing new members who recently joined Landmarks. We lookforward to their participation in our work and special events.

Ms. Ann BossMs. Margery BoyleMs. Kathleen G. FlemingMr. & Mrs. Don HulseMr. & Mrs. Dale KuhnMichael R. MinoskiJohn L. Orchard, M.D.St. Maurice School

Allegheny Business NewsCarlow CollegeLitel Telecommunications

Mr. & Mrs. Leo Spaeder, Jr.& Family

Miss Mildred M. StevensonJames D. WilsonMs. Wanda L. WilsonMs. Miriam YoderThomas O. Yoder

Pittsburgh Institute of AeronauticsRiley & DeFalice, P.C.TEDCO Construction Corporation

Corporatc Members

The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation welcomes thefollowing Corporate Members:

New and Ample AccommodationsLandmarks has greatly expanded itsoffrce space in the last few months,giving truly adequate working space forits stafffor the first time in years, allow-ing handsome art and furniture toemerge from storage at last, and ingeneral making us happier, more effi-cient, and better prepared for visitors.The offices of the Pittsburgh History &Landmarks Foundation are on thefourth floor of The Landmarks Build-ing at Station Square.

One matter of importance to visitorsis the reorganization of the library.Books once hard to reach are nowaccessible, and space for new booksexists. Other documents, manuscriptsetc., ate in a separate work space, and

there is a research tablefor research, notfor other activities that once made thelibrary so territorially ambiguous. Acertain formality of procedure has hadto be instituted to prevent the loss andlong-time misplacement of materialsthat has troubled us in the past. Entry isonly through Room 45Q offthe elevatorlobby, and there is a library applicationform for non-staff. We are preparinginventories, finding aids, and acomputer database to catalogue thecollections. If you would like to visit thelibrary, please contact Albert Tannler,archivist, at @12) 471-5808. WalterKidney, historian, will be available tohelp find materials.

Library Internships Begin

DonationsThe Pittsburgh History & LandmarksFoundation wishes to thank the follow-ing for their generous donations:Nancy Stewart, of Apollo, for an 1893catalogue of Curry University;Carl Hughes, of Mount Washington,for an old postcard with a Pittsburghscene;the Wyoming Historical and Genealog-ical Society, of Wilkes-Barre, for twopicture postcards with Pittsburghsubjects.

January 1992 marked the beginning of an essential element inthe organization and arrangement of Landmarks' historical andbibliographical records. Two graduate students, Glenn Curry ofDuquesne University, and Tom Ubrey of Slippery Rock Univer-sity, are applying their training and talents to a variety of libraryprojects under Albert Tannler's direction. Their work con-tributes to our program to properly arrange and describeLandmarks'historical records and documents. We offer themarchival training and experience (and the added incentive of aca-demic credit). Both interns expect to graduate in June: Glenn isenrolled in Duquesne University's master's program in Archival,Museums, and Editing Studies and will pursue a career in one ofthese fields; Tom is writing his master's thesis - a history of theComrnunity of Glenf,reld from 1796 to 1913 - in SlipperyRock's History Department and will seek a position as anarchivislresearcher.

Corporate SponsorcThe Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation is pleased toacknowledge the following corporate sponsors, whose contribu-tions are supporting specific programs and publications this year.

Hahn Nursery & Flower ShopThis North Hills company was founded inlgli, and has been

in Shaler Township since 1919. By 195Q it was one of the largestgreenhouse ranges and pot plant growers in the United States.Sylvan Hahn, of the second generation in the business, inventedthe dish garden and patented 15 new breeds, including severalvarieties of ivy and the dwarf or birdsnest Sanseveria. Now in thefourth generation of family ownership Hahn Nursery & FlowerShop has branches in the North Hills, Bethel Park, and Greentreeas well as a production range to supply them.

Hahn Nursery & Flower Shop is sponsoring our 1992 Distin-guished Lecture, Wild Kingdoms in the City,by James van Sweden(April2l).

Allegheny Business NewsJust entering its seventh year of publication, this Pittsburgh-

owned and -operated paper is intended for small to mid-sizedbusinesses, and regards itselfas one ofthe principal organizationsdevoted to helping such businesses in this area. In 1991 the publication had a full redesign, and became a semi-monthly instead ofa monthly. The emphasis on small-business needs, initiated at thesame time, contributed to the 3Io/o increase in advertising revenueduring the 1991 year. A recent addition publicationis 1992 Il'omenDirect, a directory of woman-owned businesses, professionalwomen, and women's organizations in Allegheny County.

Allegheny Business News is sponsoring the printing of apresentation folder for the Pittsburgh History & LandmarksFoundation.

The Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA)The Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics is situated at the Alle-gheny County Airport in West Mifflin. It was foundedin l92j asa school for training airplane pilots and mechanics. In 1940 it wasone of the first schools approved by the Civil AeronauticsAuthority, and initiated elementary correspondence training inaviation mechanics in Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, and Philadel-phia. In the next few years the aviation-related course offeringbecame more diversified. At present, PIA has an enrollment of1,000 with one instructor for every 25 students as prescribed bythe Federal Aviation Administration.

PIA is sponsoring the reprinting of the Station SquareTransportation Museum brochure.

Sesame InnThis Chinese restaurant first opened four years ago in Mt.

Lebanon and added a second location 16 months ago in StationSquare. Owner George Lee, originally from Taiwan, has lived inthe United States for 15 years; he moved to Pittsburgh l0 yearsago. Mr. Lee recently expanded Sesame Inn Station Square toinclude banquet facilities and free lunchtime delivery withinStation Square. Chef Yu Miao Tsai also is from Taiwan andspecializes in Hunan-Szechuan dishes.

Sesame Inn is sponsoring our Mt. Lebanon walking tour inMission Hills (April 29).

PHLF News is published six times each year for the members of the PittsburghHistory & Landtnarks Foundation. It is supported through membership dollars,proceeds from Station Square, and advertísing revenue-

ArthurP. Zieg)er,Jr. ....PresídentLouise Sturgess ...Editor/Executive DirectorDiane C. DeNardo ........Director of Education& MarketingMary Lu Denny . . . . Director of MembershÌp ServicesEricF.Dickerson...... -.AdvertisingSalesManagerWalter C. Kidney . . . Architectural HistorianStanley A. Lowe . . . Director of the Preservation FundAlbertM. Tannler. .....ArchivistGregPytlik. ...Designer

Melinda Lubetz: Cornerstone ManagerAt the beginning of March, the Cornerstone, the book and giftshop of the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation,acquired a new manager. Melinda Lubetz was known to some ofLandmarks'staffbefore, but we were impressed by the immedi-ate way in which she understood our hopes for the shop hercritical appraisals of both the Cornerstone and other placesdealing in similar merchandise, and her sense of the realities ofrunning a sales operation albeit to a high cultural standard. Itwas as if she had already begun.

Her personal lifelong interest in architecture and design, andher long business experience with the prominent architecturalfirm of Arthur Lubetz Associates gives her a good backgroundfor running an operation of the kind Landmarks envisions. Weintend to stock at least as much on Pittsburgh-area history, cul-ture, and so on as heretofore. 'We are especially going to build upour stocks ofbooks on architecture, furnishings, landscaping,and other sorts of design. We intend, as well, to improve thequality of gifts and souvenirs that we sell.

All this has to be done gradually in order to see what suc-ceeds and fails, but with Melinda in charge we are sure that thenew evolution of the Cornerstone will be capably handled.

W ø-qt:-'4 ^?

Glenn Cun!

TomUbrq

Eaer hcard of CurryUniuersity inPinsburgh?

pittsburqþ, pa.

EPV"E&NLTFS/vlark your colendqrs now so you can ottend lhe lours, leclures, educotíonolprogroms. conferences, ond speciol events plonned for the members ond friends ofthe Pittsburgh History & Londmarks Foundation. Coll lvlory Lu Denny ot(412) 471-5808 for further ínformation.

Sun.. April 26. I to I p.m.

Bus Tour to Woshinglon, PAWith the expansion of Washington & Jeffer-son College, the oldest college west of theAllegheny Mountains, the WashingtonHistoric District is losing many of its oldeststructures. Members of the WashingtonCounty History & Landmarks Foundationwill meet Landmarks'tour group at theCouithouse on Main Street and lead par-ticipants through the Historic District. Wewill end the day with dinner at Century Inn,fhe 1794 tavern in Scenery Hill. Participantsmay join the Landmarks bus at StationSquare at 1 p.m., or at Westminster Churchon Route 19 South at 1:15 p.m. Call theLandmarks olhce lor reservations.

Tour fare: $35 lor Landmarks membersS45 for non-members

Wed., April 29, 6 to 8 p.m.

Mt. Lebqnon Wqlking lourArt historian Elaine Wertheim of Mt. Leba-non and Landmarks'archivist Al Tannlerwill guide us through the novel residentialdevelopment of Mission Hills, where neathouses ofcontrasting styles border tree-shaded streets. Following the tour, the groupcan adjourn to the Sesame Inn orientalrestaurant for a Dutch-treat dinner.Tour fare: $2 for Landmarks members

$5 for non-members

Mon., May ll-Fri., May 15

Nqtionql PreservoTion WeekSchoolWolking ToursIn honor of National Preservation Week,Landmarks' education department is ofÏer-ing free walking tours of downtown Pitts-burgh to high school art students andteachers from public, private and parochialschools within the city. The one-and-a-half-hour tours will concentrate on the architec-ture along Grant Street, including theAllegheny County Courthouse & Jail, theCity/County Building, Frick Building,Union Trust Building, William Penn Hotel,and German Lutheran Church. Reserva-tions are limited. Call Mary Lu Denny at(412) 471-5808 lor details.

Fri., May 15, Reception: 5:30 to I p.m.Sat., May 16, Conference: 8:30 a.m. to4:00 p.m.

Religious Prcperfies ConfercnceThis conference, held at Calvary UnitedMethodist Church and sponsored by theAllegheny Historic Preservation Society, theCity of Pittsburgh Historic Review Commis-sion, Preservation Pittsburgh, and Land-marks, will inlorm the public of religious-building preservation problems in the Pìtts-burgh area; initiate a constructive dialogueamong preservationists, religious propertyowners, clergy and public officials; and offerpractical advice regarding religious propertyrestoration, maìntenance, financing, andcommunity service.

Reception: $30 Patron; $50 BenefactorConference: $15 per person, including lunch

Sun., May 31, l0 a.m. îo 5 p.m.

Neville House Antiques ShowTwenty antique dealers lrom the tri-statearea will display and sell qualìty antique lur-niture, prints, china, glassware, jewelry, andfabrics. The historic Neville House ol 1785

in Collìer Township will be open lor tours.

Suggested admission donation: S3 includinga house tour

Wed., June 3, 6 to I p.m.

Lqwrenceville Wqlking TourThis picturesque old neighborhood, once a

town, was developed by Stephen Foster'sfather. Its steep streets have attracted leweroutsiders than the South Side, but peopleare slowly discovering its beauties. ButlerStreet, at the base ofLawrenceville, is busyand commercial; but a block or two away,the somewhat narrow residential streets arecalm and solid, and thoroughly Victorian.Members of the Lawrenceville HistoricalSociety will join Landmarks in leading thistour.Tour fare: 52 for Landmarks members

$5 for non-members

Thurs., June 4, Lecture: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Sat., June 6, Tour: 9 a.m. to 12 Noon

The Ooklond Civic Center ondSchenley FqrmsOffered through Pitt's Informal Program,this illustrated lecture and walking tour willintroduce participãnts to the City Beautifulmovement and the architecture of the Oak-land Civic District and Schenley Farms. Thetour will feature a variety of architecturalstyles in these Pittsburgh showcases. CallPitt's Informal Program at (412) 648-2560to register.

Sun., June 7, 2 to 5 p.m.

The Romontic Londscope ofAllegheny CemeteryThis 300-acre sanctuary of trees, lawns, andmonuments is a world olits own, a Vic-torian dream of peace. To explore it is one ofPittsburgh's great experiences. Wear yourwalking shoes and meet Jennie O'Donnell ofthe cemetery administration and WalterKidney of Landmarks at the Butler StreetGatehouse for a delightful afternoon strollover shaded hillsides.

Tour fare: $2 for Landmarks members$5 for non-members

Sat., June 13, I0 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Highs ond Lows of PittsburghFamilies are invited to spend a day withLandmarks discovering the "highs andlows" of Pittsburgh. We will begin ouradventure by riding the incline up Mt.Washington. Then we will travel down intothe Golden Triangle via the subway, andexplore an underground passage linking twoolhce buildings. The group will travel to thetop of a Pittsburgh skyscraper to get abird's-eye view of the city skyline. Alterlunch in a city park, we will explore TrinityCathedral and its adjoining graveyard.Along the way we will search for gargoylesin a scavenger hunt.Participants: Families whose children are

entering grades three andabove.

Tour fare: Landmarks members: $12 foradults and $10 for childrenNon-members: S15 lor adultsand S12 for children(Includes incline and subwayfees)

Sat., June 20, l0-lI:30 u.m.

Lions live on Fourth AvenueGrandparents, parents, and young childrenare invìted to join Landmarks for a walkingtour, scavenger hunt, and art activity featur-ing the lìons that "live" on Fourth Avenuein downtown Pittsburgh.

Participants: Families whose children are inpre-school through secondgrade.

Tour fare: Landmarks members: $4 foradults and 52 for childrenNon-members: 55 for adultsand 53 lor children

Speciol EventsDo you have an antique car, truck, orengine? Are you interested in railroads, air-planes, and ships? Do you like to dìscussand learn about all of these? The StationSquare Transportation Museum organizesspecial events each year for the members ofthe Museum Society. If you would like tobecome a member of the Museum Societyand attend these special events, contactMary Lu Denny at (412) 411-5808 for infor-mation and invitations.

Sat., May 23, I0 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Seventh AnnuolAntiqueAuto & Engine FestivolThis year's festival in the central parking lotat Station Square will leature the hrst publicdisplay ofcars built in the Pittsburgh area -seven in all! Also on display will be a collec-tion of hit-&-miss engines, a calliope, andover 130 antique and vintage cars, trucks, bi-cycles, and motorcycles. Exhibit ol vehiclesis by invitation only. The show, however, isopen to the public. An admission donationof$2 lor adults is suggested.

Sun., July 12, II a.m. to 4 p.m.

CAR.qvon to q Privqte ViewingPack a picnic basket and some sports equip-ment and bring your family to EdgeworthPark in the Sewickley area. At 2:00 we willCARavan to the home of Whitney Snyde¡in Sewickley Heights, to view his privatecollection of "brasS" cars and memorabilia.

Sat., Sept. l2Cqr Tour to Grove CityJoin the members and friends ol the Muse-um Society for a one-day car tour. You neednot have an antique car to participate. Thistour will take us north of Pittsburgh,through cities and villages, to the Grove Cityand Volant areas. Special events are plannedfor each hour of the tour.

I\EU/AT THE

CORNERSTOI\EThe Book and Gift Shop of the

Pittsburgh History & LandmarksFoundation

Members receive a 100/o discount.

We recently added two attractive itemsto our selection ofPittsburgh souvenirs.From the Medalcraft Mint comes anexecutive quality bronze paperweight.This 3" disc-shaped gift item sports aplayful montage comprised of familiarPittsburgh landmarks, sports figures,metal workers, and hgures prominent inPittsburgh history ($30.00 boxed, withan acrylic stand). A l" version ofthisdisc, also in bronze, is available as a

keychain (S14.95 boxed).Our artifacts and collectibles depart-

ment continues to expand. Most re-cently we acquired a collection of artwork and photographs pertaining toPittsburgh and architectural themes.

Smaller items include photographs ofold Pittsburgh, as well as line drawingsof Pittsburgh buildings and a variety ofarchitectural renderings. The largestitem on display is a 3'x4'blow-up of aposter commemorating the very f,rrst

Republican Party convention, whichwas held in Pittsburgh's old LafayetteHall in 1856. Prices start at $5.00.

The University of Pittsburgh Press

has contributed two new reprints of in-terest to students of Pittsburgh's indus-trial history. Cloud By Day (514.95),

originally published in 1947, tells thestory of southwestern Pennsylvania'scoke industry; The Inside History of the

Carnegie Steel Company ($16.95),

written by Andrew Carnegie's one-timepersonal secretary James HowardBridge, was originally published in 1901.

It provides a very personal, sometimesscandalous look into the inside work-ings ofthe great steel giant.

The CornerctoneThe Shops at St¿tion SquareBalcony l-evel (472\ 765-1042

Allegheny HistoricPreservation Society, Inc.

Tiffany AngelsChulch TourSunday, Apri26,1Ð21:00 p.rn.Calvary UnitedMethodist Church

Allegheny Historic PreservationSociety, Inc. is sponsoring a tour offour historic churches that featureTiffany stained glass windows. Thetour is Sunday, Aprd26, and willleave Calvary United MethodistChurch at L:00 p.m. Donald Milleçart critic for the Pittsburyh Post-

Gaætte and noted Tiffany expert,will lead the tour. Churches includ-ed are: First Presþterian Church,First Lutheran Church, PresþterianChurch of Sewickley, and CalvaryUnited Methodist Church. A Vic-torian Tþa will be served at Calvaryat the conclusion of the tour. Thetickets are $20 per person (this priceincludes donations to the churchesvisited). For reservationg please call

the AHPS office at (41Ð3n:1970.

A "One of a Kind" Property

Authentic 200 year-old home in

convenient Brookside Farms nestled

in an acre of trees and plantings.

"Titlenure" has five fireplaces,

original oak floors,

two foot-thick walls,4 to 5 bedrooms,

2 patios, family room.

Perfect sening.

Call Howard HannaReal Estate Services

Eileen Muse, Associate Broker

Page 4 PHLF Na.os April1992

Churches and Their FuturesIn preparation þr the conference "Sauing Religious Properties" that ß scheduled on, Saturday, May 16 at the Caluary

Unitnd Methodßt Church ín Allegherry West, Walter Kdn"y of La,ndrnarlts compiled, a lßting of churches whose futuresare end,angered,.

Some of the churches listed below uilL alm,ost cenainly ceoße to ußt. Others will almost certainly recei,ae the attention

they need,, with any luck at all. Two øre tn be ad,aptiuely re-tned,, thnu,gh in one case with sorne l,oss ø its inægrity,

Braddock M.E. Church,739 Parker Ave., Braddock.Longfelloq Alden & Harloq 1889.When last seen, this church was aban-doned and without glass. The buildingwas a minor but good work by the archi-tects of the music hall and club section ofthe Carnegie Library across the street,one of the outstanding architectural firmsof this area.

First Church of Christ Scientistof Pittsburgh,635 Clyde Street,Shadyside. S.S. Beman, L9(EThis handsome little Ionic building wasfor sale early in 1992. Despite its dignity,it is beautifully scaled to a domestic street.It will be the nucleus of a housing devel-opment, to designs by Arthur Lubetz. Thefront will be preserved.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church,Allegheny and North Avenues,North Side. H.H. Richardson, 1886The famous Bake Oven Church is in needof general repairs. at an approximate costof $249,000.

former Eighth U.P. Church,308 Van Braam St., Bluff. Architectunknown, probably 1890s.This red-brick Gothic church withblocked-up windows was long a mattressfactory. Now closed, it will likely be torndown.

former Ninth U.P. Church, S. 14thand Bingham Streets, South Side.Architect unknown, 1854. t

Here is one of the very oldest churches inPittsburgh, a naive mixture of Gothic andGreek Revival-derived vernacular. Longout of church use and abandoned after itslast secular use, this also poses anadaptive-use challenge.

Sacred Heart (R.C.) Church,Walnut St. and Shady Ave.,Shadyside. Carlton Strong, 192+53,The problem here is not the building but apavement to the architect's design beforethe main entrance. A concernedparishioner says that a commonplace newpavement is planned in its stead.

St. Wenceslaus Churcho890 Progress St., North Shore.Architect unknown, c. 1910.This church for a Bohemian congregationhas good stained glass. It has been closedfor several years.

Walton Methodist Church,2401 Sarah Street, South Side.Architect unknown, 1882.This church is notable for its delicate,handsome brickwork under the eaves.

The plan for residential conversion byArthur Lttbefz calls for the roof surf,aces

to be removed, though all brickwork,including the gables, would remainuntouched. Government money is in-volved, and removal of the visible roofwould probably not be approved, as

required, by the U.S. Secretary of theInterior.

April 1992 PHI,F News Page 5

McClure Avenue PresbyterianChwch, 3128 McClure Ave.,Woods Run. Frank E. Alden, 1886This ruggedly-handsome church wasdesigned by one of Pittsburgh's mosttalented architects at the beginning of hisindependent practice. This somewhat, butonly somewhat, Richardsonian work inred brick is still in the phone book but thecongregation is nearly nil. The location islittle frequented or even known.

"'."".:.. =J¡*-**'*"-Point Breeze Presbyterian Church,Penn and Fifth Avenues, PointBreeze. Lawrence B. Valk, 1887.

If not the most sophisticated work ofRichardson Romanesque in town, thischurch still has great vigor of design thatis heightened by its prominent crossroadslocation. A dwindling congregation mayclose it.

Old St. Luke's, Washington Pikeand Church Road, Scott Township.Architect unknown, 1852.Although this church and its churchyardhave benehtted from extensive restorationand rehabilitation, the questions ofcon-tinuing use and means for maintenancemay not yet be resolved.

n page 5 ofthe February issue

oî PHLF Nelrs, we also listed seven

Catholic churches of high architecturalcharacter that may be found redundant:Holy Rosary Homewood; SS. MaryMagdalene and Anthony, Homestead;and SS. Adalbert, Casimiç Josaphat,and Michael Archangel on the SouthSide.

In March, the Presbyterian Churchalso listed 20 areachurches "on theedge of demise." At least two are archi-tecturally valuable: McClure AvenuePresbyterian Church and the PointBreeze Presbyterian Church.

Both governmental entities such as

the National Register and private fund-ing agencies have been reluctant to give

attention to religious properties becausethey are, obviously, sectarian in owner-ship and expression. But a church withsome element of artistic greatness orhistoric character is as meaningful tothe community as a whole as it is to itsown congregation. A decision in favorof its preservation benef,rts the wholeculture of the community, not merelysome specific system of religious beliefs.Furthermore, of the 12 churchesillustrated above, only five are stillfunctioning as churches.

St. Nicholas R.C. Church,24 Maryland St., Millvale.Frederick C. Sauer, 1922.It appears that this church may be

declared redundant as well as those listedbelow. Its cultural value is not in its archi-tecture, but in its wall and ceiling paint-ings by Maximilian Vanka and JockoIvan Knezevich that give it one of themost remarkable interiors in the county.

.,-.:r 'r']i_iå**

SavingReligiottsProperties

Critical issues in building care;

pr€servation planning;and restoration fund-raising

An evening r€ceptionand oneday confer€nce

Evening ReceptionMay 15, 5:30-8 p.m.939 Western Avenue

fi30 Patrons #50 Bmeføctors

(Light refreshments will be served. Contri-butions are tax-deductible. Proceedsbenefit the conference.)

Saturday Conferencelli4ay 16,8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.Calvary United Methodist Church$L5 per person registration feeincludinglunch

Please call Mary Lu Denny at(a12)U1-5808 if you would like Landmarksto mail you a brochure for the "SavingReligious Propertiel' evening recep-tion and conference. The reservationform for the reception and conferencemust be returned to Landmarks byMay 6.

Conference Sponsors:Allegheny Historic Preservation Society

Calvary United Methodist Church '

Pittsburgh Historic Review Commission

Pittsburgh History & LandmarksFoundation

Preservation Pittsburgh

Page 6 PHLF News lrprt 1992

Communities Seek Our Advice

This Stick. Style haße, u:ith iæ remarlnble ta,Il d,oors, could uanish in th.e course of Washingnn& Jffirson æparæinn.

State Supreme Court's hnal decision onthe Boyd Theater case. Our advice,meantime, has centered on creatinglocal bases ofsupport through themedia, exhibits, and house tours. Infact, the Pittsburgh History & Land-marks Foundation has inserted a tourof the National Register District into itsalready-busy calendar of events (see

page 3 for details).

Brownsville, Fayette CountyEven in this Boyd Theater moratoriumtime, we have been advising otherpreservation groups. We talked withpreservationists from Brownsville,Fayette County about the problems ofthat old Monongahela River andNational Road town. We offered ideasfor marketing the town and linking it toStation Square as a tourist attractionfor those coming from Pittsburgh to see

the National Road or Fallingwater. Wealso offered advice on the renewal ofBrownsville's main street.

Washington andEast Washington,Washington CountyA short time ago, the Pittsburgh His-tory & Landmarks Foundation receiveda visit from officers of the 20O-memberWashington County History & Land-marks Foundation (WCHLF) whichwas asking for advice. We already wereaware of the hght between WCHLF andWashington & Jefferson College overexpansion into a neighborhood ofexcellent Victorian homes. The situa-tion is complicated and we have heardonly one side of the story, but we didwant to look into areas of Washingtonand the adjacent borough of EastWashington that seem to be underthreat. On February 19, V/alter Kidney,Landmarks' architectural historian, andinterns Dan Holland and ToddRidenour toured Washington Countywith Rick Zaftupresident of theV/CHLF.

A 1983 map from the College plan-ners revealed an unsettling fact at once.A sizeable residential district is on theNational Register of Historic Places,and about a third of this lies within the"potential campus boundary." Not allthe homes in both areas would bedestroyed in the expansion, but it seemslikely that almost all would be. Severalhouses in College hands have gonealready, and as we walked we saw mill-work being carried from a brick houseofaround 1870.

An latlian¡ræ bay wind,ou: within tIæ

' þotnntíal" College boundøry.

Vy'e saw a collection of houses largeand small, a few decrepit, some cheaplyremodeled, but most of them handsomepresences on the street. The houseswithin the "potential" College bound-ary seem in no worse condition thanthose outside it, across the street. Onboth sides of the line there is evidenceof care and pride. Here, houses, trees,and lawns, is small-town America theway we would like to imagine it. Theprevailing architectural style is thatloosely termed Queen Anne, an infor-mal mixture of motifs that struck thebuilder's fancy, especially when - as

usual here - he was using such ashapeable material as wood. We weretold of interiors splendid in ways not in-ferable from the outside and, to be sure,of interiors in miserable shape behindbuilding fronts in good condition. Wecould see for ourselves leaded glass andwoodwork full of fantasy.

As we understand it, the neighbor-hood is not deteriorating, but on thecontrary getting more and more appre-ciated, with values rising from earlierbargain prices. The College itself hasapparently helped the rise with itsacquisitions. WCHLF is inclined to see

the College's attitude as autocratic, irra-tional, and secretive, the result ofasingle-minded determination to expandthe campus without regard for theadjacent community.

Landmarks' ofhcial scope of opera-tions is limited to Allegheny County,but our staff was glad to give advice.That two boroughs are affected is un-fortunate; the boundary is invisible, theofficial climates are twofold though inboth cases rather anti-preservationist.There is some chance for a historic-preservation ordinance in Washington,but nothing will happen before the

Edgewortho Allegheny CountyEdgeworth is Allegheny County's ownon the other hand, and is not only aborough where we can be of direct helpbut one full ofgood properties to saveand citizens who want to save them.Our survey of a decade ago countedabout 135 properties ofarchitectural orhistorical interest in a solid NationalRegister-eligible district, and a recentpetition for an Edgeworth preservationlaw, stung into being by the demolitionof the B. F. Jones house this winter,

An Edgenorth house of c. 1905 by George S. Orth & Brothcr.

A street of thc Washinglan l¡latinnnl RegisærDißtrict, shouing ø rnixture of styles. Wood, ßthe typical build.ing matcriøL.

St. Peter's R.C. Church in Brownsaille, in adratning by Charles Morse Søtz.

received a very large majority of signa-tures among those solicited. EdgeworthPreservation came into being late inFebruary, with the declared intention ofworking with Borough officials to es-

tablish historic architectural zoning,popularize the cause ofpreservation inEdgeworth, and supplement our archi-tectural survey. Landmarks has receivedEdgeworth Preservation as an affiliatedorganizafion, and is helping them fulf,rllf,iscal and tax formalities by receivingfunds they raise and allocating them topreservation in Edgeworth; donationchecks should be made out to thePittsburgh History & Landmarks Foun-dation, and referenced "EdgeworthFund." For information: (412) 741-4484or (412) 741-0224.

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Aprl1992 PHLFNews PageT

Landmarks' PreserYation FundMrs. Ruth Simmons to help purchase ahome at 1251 Liverpool Street. Closing-cost assistance to these families meansthat they are able to purchase rehabili-tated homes costing $6q500 and newones for 574,400.

Landmarks Preservation Fund con-tinues to support the Northside CivicDevelopment Council as it strives toupgrade Masonic Hall on West NorthAvenue. A recent $20,000 loan coversroof repairs and other immediate con-cerns. Negotiations are still in progressto develop the Masonic Hall propertyas part of the Federal,ô{orth Avenuerenewal efforts.

In Allegheny West, 932 West NorthAvenue was recently obtained byAllegheny Civic Councìl through a loanfrom the Preservation Fund. The prop-erty has been sold and is undergoingrehabilitation review for restorationpurposes.

There is light at the end of the tunnelfor the Northside Tenants Reorganiza-tion. The closing date has been set formid-May for construction work to be-gin on 34 units slated for single-femalehouseholds in Brighton Place. This $4.5million development was spearheadedby an initial $250,000loan from thePreservation Fund.

For further information regardingLandmarks' Preservation Fund, callStanley Lowe, director of the Fund, at

Tracy Ross, Harriet Hercon, and, JimWhiæof thn Northsídn Tetwnts Reorganiru,tinn.

(412) 471-5808. Through the Preserva-tion Fund, Landmarks provides loansand technical assistance to AlleghenyCounty neighborhoods/preservationgroups and individuals who proposefeasible restoration projects for historicproperties in their communities.

Since its 1985 establishment, thePreservation Fund has helped simplehomes and showplaces to return to life:the Eberhardt & Ober Brewery, thePriory, the Hollander Building, and theDickson Log House in Ben Avon areconspicuous beneficiaries of the Fund,but many a side-street house, thanks toit, is habitable once more.

Mrs. Ruth Simmans, property øtnær øt 7251

Liaerpool Street.

Mn and Mrs. Cwtß Gibbs, property ûu)nersat 1403 Shffield Street.

At lntegra@ Bank, we

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cerns of the local community.

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And we provided

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Call your nearest

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out how we can assist you

-#ÉrËfqþa3¿$ìr' ai -*.-¿*

From left ø right: l{orthsid.e Conference strtffperson Nancy Schnefer, Ralph Horgan,Malinda Campbell, and Richa,rd Dzubircki.

he Pittsburgh History & Land-marks Foundation's PreservationFund continues its downpayment

and closing-cost assistance program,technical assistance to over 32 city-wideneighborhood organizations, and loansto Allegheny West Civic Council,Northside Civic Development Council,Northside Tenants Reorganization, andthe Manchester Citizens Corporation.

The Fund has provided closing-costassistance to Curtis and Dolores Gibbsto help them purchase their dreamhouse at 1403 Sheffield Street, and to

Marh Fatla (seaæd,), Housing chairpercon ofthc Alleghnny West Ciair Cowrcil, and. JimDunn, realtor.

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Group dís counts øvøíløble.

Bank staff during the 1 8B0s at the corner ofFourlh Avenue and Market Street.

Page 8 PHLF Nans April 1992

Preservation Scene

Scenic PittsburghBillboardsThis little excursion into the past is prompt-ed by the recent billboard controversy, whichmay or may not result in stricter legislationin Pittsburgh. A quick look at library pic-ture files turned up these billboard photos,taken where one might expect to see some-thing more beautiful. The Easter crowd leav-ìng the Carnegie Music Hall around 1910

faced a typical billboard display alongBellefield Avenue, where the Board of Edu-cation has been since 192'1.\n 1912, when theLarimer Avenue Bridge was nearly flinished,ìts 300-foot arch, the second-widest concreteopening in the world, gloriously framed abillboard lacing down the still-raw Washing-ton Boulevard. The little frame houses olMount Washington rose over the monumen-tal south entrance ol the Liberty Tubes in1932,with its accompaniment of billboards.In more recent times, perhaps l0 years ago,the billboards of Bigelow Boulevard ren-dered tantalizing and all the more preciousthe views toward East Liberty and Bloom-field.

Enough: more scenery, fewer billboardshenceforth, please.

Recent times

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Landmarks and 6.Preservation

Pittsburgh"Formed in September 1991, PreservationPittsburgh is a non-proht advocacy groupdedicated to preserving our region's historic,architectural, cultural, and environmentalheritage. Its purpose is to assist individualsand organizations in preserving the integrityof the architecture and physical surround-ings they value.

With the lormation ol Preservation Pitts-burgh, the question has arisen as to how itsrole and that ofLandmarks are related. Infact, each organization has an individualpart to play.

The Pittsburgh History & LandmarksFoundation is listed as a 501(c)(3) charitableorganization, and this listing limits its gov-ernmental advocacy, by law, to about 10% olits total activity. Although preservationadvocacy with governmental bodies is animportant part ofour work, our organiza-tion is daily involved in neighborhoodrestoration activities, education andmembership services, architectural surveys,National Register nominations, and historicproperty restoration.

Landmarks advocates the formation ol apreservation lobbying organization with a501(c)(a) status. Some years ago, Landmarkshelped form Preservation Action as anational preservation lobby group, andLandmarks would like to see the same kindof organization exist here at the local level.

Because of the limited financial andhuman resources available for preservationactivities, Landmarks would not support aduplication of educational programs, tours,publications, neighborhood restorationactivities, and other major programs thatLandmarks and others operate. Landmarkshas also learned through the years that thebest way to raise money for specihc restora-tion projects is to have individual groupsform and solicit those funds; Landmarks hasoften acted as mentor and trustee as well asa lender lor such groups.

What is needed is more of the very activi-ty that has caused the creation of Preserva-tion Pittsburgh: governmental advocacy by a501(c)(a) organization entirely focused onthat activity.

Identifying and SellingA correspondent writes that, with the P&LE,sign on the Landmarks Building and theStation Square sign on the platform canopy,we are in no position to criticize the bill-board industry as v/e did in our Decemberissue; and furthermore, that billboard adver-tising may be acceptable as a vernacularart form.

But our two signs were meant to identifythe place where they stand at differentphases of its history. Meant to be seen froma quarter-mile away, they seem not undulyconspicuous. Furthermore, the P&LE signmust be 40 or 50 years old by now, and thussomething of a historic landmark itself. Ingeneral, there is an incentive to make suchidentifying signs tasteful, and well-integratedinto their environments, that does not existwith billboards. The identifying sign speaksfor the place where it is. The billboard treatsthe place where it is as a neutral backdrop; itcan stand in any conspicuous place, andspeaks only for the product it sells. Tasteand environmental harmony are not con-siderations. Nor is it a folk art at all; it is acalculated professional attempt to strike a

response in the public, which is somethingelse.

Neville HouseThe Board of Directors olthe Neville HouseAuxiliary and Landmarks extend a lormalmessage of thanks to Mrs. Derek Martin,who retires as president ol the Auxiliaryafter 15 years of loyal service. At their annu-al George Washington's Birthday luncheon,the Auxiliary Board presented Mrs. Martinwith a glass dome-enclosed miniature replicaof the Great Room of the Neville House,with reproductions of the carpeting, wall-paper, fireplace, furniture, and a lramedsilhouette ol John Neville.

Members and friends of Landmarks cantour the historic Neville House in CollierTownship on Sunday, May 31. The annualantiques show will be held that day, lrom10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Historic Preservation WeekThis annual occurrence will be May 10-16

this yeaq though the City of Pittsburgh is inlact coordinating six weeks of events frommid-April through May. During that time,Landmarks will be sponsoring eight specialevents for the public and its members. Ofparticular interest will be Landmarks'annual Distinguished Lecture and Award ofMerit presentation on April 21; the Reli-gious Properties Conference at- CalvaryUnited Methodist Church on May 15 and 16

(we are a co-sponsor); and a house tour andantiques show at the Neville House inCollier Township on May 31.

1840 Greek Revival Homefor Sale in Bethel ParkThe Peter Boyer House in Bethel Park (circa1840), one of the most historically correctGreek Revival homes in the Pittsburgh area,is lor sale.

It has a PH&LF plaque, was cited inFranklin Toker's Pittsburgh: An UrbanPortraít, and is eligible for the NationalRegister of Historic Places.

For very interesting details, and anappointment, call Don Anderson, founderof the Bethel Park Historical Society, at(412) 831-3451, or (412) 833-5405.

Old St. Luke's ChurchEaster Sunday Sunrise Services on April 19

at Old St. Luke's Church in Scott Townshipwill begin at 6:30 a.m. Enjoy music playedon the historic pipe organ - the hrstbrought west of the Allegheny Mountains.

The church will be open lor tours eachSunday beginning May 3l through Septem-ber from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. Reservations arenot needed for the tours.

The Old St. Luke's Church PreservationSociety continues to work with the NevilleHouse Auxiliary to coordinate weddingsand receptions at the two historic propertieslocated within a mile of each other. Forinformation about weddings at Old St.Luke's call Maude McDowell at(4t2) s3r-7036.

Rachel Carson HomesteadThe Rachel Carson Homestead Associationhas announced that Earl D. James will serveas executive director of the Homestead. Earlhas served as president of the Associationfor the past year.

The Association will celebrate RachelCarson's birthday on May 27 with an exhibitlocusing on Silent Spring and an overview olRachel Carson's life. Honorable StewartUdall will be the keynote speaker at a bene-fit dinner scheduled for May 29 af ChafhamCollege. The Association will culminate theweek's celebration with a Pesticide Symposi-um on May 30 at the Carnegie Lecture Hallin Oakland. For lurther ìnlormation contactEarl James at(412) 882-0685.

Burtner HouseThe Burtner House in Natrona Heights hasbeen open by appointment lor school tours,Scout troop tours, and Parents Anonymousof Armstrong County. Restoration projectscompleted at the house include the installa-tion of mantels at the fireplaces in thekitchen and living room, completion of thefireplace and mantel in the summer kitchen,installation of a dehumidifier, replacementof 56 Plexiglass window panels with glasspanels, and the re-pointing of both chim-neys. The suÍlmer kitchen was designed byRoy Burtner, and the labor to build thestructure was donated by the Masons'Pollock Lodge #502. For further informa-tion about the Burtner House call PaulineArnold at" (412) 224-7999.

ffiW

c. 1910

1912

fl

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April1992 PHLF News Page 9

Th,e sønework cleaned,, and, one of thnlþhting effects.

Calvary in Shadyside: Go See ItCalvary Episcopal Church, at Shady Avenueand Walnut Street, is one of the region's veryfinest churches. This work of 1907 by themaster ecclesiastical architects Cram,Goodhue & Ferguson revealed a nelv ap-proach to Gothic architecture, and a newapproach to architecture of any sort in thePittsburgh area. The style is an elegantlysummarized English Gothic, purged of fussydetail and revealing a splendid economy ofeffect, while the execution is in limestone,one of the white or near-white materials inwhich Pittsburgh, defying its soot, hadrecently begun to build.

A campaign to reconhgure the sanctuarylor liturgical reasons and to restore -rejuvenate, indeed - the church took placelast year, and the results are glorious: thelimestone clean, the glass vivid, the organimproved, wood carving restored and aug-mented, everything fresh again. The lightingis better than ever, warm in tone against thelimestone and plaster walls and capable of amultitude ol contrasting effects as variouscircuits are brightened and dimmed.

The foilowing are especially to be com-mended:

¡ The Reverend Arthur F. McNulty, Rector. Raymond L. Gindroz, chairman, Building/

Construction Committeeso Allen, Harbinson & Associates, architects. Jendoco Construction Corporation, general

contractors¡ Wilson & McCracken, woodworkersr Ron Propst Studio, floor tiles¡ Michael J. Conway, lighting consultant. Casavent Frères, organ reconstruction and

restoration

Sarah's Restaurant ClosesThe Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foun-dation first met Sarah Evosevich and herrestaurant a quarter-century ago, about half-way through its long career. In the mid-1960sit was entering the final stage of the longevolution that left it the best-known ethnicrestaurant in the Pittsburgh region, andindeed made it nationally known. Sarah'sBalkan Family Dinners will be missed -delicious, diverse, and formidably massive,

they both coaxed and delted you to eat themto the last bite.

Sarah longed to tell her story and herattitudes toward life, and out of her reminis-cences came the book Sarah: Her Life, HerRestaurant, Her Recipes, which Landmarkspublished in 1987. A life that began in a Ser-

bian village in 1912 continued in Pittsburghlrom 1931 and led on to bittersweet experi-ences in family life and business. Now Sarahis 80, and the restaurant is closed. Goodmemories remain, and we wish Sarah goodhealth and new-found challenges in thecoming years.

PCRG DescribedThe National Trust's publication Informa-lior (No. 56, 1992) devotes 23 pages to thePittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group(PCRG), as proving that "greenlining," rein-vestment by lending institutions in neighbor-hoods once barred from loans, is good busi-ness. PCRG is put in the context of local ef-forts to take advantage of the obligationsthat the Community Reinvestment Act andHome Mortgage Disclosure Act put onlenders. Stanley Lowe, director ofLandmarks' Preservation Fund, is presidentof the PCRG. Since the formation of thePCRG in 198$ Landmarks has been suppor-tive ofits efforts and involved in its dailywork by providing technical, administrative,and hnancial assistance to the organization.

Boyd Theater Case: Nothing NewAt the end of February, Landmarks receiveda visit from Stephen Neal Dennis of theNational Center for Preservation Law whotold us that there was no sign yet of a secondState Supreme Court opinion on the BoydTheater Case, reconsidered last November.The Court has a reputation, it seems, ofruminating on a subject up to a yea¡ andmeanwhile preservation law and its adminis-tration have been operating in the mannerone might expect: hesitantly, with the possi-bility of litigation in mind. No news is goodnews, most likely, since some modihcationof the July l0 original decision would taketime while a complete accord with the deci-sion would probably be reached muchsooner. Should a new decision be made, ofcourse, we will have to sit down and workout ils implications.

In Petit Cafe'

Credit DueIn our last issue we lamented the passìng oftwo restaurants of good Modern design, butelimination for space reasons of two picturesand their captions also eliminated the namesofthe architects. The architects forBellefonte Place and its tenant Le Petit Cafewere L. P. Perfido Associates. Those forCafdStephen B. were Arthur LttbetzAssociates.

The Oakland Historic District:A Few Things to Think AboutIt was most welcome news that City Councilhad unanimously approved creation of theOakland Civic Historic District, includingsome very important additions to the origi-nally proposed area, even with two subtrac-tions, one more signihcant than the other.

The Syria Mosque site has ended up land-locked between two City Historic Districts,and cannot be part of either until March 26,

1996 (let us note the date). Instead, thedeveloper and putative owner have signed aSettlement Agreement with the City of Pitts-burgh, binding on all parties until thatMarch2Q to the effect that they will partici-pate in a voluntary design review processwith the Historic Review Commission(HRC), which will invoke the guidelinesadopted for the District. Even apart fromthe contradiction ofbinding oneselfto avoluntary act, the agreement seems weak inthat the HRC's conclusions are binding onno one; the design review is like a collegecourse you can pass by being there when ro11

is taken. Furthermore, the guidelines do notapply specifically to this situation: forinstance, glare lrom beside or within thebuilding could destroy the nocturnal har-mony of the whole building group, and amotor entrance anywhere but on the LyttonAvenue side would be disruptive. Theimprovement of the Syria Mosque site needs

special study, given where it is. In ourDecember 1991 issue, on page 11, we pub-lished proposed guidelines for anything newon the site.

Institutional nervousness led to St. Paul'sCathedral's exemption from the District,though it is to enter into a Memorandum ofUnderstanding with the City to conform tothe District guidelines anyway. Its exemp-tion thus seems a hollow victory, and threeother religious institutions of the District -First Baptist, Belleheld Presbyterian, and St.Nicholas - seem not to have worried, as theCatholic Diocese expressly did, about thefree exercise of religion; nor has the Dioceseapparently been worried on their behalf.The Western Pennsylvania School for BlindChildren wanted exemption mainly out offear that it might be stuck with the Orthbuilding of 1893, which is apparently ap-proaching uselessness under modern condi.-tions. The Blind School ¡s in the District,but with the understanding that, if a leasibil-ity study by a restoration/adaptive use spe-

cialist backs the School's claim, the HRCwìll very likely allow issuance of the demoli-tion permit.

We preservationists have thus won much,but not all.

Progress Report:

The African-AmericanHistoric Site SurveyOver 100 places important to Blacks inAllegheny County have been photographedand documented in the last 10 monthsthrough the African-American Historic SiteSurvey, being conducted by LandmarksDesign Associates, Architects (LDA) withassistance from the Pittsburgh History &Landmarks Foundation.

In an attempt to locate many of thesehard-to-hnd places, LDA and Landmarkshave organized community forums of smallgroups of Black residents from particularneighborhoods who recalled the manychurches, schools, bars, restaurants, homesof famous people, and other places ofimportance dating from 1760 to 1960. Eachforum is recorded on video and audio tape.

There are limits to oral data collection,however. Many places are still hard to findbecause many residents may not rememberexact locations, and many things are notlabeled as to their original functions.

Despite the limitations, the wealth ofhistorical knowledge these residents possess

has been invaluable to the survey. At the HillDistrict Forum last December, many un-documented sites were revealed and laterdocumented on ofhcial state historicresource forms. Located on Centre Avenue,for instance, was the first paramedic unit inthe nation. Called the Freedom HouseAmbulance Service, a force ol80 people andnine ambulances escorted Black residents tolocal hospitals when the police and "ofh-cial" ambulance services relused to serve theHill during the 1960s. Today, this building,next to the New Granada theater, is home tothe Hill Community Development Corpora-tion, which is in the process ol restoring thestmcture.

The Centre Avenue YMCA is anotherinstitution that was (and still is) importantto Blacks in the Hill District. Frank Bolden,a member of the African-American survey'sadvisory committee and former city editorof the Pittsburgh Courier, remembers goingto the YMCA as a student at Pitt to eat,sleep, and study because "Negroes weren'tallowed to go into Oakland" during the1920s and'30s. Instead, he and many ofhiscolleagues made the Centre Avenue "Y"their home. In additìon, explains Bolden, theYMCA hosted many nationally lamousBlack speakers and entertainers, like GeorgeWashington Carver and singer MarianeAnderson, the first Black MetropolitanOpera singer. They lectured and perlormedin front ol integrated crowds, one of theonly places in the city where Black andwhite students alike could see and hear someof the most famous people in the nation.

Another Black resident, Mrs. Peggy PierceFreeman, described in great detail the begin-nings of the National Negro Opera Com-pany, founded in Homewood in 1941. Thegiant Shingle-Style house is still there onApple Street: the f,irst home of fledglingopera stars led by Madam Mary CardwellDawson, who choreographed grand showslike "La Traviatal' "Aidal' and "The Order-ing ol Moses" perlormed in Pittsburgh (atthe Syria Mosque), Chicago, New York,Washington, D.C., and many other majorcities. The house is currently used as asingle-residence home.

The oldest Black Masonic lodge inAllegheny County is still an active organiza-tion in Homestead, explained former bor-ough councilman George Buckner. Foundedin 1893, the lodge was moved in 1938 lromthe "Ward" in lower Homestead to itspresent location on Glenn Street lor a millexpansion project which demolished thou-sands ofhomes, businesses, and churches.

On September 28, 1993, the lodge willcelebrate its centennial.

The survey has yet to cover the numerouscommunities in Allegheny County outsidePittsburgh, like Carnegie, Elizabeth,Rankin, Braddock, and Sewickley. Ifany-body knows of places that have beenimportant to Blacks (or where remnants stillstand) and would like to include them in thesurvey, please feel lree to call Eliza Brown,project director, at LDA (412-391-7640) orDan Holland at Landmarks (412-471-5808).

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PITTS B T] RGH ARC HITE CTT]RE:Waknr C. Kitl*y

ot all buildings give pleasure in the normally accepted way.There are some that, in their hard materials, their disson-nances ofshade and coloE their gaunt proportions, daunt the

eye. Yet there is a bracing quality about their craggy forms. They arenot dull, they inspire a kind of respect. Often they are fundamentalconstructions, simple works of building though acceptable in theirworkmanship and sparingly ornamented. Again, they are here;wehave been living with them, and they are part of the community aswe know it.

Here ß a double hnuse onWalnut Street, ín Shã¿lyside.

l{ørrow píers díaide tall,thin usindmt: s, aulu:ørd inproportinn. There are liulecorner porch.es uith turned,posts, minbnal Laæ Vicnri-an. Such a building lacksthe graces, yet it ß a crßpenclosure of rooms thnt o,re

probably btny, tnll, andwell-lit, good rann spø.ce tninhabit as you lilte.

Tup ConNERSTolrEBook & Gift Shop of the

Pittsburgh History & Landmarks FoundationMembers of Landmarks receive a l07o discount

We feature books from

* The Preservation Press

* The National Trust forHistoric Preservation

AAET(RBUilQRS.-

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The Shops at Station Square . On The Balcony , 4lT-j65-1042

* ,---i.ãÇ- t '-r -'

ThÊ Shadyside matæion of ,haust E. Strccop ma.ltcs no greater conressinn ø the grøces.

Aboue: St. Peter's Church on the South Si.de

ß non rnod,ern, since a,fire some yeørs qgo.

Yet thß atniliary building suniues, urrronx-prornisingly utilinriøn though ølluding øits religinus role in a Gothic uind,ow and, asmall gable. Thc bi,g síngle-pøned uindoutsosh øre thcre nnt ø lnok, religi.ous but toød,rnitlþht and. a,ín Th.e uind,otn r@hmse,re urleuerl, especiøIly wh.ere stair landings

force a shift of leuel. This is ø striking buitd,-ingfor all iæ air of drab utilitarinnistn.

Below: A store a,nd apa,rtrnent building inHomcsæød l"ses pl.ain pressedbríck, ønd, aIinle søne infacad.es of hørd. l,crphßticøtion.

The narrous pilasær strips orgønize thn sid.e

waII especíally, malte one þrget thc qtestinnof proportinnu:ith their many aerticøls. Ttaoround, archcs giue an elem.ent of contrastthnt lteeps thc whal.e thingfrom beingobsesshse-

April 1992 PHI,F News Page ll

Harsh ArchitectureThe 1890-perind plart ffices erecædfor thcRipley Gloss Co. on Binghørn Street, on th.e

South Side, rnønage ø be snrlt in composi-

tian thnugh ornøtc in d,etøil. Red, brick,pla.in a,nd, unmold,ed., is combhæd. u¡íth

smaoth grq graníte and,rockfared sand.-

stone in a brinle, crisp d.esi6n tha,t is grøce-

Less by corwentinnal sta,ndards but uíth iæ

own harsh beauty. Iæ stylq a purposefuldi"pW of basic nla.sanry constructinn, hlrs

as yet rØ name.

Thc Bahimore & Ohio Stntinn once staod by the Smitlficld. Street Bridge butyieldedsomn 35 years ago to the Parlnnay. It was ø work of 1887 by Frank Furness, a Philadcl-phin archiæa uhose styl4 marked by a sort of intchígenr barbarism, was much in fa,aorin hß ou:n cíty. Unlike later statioræ, Union Statinnfor instance uith iæ great open

rotunda, it møkes rw æpressi.on of the ad.mitting and dßcharging of crou:ds ofpesser,gers. An ffice building as u:ell as statinn, ít rßes as a complicated, tnass rath.erthnn posing os ø gatewary n the city. Thc pløin, gabled traínshed behínd is all that reallysarys

oorailroad.t'

Thn louer stntinn of thc Duqucsnc Heþh*brcIhc &ppears to ha.ue been rebuilt toward1900, and. its ochre brich stair hall nCuson Street retnains unchnnged øs aremínder of The Way Thin6s Were. h ß tntuíthnutfinish and decoratinn, yet ín 7900

you uould. nnt h¡tae been unprepared b seq

on leaaing ru.ch a placq th.e multiple roofs

and, chimneys, thn sooty brick ualls of thc

inùctrial plønts, thc spilry wwers of thc

Point Brid6e, th¿ sad uorlters' hauses ofLim.erick, or uhateuer pantirular grímness

øwaiæd you. Thß is thn son of place thatbrings thc eueryday lífe of thn past uir:i.d.ly øth.e irnøgina.tion.

Oro MnsrEn DnrurnNGS FRoM THE

CorrECTroN oF JosEpH F. McCzuNDLE

Ninety-one Old Masterdrawings from an

exceptional New Yorkprivate collection, many

ofwhich have neverbefore been publicly

shown. This exhibitionwas organized by

The An Museum,Princeton University.

Frederico Zucca rc (l)4O l4l -I @)), Hud of a P¡dlan, black

and red chalk, Collection ofJoseph F. McCrindle

April Í992z9 -June 7,

THr FnrcK Anr MusEuM7227 R:eynolds Street, Point Breeze 37r-o6clo

Securingthe FutureAlien and chaotic aspects of the modernenvironment may eventually come tomake a kind of sense or even reveal akind of beauty, either their forms or ourthoughts having matured. But such atransition from the Here of thingsknown all our lives to the There of theraw new environment accepted is achancy thing. Perhaps there ¡s no latentpoetry to extract from say the colossalhaphazardness of roadside commerce,the driven herd of cars, the cold smearof fluorescent light. These things maysimply be aberrations to the sensitivepart of the mind, endured for theirexpediency.

A preservationist can look at theapparent - likely, the actual - desola-tion and ennui of modern development,and give up on any attempt to controlit. He then divides the past in his mindfrom the present and the future, andstrives to hold on to some of the past'saccomplishments. He preserves thework of others, the happy results ofothers' decisions, and having done sotolerates the cultural outlawry of otherplaces. Perhaps even makes a gesture ofamity to the chaos, finds good academicreasons for preserving pop-cultureobjects, such as roadside eateries, fromthe almost-recent past.

T-rHI or a preservationist to do more, to

intervene in the future, he must deveiopmajor new abilities and dispel suspi-cions that some of his colleagues havejustly provoked. Without being deter-ministic about the way his community isgoing or servilely acquiescent towarddevelopers, he must have a good generalsense of what is likely to happen andwhat sort of general environments arelikely to result. He must also have asense of what major types of people livein his community today, and whatabout their present environment meansthe most to those who care: what peo-ple find comforting, distinctive, beauti-ful in the community. He should alsoconsider what about the present com-munity is bad or expendable, and whatnew elements added to its way of lifemight be accepted and prove beneficial.

In other words, rather than beingsolely an advocate of permanence hewould become a philosopher of change,though there would be, in his study ofchange, the object ofpreserving inwhatever new forms the essential goodsof his community's culture.

And yet advocacy is needed in deal-ing with politicians, civil servants, anddevelopers to guide the change in orderto rcaIíze his visions. The preserva-tionist has to know such people andwhat they want, the directions andboundaries of their thinking, and hasequally to convince them that his argu-ments are competently conceived andare not hostile or meddlesome merelybecause a preservationist is makingthem. Should his arguments be compe-tent, the preservationist has somethingpositive to offer these decision-makers:the chance of a new environment thatan informed, vocal public will approve,and the sense of having done somethingfor the community.

Pittsburgh Nationalbelieves in investing where

we live and work. Andwhile that investmentmight rehabilitate a

building or help revitalizea residential area, what is

really being built are

neighborhoods andcommunities where people

can be proud to live,work, and call home.

Because it's the people inthese communities whoreally count. Together,

we're building our future.

S

ÊtquAL H0usil'¡0

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