K. Leroy Irvis Reading Room
New! Take a virtual panoramic tour of
the K. Leroy Irvis Reading Room.
Note: You will need the free QuickTime 6 Plugin to view the tour. This plugin is already installed on computers in the libraries. After downloading and installing the plugin click on the link above to view the tour. Get help navigating the tour here.
The K. Leroy Irvis Reading Room, located on the First Floor of Hillman Library adjacent to the African-American Collection, was funded through a $250,000 grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and will house selected items from the K. Leroy Irvis archives, which the former State House Speaker donated to Pitt several years ago.
Irvis broke new ground in 1977, when he became the first African American to serve as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. At that time, he was the only African American House Speaker in any of the 50 states. Irvis is an emeritus trustee of the University and an alumnus of the Pitt School of Law, as well as an accomplished poet, artist, and sculptor.
Included in the archives are Irvis' personal correspondence,
legislative materials, campaign literature, photographs, and newspaper clippings. A
guide
to the archive is available.