Protecting the Places that Make Pittsburgh Home

Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation Nonprofit Org. 1 Station Square, Suite 450 U. S. Postage Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1134 PAID www.phlf.org Pittsburgh, PA Address Service Requested Permit No. 598 PHLF News Published for the members of the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation No. 161 September 2001

In this issue: A Tribute 4 INTA Conference: to Charley Urban Transit Internationally Arensberg 8 (1913–2001) Spring and Summer Tours with Landmarks Arthur Ziegler 10 We deeply regret the death of our Looking Good on founding president Charles Covert Arensberg, in Louisville, Kentucky, on the North Side July 8, 2001. Our long-time members will recall 16 that our organization began when Jamie Van Trump and I were walking Dressed for the Occasion: along the 1300 block of Liverpool Street Eclecticism in Pittsburgh in Manchester, a wonderful street of Victorian buildings in the heart of In his homily to Charley, The Reverend Dr. Harold T. Lewis, rector of Calvary one of the most architecturally interest- Episcopal Church, said: “Charley was a preservationist. A great history buff ing areas in Pittsburgh. We learned (who even delighted in giving history quizzes—complete with prizes—to his young that the entire neighborhood was children and their classmates), he loved and developed an appreciation for old scheduled for demolition by the buildings long before his fellow Pittsburghers caught on to the idea that their city National Trust Urban Redevelopment Authority. had anything worth preserving.” Jamie and I called upon Stanton Selects Belfour, president of the Pittsburgh Foundation and the Historical Society Time and again he deflected efforts of landscapes for all of our people and in Pittsburgh of Western Pennsylvania. He advised us those who wished to demolish architec- carrying out that mission with sound to set up an activist preservation organi- turally significant buildings while always scholarship, consistent principles, and for 2006 zation, although neither of us had any refusing to compromise. good manners. In June, Richard Moe, president of experience with such an endeavor. His absolute dedication to the princi- On July 10, David Lewis, an architect the National Trust for Historic Jamie said that he was going to call his ples of our organization––never asking and professor at Carnegie Mellon Preservation, announced that the attorney and friend Charley Arensberg, the staff to give way, always setting a University, wrote a note to me expressing Trust had accepted Pittsburgh’s whom he knew had a deep interest in firm example for our membership’s his sadness upon hearing about Charley’s invitation to serve as the host city architectural history and had served as values––and his ability to communicate death. We share portions of David’s letter president of the Pittsburgh Chapter of to the community with good humor with his permission: for its national conference in 2006. the Society of Architectural Historians. gave spirit to our organization and Pittsburgh competed against a Charley agreed to lead the organiza- established our standards of operation. Dear Arthur: number of other cities, including tion through its formation and remained That Landmarks has dedicated itself to It was with a one-ton heavy heart Boston, Philadelphia, and that I read about Charley’s death in as chairman, in spite of his frequent finding useful and practical plans and Indianapolis. Landmarks is today’s Post-Gazette....I know how fond offers to turn the reins over to other solutions to difficult preservation issues grateful to all those organizations trustees, for 30 years. and always tries to do so on a civil and you and Charley were of each other, to that supported its application, and Charley was one of the most widely congenial basis is due to the 30 years of say nothing of the incredibly important liked and respected Pittsburghers. leadership of Charley Arensberg. battles you faught together, especially in to the Greater Pittsburgh He married his wife Gertrude “Gay” His leadership was united early with the early days, when you laid the Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Herron Hays in 1940 and they main- that of Barbara Hoffstot, our long-time Foundation’s foundations. And sturdy “Bring it Home” campaign. tained a marvelous Queen Anne- enthusiastic vice president; James Bibro, foundations they have proven to be! Over 2,000 people will attend Romanesque house on a large lawn our treasurer for more than two Although I was an early board member the six-day conference: Pittsburgh and was “in” on much of the early on Castleman Street in Shadyside. decades; and Richard Scaife, who —and the city’s accomplishments work, I was not in daily contact with They were known for their genial provided the initial funding for many of in historic preservation—will hospitality and mutual erudition, our most experimental and highest-risk Charley in the way you were: nonethe- be showcased. And, we will have reading copius books and touring activities, including each of our inner- less I loved that man, his kindness, the historic towns and cities. city neighborhood programs, the preser- sparkle in his eye, his delicacy of the opportunity to learn from With firm beliefs and unwavering vation of the Allegheny Post Office, and manner, and the immaculateness of delegates from cities throughout principles, coupled with a pleasant and the development of Station Square. his mind. And I loved the fact that the nation. outgoing disposition, Charley saw Without Charley’s leadership and the Walter Arensberg was his uncle, and The conference will require Landmarks through a series of difficult commitment of all four of these individ- that Walter had been an early champion substantial work on the part of of Brancusi, whom I knew and wrote advocacy efforts and helped initiate uals with their respective and unique Landmarks’ staff and members. many positive preservation programs. strengths, our organization would not about in his old age, and also of In 2002 we will begin meeting with At one point, Charley was standing at have survived, let alone become one of Matisse...It’s sad when such “living” Smithfield Street and Fourth Avenue the most pioneering preservation groups days, so vivid and intense, suddenly, the Trust and with any groups in collecting money to save the Ladies of in the country, now with one of the with an obituary in the daily paper, Pittsburgh that would like to be Stone from atop the Fourth Avenue Post longest track records of productivity become history. involved in planning the 2006 Office (several now reside at Station and financial stability. With love and thoughts on a sad day. national conference. Square), opposing the efforts of URA We all have missed Charley since his and Alcoa to demolish the Old retirement and his move to Louisville, Allegheny Post Office, and urging the but we know he continues to be with us David Lewis formation of our neighborhood restora- day by day as long as Landmarks has its tion programs and our educational optimistic spirit of fulfilling its belief in programs. the value of our historic buildings and Page 2 PHLF News • September 2001

Welcome New Members Contributions & Gifts (As of June 26, 2001) There are many ways to give to Landmarks. Our members and friends make contributions in support of specific programs or in memory of loved ones. THANK YOU FOR JOINING! Your membership strengthens our They also give memberships as gifts or donate goods or services. We thank the organization—and brings you benefits, too: discounts at several Bed & following people and corporations for their recent contributions: Breakfasts; free walking tours and postcards; and invitations to special Corporate Matching Gifts events. For the most up-to-date news, check our Web site at www.phlf.org. • Chevron Corporation, for matching a gift from Jack D. Burgess; • Mayer, Brown & Platt, for matching a gift from Teresa A. Beaudet; Charles R. Alcorn Pittsburgh Board of Public Education Teresa A. Beaudet and Samantha E. Plisak • Norfolk Southern, for matching a gift from A. T. Bankson; and Gerald J. Giamportone Shane A. Policastro • PPG Industries Foundation, for matching a gift from Diana L. Reed. Susan Belville Preserve Croatian Heritage Foundation Ben Avon Area Historical Association Frank S. Quinn, IV Thomas Betzler Kathryn Rampy and family Gift Memberships Norma Bluestone Regional Educational Support Center • Susan Faulk, for giving the gift of membership to James Weddell; Kathleen & Carl Bruning Charles E. Rhoads • Gerald Lee Morosco, for giving the gift of membership to the South Side Community Carmen Campbell Peggy Rhodes Council, Inc.; David Case Anne E. Richardson Felix Caste Rebecca M. Rieger • Wilda Wilson, for giving the gift of membership to Arthur Wilson; and Margot Cavalier Donna Ritz • Alice Wilton, for giving the gift of membership to Fred Wheeler. Ann Cipriani and family Michelle A. Robinson-Austin John Cline Barbara and Dennis Ross Bruce B. Colwell, II Ellyn Roth and Harold Pincus Hornbostel Book Contributors Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Conner Ann Fay Ruben Our fund raising campaign to support the publication of Hornbostel in Pittsburgh Michael P. Contento Joann Ryan by Walter C. Kidney, is under way. We thank the following people for their recent Jeffrey R. DiLucia, Jr. Water Sadauskas gifts: Deborah Doucette Michael P. Santmyer East Liberty Development, Inc. George Schnakenberg and family • Thomas W. Armstrong • Bernard Kent Markwell Kezia L. Ellison Bob Schnarrenberger • Carl Wood Brown • Pamela K. McCarter Friendship Preservation Group Roberta Shope • Dr. & Mrs. William S. Garrett • David J. Vater Marcia Frumerman Kelli A. Sikorski Greg Fuhrman Jacob N. Skezas • Monna J. Kidney Kristina E. Gardner Doug Skowron Mary Frances Gargotta Lynn and Joseph Smith Named Funds Dana J. Gary Jon Smith • We thank Kim and Janice Menke Abraham; Michael J. and Karen Menke Paciorek; and Rebecca M. Gerken South Side Community Council, Inc. Jessica V. Gibbons Ruth Sproull and Richard Pantalone Betty and Jack Zierden, for their gifts to the Audrey and Kenneth Menke Named Fund. Mary E. Gibson and family Ann T. Gilligan Stacy and Robert Stanton Program Support Dr. Marcus Gottlieb Matthew S. Stypula • We thank Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, for its contribution to support our Caitlin Green Mr. & Mrs. John Szuhay neighborhood preservation programs; and Mr. & Mrs. Ed Grimm and family Amit Tiwary Harmony Area School District Township of Reserve • Thomas O. Hornstein, for his contribution to support our preservation and education Patrick F. Hassett W. D. Vergot programs. Lori and Richard Hensler Luetta C. Waddell Sophia P. Hijjawi Jean Ann Warren Year-end Gift Contributors Beatrice Hirschl Fred Wheeler • We recently received donations from Mellon Financial Corporation Foundation and Joseph M. Hohman Connie L. White and family Kevin T. Horner Terri L. White Mr. & Mrs. F. C. Schroeder, Jr., bringing the grand total for 2000 Year-end Gifts to Alan R. Huffman and family Anthony Wilson $14,137.50. This money will be used to help fund Landmarks’ Historic Religious Jamestown Area School District Arthur D. Wilson Properties conference and grant program on October 8. Maia Javan J. D. Wintermantel and family The Jernigan family Simon G. Wu Deana L. Jirak Rita M. Yeasted Irene Johnson Charles Zinsser, Jr. and family Doris T. Johnston Christopher Zurawsky and family Joe Kane Staff News Karns City Area School Ziegler Receives F. Otto Haas Award Bee Jay Kastor Colin Kelley Welcome Pennsylvania’s highest preservation honor, the F. Otto Donna L. Killmer Haas Award, was presented to Landmarks’ president Ann W. Korthage Corporate Members Arthur Ziegler on May 24 for his efforts to change the Elaine and Carl Krasik (As of June 26, 2001) direction of the Fifth/Forbes development proposal Michael R. Krebs and family that threatened to demolish a significant number of Frank J. Kurtik Patrons historic buildings in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh. Mr. & Mrs. William Lambert Dollar Bank The award was presented by Preservation Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Lipton and family Greater Pittsburgh Convention and Pennsylvania, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Phillip B. Little Visitors Bureau Historical and Museum Commission. Rae Anne Lockard National City Bank of Pennsylvania Brett R. Lutz Lowe Rejoins Landmarks’ Staff Curtis B. Magnuson Partners From left: David Taylor, president Manchester Historic Society Allegheny Valley Bank of Pittsburgh On June 1, Stanley Lowe joined Landmarks’ staff on of Preservation Pennsylvania; Nuveen Marwah BankPittsburgh a part-time basis as vice president of preservation Arthur Ziegler, president of David McAnallen Bognar and Company programs. Once again, he will be focusing his atten- Landmarks; Thomas Hylton, Bette McDevitt The Buncher Company tion on historic preservation activities in Pittsburgh’s 2000 recipient; Janet Klein, chair Michelle L. McKain Burrell Group, Inc. inner-city neighborhoods. He also will be spending of the Pennsylvania Historical McNaugher Education Center Cable Design Technologies time with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Museum Commission. Duquesne Light Company Carol A. Metrovich and family as Vice President of Community Revitalization; this The Camera Box, Camp Hill, PA Graham Realty Company Natalie B. Monaco newly created office will combine and refocus the Frank P. Hess & Company, Inc. Sharon Morris Trust’s urban efforts nationwide. Rebecca J. Morrow Laurel Savings Bank Tom Murphy Neville Chemical Company Joshua Musicante Nordic Fisheries Miller Named Outstanding Fundraising Executive for 2000 Peter P. Namisnak Omni William Penn Hotel Jack Miller, Landmarks’ director of gift planning, was recognized on April 23 by Lane Neff Rossin Foundation the Association of Fundraising Professionals as “the quintessential fund raising Jean Ann Niethamer executive.” A noted authority on planned giving, a dedicated volunteer for many Associates Mary Oppel local organizations, and a fifth-generation Pittsburgher, Jack takes joy in making Day & Night Press Armand J. Panson Pittsburgh a better place. During his acceptance remarks Jack said: “Philanthropy Pytlik Design Associates Pauline and Jim Parker is what distinguishes the United States from other countries. It’s our moral compass. Ellyse H. Pearlstein As development officers we’ve been charged with motivating others to have a William Picciotto significant impact on the region we love.” PHLF News • September 2001 Page 3

Welcome New In Memoriam: Charitable Trustees and Frances McLaughlin Holland (1914–2001) Update Thank You All Jack Miller During Landmarks’ Board meeting on On June 5, Landmarks lost a devoted board member: April 17, Mary Louise Gailliot, Martha Dr. Frances McLaughlin Holland. A long-time resident of • In April, more than 330 down- W. Jordan, and Joedda Sampson were the East End, Frances was an administrator at the town property owners received a welcomed as new trustees. University of Pittsburgh, La Roche College, Point Park letter from Landmarks explaining Although James Knox, chairman of College, and for the Pittsburgh Public Schools; and she was how real estate can be used to the nominating committee, was not able a long-time trustee of the Community College of Allegheny fund planned gifts. Two owners to attend the Spring meeting, he wrote a County (CCAC). In 1998, she was named to the CCAC are exploring mutually beneficial note and asked that we share it with our Hall of Fame and received the first Lifetime Legend Award ways to give Landmarks their members: from the College’s Educational Foundation. historic buildings. She cared deeply about the work of Landmarks, and was • Charitable gift annuity rates At the end of our nominating a strong supporter of our work in inner-city neighborhoods dropped fractionally July 1. committee discussions, one member and with public schools. As a result of her leadership, • Our membership survey iden- commented how wonderful it is that Landmarks was able to develop a constructive relationship tified one person who has we at History & Landmarks have been with CCAC so the notable historic mansions that were part of the campus could be included Landmarks in her able to obtain the active interest of so restored and adpated for new uses. Because of Frances’ insistence and involvement, will; seven who are considering many fine people from the community. the Byers-Lyon house was restored; thanks to her guidance the building administra- taking action; and two who I stated that, as a personal observer tors and supervisors developed a wonderful sense of historic preservation. plan to make planned gifts. from the beginning of Landmarks, it The wife of attorney John R. Holland, mother of four children, and grandmother For more details from the was the result of excellent leadership of five grandchildren, Frances was a leader in her community and in our organiza- survey, please see page 19. from such fine people as Charley tion. We have been informed that Frances has left a bequest to Landmarks. We will Arensberg, Barbara Hoffstot, Dr. Van use this to strengthen our education programs and historic preservation services. • To make it easier to explore Dusen, Phil Hallen, Arthur Ziegler and We were fortunate to have Frances as a trustee and will always remember her as a planned gift benefits in the his great staff of dedicated workers, that most gracious, compassionate, principled woman. privacy of your home, created a “go-go” organization. Landmarks has created a The response of those who are invited planned gift calculator on its to serve has always been positive. It is a In Memoriam: Web site. To locate, click on great day for our community to have www.phlf.org; then click on Landmarks as a top-flight volunteer Shirley Kemmler Programs & Services; then click organization. It is indeed one of these (1935–2001) on Gift Planning: Creating a rare blessings that are an important Legacy; then, under “To Learn dimension of a free society. All partici- On June 19, our loyal secretary of 18 years passed away. A resident of the North More,” scroll down and click on pants should be happy and proud of the Side, Shirley provided essential support for many staff members so we were able to Planned Giving Gift Calculator. great work of our foundation. publish books, newsletters, and brochures, complete surveys, and conduct the day-to- • New federal legislation affect- day business of Landmarks. “She always worked hard and maintained a cheerful, ing estate, income, and capital kind disposition, even during the years she was battling cancer,” said Louise Sturgess, gains taxes has serious implica- Landmarks’ executive director. We will always remember Shirley with great fondness. tions for charitable giving. James Knox Landmarks will host its own charitable giving and tax seminar on October 30. Contact Jack Miller if you would like to receive an invita- tion: phone 412-471-5808, Trusting Landmarks ext. 538; e-mail: [email protected]. • Members wishing to request a planned giving speaker or For nearly a half century, Lucille Tooke and her late husband Jack wanting to receive Landmark cared for their 64-acre historic farm in Gibsonia, PA as if it were a Legacies, our development newsletter, and/or a free copy member of their family. When it came time to retire she needed to sell Your of the brochure, 21 Ways to the property to generate income. The stumbling block: developers Make a Difference, should Gift contact Jack (phone and e-mail wanted to buy the 165-year-old farm last year and replace it with listed above). tracts of new housing. Could Be DID YOU KNOW... After exploring her options, the life-long Landmarks member decided to transfer ...that in Pennsylvania our her farm to a charitable remainder unitrust (CRUT). Your population grew by only 1.4% between 1982 and 1997, and yet A CRUT allows a donor to place highly appreciated assets in a trust where they can be Legacy our development of land rose by sold without incurring capital gains taxes. The proceeds are then invested in a diversified 41.3%, with almost all of the land consumption at the expense portfolio that must pay the donor an annual income stream of at least five-percent for of Pennsylvania’s farmland? life, or a period of years. Because charity must be the ultimate beneficiary of a CRUT, a ...that Landmarks has initiated a donor also receives a charitable income tax deduction equal to the present value of the gift. rural preservation program, acquired its first historic farm Lucille Tooke chose Landmarks as the irrevocable beneficiary of her CRUT. Landmarks with a fine house of 1835 from purchased the property and intends to place a protective Lucille Tooke, and will ensure that protective covenants are easement on the farm. Landmarks will then sell the farm, placed on the farm so that it will making this gift the first property saved through its not be developed. Rural Preservation Program. ...Landmarks is now offering the 64-acre Hidden Valley Farm for sale. It is located on Old State For more information on creative Road in Gibsonia. Contact gifts that meet your objectives and help Mike Kelly at 412-271-5550 for more information. Landmarks preserve the places that ...that Landmarks also is make Pittsburgh home, please call Jack seeking to raise substantial Miller at 412-471-5808, ext. 538; or funds to assist with protecting the remaining historic farms visit our Web site at www.phlf.org. in Allegheny County. For information, call Jack Miller Hidden Valley Farm, Gibsonia at 412-471-5808, ext. 538. Page 4 PHLF News • September 2001

IISNSN’’TT INTA Conference: Urban Transit Internationally RRESTORATIONESTORATION Arthur Ziegler This May, the International New Towns • An additional problem in cities that Association’s (INTA) Conference, “The needs to be solved is equal access at WWONDERFULONDERFUL!! City Response to the New Demands for all hours. Because of bar-closing hours Mobility,” was held in Paris. Delegates in England at 11 p.m., 2 a.m., and Preservation is the business of sav- from forty-two countries attended, 4 a.m., waves of young people leave ing special places and the quality including several staff members from bars and have no public transporta- Landmarks. We found in this conference tion and can gather in crowds and be of life they support. It has to do an important opportunity to gain ideas a problem for the police and the with more than bricks....It has to do for improving urban transit, linking neighborhoods. with the way individuals, families, historic neighborhoods with downtown • Peak-hour travel may drop off in the and urban job opportunities, reducing and communities come together in Lobby, Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel coming years due to changing work sprawl and automobile dependence, good environments. 107 Sixth Street, Downtown and shopping patterns caused by the and hearing how the internet may Formerly the Fulton Building (1906) use of the internet. In actuality, car Richard Moe, President affect commuting habits and parcel trips and transit trips may increase but National Trust for Historic delivery systems. be spread over a longer range of the Preservation Patrick Hassett, assistant director of day and evening; therefore, peak-hour design and development in the Pittsburgh transit may not be such a problem in Department of City Planning, also the future. However, the internet does attended the conference as a result of a cause more truck trips in cities because elp us protect the places that make Pittsburgh scholarship we offered. H of the personal deliveries of goods Hearing about various modes of home. Contribute to Landmarks. A gift of appreci- bought through the internet. ated securities or real estate can create lifetime transportation—established ones like the Paris Metro, experimental ones, and income for you and provide the Pittsburgh History some more or less exotic—was enlight- & Landmarks Foundation with much-needed ening. The conference was intensive, and Paris provided a real-world labora- resources to restore historic houses, churches, packed with experiences from so many tory within which to observe many of countries around the world, ranging schools, parks, and gardens in the Pittsburgh region. the conference’s issues and ponder from Hong Kong, where 90 percent of possible solutions. Particularly evident urban travel is by mass transit, to the in Paris are its pedestrian support Ivory Coast, where farmers still trans- infrastructure and the related balances Landmarks Can port the pineapple crop that they grow of transit, pedestrian, and automobile Put Your Assets for export by truck over dirt roads. use in an intensely active and dense Some general conclusions that we urban environment. The arsenal of to Good Work While distilled from the conference were: transit modes includes both elevated and Bringing You: • The populations in many cities will subway transit lines, bus and streetcar increase enormously in the next 20 lines, and a fully automated subway • Lifetime income from your gift; years. One prediction is that there will line. These systems are tied together be 50 megalopolises on the planet in physically and operationally, creating • Public acknowledgment of your gift; 20 to 30 years. In many cities, particu- a seamless web of transit lines and stations serving all parts of the City of • Federal and estate tax savings; larly in Europe and North America, there will be a great increase in the Paris. The stations are complemented by • Avoidance of probate costs; aging population. fingers of pedestrian paths that integrate the stations with surrounding land uses. • Disposition of real estate and • If people have the money, they will The 24/7 presence of transit service elimination of ownership costs and want cars and they will almost always (and its use!) is a growing feature of liability (minimum value required); use the cars in preference to public Parisian life, as is the important role the transit, unless there is no parking in pedestrian accommodations play in both • The satisfaction of making a the city or it is so expensive that they activating and supporting urban life. significant gift to preserve our cannot afford it. The INTA Conference was a unique western Pennsylvania heritage; • Improving, enlarging, and increasing opportunity to withdraw from the day public transit systems does not mean to day hustles of planning and meetings • Honorary life membership necessarily that people will utilize in Pittsburgh and consider the bigger in Landmarks (minimum them. The effort put forth in a number picture and best practices regarding the contribution required). of cities to do just that met with con- evolution of our urban areas along with siderable disappointment. related changes in mobility needs and Contact Jack Miller to available solutions. • One widespread agreement is that discuss these donor options Patrick Hassett 412-471-5808 ext. 538 there needs to be a way to make the Assistant Director of Design and Development, e-mail: [email protected] private auto pay its full cost, including Department of City Planning, petroleum, road, police, accident, and Landmarks’ INTA Scholarship Recipient health, and all costs associated with it. The fact that the automobile is indi- rectly and directly subsidized in many ways makes it seem more attractive • Individualized public on-call or taxi than public transit; but cities are systems are very difficult to operate, beginning to strive to find ways both and no system emerged at the confer- politically and technically to introduce ence as a model. The fact that the user full-service charges for the automobile: must call ahead, that pick-up times only this strategy will force a decline in and routes are uncertain, and that the its use. nature of the vehicle is uncertain all • In an amazing number of countries have resulted in a lack of acceptance there is talk of, or actual implementa- of such systems. We see these same tion of, the privatizing of many of the problems with our Access system here transit systems. England is leading the in Pittsburgh. way in this. Many problems of pricing, • All parties agreed that large publicly service, transfers, and capital invest- funded garages and lots for com- ment might occur, but the belief is still muters should be eliminated and not widely held that, except possibly for be subsidized. In Pittsburgh, we will the subway systems, it can be done soon spend $250 million to run a profitably. The European Union is in subway from downtown to the new the progress of promulgating a commuter/ballpark garage on the requirement that transit systems be North Side, and a commuter garage privatized. There was debate over has just opened on Second Avenue and whether this should include the one has been proposed for the Lower subway systems in the major cities Hill District. These should not occur; where a problem of piecemeal owner- the funds should be expended on ship could hamper efficiency. reaching people’s homes and linking • In many subways there is no handi- inner-city neighborhoods with down- capped access, and it is often difficult town, not with urban parking garages. to create it. PHLF News • September 2001 Page 5

Ralph Griswold’s original plan for Point State Park: open, relaxing, and inviting to the Design Competition contemplation of our founding history and Steams Forward: the greatness of our natural setting. Much Ado About Something Barry Hannegan

With the passing of the May 1 deadline for letters of intention to enter Landmarks’ design competition, we had an even two dozen such letters in our file. Readers of PHLF News will recall from the April issue that Landmarks is sponsoring a competition for young designers (35 and under) who were Point asked to come up with proposals for the improvement of any one of eight desig- nated public spaces scattered through State Park Pittsburgh’s historic neighborhoods. The idea of the competition stems from our belief that, although the past is a rich in the Eye of the and irrecoverable legacy, often it can be enhanced to make it more attractive and more relevant to the life of the city, right Design Community now and into the future. The letters of intention come from Barry Hannegan architects, landscape architects, artists, and assorted designers, acting as indi- On June 2, Landmarks and the The Park was the creation of Ralph as a place of repose and refuge—open, viduals or in collaboration with others Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Griswold, arguably the most important relaxing, and inviting to the contempla- to form teams of two to six members. Society of Landscape Architects held a landscape architect to practice in tion of our founding history and the The response is rather greater than we design charette to consider the condition Pittsburgh. Mr. Griswold, working in greatness of our natural setting. Some had expected, but that only strengthens of Point State Park in the light of chang- close collaboration with Charles Stotz, 170,000 plants, all indigenous to pre- our impression that the young design ing uses and contexts. Sponsored by the architect and architectural historian, European western Pennsylvania, created community here is full of talent and Allegheny Conference on Community gave us a great urban space that time, a veritable botanical garden of native ambition. Excerpts from four of the Development and the Riverlife Task lowered standards of maintenance, flora. letters of intent are reprinted here, just Force, the charette was conducted in the and a concentration of use far beyond This was a grand vision, indeed; to give the flavor of the overall response new Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel. original intentions all have diminished and happily, at the end of the charette to Landmarks’ somewhat unexpected Landmarks had proposed this initia- and harmed. (which filled the entire day and involved initiative. tive when discussions about the future Mr. Griswold saw a green open space, upwards of 70 designers and Park stake • It is with great excitement that I of the Park first began to surface. We linked to the city by the great vista that holders), that vision was endorsed as the would like to notify you of my intent were concerned that the splendid design starts at Commonwealth Place, moves guiding spirit for whatever is to come on to submit for the Pittsburgh History of the Park would be lost sight of, under across the evocation of Fort Pitt, slides this quintessential bit of Pittsburgh’s & Landmarks Foundation Design the pressure of mounting numbers of beneath the broad, sweeping arch of the landscape. Competition. I look forward to new and very diverse user demands; and, highway overpass, arrives at the creating a unique design for one of we were looking for an opportunity that meadow at the heart of the Park, and the sites selected as well as seeing the would allow us to share our knowledge concludes with the vigorous splendor other entries of young designers in of the Park’s history and our great of the fountain against its backdrop of the city. Thank you very much for regard for its original design intent with rivers and hills. The Park was conceived the opportunity. this larger community of Park users. • I am very excited to have the oppor- tunity to explore my interests in preservation and architecture in the city I live in. • We are excited by this opportunity What’s in a Color: Chapter 2 and look forward to being a part of an important public awareness process. • The unique places throughout the city Bridges are the reasons people remember, care about, and live in this place. We are Barry Hannegan committed both personally and professionally to studying cities, Readers of our two major daily papers with the prevailing washed-out yellow, rivers, and on a dreary February day, the buildings, and spaces within the will have noticed a flurry of articles on given the trade designation of “Aztec polychromy might help dispel the context of historical significance as Landmarks’ proposal to paint the Gold.” If literal Aztec gold had histori- tedium of a Pittsburgh winter. well as contemporary desires for bridges in the downtown area with cally been as unappetizing, the In reading and listening to comments usage. In this way, we welcome the unique, distinguishing colors. The media Spaniards would hardly have bothered to our idea from a variety of sources, we chance to learn more about our city as recognition of this idea comes about stepping on shore. Further thinking were struck by how much weight the well. We look forward to exploring two years after we compiled a study evolved a palette of colors that would marketing names for colors seemed to these issues through the competition. that suggested an identifying new color easily distinguish each bridge and which carry. These appellations, dreamt up by for each bridge, beginning with the would have some site appropriateness, paint manufacturers as a means of Members will be able to see the plans West End Bridge and extending up the either as to setting or to other neighbor- giving the consuming public handles for that are submitted during an exhibition Allegheny to include the Sixteenth Street ing colors. identifying paint colors, seemed to have at the Mattress Factory on Pittsburgh’s Bridge (omitting the Veterans’ Bridge Bridges define Pittsburgh just as much an inordinate significance in the minds North Side from September 21 to which is nothing more than an elevated as do the rivers and the hills. Since they of many of those who commented on October 21. roadway), and up the Monongahela as are highly visible features and are here our ideas. It was a pity and a disservice far as the Birmingham Bridge. to stay, and, moreover, need periodic that the more vocal critics didn’t pause The proposal was sparked by an invi- repainting, we felt the idea of introduc- to ascertain what the proposed colors tation to suggest a color that might look ing color was a way of capitalizing on really were. good on the unbuilt new Wabash Bridge what we already had, without such just downstream from our offices. The effort requiring any additional funding. ensuing discussion about bridge colors The scheme would appreciably enliven revealed a good deal of dissatisfaction the vistas around the confluence of the Page 6 PHLF News • September 2001 More on Avalon Preservation Scene

Dear Mr. Ziegler, Your recent article in the April edition of PHLF News pertaining to the architectural variety and diversity of life on your streetcar community street was forwarded to Lawrence Paint Building: me by my dear sister Jane who Lost After Years of Effort lives in Pleasant Hills, Pa. She said that I would find it fascinating and When it was built in 1902, the building the current City she was right. we knew as Lawrence Paint stood in a administration From 1939 to 1956, our father thick cluster of industrial plants and a ignored that stipula- served as Rector of The Church of tiny amount of housing, a little upriver tion, very much from Painter’s Mills, a little downriver against our wishes, The Epiphany in Avalon, as shown from the Point Bridge, and across and approved Forest in your piece. Our family (father, Carson Street from the Duquesne City’s revised master mother, five children and two Incline. In time, all but the incline plan that called for grandmothers) lived in a rambling, disappeared, and the paint business the demolition of yellow and white, Victorian came to an end, at least on this site. the Lawrence Paint Rectory next to the church until it Landmarks initiated the Station building. was razed in 1955 and the present Square development in 1976, and in 4. When Forest City annex built. 1985 acquired control over the made the useful deal Lawrence Paint building. With the It follows, therefore, that when I to buy out its part- building came the tantalizing problem of was 8 to 21 years of age, your ner Harrah’s so that what to do with it. Here was a massive more investment street was my street. I thought that cube of brick and timber, heavy indus- could be made in you might like to know what it was trial construction of its time: a memento Station Square, like over a half-century ago and of the heroic past, and sited about Forest City granted the extent to which it has, and, where the Pittsburgh Glass Works, an option on that perhaps, has not changed. arguably the city’s first industrial plant, property to Harrah’s Before and during World War started operations in 1797. Here in the event gaming was a building with views onto the II, the street was distinguished by was approved. The Renaissance City, the Gateway to the its orange/yellow bricks and tall, option rendered West, and one of the felicitously, tree- it impossible to heavy Maples and Oaks, mostly grown hillsides that surround the develop the curbside. There were a half-dozen Triangle. The architect, we eventually Lawrence Paint site stately homes: our rectory, the found, was Joseph Franklin Kuntz, of for seven years from June 18: The cupola comes down during the demolition Fritsch house, the American the W. G. Wilkins Company, who later the date of the option. of Lawrence Paint. Legion mansion (destroyed by fire), designed Frick & Lindsay, the present We met with the Andy Warhol Museum. the Snodgrass house, the Kerr’s Mayor and Al Ratner of Forest City The final demise of the building is really Through the years we undertook a and, later, the Berhorst place. and offered to underwrite the cost— due to expensive physical problems variety of architectural and economic which was considerable—of making associated with reusing it, together with There were single family studies for the building for office, hotel, the building look occupied and hand- a wide variety of political, economic, dwellings up and down the street, mixed use, entertainment, and housing. some during this option period. Mr. and timing difficulties. mostly, as you mentioned, in varie- The interior of the building presented Ratner and Mayor Murphy rejected We have agreed to locate within the gated brick. A diverse range of major difficulties: some of the floors our offer. remaining foundation walls of the build- were not full floors; there were odd owner names comes to mind: 5. We sent a large number of developers ing a park that will contain industrial balconies and great holes where large Wadlow, Parlett, Hunter, Iebeck, interested in the building to Forest artifacts that we rescued through the equipment was located; the basement Braun, McCandless, Crowley, City and to the Mayor’s office over years. This will serve as the termination occupied three levels, and there was a Bahm, Fry and McBride. the past half dozen years, to no avail. of the Riverwalk of Industrial Artifacts sub-basement below grade which, that we began. Forest City plans to com- In the forties, every family 6. When City Council approved Tax together with the basement, was subject plete the Riverwalk, with government Increment Financing (TIF) for the seemed to have children of school, to river flooding. funds, during the next two years. newly planned Station Square devel- college, or military service age. Nevertheless, we finally decided that Stones and the heavy timbers from opment, the stipulation was attached About 25 of us from South Home the best use would be housing and the the building have been saved and may that prior to Forest City’s receiving Avenue walked to and from school following sequence of events occurred. be utilized in this park. Forest City is the TIF funds, Lawrence Paint had to 1. We cleaned the building using Earth talking with us about the possibility of along the carline everyday. be restored or demolished. The latter Science Consultants for environmen- creating a sculpture from those signifi- Actually, we walked it twice, for we being faster, less expensive, and not tal matters. cant, structural pieces. came home for lunch. complicated by the Harrah’s option, There were no trucks or buses to 2. We sponsored a national competition City Council essentially issued a In due course we hope that an ele- among four leading architectural speak of on our street. An excep- death sentence for the building. gant work of architecture will rise in firms for the Lawrence Paint complex tion was the coal truck. Everyone’s 7. When Preservation Pittsburgh the area of the former Lawrence Paint with a new building to be erected nominated the building for historic building that will be a symbol of the coal was dumped at the curb, then next to it, both buildings to be used designation by the City, we testified high quality of architectural design in wheelbarrowed to the coal window for housing. in favor of the nomination but it Pittsburgh prominently located at the and shoveled inside. The last chore 3. In our master plan for Station Square failed to obtain necessary support at confluence of the three rivers. And, like (sweeping, then hosing down the that the City approved in 1992 we City Council. the Lawrence Paint building, we hope it street where the coal had been stipulated that the Lawrence Paint will attract the respect and admiration of dumped) traditionally fell to the building be retained. Unfortunately our community. resident 8 to 12 year old boy. Everyone pushed their own lawn mower and the grandmothers planted most of the flowers. During the War, the two blocks istoric formed by Home, Jackman, Starr H and California Avenue (bisected by Hamilton), comprised the Proudly Announces Pittsburgh Press route that my brother, and then I, served. I The Availability Of Two recall that most customers waited Completely Restored on their porches for me to arrive Victorian Houses with the evening paper. They would read the local casualty lists The first of their quality and on the front page before going back size to ever be offered for sale into their houses. in The National Historic District Sunday presented two proces- Of Manchester. sions of church goers: the Protestants and Roman Catholics For complete details and walking to neighborhood churches information on these in the morning, and the pilgrimage properties please call: 412-321-7760 (continued on page 20) PHLF News • September 2001 Page 7

Preservation Scene (continued) Homestead Historic District Makes Most Endangered St. Nicholas’ Church a balustrade and replacing a brick pier. The original tongue-and-groove ceiling Designated a City Historic and rafters have been exposed and a List Structure snack/coffee bar and gift shop have Preservation Pennsylvania On July 2, been created. A new terrace and deck included the Homestead Historic City Council overlooking Panther Hollow provides a District in its annual listing of the awarded place to sip that cup of java or to relax Commonwealth’s ten most endan- and enjoy the park setting. St. Nicholas gered historic properties. The Church on Homestead Historic District was Route 28 the listed on the National Register of status of a Larimer School City Historic Historic Places in 1990. It includes The Larimer School, closed for more Structure, and the commercial corridor of than 20 years, will become the anchor Mayor Murphy Eighth Avenue and stretches of its namesake neighborhood again. signed legisla- across the three boroughs of A Second Chance Inc., a non-profit tion to that effect on July 13. The organization, has announced plans to West Homestead, Homestead, church is said to be the first Croatian restore the former school as a commu- and Munhall. Church in the nation. nity support center. Included in the Even with its designation as a City Schenley Park Visitor Center, plans are a kinship foster care program, Historic Structure, the future of the undergoing restoration in June. offices for human service organizations, church is undecided. The Catholic and family recreational activities. Diocese plans to close the church. Landscapes (from Charlotte, Vermont), The group hopes to raise nearly It may sell the church to PennDOT, are enhancing the natural setting of this $7 million to restore the 105-year-old which is planning to widen Route 28, or historic building by reestablishing as school designed by Ulysses J. L. Peoples. perhaps to someone else. If the Diocese much native vegetation as possible and Additions, in various styles, have sells the church, it will remove all reli- restoring the stonework, walls, steps, resulted in a building with many wings gious symbolism, including the stained and railings leading to the bridle path and a multitude of space development glass. Then if PennDot buys the decon- and the cobblestone access drive. opportunities. secrated church and moves it, no one Existing trees are being pruned and new knows quite what will happen. trees and grasses are being planted. Allegheny The Visitor Center is a very handsome Soldiers’ and welcome addition to Schenley Park. Monument The 100 block of East Eighth Avenue, Iris Garden Planted at The shaft and Homestead. crowning statue of Woodville the North Side’s On July 19, youth members of the The Homestead National Register Soldiers’ Monument American Iris Society planted a garden District is threatened by a proposal has stood by Lake of historical iris at the Woodville from CVS pharmacy and Gustine Elizabeth since Plantation (the Neville House) in Collier Homestead Associates, Inc., a local 1931: a truncation Township. The students are responsible developer, to tear down almost an of the original mon- for measuring the growth of the iris and entire block of the commercial ument, by the architect Louis weeding and maintaining the garden. Addition to the National Morgenroth and the sculptor Peter Mrs. Geraldine McFarland, formerly a core to build a suburban-style Reniers, that had stood overlooking the Pittsburgh Public School teacher, is pharmacy and parking lot with a Register Ohio since 1871. Both the rival cities of coordinating this educational program. drive-thru lane. On September 9, The John Frew House at 105 Sterrett Pittsburgh and Allegheny had a part in The Historic Iris Preservation Society 1999 Homestead’s Borough Street in Oakwood, one of our most its erection. and American Iris Society donated the Council conditionally approved the handsome survivors of the Georgian Now the Allegheny City Society is rhizomes. Ten species of iris, ranging CVS plan, but various issues period, has been placed on the National raising money for its restoration. It will from 1500 to 1844, will bloom next stalled the project. In July 2000, Register of Historic Places. According to not return to Monument Hill above the May and June at Woodville. CVS filed suit in Federal Court the owners, the stone section of the river (behind the Community College), house dates to 1790 and the “new and it will not reacquire its massive, Old St. Luke’s Receives against 17 defendants, including addition” is from 1840. ornate base. But it will last as it is, Landmarks, two other non-profits, where it is, for some years more. PHMC Plaque and several private citizens. Brew House On July 15, more than 100 people The National Trust for Historic Schenley Park attended a dedication ceremony at Preservation and the ACLU have The former Duquesne Old St. Luke’s in Scott Township. Two filed amicus briefs on behalf of the Brewery on the South Visitor Center Chartiers Valley tenth-grade students Side, owned by the City, In the fall, the Pittsburgh Parks unveiled a Pennsylvania Historical and non-governmental defendants. has been the subject of Conservancy will informally open the Museum Commission marker commem- The East Eighth Avenue buildings contention for years. Schenley Park Visitor Center to the orating the stone church of 1852 and targeted by CVS remain standing, Now it appears that the public. Trail maps of Schenley Park and burial ground. but are not being maintained. Brew House Association, general information will be available. According to The Reverend Richard Homestead’s effort to promote a group of artists, will be allowed to buy The open-air pavilion, designed by W. Davies, “worship began at the site and thus preserve one of the two main heritage tourism and economic Rutan & Russell c. 1910, was badly when it was an outpost of the British development based on its history buildings of the group. This is the Brew modernized over the years. Restoration Army prior to the Revolutionary War.” could be severely jeopardized if the House of 1899, the oldest element by Landmarks Design Associates Several Revolutionary War veterans and though somewhat remodeled. It will included cleaning and repairing the many of the first Chartiers Valley settlers CVS project is allowed to provide 20 spaces for homes and building masonry; replacing the asphalt are buried at Old St. Luke’s. proceed because the historic studios. A developer who had been in roof with slate shingles; installing For the past 13 years, Reverend gateway to the Eighth Avenue litigation with the City will get the large French doors, casement windows, and a Davies has been involved in preserving main street would be demolished. 1950-period Stock House, with its fully accessible restroom; and restoring Old St. Luke’s and maintaining it as an conspicuous clock. active worship site. Last year the church CVS pharmacy currently occupies hosted 24 religious worship services and a fine historic building at 40 Christian weddings. 231–233 East Eighth Avenue.

Thank You Interns This summer, three interns volunteered with Landmarks’ education department. Peter Cockrell, a senior at Sewickley Academy, researched and wrote the text for a Sewickley walking tour brochure. Micah Slavkin, a senior at Schenley High School, updated our Shadyside survey. Megan Heilmann, a sophomore at Westminster College, researched and wrote the text for a series of South Side fact sheets. Thank you all for your help! Page 8 PHLF News • September 2001

Spring and Summer Tours with Landmarks Albert M. Tannler

Approximately 110 visitors from In June I led an Art & Crafts tour Boston, Chicago, Houston, London, for Thornburg residents sponsored by Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, the Thornburg Adult Education Paris, Salem, as well as from suburban Committee. The tour included Bethel Park and Thornburg, participated Richardson’s Emmanuel Church, in tours, both formal and informal, Samuel Thornburg McClarren’s during April, May, and June of 2001. Woolslair School, a Craftsman- When a group of visitors from France style home filled with Arts & toured the Allegheny County Courthouse Crafts furnishings and a in April the tour became delightfully Frederick Scheibler house in bilingual. The tour leader, Professor Squirrel Hill; a concluding Monjou, had prepared for this first walk through Thornburg Pittsburgh visit by writing ahead for included visits to several several of Landmarks’ publications. homes and ended in the He was particularly glad, he told me Thornburg Mansion. afterward, that they had visited the Afterward, Thornburg resi- Courthouse. dent Judy Thompson wrote Only one language was necessary that it was “exciting to see the during the Courthouse and Downtown other building by McClarren, walking tour for members of the and how have I missed the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem later Richardson Episcopal Church on that month, after we agreed upon the the Northside—spectacular!” correct pronunciation of “Peabody” Later that month I co-hosted an (PEA-ba-dee) and “Carnegie” informal tour of Pittsburgh’s Late (Car-NEG-e). The group presented Gothic Revival architecture and stained Landmarks with a copy of Salem: glass for Marilyn Justice and Catherine Cornerstones of a Historic City Zusy who are planning a 2003 exhibi- (Commonwealth Editions, 1999) by tion of the art of Charles J. Connick, Joseph Flibbert, et al. sponsored by the Connick Foundation in Boston, and Peter Cormack, Deputy Keeper of the William Morris Gallery in London, leading authority on the work Edith Lipkind (a 29-year-member of of English Arts & Crafts glass artist Landmarks) and owner of this magical Christopher Whall. Peter Cormack Usonian house-in-the-round, shared determined that the chapel of the stories with visitors about architect Church of the Ascension, with its Peter Berndtson who designed the Connick windows, was designed by house for her and her late husband. Ralph Adams Cram, thus adding Cram’s name to the distinguished list of architects including William Halsey is modeled after the Allegheny County Wood, who designed the building, and Courthouse. Messrs Cervantes and Alden & Harlow, who oversaw its Helgeson presented Landmarks with Minnette Boesel (left), who grew up in construction. After returning to Paul Clifford Larson’s book, Municipal Pittsburgh and now lives in Houston, England, Peter Cormack wrote a letter Monument: A Centennial History of the and Bonnie Scardino of the Rice to me saying: “It was a great pleasure to Municipal Building Serving Minneapolis Institute, with Arthur Ziegler. meet you in Pittsburgh and to learn and Hennepin County, Minnesota Kiehnel & Elliott’s 1914 Riesmeyer about the city’s magnificent heritage of (Minneapolis: Municipal Building house places window designs inspired At the end of April, members of the architecture and stained glass....my only Commission, 1991). by Frank Lloyd Wright in an Arts & Rice Institute of Design in Houston regret is that there was not more time Crafts setting. visited Pittsburgh. Landmarks’ president available for each superb building.” Arthur Ziegler gave them an architec- While it was a pleasure to lead our tural overview; I took them through the visitors through much-anticipated desti- Courthouse; and they toured downtown nations such as the Cram and Goodhue with our docents. churches with their Connick windows, In May a group of residents from I took particular satisfaction from their Friendship Village in Upper St. Clair response to St. James, Wilkinsburg with toured the Courthouse and—since this its 80 windows designed by Harry was a weekday—the Rotunda and open Wright Goodhue prior to his death at spaces at the Old Jail (now Family age 26—“He was a genius,” Marilyn Division of the Court of Common Justice declared—and to Carlton Pleas). For several residents, including Strong’s Sacred Heart Church, which one County employee and others who greatly impressed Peter Cormack. had worked downtown for decades, the Cathie Zusy said their Pittsburgh visit visit to the Allegheny County Buildings was “wonderful and informative and was a return to familiar ground. inspiring.” Later that month Karen Bergenthal Courthouse tours were given in June of East Town Travel Ltd. brought a for LouAnne Greenwahl, curator, MAK group from the midwest for a four- Center for Art and Architecture in Los hour “highlights” visit: a visit to Angeles, located in the home and studio H. H. Richardson’s Emmanuel Church, of Viennese-American architect R. M. a Courthouse tour, and visits to the Schindler, and for José Cervantes and 1914 Riesmeyer house by Kiehnel & John Helgeson of the Minneapolis Elliott and Peter Berndtson’s 1954 Building Commission, whose Lipkind house (graciously opened by Richardsonian Romanesque City Hall their owners) was followed by a walk and Hennepin County Courthouse Frank E. Alden (later a principal of Longfellow, Alden & Harlow) supervised through downtown. (1888–1905, Long and Kees, architects) construction of Richardson’s Jail, now adapted as the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas. PHLF News • September 2001 Page 9

Dollar Bank to Sponsor Old House Fair Landmarks is pleased to announce that Dollar Bank will sponsor its Sixth Annual Old House Fair scheduled for Saturday, February 23, 2002 at Victoria Hall in Bloomfield. Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the fourth Saturday in February, this event has grown over the years to attract more than 900 visitors from across the tri-state area. For a nominal fee, visitors will be able to learn the latest restoration techniques from craftsmen and other experts in the field of preservation. Many attendees actually bring photos of their own projects to get on-the-spot advice and guidance. “This was a natural fit for Dollar Bank,” explained Gary Prestigiacomo, the Bank’s VP for Marketing. “As the oldest continuously operating bank in Pittsburgh, we share Landmarks’ dedication to preserving the architectural heritage of our historic neighborhoods.” Dollar Bank is no stranger to Landmarks. In 1995, the Bank underwrote A Legacy in Bricks and Mortar: African-American Landmarks in Allegheny County. This 84-page paperback chronicles the history of African-Americans in the county from the mid-1700s to present day and includes historical pictures of buildings and places where black citizens lived, studied, played, worked and worshiped. Dollar Bank joined with Landmarks again when it helped to publish a companion Carlton Strong’s Sacred Heart Church combines historical elements with piece to “Bricks” entitled A Timeline of Key Events. This unique sophisticated 20th-century sculptural massing. The extraordinary stained glass foldout poster is still used by school students and historians as a windows are by George and Alice Sotter. reference to mark events important to African-Americans dating back to 1758. Probably the most recognizable connection between Dollar Bank and Landmarks is visible on the tee-shirt given to thousands of students and teachers each year who participate in Landmarks’ walking tours. The familiar Fourth Avenue Dollar Bank lion (c. 1870) works beautifully with Landmarks’ motto: “Protecting the Places that Make Pittsburgh Home.” Dollar Bank’s preservation efforts extend beyond buildings and homes to individuals and families. Each year, the Bank sponsors a free, half-day workshop entitled “Mortgages for Mothers.” Attracting several hundred female heads-of-households each year, this workshop helps women (and some men, too) learn about various mortgage products and understand the power of credit. They also are able to discuss their individual credit reports with a credit professional. A highlight of the workshop is a series of inspirational presenta- tions by new homeowners, who overcame their own problems with the help of Dollar Bank’s Credit Enhancement Program. Cathy McCollom, director of operations and marketing at Landmarks, said: “It makes sense for Dollar Bank to sponsor Landmarks’ Old House Fair. Both our organizations are interested in assisting home- “Adoring Angels” is the name of the owners and in strengthening neighborhoods. Pre-Raphaelite glass mosaic reredos The Bank’s connections with Pittsburgh Leake & Greene provided for neighborhoods and expertise in working with Emmanuel Church in 1889. It is families and in providing financial assistance thought to be the work of British-born Adam and Eve, as realized by Harry will help us spread the news about the Fair to and trained Henry Hunt, whose studio Wright Goodhue, watch over parish- thousands more Pittsburghers. After attending still operates in Pittsburgh. ioners at St. James, Wilkinsburg. the Sixth Annual Old House Fair, many more people will be inspired to make home improvements. That effort, in turn, will create healthier neighborhoods.”

Dollar Bank: downtown on Fourth Avenue, in this landmark building, since 1870.

Walking Tours FIFTH/FORBES WALKING TOURS Wednesdays in September, 12 Noon to 1:00 p.m. Meet under the clock in Market Square Free to members of Landmarks; $3.00 for non-members Docents from Landmarks lead the tours.

SOUTH SIDE STROLLS Saturdays through September 29, 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Meet at 12th and East Carson Streets, in front of the Birmingham mural Free for everyone Docents from Landmarks and the South Side Local Development Company lead the tours.

Margaret Henderson Floyd noted the similarity between Samuel ALLEGHENY WEST McClarren’s 1896 Woolslair School and the design vocabulary of Saturday mornings, year-round, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Longfellow, Alden & Harlow. The Golden Pompeian brickwork and Meet at Calvary United Methodist Church, Allegheny and Western Avenues, North Side Romanesque forms, decorated with Classical ornament, recall buildings $3.00 per person by the older firm. Proceeds benefit the restoration of monuments in Allegheny Commons Docents from the Allegheny City Society lead the tours.

For further information contact Mary Lu at: phone: 412-471-5808, ext. 527 e-mail: [email protected] Page 10 PHLF News • September 2001

The Eloquence Looking Good on t of Jamie Brownstone buildings In 1964, the historic houses on Liverpool are rare in Street were scheduled for demolition. That Pittsburgh: no more than sad fate inspired Arthur Ziegler and Jamie 280 are left in Van Trump (1908–1995) to create a non- the City. profit historic preservation group and to Fortunately, undertake a study of Liverpool Street, these in the assessing the condition of its structures 1300 block of and recommending strategies for their Liverpool Street preservation. are being The following excerpts from 1300–1335 restored. Liverpool Street, Manchester, Old Allegheny, Pittsburgh (1965) remind us of Jamie’s brilliance in conveying the timeless, emotional effect of Liverpool Street.

These houses...are ghosts....Year by year, Landmarks Commits installed upon completion of the roof work. more of them sink and vanish in dust or in The last house in the series is a red brick the bright air of the planner’s dream. Many $400,000 to Liverpool Victorian structure with stone window lintels of them seem to possess, however, some and a mansard roof. The house was over- nameless, secret vitality that informs their Street Restoration whelmed by a red and white metal awning on vagrant clusters of timber, brick, and stone the first floor that has been removed; a great that lie along the asphalt veins of this Elisa Cavalier weight has been lifted and the airy, vertical municipal bone yard. Waiting, these build- What a difference soap and water can make! nature of the building has been restored. ings gather their worn dignity about them, I scowled at my mother when she said this to The dominant feature of the row houses was raise their battered heads; they seem to ask me as a child; now I am a believer. All one the massive, continuous porch. Unfortunately, for a new turn of fortune or the advent of a needs to do is drive past the 1300 block of it had deteriorated over the years. In some kindly fashion to revive them. Liverpool Street and the wonders of soap and places, the wooden pedestals and columns that water become abundantly clear. had supported the porch roof had been ...Between Manhattan and Fulton Streets, Pittsburgh’s industrial legacy had turned six replaced with brick pillars. In other areas, two- as the eye journeys eastward, it is caught, row houses on Liverpool Street into somber, by-four posts simply propped up the sagging arrested by the desiccated, but still upstand- soot-covered manses. But soap and water has porch. Now, most of the porch has been ing, middle-class grandeurs of the 1300 helped reveal the impressive, warm-colored removed. The balustrades and spindles are block facades. This particular section, most brownstone structures masked for so many being re-milled in cypress wood to match the of whose houses were constructed in the years. Intricate stone carvings on the upper original detailing, and a tongue-and-groove decade 1880–1890, constitutes in its own stories of each house are now easily seen: a porch is being installed across the façade. Full solid bourgeois way the finest surviving nine-sectioned diamond graces 1301 Liverpool Victorian street in Pittsburgh... light double doors with semi-circular glass Street; eleven encircled flowers are carved transoms mark each entrance. ...The houses of the 1300 across 1305 Liverpool; and stone voussoirs Liverpool Street is in one of the oldest block on Liverpool Street surround the arched second-story windows of historic districts in the City of Pittsburgh. It is belong among this group of 1307 Liverpool Street. where Landmarks began its preservation efforts architectural citizens whose The six row houses are part of a joint thirty-seven years ago. Therefore this project is continued existence should restoration project being undertaken by the of particular importance to us. The members of be valued; they are not, on Manchester Citizens Corporation and the the team designing and executing the work are the one hand, worker’s Pittsburgh Housing Development Corporation well-known for their restoration expertise: cottages, nor are they great with funding from the Urban Redevelopment Landmarks Design Associates is the architect mansions like those still to Authority and from Landmarks, in the form and Sota Construction is the contractor. Once be seen on the North Side’s of grants and loans. The project has been in the exteriors of the homes are restored, four Ridge Avenue. These the planning stages for three years, and houses will be sold. Although the interiors of seemly rows of solidly-built construction began this spring. Much has each house must be refurbished, the new structures were constructed been accomplished since our last report in owners will be able to do so to their particular to house moderately pros- the April issue of PHLF News. specifications. perous townsmen, their The masonry of the six houses has been You will be able to see the Liverpool Street wives and children, and as cleaned and repointed. New roofs have been houses on our membership tour on October 14. such they are definitely documents of the built, with slate for the mansard sections If you are interested in buying one of the history of the great American middle class; soon to be installed. The decorative metal houses, please call Manchester Citizens here the walls and porches seem to say that fleurs-de-lis that graced the top of several Corporation at 412-323-1743. you can see clearly, if you care to look, how gables were removed, repaired, and will be the urban middle class man or woman lived in the 1880s and 1890s...

...Architecturally, the chief interest in Liverpool Street lies in the homogeneity of effect produced by the general form and style of its buildings and also in its varia- tions on the urban themes of the row house. Only in the North Side and the South Side districts of Pittsburgh do we find any exten- sive use of the closely built-up block of 19th century party-wall row houses so common in the cities of the eastern seaboard, and possibly the flatness of the topography, unusual in this area, was a factor in its establishment. A nine-sectioned diamond Encircled flowers at 1305 The arched second-story —JVT graces 1301 Liverpool Street. Liverpool Street. windows of 1307 Liverpool Street. PHLF News • September 2001 Page 11 the North Side Landmarks Helps Community development of a rehabilitation code for Pennsylvania similar to that Involvement adopted by both New Jersey and Preservation Fund As a member of the Fifth/Forbes Maryland. Planning Committee for “Plan C,” The participants described the Loan of $255,000 Helps Cathy McCollom, Landmarks’ unique problems associated with director of operations and market- older buildings, including housing Restore Six Mexican ing, has helped ensure that historic and commercial buildings, and preservation is a priority in the pointed out that the Pennsylvania War Streets Houses redevelopment effort. On July 27, Building Code is designed for new The Central Northside Neighborhood the Plan C Task Force announced buildings and often cannot apply that eight developers (three local and Council targeted six buildings in the to older buildings. Chapter 34, five out-of-town) had responded to Mexican War Streets for restoration: 1721, which addresses rehabilitation its “request for qualification” and in Pennsylvania, is extremely 1701, and 1221 Buena Vista; and three row expressed interest in developing complicated and building officials houses on Jacksonia plans for housing, retail, and throughout the Commonwealth Street, adjacent to the entertainment in the Fifth-Forbes are unfamiliar with it. Mattress Factory corrider. Task Force members are Richardson Romanesque at A new national building code is museum. The Urban 1221 Buena Vista. Landmarks currently being developed for restora- Redevelopment underwrote the cost of painting tion and rehabilitation, and might Authority of Pittsburgh become available in the early part of the porch. and Landmarks pro- this decade; it could suffice if adopted vided funding assis- by Pennsylvania. But the schedule for tance, and PHASE, a it is unknown at this time, and the nonprofit community- participants recommended that a code similar to that of New Jersey be based real estate devel- adopted. Then, when the national opment corporation, code is available (which is expected took on the “shell to be quite similar to the New Jersey rehab” project. The code), it could be adopted as the buildings were stabi- Forbes Avenue, downtown final one. 1701 Buena Vista lized; new windows, To adopt more flexible standards Street. This historic roofs, gutters, and reviewing the work of each firm and that befit older buildings would house had deteriorated downspouts were plan to select a development team by greatly assist in the financing of the to a mere shell. You installed; the facades the end of September. reuse of buildings throughout the could literally stand in were painted; and Cathy participated in two panel Commonwealth. All participants the basement and look discussions this spring, speaking on porches were restored, praised the City of Pittsburgh for its up through the roof! the topic of revitalizing historic when necessary. flexibility in applying the code, result- Italianate at 1721 Buena commercial districts. The confer- ing in considerable adaptive use of While in the process of completing the Vista. ences were the Governor’s Smart historic buildings. exterior work, PHASE found buyers for five Growth Conference on March 20 in of the six houses. The buyers paid for the Hershey, and the annual meeting of interior construction work, and were able to the National Association for Housing Regional Humanities determine the floor plans and create imagi- and Revitalization Organization on Council native interior designs. April 9 in Pittsburgh. The National Endowment for the Landmarks helped support 1721 Buena Vista is still available. Humanities (NEH) is offering $5 the 2001 Neighborhoods USA Call PHASE at 412-321-5565 for details! million on a one-to-three match to Conference in Pittsburgh, from an organization that will establish a May 23 to 26, and the Southwestern regional humanities council, and the Pennsylvania Smart Growth University of Pennsylvania is consid- Conference on June 9. ering responding to the offer. For Elisa Cavalier, general counsel reasons clear only to the NEH, for Landmarks, participated in a this Regional Council will serve charette on Homestead revitalization Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, on April 6 sponsored by the AIA, New York, and New Jersey, a highly and presented a lecture on historic differentiated group. Representatives preservation on May 9 at the from the University of Pennsylvania 411 Jacksonia Street. Pennsylvania Historical and invited Pittsburgh representatives Museum Commission conference interested in the humanities to discuss in Greensburg. what the council would do, and the dozen attendees offered constructive 500 and 502 Jacksonia Street. Historic Religious recommendations. Arthur Ziegler suggested that such Property Assistance a council could be useful if it could Thomas Keffer, superintendent of communicate the values of the property maintenance at Landmarks, humanities to those who are not has been meeting with Greenstone already convinced of them, rather Tour Liverpool Street, United Methodist Church in Avalon, than serving the constituent commu- offering advice in regard to a new nity of organizations and university Buena Vista, and More! walkway and automatic handicap- departments. “Ample educational accessible entrance doors. material is available to everyone On Sunday, October 14, join Landmarks’ staff working in the humanities,” said and neighborhood leaders for a tour of Liverpool, Pennsylvania Arthur, “and we do not need any Buena Vista, and Jacksonia Streets. See the progress more conferences or seminars to share Rehab Code ideas; we have more than any one has that is being made in these historic neighborhoods. Landmarks’ president Arthur time for. However, the humanities are Participants also will have the chance to visit the Ziegler and Thomas Keffer, super- unfortunately not a priority with Mattress Factory to see the models submitted by intendent of property maintenance many people, and that needs to be Liverpool Street changed.” To make such a council a young landscape designers showing new designs for at Landmarks, joined architects Maureen Guttman and Rob $20-million-funding priority would six historic areas in Pittsburgh (see “Much Ado Pfaffmann to testify at a meeting require a well articulated program About Something” on page 5). in Pittsburgh on April 9 of the supported by a broad constituency; Members will be mailed an invitation to the October 14 tour. Or, you may Pennsylvania House Urban Affairs a great deal more work needs to be done to achieve that position. contact Mary Lu Denny for further details: 412-471-5808, ext. 527; e-mail: Committee. The topic: to discuss the [email protected]. Reservations will be required for this membership tour. Page 12 PHLF News • September 2001 Architecture in

South Side’s Neighborhood Assistance Program Just over 1,500 teachers, students, parents, and friends participated in our education programs featuring South Side history and architecture. Students from Arlington Elementary, Bishop Leonard, Philip Murray, Phillips Elementary, and Prince of Peace traveled along the Discovering Pittsburgh Mon to view the South Side from the river, explored the old LTV site (and met several Pittsburgh Steelers), Over 120 teachers participated in seven summer education classes offered by searched for architectural details along Sidney and Landmarks through the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, Gateway to the Arts, South Twenty-second Streets, and participated in Pennsylvania Resources Council, Pittsburgh Children’s Museum, and mapping and bridge-building activities. Ringold School District. The teachers learned how to strengthen their classroom curricula—and extend classroom learning into the community — through the themes of local history and architecture. The following excerpts, from two teachers in our “Pittsburgh Heritage” class, convey the sense of discovery experienced by many of our teachers as a result of our summer classes:

Visiting the North Side with our admired doorstep flower pots, and “Pittsburgh Heritage” class last ran my hand over the brick facades week was like opening a gift I didn’t of these side-by-side Victorians. I know I had, a truly unexpected found a spot to sit on the street and surprise.... sketch the details (or tried to any- Like most Pittsburghers, my way) of the old Victorian, and experiences with this part of the city, forgot about time. Walking out, I were limited to childhood field-trips saw a small “For Rent” sign—and to Buhl and Three Rivers Stadium. considered it. Casually, I would drive around, —Kelly Nicholson and pass right by the North Side on 279, 28, 65...on my way to some other place. I had no idea what was The North Side day also included a locked inside this area. visit to Allegheny Commons: First of all, arriving on the North ...all the little park has to offer is a Side for my “Pittsburgh Heritage” quiet, still, relaxed, atmosphere class was an exercise of my indepen- where time almost stops. The dence. After taking the bus from surroundings...force you to slow Aspinwall to downtown, I crossed down—so serene, so private, so the Allegheny by foot on the tucked away. I can imagine and Roberto Clemente Bridge, with almost feel “the promenade.” hopes of not getting lost! The river sparkled in the morning sunlight; —Norma Rennich business men and women scurried to work, yet I had time to meander and enjoy.... I happened upon one of the Mexican War Streets by accident. The noise from the adjacent streets and the kids playing in the park van- ished as if there was a new world here. Now, sounds included birds chirping from the trees lining the narrow brick street, and a faint radio from someone who maybe didn’t have to go into work this Wednesday. I forgot to walk on the sidewalks, but that didn’t seem to matter. I peered into small gardens,

Standing on her handmade bridge amidst a sketch of Allegheny Commons, a Touring the former LTV site and meeting several Pittsburgh Steelers. “Pittsburgh Heritage” teacher holds up her pop-up street scene. PHLF News • September 2001 Page 13

Miller Elementary Students from Miller Elementary School in the Hill District created books about their neighbor- hood during a year-long after-school enrichment program with Landmarks and mentors from Mercy Hospital. This is the third year that Landmarks has n Education taught the Mercy Miller after-school enrichment program. One student recalls some of his memories in the following letter:

Dear Mrs. Louise, I would like to thank you for the wonderful things we did. Even though this is my last year I will remember the things we did at Mercy Miller. Do you remember when we went walking across the bridge to look at different symbols and statues on the build- ings? Do you remember the story teller when he told us the great stories, or even the paper-bag building activity? The tunnel pro- ject was fun too. Thank you truly for coming to share with me things that I didn’t know.

Your dear friend,

Delvin Turner

McNaugher Education Center Thanks to the initiative of their teachers (and with some guidance from Landmarks), students from McNaugher Education Center in Perry South toured downtown Pittsburgh, West End, and the Hill, among other places, and built models showing similarities and differences between those places. This model of the Hill includes the Civic Arena and St. Benedict the Moor.

Pittsburgh Elementary Gifted Center Students from the Pittsburgh Elementary Gifted Center on the North Side built models of a Children’s Park they envisioned for Allegheny Center. They also created a Web site featuring the designs, models, and project descriptions: info.pps.pgh.pa.us. The Pittsburgh Children’s Museum sponsored this year-long project in cooperation with Landmarks.

Allegheny Traditional Academy How should the Children’s Museum be linked to the old Buhl Planetarium? What students. The old Buhl Building would become a day care and homework help center, should happen in the old planetarium? How can the Allegheny Center area be made complete with computers and a snack shop. The students especially liked the planetar- more inviting? Patricia Pirt’s eighth-grade students from Allegheny Traditional ium itself: “We want to keep this as a theater that just does plays and things in the Academy addressed these questions in the grandest model of them all! They proposed dark. You could have scary plays or pajama parties; or tell campfire stories or runaway that a clear-glass, three-story building be constructed to link the Children’s Museum to slave stories; or just watch a play under the stars.” the old Buhl building. The new museum would have activities for middle school Page 14 PHLF News • September 2001 Architecture in Education (continued from page 13) Mt. Lebanon Elementary Schools In May, about 380 second-grade students from seven elementary schools The walking tour was part of a social studies unit on community. Students toured Washington Road, a main street in Mt. Lebanon, searching for 101 also sketched their house and school, completed a community workbook, architectural details that matched photographic details printed on a series of and toured the municipal building and fire station. Their drawings and stories worksheets. Nearly 80 parents volunteered to help lead the tours, along with were showcased in a summer exhibit at Mt. Lebanon Public Library. members of Landmarks, The Historical Society of Mount Lebanon, and the Landmarks, the Society, and Ad Hoc Committee were delighted to have the Ad Hoc Historic Preservation Committee of Mt. Lebanon. After the walk, opportunity to work with Foster School principal Dr. Karen Kanell and the students pasted all the photographic details on a main street map (complete second-grade teachers to strengthen the curriculum on community. with a community timeline) that they then displayed in their schools.

Building Magic Carnegie “Building Magic,” a live-production offered through Gateway to the Students from St. Elizabeth Arts and produced in cooperation with Landmarks, was performed in Ann Seton School in Carnegie Market Square in May, and to a total of 2,270 students in nine schools also explored the main street between January and June. of their community, searching for matches to architectural details. Landmarks created this program at the request of Marcella McGrogan of the Carnegie Historical Society and teacher Debby McGrogan. About 20 parents volunteered to serve as tour guides, and everyone met at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library at the end of the tour. Public schools in Carnegie might participate in this pro- gram in the 2001-02 school year. PHLF News • September 2001 Page 15

Westmoreland County Schools: Fifth Annual Architectural Design Challenge What should be done with the vacant downtown lot on Liberty Four Trustees Avenue adjacent to the Bruno Building? Close to 200 middle and high school students from Westmoreland County proposed Fund 10 many ingenious solutions in sophisticated and intricately crafted models. They presented their ideas to a jury of architects, after College an orientation tour with Landmarks and months of work. Ideas included a golf pro shop, apartments, internet cafes, Scholarships and sports bars. Several models were displayed at the Associated Artists Gallery on Liberty Avenue. Landmarks Scholarships In 1998, trustee David Brashear estab- lished the Landmarks Scholarship program. Now nine students are receiving four-year college scholarships, thanks to the Brashear Family Named Fund and contributions from Landmarks’ chairman Phil Hallen and former trustee Grant McCargo. Recipients this year are Kezia Ellison, a graduate of The Ellis School, and Terri White, a graduate of David B. Oliver High School. This fall, Kezia will be attend- ing Brown University and Terri will be Above: Several scholarship recipi- attending ents met in June: from left to right, Howard Lauren Merski, Lara Malakoff, University. Greg Bykowski, and Terri White. Three scholarship recipients just completed their freshman year at college: Lara Malakoff at George Washington University; Lauren Merski at Kent State University; and Jennifer Schulz at the University of Virginia. And four scholarship recipients just completed their sophomore year: Steve Albert at the University of Cincinnati; Renee Davis and Greg Bykowski, both at the University of Pittsburgh; and Emily Sullivan at Cornell University. Three of our scholarship winners are working with architectural firms this summer; one is working with a local contractor; and one is enjoying a summer Kezia Ellison study-abroad in Europe. “The Landmarks Scholarship program is giving us the opportunity to develop relationships with young people who care about their hometown, and who are developing their skills by pursuing a college educa- tion,” said Landmarks’ executive Steel Valley Middle School and High School Design Challenge director Louise Sturgess. What should be done with the former Rainbow Kitchen building at the corner of East Eighth Avenue and Amity Street in Homestead? Landmarks posed this question to twenty-six students from Steel Valley Middle and High Schools. After months Walton Family Scholarship of work, students described their models and ideas to Betty Esper, Homestead’s mayor, and leading business people and architects. Trustee Ellen Walton is sponsoring a scholarship for a high school graduate who attended Miller Elementary School The Leona Building: in the Hill District. “I am very including Primanti impressed with Miller School and with Brothers, a night- Margaret Burley, one of the teachers club, and rooftop there,” said Ellen. “I wanted to estab- performance stage. lish a scholarship that would match one being offered as a result of Steel City’s Mrs. Burley’s efforts, Shining Star: so assistance could be a giftshop, news- awarded to two former Miller School students stand, ice cream instead of just one.” parlor and more! On April 12, the first Walton Family Scholarship winner— Eric Howze and Angel Kendall—and the Angel Kendall Miller School scholarship winner—Eric Howze—were recognized The Riverplex Complex: at the annual NEED dinner. Both are complete with a sports graduates of Schenley High School. store; mini-ice hockey Angel will be attending Garrett College rink; and rooftop in the fall, and Eric will be attending miniature golf course. Slippery Rock.

The Amity Street Coffee Shop and Bookstore Page 16 PHLF News • September 2001

Notice the contrast between the skyscrapers pictured above and below. The Arrott

Building of 1902 has busy Photo courtesy of Eichleay Holdings Inc., Pittsburgh, PA walls of white terra cotta and bronze-colored brick, hard in finish. Ornamental features are applied to it, top and bottom, like costume jewelry...

...while the Investment Building of 1927, almost A Mid-Victorian house makes an ignominious departure from Frick Acres around 1927. In the meantime, the Cathedral of identical in dimensions, has a Learning is being clad in its Gothic raiment and the Masonic Temple, across Fifth Avenue, is a little dirty but otherwise doing plain “shaft” of textured nicely, thank you. Eclecticism at its peak. brown brick with a “base” and “capital” of limestone, simply composed and with its details integrated in the mass. The chamfering of the upper part that faces the street Dressed for the Occasion: shapes the top and creates a strong conclusion that Walter C. Kidney whether it be of rubble, brick, terra from now may be in the van, and no requires no heavy cornice. cotta, or stucco. man, be he layman, critic, or designer, With Eclecticism, a building wore a can pass an infallible judgment, or even In the April issue of PHLF News, costume, often though not always one make a good guess, as to what is to be that evoked a bygone culture, time, and the architecture of the future. Modern I wrote of Hornbostel in place. American architecture is the American Pittsburgh, now in preparation. By the mid-1920s, American architec- architecture of today. ture was in a state of self-satisfaction Talbot Hamlin took a tolerant For years I have had a compan- laced with malaise. Looking at attitude, too: ion book in mind, a general Eclecticism and sporadic searches for something new, the respected academic Emotional power in architecture can survey of Eclectic architecture in G. H. Edgell took a tolerant, wait-and- never be achieved until the larger the Pittsburgh area. Here are a see attitude: matters of plan and composition have entirely absorbed and re-formed the Modern American architecture few images to give you an idea. details of architectural expression like includes all the architecture of America moldings, columns, and ornamental which has recently been built, or is being forms which make “style.” It is precisely The Eclectics appreciated materials— built today. It includes the conservative these larger matters of planning and their colors, textures, potentials for and the radical, the archaeological and composition which are most profoundly patterns, historic associations—as the the original. To limit modern architec- affected by new materials, new technical Victorians never did, and more recent ture to that which seems to embody processes, and new social conditions. architects just occasionally. True, steel, what are called modernistic tendencies The Eclectics appreciated As soon, then, as plan and composition, reinforced concrete, or hollow tile—the would be not only foolish, but arrogant. materials: rubble at the so deeply responsive to the changing cinder block of the 1920s—might The architecture which today is Longue Vue Club. mechanizing of modern life, begin to slumber beneath the gorgeous surface, regarded as unprogressive, a generation control detail as completely as they Brick: Mount Assisi, Ross Township.

Stucco: a house on Amberson Avenue. Terra cotta: the William Penn Hotel. PHLF News • September 2001 Page 17

Bourgeois urban Gothic, 1500-style, for commerce: the Union Trust Building, downtown.

An English Gothic church for the Anglicans: Calvary And now and then, the Eclectics attempted a modern style: Episcopal in Shadyside. seldom completely original, but looking sideways rather than back. The Greenfield Elementary School is a design of 1916, derived from modern architecture in Chicago.

Gaudeamus igitur! an aspiring Gothic fantasy for learning: the Cathedral of Learning at Eclecticism in Pittsburgh the University of Pittsburgh.

should, style changes are inevitable, So there. But the Modernists, a priori in decay...incredible vulgarity...a lewd and true style freedom will arrive. their approach to style, full of moral exhibit of drooling imbecility and politi- outrage at all the fake half-timber and cal debauchery...impudently thievish. Eclectics, as might be expected, tended so forth, could be pretty shrill in to be reactionary, as was Thomas The Depression came, and the War, response. Thus, Sheldon Cheney: Tallmadge: and the Modernist polemics continued. The contention for an American style Eclecticism is the amiable name given Really interesting Eclectic work faded is the pursuit of a will-o-the-wisp.... to architectural incompetence in the away. The Cathedral of Learning, East What is the culture and genius of period 1870–1920. Pickers and Liberty Presbyterian Church, and the America? It is European. We are not choosers from older forms of buildings, Mellon Institute were follow-throughs aborigines. We are nearly or remotely disputers for this or that style within the in the 1930s of brave Eclectic projects, Europeans, and we are not only limits of impotency and imitativeness, but Eclecticism was in a decline. Europeans, but we are ancients as tasteful roamers, cultured repeaters of Eventually, Eclecticism was hotly well....If, then, it is true that we are other men’s architectural phrases— opposed, and in retrospect we may co-heirs with our brothers who have not Eclectics!...Here in America, in the wonder—even if, somewhere inside, we yet emigrated of the glory and the period of McKim and White and their are glad—that such a phenomenon of grandeur that were Greece and Rome; associates, we had everything—except picking and choosing, of tasteful roam- if the same blood that joined thrust to honesty, courage, and creation. ing, could have occurred. What was thrust in the dizzy groins of Amiens, good and what was bad about Or savor the prose of Louis Sullivan: that hung the vault of St. Peter’s so little Eclecticism? below the firmament, that flecked the An imposition upon the people’s streets of London with the white fingers eyesight, a naked exhibitionism of of Wren’s churches—if this same blood charlantry in the higher feudal and (continued on page 18) flows in our veins, why should we give domineering culture, conjoined with up this royal heritage? It is ours as much expert salesmanship in the materials of as it is theirs across the seas.

A mixture of materials: a A Colonial house in Shadyside, full of Something vaguely Old World in house in Aspinwall. “Anglo-Saxon home atmosphere.” Highland Park, with half-timbering and shingles imitating thatch. Page 18 PHLF News • September 2001

Henry Hornbostel (1867–1961)

CONTRIBUTE to the 2002 publication of

Hornbostel St. Bernard’s Church in Mount Lebanon, finished in 1947, was one of in Pittsburgh the last genuine works of Eclecticism in by Walter C. Kidney the Pittsburgh area, at least on the high-budget end. Begun in 1933, it is lavishly decorated and its roofs are In the fall of 2002, Landmarks will covered with enameled tiles in a fairy- publish a handsomely illustrated tale variety of colors. soft-cover book devoted to the work of Henry Hornbostel. The book will include an essay on Hornbostel’s work here and elsewhere, followed by a catalogue of works in Pittsburgh, from 1904 to 1939, of at least 80 designs.

Please contribute by completing and A 60-ton monolithic shaft is hoisted onto its base at the Mellon Institute in 1932. returning this form. The Ionic colonnade, which had 62 such shafts, did nothing but look dignified.

Yes, I am (we are) making a contri- bution to Hornbostel in Pittsburgh in the amount of $______. Dressed for the Occasion Once upon a time—the Hyeholde, in My (our) check is enclosed, payable (continued from page 17) Moon Township! to the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation and BAD. There is something irritating GOOD. The artistry in the use of referenced “Hornbostel.” about a building that will not be itself, materials, the integration of details and that pretends to be of another place or massing. The use of styles to symbolize I (we) understand that this con- time, or to be composed of materials the institutions of society. The freshness tribution will be used to support the and constructional systems not its own; of ideas sometimes, even when prece- book’s publication and does not one’s reason is offended, if not one’s dent is lurking behind the executed entitle me (us) to a free copy of the morals: a building should graciously work. The freedom from the tyranny of book upon publication. admit the facts of its existence—where, theory, of priggish abstention, that has when and how, it is built. Bland stuff, characterized Modernism. I (we) would like my (our) name(s) too, a lot of the time. to be printed in the contributor’s list in the book as follows:

170 Seegar Road please print your name(s) clearly Upper St. Clair The Phillips/Seegar homestead of 1806 All contributors will be invited to includes an authentically restored land- the book release party. mark farmhouse on a 1.8 acre site with a carriage “garage” for two cars. Please mail this completed form with There are gleaming oak floors through- your contribution to: out the house, and fireplaces in nearly every room. The vintage double hung win- Louise Sturgess dows are recessed in the style of the early Pittsburgh History & 19th century. Landmarks Foundation Modern updates include a remodeled One Station Square, Suite 450 kitchen, a cozy finished gameroom under Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1134 the main house, two new baths, and a two-story period log addition featuring a family room with a log fireplace and an To make a contribution by credit upper den/library. card call Mary Lu at 412-471-5808 ext. 527. For further details, call Jane Voigt at 412-561-7400. Thank you very much for contributing!

A copy of the official registration and financial information It would be more discreet, perhaps, not to illustrate the ineffectiveness and of the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by illiteracy of just about everything designed within the last 50 years that calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. copies or alludes to the past. This recent essay in Welder’s Corinthian (on East Carson Street) is exceptional in its vigor. PHLF News • September 2001 Page 19

Membership Books Worth Reading Survey Reviews by Arthur Ziegler and Walter C. Kidney Responses • Midas Dekkers, The Way of All Flesh. summer crusades at the behest of several one might get along the Shenandoah or the New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, popes, eager to take the land of the Cathars Loire. On a fine day, with the great Seventy-five people completed the 1997. 280 pp. $25.00 cloth. and the wealth produced from it. thunderheads rafting across the high sky, membership survey included in the The hilltop citadels frequently held for Montana can hold its own for sheer visual This erudite, wide-ranging, and often last issue of PHLF News; 64 of weeks and months, but ultimately were beauty with any landscape in the world. amusing book is written by a popular those people joined Landmarks to surmounted and the people inside not just writer-biologist from the Netherlands. McMurtry will send you not so much to support historic preservation. A defeated but exterminated. In one village His theme is an old one, that all things on the big highways as he will send you to majority of people also joined 7,000 were massacred and in another this planet, including the planet itself, will your local travel and history writers. I 20,000: every last man, woman, and child. because of the affordable dues, decay and disappear. He ranges over the found myself picking up our local book on The Crusades and the Inquisition, PHLF News, and specific preser- whole of life and much that is inert as well, Route 30, the Lincoln Highway, immedi- known for ruthlessness in the name of holi- vation concerns. PHLF News is the discussing how the impulse of life is for ately upon completing this one. ness, for political expediency in the name of procreation rather than prolongation, and —APZ membership benefit that matters improving the territory, are graphically that with the inert objects man creates, most, followed closely by volunteer described in this gripping, but enormously whether it be buildings or locomotives, • Andrew Borowiec, Along the Ohio. opportunities, discounts on tours, sad book. “the aim of restoring something to its for- Baltimore and London: The Johns and free walking tours. When you try to imagine thousands of mer glory is as futile as it is human. A lot of Hopkins University Press, 2000. In coop- people encamped in a high fortress, obvi- In regard to programs that glory is simply at its best if it’s decaying. eration with the Center for American ously with limited food and at times no Landmarks should be pursuing, six Decaying is living.” Places. xviii + 129 pp., 80 full-page water, with sanitation conditions one doesn’t categories were checked 34 times or He points out that we should be grateful photographs. $55.00 cloth; $24.95 paper. want to imagine, and struggling against for decay. Who would wish to have some of more: identifying sites of architec- fierce cold and wind and heat only finally to For the most part, this book elegantly the New Brutalism architecture of the tural/historical significance; be stoned, mutilated, and frequently burned depicts bleak places. In these river towns, 1950s and 1960s and the urban planning of providing advice and technical alive in the name of the church as an insti- plant life is tolerated rather than grown, that period live forever? While many forms assistance; offering tours; engaging tution, you close the book with a tragically pavement is occasional, and building is in of life kill their old or leave them for preda- graphic understanding of the willingness of the vernaculars of various times. Yet the in advocacy; managing the tors in order to protect the young, or in the people in the name of an institution to Greek Revival shows up in three places, Preservation Loan Fund; and case of human beings deposit them with torment and subjugate one another. We can speaking of old ambitions in towns that publishing PHLF News. The three caretakers of the elderly, he believes that draw conclusions about our own time and now often look depressed. In New Albany, greatest preservation concerns “the nice thing about venerability is that it place and governments and institutions, Indiana, half the paint on a Doric temple increases with age, it needs time. among the members who here and abroad, in our own day. front has fallen away. Another temple front, Venerability is what a City Hall has, but a responded are downtown revital- in Old Shawneetown, Illinois, seems backed city often doesn’t. It’s the difference ization, inner-city neighborhood • Larry McMurtry, Roads: Driving onto an 1840-period vernacular building between Mother Goose and Donald Duck, revitalization, and urban sprawl America’s Great Highways. New York: the way a locomotive is backed onto a Queen Victoria, and The Prince of Wales.” Simon & Schuster Trade Paperbacks, boxcar. In two pictures the river boat prevention. Many members took He recognizes the importance of pre- 2001. 208 pp. $13.00 paper. American Queen shows up in all its the opportunity to share their ideas serving old buildings, but at the same time pseudo-Victoriana: close up at Henderson, with us: “Plan a tour to Point letting them take their course through time. I would not have expected anyone to want Kentucky, far off at Rabbit Hash in the to write a book about driving Interstate Breeze”; and “Plan some day-long People prefer to see their old pubs, same state. Pennsylvania scenes appear nine highways, let alone produce a book so bus trips to nearby cities.” Others their old rectories, their old gatehouses. times. Blast furnaces and cooling towers fascinating that one is almost moved to do extended a word of thanks: They’re proud of them. Proud of piles of stand often in the background. it oneself. Roads is not a book about stones. And why? Because, like sponges, The reader might not want to live in I am extremely impressed with the Eisenhower’s conceiving of the highways or they absorb history....An old city offers most of these places, but the scenes are quality of the programs that I have Lyndon Johnson’s pushing the building the perfect opportunity. Its houses have finely presented in both composition and program in earnest, nor is it about the engi- attended. I look forward to reading survived wars, watched children grow up, presswork, and photo lovers should con- neering or the construction, both of which PHLF News. You offer the commu- taken people into hiding, witnessed parties, sider the purchase. This belongs to a series would be engaging topics. Nor is it about nity so much at a very affordable stored tea crates. called Creating the North American deviating through the small towns or the cost. Landscape. But he points out that to restore aging historic sites along the way. —Bernice Schorr structures by replacing their parts is to McMurtry writes primarily about the • Donald Hoffmann, Frank Lloyd Wright’s create a different structure and one that will scenery, the local historical scenes, the I’m amazed at all PHLF has to House on Kentuck Knob. Pittsburgh: decay after all, much like inserting new famous people of letters, and the not-so- offer. There are so many benefits I University of Pittsburgh Press, 2000. plastic and metal parts into human beings: famous local writers as he hurtles along at was not aware of. I have never 112 pp., 14 color and 52 b/w illustra- new hips, pacemakers, and the like. 80 miles an hour covering about 1,100 tions. $18.95. visited your Web site, but will do Almost any reader of this book—those miles in each trip of about two days. In so. Your preservation programs anticipating a wonderful after-life; those 200 pages, he travels most of the country Such is the present awe of Frank Lloyd offer diversity and a great way to hoping for a better world for their children; with amazing speed and erudition. He tells Wright that “Kentuck” is presented as his learn more about the history of those taking vitamins and eating organi- us about Lewis & Clark, General Custer, house, not that of I. W. and Bernadine our city. cally or visiting the gym three times a week; the Hopi Indians, what he feels is the Hagan, in the title. The owners are hand- —Carolyn Levy or ardent historic preservationists—will inadequately operated Hemingway house in somely portrayed within, and the story of take pause in reading this book. Key West, which is an island that he says their slow approach to Wright in 1953— could now have been developed by Disney. and decision not to hire Deeter & Ritchey • Stephen O’ Shea, The Perfect Heresy. In Idaho he reminds us that Hemingway as architects for their home—is carefully Walker & Co., 2000. 224 pp. 15 b/w committed suicide, and Ezra Pound was told. About half the book is a tour of the illustrations. $25.00 hardcover. born in that state’s town of Hailey. house itself. The book ends with 15 pages House of scholarly notes. “Beware of dissenting, no matter how What is so amazing about this book is well-intended,” could well be the lesson to that in a single paragraph McMurtry can • Larry R. Ford, The Spaces between Tou rs be learned from the unfortunate Cathars. give us these local overviews almost as Buildings. Baltimore and London: The As the medieval church grew stronger, more rapidly as he is covering the territory. We Call for details! Johns Hopkins University Press, 2000. affluent, more political, and more self- do not get details, but we get enough to get In cooperation with the Center for aggrandizing, in the quiet south of France the picture, and now and then we get a • Manchester American Places. xii + 225 pp., 52 illus- in an area known as Languedoc, an idea handsome articulation of the scenery: trations. $58.00 cloth; $25.95 paper. August 12 advanced with Christians of adaptive I only have to be in Montana—about Phone: simplicity of life rather than extravagance. 10 minutes—to re-convince myself that it is The subject is interesting, the treatment In a refutation of the hierarchical structure easily the most beautiful American state. rather wordy, the illustrations illustrative. 412-321-7707 of the church and its then sumptuous life, Many of its multitude of long, gentle glacial The argument, over all, favors “gregarious” the Cathars grew in number as they com- valleys have rivers running through them in spaces, “permeable” facades, towns that • Mexican War Streets municated their belief that Christianity Norman Maclean’s now famous phrase. reflect optimism about human nature and September 16 required simplicity of life, habit, custom, The mountains are almost always in sight, that are meant for casual, sociable gather- Phone: dress, food, and self-discipline. The idea but mainly as a shadowy blue backdrop to ings and passings of the citizenry. 412-323-9030 took hold among the rich and the poor, the the beauty of the valleys and plains. Most —WCK political and the apolitical. In order to of the many small rivers—the Milk, the • Lawrenceville protect themselves from a militant church Maris, the little Blackfoot, the Ruby, the they built magnificent fortresses atop high Shields, the Sweet Grass—have small September 23 and rocky hills in the Pyrenees. towns strung along them. The rivers, the Phone: The church created for and directed valleys, the mountains, and the big sky 412-682-5435 much of the Inquisition against them; and manage, as no where else, to combine the the political leaders of the north mounted grand vista with the intimate view, such as Page 20 PHLF News • September 2001 JOIN LANDMARKS

Support the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation in its work to: • Identify, document, and work to save architectural landmarks, Art Deco Schools Tour Neill Log historic neighborhoods, and historic designed landscapes in Albert M. Tannler Allegheny County; House • Provide loans and technical On March 31, At Mifflin School—the earliest public Landmarks Underwrites assistance to community-based Landmarks school Weber designed, but the last organizations that propose feasible Study presented one part school building visited—David Vater plans for historic properties; Thirty-three years ago, thanks to a grant of its two-part Art said enthusiastically: “This is so fresh! Participate in urban planning from the Richard King Mellon • Deco public There is an originality in Weber’s issues as an advocate for historic Foundation, Landmarks restored the preservation; school lecture- detailing: decorative stone carvings Neill Log House in Schenley Park. It tour through and brick details are not stock items or • Create educational programs was one of three eighteenth-century for schools, community groups, the University used in a standard way. He created buildings remaining in Pittsburgh. members, and friends; of Pittsburgh’s new forms distinct to each school he Charles Morse Stotz was the architect Center for designed, despite similar layouts, mass- • Continue a well-managed, for the restoration and Ralph Griswold Lifetime Learning. ing, and materials. Each school building responsive, and creative A Moderne-Mannerist was the landscape architect. The City The March Weber designed has a very individual membership organization with doorway at Mifflin agreed to maintain the property if we the ability to implement these event visited look and identifiable personality.” School; Edward J. restored it. Unfortunately, the City did goals on a long-range basis. Lincoln School On September 15, Landmarks and Weber, architect. not maintain the property; now the (1931), one of the Pitt’s Center for Lifetime Learning will Membership Categories house is suffering from disrepair and is city’s earliest Art present a tour of seven Art Deco public rarely open to the public. Individual $25 or more Deco schools, designed by Thomas school buildings designed between Family $30 or more Pringle and Oliver J. Robling, and three 1931 and 1942 by Marion M. Steen Couple $30 or more amazing buildings—Moderne, Mayan, (1886–1966). Among several wonderful Senior citizen and Expressionist—by Edward J. Weber interior spaces is the original 1931 or student $15 or more (1877–1968): Mifflin (1932), auditorium of Prospect School, called Schools and Lemington (1937), and Schiller (1939). “one of Pittsburgh’s most fully realized Non-profits $35 or more The latter two buildings were executed Art Deco interiors” (National Register School Districts $50 or more in association with Marion M. Steen, of Historic Places Nomination Form). Ambassadors $100 or more Board of Public Education Architect Some of Pittsburgh’s finest Art Deco from 1935 to 1954. sculpture will also be seen. Corporate $250 or more Tour participants included Pittsburgh David Vater’s comment at the conclu- Life Benefactor $5,000 (a one-time gift) architects John A. Martine and David J. sion of the March tour applies equally The Neill Log House before restoration in 1968, Vater, and Edward Weber’s son-in-law, to September: “Many of these buildings and during a school tour in the 1980s. Charles Floyd. (Mr. Floyd and his late are familiar to us from the outside, but wife Agnes donated scrapbooks belong- in this day and age of schools as high ing to Edward Weber to the Heinz security places, the public does not often Architectural Center of the Carnegie have an opportunity to see the interiors Museum of Art, which documented, of these buildings. It was a real pleasure among other things, Weber’s school to have Landmarks obtain access so that design activities.) our group could enter and see the inte- The elegance of Lincoln School’s rior hallways, stairs, and auditoriums of exterior brickwork and Schiller School’s these unique public buildings.” interior geometric metalwork was If you would like to attend the The portion of your dues exceeding $15 appreciated. At Lemington School, September 15 Art Deco School Tour, is tax-deductible. John Martine noted the authenticity call the University of Pittsburgh at At the request of the Pittsburgh Parks Call Mary Lu Denny at of various Central American design 412-648-2560. elements. Conservancy, Landmarks recently 412-471-5808 ext. 527 for details underwrote the cost of a study to deter- on a multiple-year membership plan mine what repair work was needed. at a reduced rate, and for a listing Landmarks Design Associates completed of our membership benefits. the study and estimates that total Yes! Enroll me as a member of the More on Avalon (continued from page 6) restoration costs will range between Pittsburgh History & Landmarks $40,000 and $50,000. Landmarks is Foundation. I have enclosed a in the morning, and the pilgrimage of church in New York and suddenly, the now working with the Conservancy to contribution in the amount of middle European Catholics to the Waldrons were gone from the street. determine how to make interim repairs ______. Franciscan Friary in the afternoon. I have returned a half-dozen times, until sufficient funds can be raised for Wearing mostly black, they came by mostly to marvel at the high-rise the complete restoration. Name______streetcar from all over Pittsburgh to apartments, admire the old (and new) attend services and to pray in the churches and quietly salute the single- 1,361 People Visit Neill Log House Address______Grotto. family homes that have courageously Thanks to Landmarks’ member Dwight City ______I had five Pittsburgh Press customers stood their ground...still clean and Fong, the Neill Log House was open for at the Friary, two at the front office fussed-over, and, as you pointed out public tours during the Pittsburgh State ______Zip ______and three in the rear residence area. so deftly, still independently proud. Vintage Grand Prix on July 21 and 22. I remember the quiet beauty of the Telephone (day)______Best wishes, For several years now, Dwight has (area code) Grotto and its cool darkness in the worked with the City of Pittsburgh to summer. E-mail ______see that the log house is open to visitors I left South Home Avenue when I during the Grand Prix. married in the summer of 1954. Two Method of Payment John F. Waldron years later, my father was called to a Check enclosed (payable to PHLF) Credit card: AmEx Visa Mastercard Discover PHLF News usually is published four times each year for the members of the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation, a non-profit historic Account # ______preservation organization serving Allegheny County. Special issues, devoted to a particular theme or program area, are published on occasion. Landmarks is committed to neighborhood restoration and historic property preservation; public advocacy; historic landscape preservation; and Expiration______education and membership programs. © 2001 Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation Signature______Designed by Pytlik Design Associates, Photographs by William Rydberg, PHOTON, and Landmarks, unless otherwise noted.

I have already included Landmarks in Arthur P. Ziegler, Jr...... President Walter C. Kidney...... Architectural Historian my will or estate plan. Louise Sturgess ...... Editor/Executive Director Stanley A. Lowe...... Vice President, Preservation Programs Elisa J. Cavalier ...... General Counsel Cathy McCollom ...... Director of Operations and Marketing Thank you for completing this form. Laura Charles ...... Education Assistant Jack Miller ...... Director of Gift Planning Tom Croyle...... Comptroller Linda Mitry...... Staff Accountant Please detach and fax or mail to: Mary Lu Denny ...... Director of Membership Services Frank Stroker...... Assistant Archivist/Sales Manager Membership Mary Ann Eubanks...... Education Coordinator Albert M. Tannler ...... Historical Collections Director Pittsburgh History & Barry Hannegan ...... Director of Historic Design Programs Sarah Walker ...... Secretary Landmarks Foundation Jean Hardy ...... Secretary Marilyn Whitelock ...... Secretary One Station Square, Suite 450 Phipps Hoffstot ...... Chief Financial Officer Gregory C. Yochum ...... Horticulturist Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1134 Thomas Keffer ...... Superintendent of Property Maintenance Ronald C. Yochum, Jr...... Chief Information Officer 412-471-5808, ext. 527 Fax 412-471-1633 www.phlf.org