University Archives

View From Forbes and Bigelow of the Cathedral of Learning Under Construction- June 20, 1930

Archives Service Center
University of Pittsburgh
7500 Thomas Boulevard, 2nd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
(412) 244-7091
Fax: (412) 244-7077
Email: archives@library.pitt.edu

History

Established in 1966, the University Archives documents the history of the University of Pittsburgh since its founding as the Pittsburgh Academy in 1787. By 1819 the Pittsburgh Academy became the Western University of Pennsylvania, which subsequently emerged in 1908 as the University of Pittsburgh.

The University Archives grew from the "Pitt Collection," a special collection formed in the 1920's by the University Library to house all books published by the faculty of the University. This reference collection was augmented with catalogs, University publications and memorabilia.

In 1966, the University Library created an Archives Section within the Department of Special Collections; later in that year the University Archives officially became a part of the University Library.

Today, the University Archives, together with the University Records Management Program, the Archives of Industrial Society, and the Archives of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE/Labor Archives) comprises the Archives Service Center of the University Library System.

Collections

Unfortunately, many of the institution's early records were destroyed by fire in 1845 and again in 1849. Thus, there is little documentation for the Pittsburgh Academy years or early years of the Western University of Pennsylvania. For the nineteenth century, the Archives holds enrollment records 1862-1891; grade reports, 1870-1880; minutes of the faculty meetings, 1862-1906; and correspondence files, 1892-1905.

The preponderance of historical material in the University Archives dates from the twentieth century. Record groups include:

  • Office of the Chancellor, 1891-1990 (closed for 25 years extending from the year when a Chancellor leaves office)
  • Minutes of the Board of Trustees, 1845- (closed for the previous 25 year period)
  • Minutes of the University Senate, 1941-
  • Minutes of the Council of Deans, 1912-1971
  • Office of the Provost, 1967-1982
  • Office of the Secretary of the University, 1906-1956
  • Records of the Deans of many of the schools including the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, 1944-1967; the College of Arts and Sciences 1964-1973; and the College of General Studies, 1936-1970
  • Student Affairs record group includes files of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 1956-1981; Dean of Women, 1922-1968; Dean of Men, 1925-1960; Student Activities, 1967-1984; and records of many student organizations.

Records held by the University Archives are particularly rich for the post World War II period when higher education experienced dramatic growth. There is also documentation on the troubling times of the 1960s and 1970s. The University Archives also holds important records relating to issues of academic freedom.

Records relating to the conceptualization, architecture, and building of the Cathedral of Learning (1925-1937) are part of the University Archives. This 42-story "skyscraper," which broke all tradition with academic architecture, is now included on the National Register of Historic Landmarks. In conjunction with the Cathedral of Learning records, the Archives holds Nationality Classroom Committee files which trace the design and construction of the Rooms.

The University Archives also houses memorabilia and biographical files of faculty, trustees, administrators and outstanding alumni; 14,000 photographs (buildings, groups, sports); 700 audio tapes; and 2000 motion picture films (sports and special events); as well as paintings, blueprints, posters, certificates, diplomas and Pitt artifacts.

A collection of monographs published by the University of Pittsburgh Press is maintained in the Archives, serials and periodicals published by the University, early student publications, course bulletins, catalogs, as well as faculty, staff, student and organization directories are housed in the University Archives.

Faculty Papers

The Archives holds numerous collections of faculty papers. Most notable are the papers of Thomas Parran (1892-1968), a former Surgeon General of the U.S. (1936-1946), and Pitt's first Dean of the Graduate School of Public Health (1948-1958). Finding aids to this collection and other selective faculty member's papers include Ruth Crawford Mitchell, John Cutler, Joseph Eaton, G. Raymond Fitterer, Edward J. Forrest, among others.

Two published histories of the University are available.

  • Robert C. Alberts. (1986).
  • Agnes L. Starrett. (1937).

There is no published guide to Pitt's University Archives. However, entries for the main record groups are accessible through PITTCAT, the Library's on-line catalog. Finding aids are available in the Archives Service Center. A subject index to selected articles regarding University of Pittsburgh people and activities from the student newspaper, , the central university newspaper, , as well as two local newspapers, and is also available.

Stark Media Services

The University Archives photograph files contain images of University of Pittsburgh buildings, group photographs (student organizations, honor societies, and university departments), athletic teams, and individual faculty and staff. Of special interest are:

  • Construction of the Cathedral of Learning
  • Forbes Field
  • Heinz Chapel
  • Pitt Stadium
  • Tony Dorsett, professional football player
  • Gene Kelly, actor
  • Roger Kingdom, runner
  • Samuel Langley, early aerodynamic innovator
  • Dan Marino, professional football player
  • Maude Menton, biochemist
  • Jonas Salk, research physician

The University Archives is home to a variety of films and videos of lectures, university athletics (primarily football), news interviews, and stories about Pittsburgh personalities and events. Among the films and videos of special interest are:

  • Pitt Panther Football Games, 1932-1988
  • Interviews with Jonas Salk
  • Pitt: A Tale of Progress (1964) and Upward: A story of High Places. Documentary histories concerning the University of Pittsburgh's
  • The Pennsylvania Way (1969)- The Presidents of the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State, and Temple discussing the differences between Russian and American higher education
  • Nikita Kruschev's visit to University of Pittsburgh (1959)
  • True Grit: The Dramatic Story of the 1989 Pittsburgh Panther's Football Season (1990)
  • Lectures by Jane Fonda (1977), Carl Bernstein (1979), Timothy Leary (1976), John Ehrlichman (1978)
  • Video clips of Gene Kelly

Access

Certain collections held by the Archives Service Center are subject to donor, administrative, or conservation restrictions. Researchers should contact archives@library.pitt.edu or telephone 412-244-7091 in advance of any visit to ensure access to any collection in which they are interested.

For additional information contact Marianne Kasica, University Archivist, at 412-244-7078 or marianne@pitt.edu.