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Allegheny Cemetery Non-Profit Allegheny Organization U.S Allegheny Cemetery Non-Profit Allegheny Organization U.S. POSTAGE Cemetery PAID A Publication of the Allegheny Cemetery Historical Association Pittsburgh, PA 4734 Butler Street Permit No. 3588 Pittsburgh, PA 15201-2951 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Established April 24, 1844 Gate Hours April 7:00 am - 7:00 pm May 7:00 am - 8:00 pm A Publication of the Allegheny Cemetery Historical Association Volume XXIII 2014 June - August 7:00 am - 7:00 pm September - March 7:00 am - 5:00 pm Sunday Gates open at 10:00 am Office Hours Monday through Friday A Cemetery Lurker 8:15 am - 5:00 pm by James M. Edwards Saturday 8:15 am - 4:00 pm (412) 682-1624 T CAME ON cemeteries were overcrowded and beset FAX: (412) 622-0655 several years ago, with threats unbefitting the corporal work www.alleghenycemetery.com I my fondness for visiting of mercy to “Bury the dead.” A landscape Allegheny Cemetery. While I was procured, dedicated, and carefully fash- now enjoy several aspects of its unique ioned to be secure, attractive, natural and brand of culture and interest, at first my contemplative for families to gather in and visits were more practical- some of my stay a while. Picnics were encouraged. It family plots needed upgrading. What was the widespread belief of the time that I didn’t know then, that I recognize the deceased were merely sleeping, and that looking back, is that in seeing to this they would rise up and join the living on work, I was developing a habit of the Final Judgment Day. The inspiration visiting the cemetery routinely. Every for beautifying the Cemetery and creating HISTORIC GRAND OPENING! few weeks saw me going there to look, a peaceful place would then be two-fold: for to meet, and to attend to something the living guests and for the now resting The Allegheny Memorial Trail opened in Fall of 2013 and it is the only small myself, or through others. I dead to enjoy upon resurrection. Cremation Burial Garden of its kind in the region. A sun-dappled pathway began to enjoy what I fondly refer to as ascends a sloped hillside and is crowned with an outdoor chapel area for cemetery “lurking.” With this in mind, I began to visit Alleghe- committal services complete with a stunning valley view. Four seasons of ny purely for enjoyment, allowing myself to beauty can be enjoyed in this pristine memorial forest and custom memorials Lurking, or at least regular visitation, explore. Recently, I re-discovered the pleas- are available in natural quarried stone. Exclusively for cremation burial, the was part of the plan--the design--of ant glade where Steven Foster, Pittsburgh’s Allegheny Memorial Trail is a landmark for the ages. Allegheny Cemetery. It was estab- favorite composer, lies with his family. If lished in the early 19th century out this were London, I’d have found him in of a concern that the churchyard Westminster Cathedral, but this is Pitts- burgh, and he’s laid to rest humbly in Sec- tion 21, with prim and understated stones for I had been studying, and enjoying the music of Inside him, his mother and father. Lurking on, I no- the 1930’s, 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s for so long, I had ticed a small, white, flush stone peeking out forgotten its antecedents: What had made all this A Cemetery Lurker 1 of the topsoil one row back from Stephen. popular music so American, anyway? In 1848, a President’s Message 2 With the help of cemetery Superintendent, 22 year old Stephen Foster wrote “Oh! Susanna,” Remembering William Thaw 3 Roger Galbraith, the full facade of this me- his biggest, and most widely adapted, work. Al- morial was revealed; it read simply, “Char- Honor and Memory Gifts 4-5 most by accident, it became the anthem for the lotte Susanna Foster.” Every brochure, tour California Gold Rush, and lots of other nation- Railroads, Riots and 6 guide and destination program tells us that building thereafter. In only a few years every Redemption Stephen Foster rests at Allegheny, but what American could, and did, whistle this tune, and Lurker continued 7 of his much older sister, Charlotte Susanna, around the world the song would characterize the Board of Corporators 7 the very person addressed in the title of the “American” sound. This we all know and learn first worldwide American pop music hit?! Historic Grand Opening 8 continued on Page 7 ALLEGHENY CEMETERY HERITAGE continued from Page 1 is a publication of the Allegheny Cemetery IN PASSING Historical Association. in grade school. What I, like many others, didn’t learn in © 2014 Allegheny Cemetery Historical Association school is that, at seventeen years his senior, Charlotte Su- An additional note of new history, Allegheny’s roster of famous musicians has just been elevated: I am sad to forward notice of sanna Foster, was known for her beautiful singing voice, BOARD OF DIRECTORS President’s the passing of a great Pittsburgh musician, Mr. Donald G. Wilkins Harmar D. Denny, IV and is credited with singing the very first songs the tod- on September 1, 2014. This learned man had mastered the “King of President and Chairman of the Board dling Stephen ever heard. Sadly, she died at age twenty Instruments,” the Grand Pipe Organ. Studying started at an early Torrence M. Hunt, Jr. Message when Stephen was only three. The loss of his sister im- Vice President NhERENT in age in the US and later in France. Don’s hands have graced Grand pacted his life and work for years to come. Throughout James M. Edwards its foundation, lies the belief Cathedral keyboards throughout Europe and have struck the finest Treasurer I his canon there is a deep and solemn captivation with pipe organ keys in the United States, leaving recital attendees and The Very Reverend George L.W. Werner that Allegheny Cemetery sleeping, dying, and dead girls and young women (even Director church congregations in awe of his prowess. From the tiny flute should for evermore be two things the famed “Beautiful Dreamer” is departed!). pipe to the grand towering Diapason pipe behemoth, he knew the EMERITUS – both functional and enjoyable. tones of over 15,000 pipes. Mr. Wilkins, a Professor of Sacred Mu- James C. McGough Whether or not you sic, was also the Music Director and organist in many Pittsburgh William P. Snyder, III Functional, in that the chartered on permanent exhibition. Unfortunately, have a specific interest in historic churches and he taught others at Pittsburgh’s highest in- purpose to bury the dead with honor mind, I would encourage PAST DIRECTORS while these aspects remain timelessly stitutions. It was truly a sight to watch this man at work, flowing Charles C. Arensberg, Esq. will never waver; enjoyable, in that anyone with an inclina- over an organ console as churches echoed his talent from crypts to J. Mabon Childs beautiful, the more temporal and practical tion toward Allegheny belfries. Don is interred in Allegheny Cemetery; however, his life Torrence M. Hunt, Sr. the setting should be picturesque, materials – carpeting, seating, lighting – are Cemetery to indulge it: and memory will live on in those that he taught and touched with Raymond F. Moreland charming and altogether visually it’s a landscape, it’s a his passion for Sacred Music. John C. Oliver, III very much in need of refurbishment. It is William A. Seifert, Jr. stunning. park, it’s a museum, it’s Rev. William S. Thomas the present and future generations that will a library; it’s all that and -Submitted by one of his Calvary Church choir boys, H. D. Denny, IV benefit from our timely maintenance of this more. Let’s enjoy it, and DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Every material and aspect of our historic keep it “nice” for lurk- Nancy E. Foley magnificent work of public memorial art. Chris Letzelter 1961 Temple of Memories Mausoleum was ing, so that all may do so David J. Michener at their time. Co-Editors and Designers handpicked for endurance and timeless Our mid century greenhouse is even older appeal. Over half a century later guests CONTRIBUTORS than our Temple Mausoleum. Built in the James M. Edwards still visit for remembrance and reflection, Nancy E. Foley early 40’s, it has been in continuous use for but also to admire the incredible display Allegheny Cemetery Board of Corporators Lisa Speranza over seventy years and the roof is now in of museum quality art and architecture. Torrence M. Hunt, Jr., Chairman of the Board William Duff McCrady Vice-Chairman of the Board ALLEGHENY CEMETERY immediate need of replacement to save the HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION A 17th Century Flemish tapestry hangs in Charles E. Ahl, Jr. James M. Edwards Richard B. Meyer Harton S. Semple, Jr. building. Initial measures have already The Association is based on a concept set forth by Mrs. George B. Berger, Jr. the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. the Chapel, original floor to ceiling bibli- Lisa C. Fagan George B. Miller William H. Simpson been taken to guard against the seasonal Kay Ebbert Bissell Henry C. Flood, Jr. Lulu Orr J. Brandon Snyder Established March 17, 1980, the Association is a cal renderings in stained glass and mo- non-profit educational and charitable organization elements, but substantial funding is re- Dr. Ellsworth Bowser J. Pennock Graham Martha Reed William P. Snyder, V which can accept foundation and other grants and saic frescos handcrafted in Italy are all George E. Childs Alexander Hays, IV Scott W. Reid Ramsey C. Speer provides taxexempt status for gifts and bequests quired to install the necessary structur- from organizations and individuals.
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