PITTSBURGH HISTORY & LANDMARKS FOUNDATION Non-Profit Org. oNE STATION SQUARE, SUITE 450 U.S. POST,{GE PITTSBURGH, PA 15219 -II7O PÄID Pittsburgh, Pa. Address Correction Requested Permit No. 598

Published for the members of the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation No. 121 December 1991

Early PreserYation Experience: In Pittsburgh and Nationwide 1991 Annual Report & Highlights of 1992 What the Syria Mosque Site Needs Piffsburgh Architecture: CIassícism This (Strange) llear in Preseryation

Attnmpting tu ouercnnle thefacør Latter-day Landmarks further examination, and thus to allow tion and protested the "unfair" use of In March, attention turned to two some hope. Musicians and rock concert- his f,rgures, calculated with specifìc Uni- of lead time the tíme beht:een excellent preservation candidates, nei- goers, as well as those who remember versity purposes in mind. - ther a City Landmark. On March J the symphony and opera there, voiced their On June 5 came the interesting reve- South Side Planning Forum submitted belief that the Mosque should be saved, lation that the University's general hnuín6 ta stop writíng and bein6 a nomination form to the Historic Re- given good air conditioning (which every- administration and Presbyterian lJni- view Commission for 901-ll Bingham one agreed it lacked), and generally up- versity Health Systems, an element of able n publish - has put us Street, the turn-of-the-century brick graded. Journalists admitted that the the University's medical system, had buildings on the Mackintosh-Hemphill building was no architectural masterpiece been bidding against each other for the through our paces thß year, uhal site. The owner was notifled of the - no one ever claimed that - but land. National, whose winning bid was nomination. stressed that it was a picturesque and $10 million, was in fact acting for Pres- \ù/hen the question of the sale and interesting building that fitted well into byterian University. (Landmarks, at this u:ith the drynami,c, urwtøble demolition of the Syria Mosque arose the ensemble around the Soldiers'and time, was in contact with University in mid-March, Landmarks' President Sailors' Memorial; that it was one of Pitts- officials about development of the site, situatinn in hisnric preseru atinn, Arthur Ziegler wrote to Jack L. Weaver, burgh's few concert halls of any great size; urging a building of limited height for the Recorder of Syria Temple, to make that it had long associations with the city's the northern lot, with the Mosque itself ín Pittsburgh and in aII of the following points: cultural life; that it was fundamental to preserved and somewhat improved as . the vitality of Oakland; and hnally, that an auditorium for the University, the Syria Temple should not demolish the its demolition would be one large further health center, ancl the public.) The LIni- Pennsyluani,a. Wb wíLI tnke the Mosque as part of the sales agreement; ¡ step in the deterioration of Oakland versity Chancellor and faculty were the community deserves to know the through mindless corporate development. rather peeved, and arguments over who developer's plans for demolition/con- sa6a ín sequence. Editorials of the Press and Post-Gazette had done or failed to do what, and who struction before the building comes disagreed; they pointed out that no one had authority over whom, enjoyed brisk down; . had conferred any formal distinction on activity for a while. (The Shriners'inter- any replacement is almost certain to be the building thus far, that the Shriners had nal politics produced even more retro- inferior as a work of architecture; . a sales agreement with National, and that spective arguments, over things such as every possibility of continuing use the building was wofn out. whether the sale vote meeting was should be explored. At the April 5 hearing before the properly advertised, and the compe- On March 25,lhe Shriners did vote to Historic Review Commission, Nation- tence of the building management al's attorney sell the Mosque to National Develop- said much the same and in 1973.) ment Company. On the26th, two things warning of "a derelict monument to happened: the paper In Pittsburgh, nostalgia." Nevertheless, the HRC voted consider the aware of the sale vote, nominated the to nomination an act which, had it not been for the demo-- Mosque to the HRC as a City Land- permit, have mark, and National applied for a build- lition would clearly frozen eanwhile, 901-911 Bingham any ing permit. National won out, by two attempt against the Mosque. A new Street had its supporters rallying group, hours. Any hope that National might the Committee to Save the Syria around. Franklin Toker, a Pittsburgh Mosque, attempted to question keep the Mosque voluntarily was for- the architectural historian, and the Bostoni- the mally dashed by a statement on the legality of demolition permit in the an Margaret Henderson Floyd, who Court of Pleas, and 28th. At this time the Mosque was still Common on May was doing a study of the buildings' 13 obtained a promise from National's Shriner property, though a sales agree- putative architects Alden & Harlow, ment of the Temple Holding Corpora- attorney that nothing would be done to wrote most favorably to the HRC. the Mosque before June when the tion with National was in effect and the t Caroline Boyce, former executive direc- demolition permit would be valid Committee's application for injunction tor of the South Side Local Develop- against heard. The until September 26. National's demolition would be ment Company, wrote not only to sup- Committee began accumulate peti- client was seemingly to be Pres- to port landmarking but to make clear tions and arguments of preser- byterian University Health Sys- in favor that it had been understood for some One piece of evidence tems, a subsidiary of the Uni- vation. of much two years by SSLDC, and the present versity of Pittsburgh, and the weight was a study for the University by owner and his architect, that the build- Mosque's replacement was Maclachlan, Cornelius & Filoni, who ings were valuable and would be re- had to be used for offices. created Benedum Center from the habilitated. This contradicted claims by And yet, the In Pitts- Stanley Theatre and, under an earlier the purchaser that the move to land- burgh nomination con- office name, Heinz Hall from the mark was unforeseen. It appeared too, Loew's Penn. The study, commissioned tinued to have a sort from the proposal of a South Side ofphantom exis- in March, was available in a month, developer, Thomas Tripoli, that it might and recommended a remodeling tence, with ahear- full for be possible to develop 901-11 as a ing on its merit somewhat over $23 million. The recom- bed-and-breakfast inn and to develop mendation was seized upon by the April 5. The legal the much larger cleared area of land on preservationists position of and National both, the the site as the Texan William Grant and demolition latter suggesting, through appropriate his Lazar Properties wished, with no figures, versus land- that the building could never constriction of their development. From marking pay for itself. Their arithmetic seemed the preservationists' viewpoint, Grant's convincing, the hearing seemed to but in before opposition to the buildings' survival be open to City Council on August I Albert Filoni was thus not rational. Lazar's own spoke vigorously in favor ofpreserva- attorneys accumulated their own ammunition nevertheless, concentrating exclusively on money spent, money to be gained, and the need to clear away

Continued on page 12 Page 2 PHLF News December l99l ffiNEWS

[\eu: Members in ]991 Many new members joined the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation this year. Vy'e are very pleased to have their support and welcome their participation in our special events. education programs. and historic preservation programs.

Corporate Members Sidney Hills Ms. Nadine Hilvick Allegheny General Hospital Ms. Beatrice Hirschl Allied Security, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Hisrich & Arrnstrong Croup of Companies Family Bell Pennsylvania ol John R. Hoebler Blue Cross of Western Mr. & Mrs. Sean C. Hollmann Pennsylvania Daniel Holland Broudy Printing. Inc. Richard O. Hommel & Farnily. Burrell Group. Inc. Jim Hopton Coopers & Lybrand Ms. Carol Hymowitz CTR Systems Ms. Hazel M. Johnson Dick Corporation Ms. Jo¿lnne Juhl Earth Sciences Consultants. Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Robert Justiss Ferry Electric Company William Keck Fisher Scientihc Ms. Catherine M. Kelleher The Genix Group Mrs. James Pinckney Kinard Kirkpatrick & Lockhart William M. Kline III Koppers Industries. Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Alan Krupitzer Landmarks Design Associates & Farnily Matthews International Scott R. Laing Corporation Samuel D. Levine Generous Bequest Received Metaltech Lincoln School PTO We were gratifìed this summer to learn of receiving a generous bequest Miss Pittsburgh Steelers Sports, Inc. John Lippl from Penn State University Richard Lohmeyer Patricia A. Thauer, living near Philadelphia at the time of her death. She had been a Rennekamp Lumber Cornpany, Ms. Jacqueline M. Longmore Landmarks member for 18 years, and until a dozen years ago had lived in Pittsburgh. Inc. Ms. Mary Frances Lucatorto Despite her move, she had retained fond recollections of Pittsburgh; and had con- Salem Corporation Joseph G. Ludwig, Jr. tinued her membership Landmarks her death. The funds placed Sargent Electric Company with until will be in Ms. Florence K. Lunt our Endowment Fund in the name of Miss Patricia A. Thauer. SmithKline Beecham Consumer Ms. Kathleen M. MacDonald Brands Joseph Marchesani T & T Hardware Company, Inc. Todd R. Markley Triangle Messenger Service, Inc. John A. Martin Interns at Landmarks Tucker Arensberg, P.C. Mrs. Viola V. Matuza The Westin William Penn Hotel Doug McGlumphy For the past several months, Landmarks has been fortunate to have two interns Mr. & Mrs. John R. McMorris assisting our staff: Nanci Meyer and Dan Holland. Members Kenneth J. Merusi Nanci Meyero from Faribault, Minnesota, heard of Landmarks Allegheny Historic Preservation Ms. Lois Monahan from a professor in urban studies who uses Landmarks' work in his Society, Inc. Kenneth R. Mori teaching. She has a M.A. in urban studies and in planning and regionaV Cliflord Mull Stanley R. Allen urban design from Mankato State University, and also has Mrs. Iris K. Myers Dale R. Anders experience in site analysis and a large variety ofdescriptive and The Anderson Family Miss Linda Myers prescriptive work needed for development of open areas. Most Rex A. Anderson Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Nock School recently she has an design consultant. Ms. Jeanne S. Arveson Northgate District been interior Ms. Renee Asher Timothy M. Opiela Historic preservation has thus far been tangential to her edu- Thomas G. Patarlis Mrs. Patricia P. Bagdon cation, and it was to gain more depth in this subject, which greatly Mr. & Mrs. Fred Peelor Mr, & Mrs. Kenneth A. Barker interests her, that brought her to Pittsburgh late this summer. John Baxter & Family Mr. & Mm. Bruce C. Peters Bethel Park Historical Society Daniel Holland has a 1991 B.A. in applied history from Mr. & Mrs. William Bird Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Peters Carnegie-Mellon University, and has had a varied work experience, Mr. & Mrs. David G. Biros Mr. & Mrs. Elmer R. Pohl steel William W. Blair & Farnily including documentation of closed Monongahela Valley Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Blurn Ms. Lisa K. Porterfield plants for the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Research Ms. Caroline Boyce Ms. Joan Renshaw and documentation are his specialties, and he hopes to apply his Robert R. Rockwell Dr. & Mrs. Tirnothy Alden skills to a mixture of historic-preservation and economic- David Russell Brown & Family development projects such as that at Station Square. While at St. Leo School Dean & Mrs. Lowry Burgess Landmarks, he has been working mainly on the Afro-American Albert Burgunder Thom¿rs J. Schmitt, M.D. Sites Survey, coordinated by Landmarks Design John R. Burns Leah Marie Schwotzer Historic Mrs. Marsha G. Chamberlain Ms. Ruth L. Scott Associates with assistance from the Pittsburgh History & & Family Rick Sebak Landmarks Foundation. Mr. & Mls. Charles Chewning Ms. Carolyn Seibert & Family Suzanne Sepety Ms. Charlotte Chottiner John Shatlan David B. Srnith James M. Cline, Sr. Ms. Harriet P. Cooper Mr. & Mrs. J. Dale Srnith Ms. Alice C. Cornelius & Family Country Meadows South Fayette Elementary Ms. Virginia E. Curtis School Distlict t Mrs. Jo Daly South Side Catholic School r+.i M. Bradley Dean Ms. Deborah A. Taggart Carrnen P. DiCiccio Mr. & Mrs. Michael W. Taylor' Ms. Peggy Domer Bradfbrd H. Thornas Ivan X. Dor¡itrovic Ms. Carol Tobin-Lewis Ms. Malie W. Donahue Towers, Perrin. Forster & Mrs. Helen Edgington Crosby, Inc. Ms. Suzanne Ewing Ms. Debra Lynn Turici Eric Filo Alan Van Dine Ms. Mariou E. Fisher Peter Van Veen Mrs. Donna Fithen Ms. Mary Ann Vehar Ms. Carolyn Flinn Mrs. Audrey K. Waite Alonzo Gilmore Mrs. Alberta W. Weikel George A. Goetz Ms. Bonnee Wettlaufer Ms. Wetzel Greensburg Garden & Civic Ann Center Joseph B.C. White Ms. Sandra L. Williams S. Trevor Hadley Ms. Lois E. Yoedt Mrs. Sarah H. Hamilton Dr. & Mrs. Peter Y. Herchenroether & John H. Zabkar Faurily & Family Marc Zelenski & Family CTAYToN Jonathan Hill & Family The Henry Clay Frick Esate PHLF News is puhlished six lines aadt ),eur.fbr the tttertthers oJ the Pitt:;burglr Histor.v & Lundnturks FoLuttlution. Tltis ¡'eur, the nø¡sletter h¿ts e:tpanded, l¡otlt in thc nuntber ol'puges ¿trul in tlrc ruunber of issues. It is supported tltrough mcnthership Visit The FrickA¡t Museum, Carriage Museum, Greenhouse and Museum Shop dollars, proceed,s Ji'ont Stcttion Sqtøre, antl utlvertisÌng rercnuc. Tuesday - Saturday l0:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m., Sunday 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Artlrur P. Ziegler, Jr. . .. .President Guided tours of the house are available by reservation. Louise Sturgess. . . Etlitor/Executive Dírector Eric F. Dickerson ...... Atlvcrtising Sules MunageilDirettor tf Corporatc Sales Walter C. Kidney . . . Arcltiteuurul Historiun T200PennAvenue Pittsburgh,PA 15208 I 371-0606 GregPytlik ....Designcr December 1991 PHLF News Page 3

We quickly learned that the condition Early of Pittsburgh was the state of the nation. Preservation Preservation at the Time However. at that time preservation was a movement that was picking up steam. Experience: There were not many legally-protected historic districts, desìgnated by local In, Píttsburgh governments. Charleston and New Orleans had led the way. Some individual landmark buildings had been and, [Yationu:id,e saved around the country, and the idea of the historic district was growing. Preservation was largely an effort car- ried out by individual leaders native to their city, and we think immediately of On Ocnber 16, l99l,Inndmarks' St. Clair Wright in Annapolis, Frances Edmunds in Charleston, Lee Adler in Savannah, Antoinette Downing in president Arthur P Ziegler, Jr. Providence, and the work underway in New Orleans, Boston, New York, and a deliaered the þllou:íng address tt: few other cities. As preservationists tried to tackle the Plenary Sessúon of the corwen- neighborhoods, they found themselves at a loss for financing tools. The only tion of the National Trust for way to really restore a neighborhood at that time was to try to replace the poor Hßøric Presetuatíon ín. Sc.;n Fran- with a more well-to-do population; no government Afamiliar sþht 30 years ago. subsidies for housing cisco. He was asked ø look baclt renewal were available. Threats in the '60s 3. This led to the general deterioration The movement was growing rapidly, of inner-city housing stock. Its con- driven, really, by the horrors ofurban ouer the preservatinn nlùüement I entered the preservation movement in dition was best summed up by renewal. The more urban renewal was September, 1964. I had not heard of the Ogden Nash who wrote: adopted by cities, the more preserva- term "historic preservation," did not yet since th,e Hßøric Preseraation Act tionists grew in numbers and opposed realize that there was a National Trust, A primøL termiæ krnclted, on wood; it. Because urban renewal targeted 50 to and had no conception that I wasjoin- And nsted it andfound it good. of 1966 and to makn recommenda- several hundred acres at a time, preser- ing a national cause. And thøt is wlry your cousin Møy vationists were compelled to think big. A friend and I inadvertently came tinrusfor thrcfuarre. Fell through the parlourfloor ød,ay! across a block of marvelous Victorian buildings only to learn that all the 4. rù/e faced a nightmare solution to all buildings on the block and another 1500 of these problems that was promul- Victorian buildings in the Manchester gated and vigorously implemented neighborhood in Pittsburgh were being by government agencies, and often studied for demolition by the Urban supported by the civic and commer- Redevelopment Authority. We went on cial sectors: that of building more to discover that IJRA planned the highways and undertaking urban demolition of six additional large neigh- renewal. borhoods in our City's North Side and The latter was described by Edmund planned to run an elevated highway Bacon, a former urban renewal man through the park in the area. As we got who later became a preservationist, as deeper into the work to save these mag- solving the problem of garlic growing in nif,rcent neighborhoods, we learned a cow pasture by bulldozing the land quickly about the pressures on our down to bedrock. It got rid of the garlic individual buildings and our historic all right, but there wasn't much left for districts in areas. Essentially the cows to eat. urban they Re sto ration ín Annap olis. were these; Everyone agreed that the problems l. There was general neglect of were monumental but the solution was individual landmark buildings and worse than the cure. As we saw one monuments. Our famous Richardson unique arca after another being bull- Court House, our great conserva- dozed in our city, we agreed with Ada tory, the Fourth Avenue Post Office, Louise Huxtable, who defined what she the Allegheny Post Office, and called the "New York solution": 'Any- Union Station all were in sad condi- thing worth doing, is worth doing tion along with many others. wrong." In the.^y'ew York Times she 2. The city suffered from the combined said: pressure of high-rise development in The appølling price paid, to the Urban the downtown coupled with flight to Expert Carpetbagets deliuering pøænt- the suburbs. Old commercial build- ings were med,icine renewal in the 1960s can The 1300 bloclt ofLiuerpool Street: being squeezed out of our Golden Triangle while the surround- neuer be calculaæd in tnrms of the loss thß scene ircpired James Van ing neighborhoods were being aban- ofunique ønd, ircepløceable assets. h Trump and, Arthur Ziegler to estutb- doned by those who could not afford t¡¡olc acres of bulldozer desolation n lßh the Pitæburgh Hßøry Innd- & to maintain them. teach w that ø liuing organßm was marlts Foundatinn. In 1966 the Report ofthe Special being d,estroyed. Committee on Historic Preservation of Even the leaders ofurban renewal the United States Conference of Mayors were daunted by the task. I recall sitting was published as a marvelous book in next to our Director of City Planning, which the important words were writtent at a banquet in the mid-1960s, who said If the preseruøtion moaemen;t, ß ø be to me that "Pittsburgh in 20 years has successfuI, it mtnt go beyond, saaing redeveloped 2,000 acres. At that pace we bricþs and nlort(r. It mwt go beyond, will need another 60 more years to redevelop the remaining 12,000 acres saaing an occasional hi"snric hnuse that need redeveloping today." That ønd opening museutß. h must be allowed for nothing further to more than a cult of antiquariøns. h deteriorate! I might add that what he must d,o more than reuere a.few pre- called redeveloping was simply leveling cious nøtional shrines. It mwt øttempt and putting up some generally unattrac- to giue a sense of orientation to our so- tive and often hideous modern build- ciety, wíng structures ønd objects of the ings fared that about as well economi- past to estøblßh ualues of time and cally as they (Gate- did architecturally. pLace way Center was the only exception economically.) Continued on page 4

g--'_'****;+*!'*-_.i:l:*+€ Page 4 PHLF News December l99l EarV Preservation Experience:

Irt Pitæburgh and, [Yutiorw:idß ( continued from page 3 )

through clearance began to illustrate Through NEA we were enabled to deal Chicago Mayor Daley's wonderful with issues like city edges, waterfronts, remark about his own administration. parks and sculpture, and street furnish- "We shall reach greater and greater ings, as well as our buildings. platitudes of achievement." The National Trust reached out with Even in 1950 and 1960 dollars we its Main Street program and its regiona could point out that in Washington, offices. Universities launched graduate D.C. an acre of land generally was val- schools of preservation, and in most ued at $54J000 but an acre ofland in recent times schools of architecture at the historic area called Georgetown was the universities have begun once again valued at $1,600,000. In Richmond from to teach fledgling architects about 1955 to 1963, general land values rose historic styles. 30"/obut in the historic district 163'X,. We could point out that in Savannah tourism way back then was generating $60,000,000 of income to the city, all based on historic preservation and that in Pioneer Square in Seattle, tax values went up 800'% and crime dropped from l5o/o of city total to one-halfa percent. 'We were racking up incredible results on a shoestring investment. I remember learning from Peter Brink that in The Strand in Galveston property values went up 208o/o in three years as com- pared with 85% for the city as a whole, and in the same three years crime decreased l3o/uin the historic Strand while city-wide it increased llo/".I did a study for Charleston, South Carolina and found that Frances Edmunds' seed fund of$100,000 had generated $12,000,000 worth of restoration, and while the City tax base declined in ten years by 22%, in the historic district it went up 100%. And a shoestring it was. The govern- ment had no grants lor preservation at that time. What seemed to us like gener- ous gifts of $10,000 or $50,000 or even S100,000 were all the preservarionists The Haruds-On Hßøry Surnmer Institute had. In Pittsburgh our first Revolving for teachers. Fund was $100,000, and with it we were battling the deterioration of a great Landmarks' Launches many inner-city neighborhoods, togeth- Aboue: Making d, størt on the La.ngenheirn Education Programs house in Ma,nchester. Right: Citizerc of er with what I would estimate to be about 5300,000,000 Manchesten worth of urban In Pittsburgh we recognized the truth of renewal and highway effort. Sir Shane Leslie's observation that "the In spite of American preservationists' American sign of civic progress is to weak fìnances, our good ideas and tear down the familiar and erect the growing movement broadened and monstrous." To that end we decided to increased in strength rapidly. Through try to get ahead of the crises by launch- Nellie Longsworth and Preservation ing a department of education within Action, we learned how to lobby at our organization, which has invaded the every governmental level, and preserva- public and private schools and also tion laws of various kinds proliferated, teaches teachers how to teach our local including those allowing the tax credits history, architecture, landscape architec- that fostered nationwide restoration ture, and urban planning. We issue a E) projects supported by real-estate stream ofpublications and books, and I reservationists took those words developers. Never belore and never work with our public television station to heart, together with J. Paul Getty's since have we seen preservation activi- in the production of half-hour long reminder that "the meek shall inherit ties carried out so diligently by so many broadcasts dealing with local architec- the earth, but not its mineral rights." In with such excellent results. ture, and follow them with tours and other words, we American preserva- Bob McNulty, as the director of publications. tionists design arts at the National Endowment We took a leaf from our own book: should become leaders in giving Signs of Success direction to our society and we should for the Arts, got all of us thinking about we had been telling the business com- fight hard. A strange thing happened. Because we preservation and urban planning in munity that it was possible to generate And fight we did, and although we preservationists around the country had broader and more interrelated ways. profits without demoiishing and con- often were standing among the rubble, inspiration rather than money, we were we began to chalk up notable victories. forced to be practical. The architectural The Penn Central case and the Historic profession, the planning profession, the Preservation Act of 1966 were signal public service professions all exhibited triumphs. little interest in preservation. Preserva- In Pittsburgh we experimented with tionists were pariahs. Because we were the preservation of neighborhoods as fìghting against the major powers of the well as of individual monuments, and in federal government and the powers in the neighborhoods we tried to preserve each city, with few resources other than them with, by, and for the people who their belief in the buildings themselves lived in them. As Preservation ly'ews said and what those buildings could do for in 1972: our society, we were forced to be practi- cal. We had to design programs that The real objectíaes of hisnric preserua- could operate with little mo,ney and tion - ø d,ecent liuing enuironment, great success. We could not waste a pen- equal access ønd, rnobilityþr howing ny as the urban renewal experts could. without regard to sltin color and, That, coupled with the fact that what arc hiæ cturaL p res eru øtio n ut he n we said and what we believed in appropriate Thß ß the essence ofthe touched many people, our constituency Pittsburgh approach. in this country grew. We began to save single buildings, and then blocks of Federal housing programs were buildings, and then neighborhoods of beginning to develop, and we seized on buildings. Our results were looking them and used them in new ways, not to good and people in the areas were feel- subsidize new construction but to subsi- ing good. while at the same time many dize restoration. of the leading exponents of renewal December 1991 PHLF I'{ews Page 5

lntesra Bank reaJly understands tñe

tradifion in bankinþ for 131 ieaËs.

At lntegrao Bank, we really understand the con- cerns of the local community. And we are always working to help in whatever way we can. Recently, lntegra Bank made a $500,000 loan to

The Pitæburgh Hßøry & Inndtnarlts Foundation ß the prime deueloper of Sntion Square, the Pitsburgh History and a S2-acre riaerfrant siæ opposíte dotontawn Pitæburgh. Landmarks Foundation to help finance several local structing anew.'We began Station end and go across on foot or horse and Square on the site of the old Pittsburgh wagon. projects. And we provided & Lake Erie Railroad Station as a The second mistake, if that is the important funds for the demonstration project of that principle, right word, is really one that I would so organized that if we were right, we call "slow learning." I think we have restoration of the award- ourselves would enjoy profits and often blamed developers or government winning Dorothy Day develop a steady, reliable stream of leaders for specific problems that create Apartments. income to support our activities in addi- preservation challenges. But the truth is tion to our fund-raising. We would, in that we have not realized that what we Call your nearest fact, create a living endowment by put- the people of the United States have lntegra Bank office to find ting our own principles to work in the done to our cities has been deliberate Bank staff durine the 1 880s at the corner of marketplace. and well thought-out by our planning Fourth Aveltue and Mdrket Street. out how we can assist you establishment and passed by our elected with your next project, or how we can help with your brokerage, Some Cautions officials. Have we American preservationists had If I may quote the book iy'ew trust and other banking needs. difficulties as a movement? Yes, one Cløssicism: lntegra Bank wants to help preserve the history of this area. After created by the fact that we are often The congeste d, d, uruatßfu- opposing the official plans of our cities. fragmenæ all, as the oldest commercial bank in Pittsburgh, That means that we cannot expect to be ing suburbs and the dßintegrating Inteøft¡ supported by these powers on a steady urban centets of today are rnt the and reliable basis. We all depend upon products of laßsez-føire, twr the results angels, fund-raising events, and special of mind,less greed,. They are thnroughly projects. Also, we have never fully suc- planned, n be as they are: The d.irect cessfully allied ourselves with the con- result of zoning and, subd,iaßion servation movement, although our own ord.inances zeølowly adminßtcre d by movement is more unified than that one thotu ands of plnnning d,ep artments. is. In Pittsburgh both movements are Americø since the war ß the result of now coming together to promote the these ordinønces . . . If the results are To get to the Top development of a Heritage Walking and Bicycling Trail along our three rivers d,ßmaying, it ß becøuse the current that will have historic marker informa- modeL of the city being projected ß dß- Start at the Bottom tion along the way. Another faìlure has mal.'lod,øy's ord,itwnces dicnæ only been our inability to be really effective four criteria for urbanßm: the free and at communicating the astonishing eco- røpid.fl.ou of trffic; parlting in quan- nomic results of preservation. tity; the aigororu separation of tnes; Have we preservationists made mis- and relatiuely low d,eræity of build,ing. takes? Surely, we have. I would just cite The latter two d,emo,nd, an amorphic two. The first is that, through the waste of Lo,nd,, and, car trffic hø Preservation Act, and the Tax Historic become the cerúral, unaaoidnbl,e Act we created a federal and State øperience of the public realm. The bureaucracy that became too literal in trad,itional pattem of walknble, mixed,- its interpretation of historic preserva- tion. At times astonished preservation- tue neighborh.oods ß not encouraged, minded owners have wanted to adap- and. mnre ofæn than rnt inaduertently tively restore buildings that could not proscribed, by some of the proußions of be rendered workable without interior these ord,inances. Designers fi.nd, them- modifications that were disallowed selues in the ironic situation of being because our bureaucracy demanded the forbid.d.enfrom building in the manner impossible. Even though we are preser- of our most ød,mired, hßøric places. vationists we must always realize that One cannot propose a. new Chørl,esøn buildings can be improved upon or New Orl.eøns without seeking sub- through the years, that the f,rrst design- støntial aariances current cod,es. ers are not always perfect, and that from adaptations are necessary for our times. I was non-plussed and amused recently when we were advocating the continua- tion of ornamental lighting we had PnTSBURGH BUSIxESS TrunS placed on the historic Smithfield Street nd therefore I would propose Bridge in Pittsburgh, lighting that has that as we look toward the future role been universally loved by residents and of historic preservation that we begin to The foundation to Pittsburgh's visitors. Someone in the review process address and influence the future as we said that the lighting was not there do the preservation of the past. It is we corpo fate supefstructure when the bridge was built in the 1880s who know the values of the Charlestons and therefore it should not be there to- and the New Orleans and the San Fran- day. If we were to follow that principle, ciscos; it is we who therefore shoulder we should also remove all of the au- the burden to deliver the message that CaIl 487-l\E\ØS to Subscribe tomotive traffic from the bridge and will change the hearts and minds of the make everyone leave their cars at either builders and governors ofour country. Page 6 PHLF News December 1991 Pro#am Accomplishments in

PHLF Netos PHLF News has increased in frequency of publication, o [tratínnnl Build,ing Mweum Award, and is looking more critically at both historic- Each year this prestigious organization, chartered by preservation matters and new development than Congress and headquartered in the great Pension heretofore. We intend that, since historic preservation Building in Washington, D.C., gives a single national is so much in the public consciousness, our organiza- award for service relating to the architecture, plan- tion will become a true influence in the ongoing shap- ning, and development fields. This year they have ing of this region. chosen Pittsburgh as a city to receive the award, an extraordinary change in their policy. To receive the Advocacy award on behalf of the city, six organizations (or types We have recently joined Preservation Pittsburgh, a of organizations) will be represented; all our neighbor- coalition that will address itself to preservation hood community-based development corporations advocacy. We continue liaison with the Steel Industry will be represented by Stanley Lowe. Heritage Task Force and with numerous other preser- vation groups whose interest is limited to specific . Inndmafl$/PmG/Innd,ing lrxtitutians A srnBssFUL YEAR topics or places. 'We continue to provide leadership and administrative This høs been ø stressful yeør ín local hßøríc The Preservation Fund and technical assistance to the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group (PCRG) through Stanley Lowe. preseruation, partþ becanne of the Pennsyluøniø o Meetíng uith the Presídcnt PCRG now includes 26 neighborhood-based organi- Supreme Court's decßion of JuIy 70, pørtly On May 3, Harriet Henson, executive director of the zations. During the course of this year they developed Northside Tenants Reorganization Cooperative a new computerized loan evaluation program that will b ecause of local preseru atian crises: Syria Association, and Stanley Lowe, director of Land- help enable our local lending institutions to track Mosque, the inægrity of the Ciuic Center of Oalt- marks'Preservation Fund, traveled to St. Louis to dis- carefully the loans to various neighborhoods and to Iand, 907-77 Bingham Street in the South Side, cuss urban housing needs and resident-management African-Americans and other low-to-moderate income strategies with President George Bush; Jack Kemp, groups. PCRG also continued to work intensively "Sunnyledge," 37I l-owenhíIl Street, ll9 Wood- Secretary of Housing & Urban Development; Bertha with the banks and enlisted the support of their staffs land Road, the Schoolhouse Arts Center in Bethel Gilkey, President of Cochran Gardens in St. Louis; to provide volunteer services and participate in com- and neighborhood representatives from six other munity service programs. Through the good work Pørlt, ønd the Ben Aaon Elementa,ry School, most of cities. PCRG and the cooperation of the lending institutions, nonbly. We haae joined, natic"nal and local over $400,000,000 has now been committed to inner- o Pinsburgh Housing Commercial Projecæ orgønízøtiorw in øn amicus brief, hoping ø & city neighborhood lending. Utilizing a foundation Landmarks'Preservation Fund extended loans to sup- grant and a half-million dollar loan from Integra rsuerse the Supreme Court decision, and øs port housing/commercial projects in Manchester at Bank, Landmarks is continuing its special loan pro- regards the local issues haae æstified before ffi- 1251 Liverpool Street, 1403 Sheffield Street, and 1007- gram in support of the inner-city lending effort. 1l Manhattan Street; in Allegheny West at 901-05 PCRG gave Landmarks its Community Reinvest- cial commissions, priuate adaicq and ffired Western Avenue, 940 Beech Avenue, and the Darling- ment Act Service award, Community Banking Award, publíshed our opinions in PHLF News. ton house on Brighton Road and Lincoln Avenue; in and Public/Private Partnership Award this year. We haae a,lso adaißed on th,e new Pittsburgh the Mexican War Streets at 1225 Monterey Street; on At the annual Northside conference awards dinneq the South Side at Edwards Court on S. Thirteenth the Northside Tenants Reorganization Cooperative preseru atian ordinøncg reuieu¡ ed erwironmenta.I Street; and in Homewood at7212 Race Street, 1074 Association, led by Harriet Henson, named our presi- impact stc.,tÊments, and performed ø aøriety of Wheeler Street, and 607 North Homewood Avenue. dent Arthur Ziegler as their "person of the year," due As a result, 16 historic properties will be restored, and to his efforts to support and help obtain f,rnancing for more routine chores assistance schoLars from þr 12 new buildings will be constructed according to this innovative co-op owned by low-to-moderate- ta ørwuering casual tclephone inquiries. historic preservation standards. income, single-family black women. December 1991 PHLF Na,Ls Page 7

of L992

On October 29,1991, the Board of Trustees approved the 1992 Work Plan for the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation staff. Program efforts continue to concentrate on historic proper- ty restoration and neighborhood assistance through Landmarks' Preservation Fund, public advocacy, historic preservation education, and the development of the Riverwalk of Industrial Artifacts at Station Square. We look forward to featuring several new initiatives in 1992 in PHLF News. They are: Preservation Furrd Stanley Lowe will continue to administer Land- Bducation Memberships marks'Preservation Fund, and to work with the We served over 12,000 people this year through our One hundred and fifty new members joined Land- Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group, tours, lectures, teacher in-services, exhibits, marks this year, including 28 corporate members. Our lending institutions, and neighborhood organiza- 'Architects-in-the-Schools" program, family work- corporate membership program was initiated in July tions. He and Landmarks will work with the shops, adult education classes, conferences, "Portable by staff member Eric Dickerson, and we have had a Community Design Center and various public "foster Pittsburgh" program, and "Hands-On History 150lo success rate. bodies to more and better historic- Festival." About 185 members volunteered at Landmarks preservation and inner-city restoration programs." Two new educational resources were created: the throughout the yeaq helping with our special events, Specific projects for the year center on the renewal Landmark Survivors video tape featuring the life sto- education programs, and offlce work. rWe greatly of Federal Street and Brighton Place low-income ries of seven Pittsburgh landmarks, and a slide show appreciate the efforts of the volunteers who make housing on the North Side, and moderate-income on the Allegheny County Court House and Jail. many of our programs a success. housing on the South Side. In January, Allegheny Cemefery: A Romantic Education Events Landscape in Pittsburgh was released. We learned in Artifacts & plans November that the Western Pennsylvania Printing Four major artifacts were secured for display along Our education department to create and 'Architectural Industry Association is giving the book an Honorable Landmarks' Riverwalk of Industrial Artifacts at Sta- offer an Apprentice Program" in "Pitts- Mention. Throughout the year, work continued on the tion Square. Alcoa donated an aluminum smelting pot the summer for high school students; a (building Longfellow, Alden & Harlow book by Margaret Hen- that was installed near the Gateway Clipper ramp. A burgh Heritage II" course for teachers popular derson Floyd and on Clyde Hare's Pittsburgh. mockup of a section of the arch of the Hell Gate on the "Pittsburgh Heritage I" course); and a photographic Diane DeNardo, Landmarks' education director, Bridge, made around 1915 by the American Bridge Architectural Treasure HunÍ was invited to speak at four major conferences: Company, was installed near the central parking lot. of Downtovtn Píttsburgh for school tours. \ù/e plan Working Together: Museum/School Partnerships, Shenango Furnace Company donated a Mesta vertical to host the following membership lec- tures, tours, and conferences (the sponsored by the Pennsylvania Federation of Muse- blast-furnace blowing engine, c. 1900, that is in place dates are tenta- ums & Historical Organizations; the Nineteenth in the east lot, near the Smithheld Street Bridge. And tive): ¡ James van Sweden Oehme, Annual Early Childhood Education Conference, the Allegheny County Commissioners donated a of van Sweden & (landscape sponsored by the Beaver Yalley Intermediate Unit; the rotating beacon light from the County Airport. In Associates of Washington, D.C. architects) present 1992 Thirty-eighth Annual Pennsylvania Council for the addition, two other artifacts, our 1905 electric steel will Landmarks' Distin- guished Social Studies Conference; and the Pennsylvania furnace and our refractory brick press, were penna- Lecture on Historic Preservation Regional Arts-in-Education Conference, sponsored by nently located. (April). the Pittsburgh Fund for Arts Education. Through Our walking tours will feature Mission Hills in these conferences, Landmarks is gaining local, state, Station Square Mt. Lebanon (Aprì|29), Lawrenceville (June 3), Allegheny Cemetery (June 7), Troy and national recognition for its education programs. Our staff worked with landscape architects Oehme, Hill (July l5), Dormont (September 30), and Thorn- All of our educational resources highlight the his- van Sweden and Associates of Vy'ashington, D.C. and burg (October l9). We will lead a bus tory and architecture ofthe Pittsburgh region and fos- urban planners Ehrenkrantz, Eckstut & Whitelaw of tour to Albert Gallatin's house "Friendship in ter an appreciation for historic preservation. New York to establish design guidelines for future Hill" Fayette County on October 18, and a holiday development at Station Square. The 52-acre riverfront tour in December to Brookville, Pennsylvania. Historic Properties site opposite the Golden Triangle is owned by the On May 16, Landmarks, the Historic Review . IYeuill,e Howq Collier Ta.uruhip Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. The Commission, and the concept for the Riverwalk of Industrial Artifacts, Allegheny Historic Through the efforts of the Neville House Auxiliary Preservation Society will sponsor conference River Park, and an expanded Transportation Museum a and Colonial Dames, the two bedrooms adjoining the on Religious Properties, to be held at Calvary was refined. When funding is secured, these three ele- living room were restored and furnished. The historic United Methodist Church. ments will create a major public attraction for Pitts- house dating from 1785 was open for public tours on The Neville House Antiques Show will be on burgh and initiate a new phase of commercial, hous- June I the day ofthe annual antiques show, and on May 31, and Landmarks'Antiques Show will November 22 and 23, and December 7 and 8 cele- ing, and cultural development at Station Square. to be on November 13, 14, and 15. Landmarks'work at Square continues brate the holiday season. Station to all.racL architects and planners, who visited Station Surveys . ThÊ Old. Post Offn"" Central l,lorth Side Square from at least eight foreign countries this year. Our staff will complete two surveys in the spring of the Pittsburgh Children's On the eighth birthday Station Square Thansportation Museum of 1992: a thematic survey of Afro-American Museum, the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foun- Historic Sites in Allegheny County; and a survey The Sixth Annual Auto Festival of June 29 had 132 dation gave the Old Allegheny Post Office building to of Sewickley Heights. the Children's Museum. Since the Museum's founding exhibits and attracted over 750 visitors. Five parades cars from the Museum, one of them in 1983, it has been located in the Old Allegheny Post included antique Publications the June 15 Desert Storm Parade. The October 5 Ofhce. Under the terms of Landmarks' donation, the And, the lall of 1992 may bring the release of opening of the Carnegie Science Center saw 14 building must be maintained as the Children's Muse- Clyde Hare's Pittsburgh, a collection of photo- hand, and seven part the um and the architecture cannot be changed. Museum cars on took in graphs by Clyde Hare documenting Pittsburgh Halloween Parade. Ritter's Diner has been converted from the 1950s to the present. Margaret Hender- . Old St. like's, Scon Trruruhip into a street entrance, museum shop, and display space son Floyd's book on the architectural legacy of 1991 has been a year oforderly progress for this 1852 for small objects, and a Westinghouse Skybus vehicle Longfellow, Alden & Harlow in Boston and Pitts- Gothic country church. The churchyard underwent is to be added to the rear as an audio-visual theater. burgh will most probably be released in 1993 by archaeological investigation, and a video on it was MIT Press and Landmarks. Conclusion begun. The church also figured in a video, "Our Last- ing Inheritance." The archives were updated and put Landmarks continues vigorously into a new year, in order. Among public events was the "Whiskey which it awaits with anticipation albeit in some sus- Rebellion Sunday," with St. Luke's, the Neville House pense. The eventual Supreme Court decision will tend to affirm the validity ofour revised preservation in Collier Township, and the Miller Homestead in prornisesto be an excitin,, ordinance, let us hope; and there will be the content of L992 South Park Township centers of activity. øctíae yeør. We looltforwørd b the partícipa- the ordinance to consider. New publication ideas are tíon of our trustees, members, and.friends. . The Burnær Hotne, Harrßon Tou;ruhþ being added to projects now under way, and the Please ca.ll us (412/471-5808) uíth your progrøm Restoration of this 1820-period farmhouse went on in PHLF l{ews will continue to seek ways of developing su.gestions or questíons; or, stop by our 1991, with a new summer kitchen built, mantels in- its scope and influence. Station Square, Phase II, will ffices on the of the la.nd,ma,rl$ Build.ing stalled in the living room and house kitchen, and large be more lully detailed in plan. The year has challenge, þurthJloor plexiglass panes in 14 windows replaced by smaller and good prospects. at Strrtiøn Square. panes of glass. Exterior woodwork was painted, and stonework was pointed. Th.e Pítæburghreginnis our hame, ø fømiliør place we da not wq,nt to Page B PHLF lYews December 199I leøue. But without hisnric preseruatíon, it could leaae us.

Year-End, PITTS B T] RCH ARC HITE Waher C. Kirfney Girt

Since its founding in 1964 as a non- profi t membership organ ization, Landmarks has made a difference in the life of Pittsburgh. Our great accomplishments have been to identify and save architectural and industrial landmarks, preserve historic neighbor- hoods, educate the public regarding our history, and create Station Square. Our work continues as vigorously as ever, with the help of members'con- tributions. We have no governmental support, and depend on individual donations to maintain our General Fund and our individual projects. Our program goals for 1992 are ambitious, and your contribution to the Landmarks General Fund is the means by which we can attain them. Please contribute now, and help us keep working for the future of Pittsburgh's past. CONTRIBUTIONS to Landmarks' General Fund in 1992 will heþ us: Thß mausoleurn, buih like Õ advocaie the preservation olendan- a. small Classical temple, gered landmarks. tu,Iy æpresses its cotættttc- a retrieve endangered artifacts that will tion. Solíd graniæ later be displayed in a riverfront walk columns, antne, and jømb- at Station Square. stones carry solid graniæ provide technical assistance and fund- a Iíntels, separate stones that ing support through our Preservation rest upon them. The whole Fund to more than 20 neighbor- hood/community groups that are structure is held tagether restoring historic properties. by iæ weþht. a complete a survey of historical sites in Allegheny County relating to Black history. I organize the Landmarks library and describe our historical collections so they can be available for research purposes. a offer educational programs such as Portable P ittsburgh, Pittsburgh Heri- tage, the Hands-On History suÍrmer institute, teacher inservices, and family workshops. a publish major books, brochures, and PHLF News. host tours and special events for the a have been saying that a Classical been so long familiar to so many peo- less jumble arches and benefit of our members and the of decorative public. design will probably be needed for the ples; this may at times override its motifs, illiterate, vulgar-genteel. A local building on the Syria Mosque site if it is ignoring or even contradiction of actual magazine, Builder/Ar c hirecr, shows just to fit decently into that part of the Civic structure, and even that perpetualnag- how prevalent this pretentious, rootless Center. Such a remark, from one of my ging urge to design in a way expressive is here. Enclosed is my year-end contribution of type ofdesign around generation, one's we S to Landmarks'General Fund. brings with it the risk of a of own culture. Not that seem Real Classical architecture, fancy or bad conscience. Modernism, militant successful in doing this. plain, organizes everything, gets the Name then complacent, gave me an architec- Even if we abstain from the Classical proportions just right, puts a touch of tural ideology of a puritanical kind temple order, Classicism has lessons in ornament where it will enliven the Address- hard to shake. In theory, indeed, it massing, scale, proportions, the relief whole composition, comes up with a remains fundamentally sound (though and recession of details, the ways mold- lucid and self-respecting piece ofcon- the executed results, the actual building ings and sculpture can catch the light. struction ofwhatever size. It has lessons one sees, amount in my eyes to a Even rather simple buildings, when for the suburbs as well as the Civic City State Zip Barmecide feast). their few elements are well conceived, Center. The idea of a Classical offìce building can do this. Contributions are tax-deductible.- Please- in modern America is admittedly a little For the new building on the Syria make checks payable to the Pittsburgh hard to take, on the other hand, for at Mosque site, it may be that a fancy History- & Landmarks Foundation and least two reasons. First, it almost always quasi-architecture of pilasters, entabla- return payment with this form to: expresses a fictitious rather than a real tures, and non-structural arches will be Pittsburgh History & structure. needed an exterior as much sculpture Landmarks Foundation Accepting Classicism, then, means as architecture- in its editing ofstructur- General Fund almost invariably a departure from al fact and meticulous handling of sur- One Station Square, Suite 450 absolute constructional truth. What it face. But in most cases the sturdy and Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1170 offers is a familiar but highly versatile simple geometry of "Mount Braddock," means ol visually comprehending build- its edges softened here and there by ings, a system of composition refined ornamentation, will give us a better ex- and added to over thousands ofyears. ample. Most so-called traditional design Plna;e fue It has an eternal quality through having oftoday is an unorganized, proportion- n I-o,nd,,mørks December 199I PHLF l¡{ø.us Page 9

TIJRE: Clnssi,cism 1\EW AT THE CORNERSTOI\E Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Formdation Membership Book & Gift Shop

Architectural Mono graphs The Outlet book company has initiat- ed an inexpensive series ofarchitectural monographs. Each over-sized, all-color edition features the work of an interna- tionally renowned architect. The first two books in the series cover the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sul- livan, respectively. Each volume in the ln the ualls of this bønl6 the main struc- series sells for $14.99. These Outlet titles tural system ß one of arches, stones make a handsome introduction to the braced a,gainst one another o,nd held in work of these architects. shape by the weþht of the surrounding here müsonry, But ø system of columns - Preser-lation Press imítaæd as pilasærs and, Iintels here - - The Preservation Press has added a the architraoes of afull entøblature - new title to their series on house and present a æmple constructi,on. fictitious building renovation. This one is entitled Repairing Old and Historic Windows, A Manual for Architects and Homeowners (524.9 5, paperback). Related Preserva- tion Press titles carried by the Corner- stone include Walls and Molding, Masonry, and Respectful Rehabilitation.

Artifacts & Antiques We also have for sale quite a few artifacts, antiques, and collectibles. They include a fheater chair from the old Liberty Theater; a mammoth cast- iron weight scale from the Pittsburgh Public Schools; a beautiful hand-carved wooden newel post; and an assortment of pedestals and pillars made of such materials as oak, marble, onyx, and ceramic tile. New items are added weekly.

The Cornenstone The Shops at Station Square . . but thisjointirry and bracing has Balcony Iævel Both of the aboue buíld.ings are h.eld. n eu er signifi,cant ørchiæctural (4r2\ 76s-r042 together by weþht. Aframed structure haß found, øcpression. Sæel-framed buildirrys of early ø be h.eld ín shape by joinß, braclrets, in thß century reatined a Classical treat- Members of the Pittsburgh History & str-uts, something of the sort, tD rnainktin rnent- Landmarks Foundation receive a 100/o rigidity. . . discount on all purchases.

As did wooden porch.es, tnhere the rough carpenny uas cased ín.

ooMount Erad.dock" in Fayetæ County uos buíIt in 1803. Iæ erwironment høs been beset in ma.ny u)ays: a shopping cerltÊr, on autornobile graueyard,, new and colorless houses, strip mines. But ít remains a Greøt Hotne, a big, solid, syrnrnetrical, foursquare place with ø little delicaæ Cløssical orndment to trím its stanetaork. To destroy iæ di6níty, whateaer the sur- roundings, you usould. haue to destroy the house iæelf. Page l0 PHLF News December 1991 Preservation Scene

Another Landmarking Problem On September 6, the Historic Review Com- mission found that landmarking of a house on Woodland Road had merit as an idea. The proposed landmarking was a relreshing change lrom other such ìnstances of late in that it was done on the owner's initiative. However, some things about the idea have disturbed the neighbors. The house, built in 1984, is by Richard Meieq an eminent post- Modernist whose ideas suggest the extreme r¡ Modernism of circa 1930. The house, along ii with its showy neighbor, a house by Robert i Venturi, has had a great success ofesteem Fírst Church of Chrßt Scientist. among critics; on the other hand, I neither house is exactly what red-brick and conser- r Christian Science Church vative Woodland Road is used to, and We were informed, in mid-October, that the epithets like "White Tower" and "gas sta- First Church of Christ Scientist is lor sale. tion" a¡e current. Furthermore, the The building is a little gem in the Ionic enameled metal claddìng and other compo- ordeq situated at the bend ofClyde Street in nents have gotten into such a sad state in Shadyside. It was built ìn 1904 to designs ol these lew years that all the neighbors are dis- Solon Spencer Beman, a Chicago architect gusted. The owner blames the contractoq of some fame. It fits beautifully into a small and the matter is in litigation. The attempt- domestic street, a monumental building but ed landmarking is an ellort to save the 3ll Inu:enhill Street. so scaled that it does not crush the adjacent house whatever happens, including the houses with its visible bulk. The realtors are owner's being lorced to sell. 311 Lowenhill Street hoping that it will continue in existence and ln an HRC hearing on October 4, that its auditorìum, seating as many as 850 Richard Meier's letter on the situation was In mid-October, this property and its board- The Certificate was denied once more this and including an "exceptional" pipe organ, read; he argued against landmarking, saying and-batten larmhouse of c. 1864 were in the August and the owners resumed their suit, will attract a performing-arts organization. that the present state of the house makes news as a center olcontroversy. Participants claiming that being lorced to retain "Willow it The asking price is about $1.5 million. "not a true reflection of my original design." were a Maronite parish, owners; a Jehovah's Cottage" is an unconstitutional taking. The Interested parties should reach: Witnesses congregation, prospective buyers; Landmark status was in being when the Regional Resources, Inc., which has nomi- present owners purchased the cottage, and Erik C. Wagner nated the property as a City Historic Land- they had no reason not to seek competent Hanna Commercìal Real Estate Services mark and would like to buy it for a tree professional help before buying as lar as it Gulf Tower farm; the Beechview neighbors, who deplore we can see, and we ourselves feel that in buy- 707 Grant Street the sagging condition of the deserted house ing the house they undertook a definite Pittsburgh, P a. 15219 -1911 but want it restored rather than destroyed; obligatìon. 471-33n. and the Historic Review and City Planning Commissions, respectively for and against "Sunnyledge" An Excellent Billboard Town recommending desìgnation to City Council. We learned at the end of October that the We read that Martin Media, the new succes- The house is not only a rare Victorian present owners of the McClelland house sor here to Patrick Media Group, finds us Gothic and board-and-batten house for could no longer afford to maintain ìt, and "an excellent billboard town," wìth traffic Pittsburgh, but its wild, tree-grown yard is a were putting it up for sale through the flow inhibited enough to encourage absorp- large cpen area with a spectacular rriew Cooper Agenc¡,, v¡ith an auction of, the con- ll9 Woodland Road. ii,rrr, or whatever it is, of advertisine dis- toward the Triangle. This could be a tents scheduled lor mid-November. We had plays. We are now to get a "Las Veias look, As to the quality of the design: we are remarkably beautilul place if the house were suggested that they grant us a facade ease- with neon, electronics, and motion." Will we cool toward Post-Modern architecture put in repair and the grounds put ìn some, ment, but this has not been done. And yet want this? Henry Koerner could turn a generally, but we remember a Society ol Ar- not excessive, state of order. there was hope at the beginning of Novem- colossal billboard image into a fantastic ele- chitectural Historians bus tour in 1985, ber. A commìttee was organized to secure ment in the scenes of Pittsburgh that he everyone swarming toward the house and its "Willow Cottage" the house and acquire its contents, relieving often lound so fantastic otherwise. On the Venturi neighbor. There can be remarkable The owners of the Howe-Childs gatehouse the owners of the tax and maintenance bur- other hand, it would have been distinctly lads in culture, of course, everyone wonder- at Fifth Avenue and Woodland Road were dens that had forced them, much against annoying in 1930 to see the side of Mount ing later what the fuss was all about, but it suing the City of Pittsburgh this fall, appeal- their will, to put the house on the market. Washington a background for an illuminat- may be that even such a recent house, when ing the denial by the Historic Review Com- The aim olthe committee is not to creale a ed Grennan's Cakes sign. The chances are so widely praised, and if it can be repaired, mission of a Certificate of Appropriateness museum, but to buy time while the means of that our landscape would be badly defaced should be landmarked to save it from a for demolition. The owners have been seek- doing so can be organized. The house has by the antics ofthe new billboards, though present danger. ing a demolition permit for the City Historic many friends, and their good wishes may yet in Pittsburgh at least the ordinance on signs Landmark for the last two years, claiming prevail. may prevent the worst excesses. Our Neighbor Down that rehabilitating the house is very uneco- The sign the Road "Sunnyledge," a full-blooded brick ordinance is coincidentally under criticism Ar c hit e c tural Re c o rd's subscribers have nomical and maintaining it a hardship. They Richardsonian house of 1886 by Longfellow, from Pittsburgh community groups, and elected went to the Common Pleas Court about a "Fallingwater" the most significant Alden & Harlow, stands at Fifth and meetings year-and-a-half were recently held by the City work of architecture, world-wide, ol the last ago, but the case was Wilkins Avenue on a raised lawn: a familiar Planning Commission to receive public com- hundred years. We who give tours remanded to the HRC for a further hearing. sight to many. have been ment. These may promote a more stringent used to visitors on a Saturday PittsburgU set ol restrictions, which we believe to be all Sunday "Fallingwater" schedule, and have to the good, at least ìn Pittsburgh. cIJSTOnÆ thus gotten used to Pittsburgh as a way sta- Landscape preservation has not received tion with "Fallingwater" the real object of ^A'R.CIIITECÎTIFI.A'I- much attention locally, yet developers and the visit. Now Frank Lloyd Wright's week- lvtILL\ñroR.I(' ROCKWAY advertising interests could degrade badly end villa in Fayette County, built in 1936 for CoNsrnuCTIoN some prominent parts of our natural setting, the Edgar J. Kaufmann family, may draw INC. and we should get used to the idea of even more aesthetes to while away the time features olthe land itsellas landmarks. in Pittsburgh till the real experience begins. . General Contractors Marshall . Concrete Work Conservation Dedicated to the Art and Science of Conserving Historic . Site Work Furniture, Collectables and Three Dimensional Art . Asphnlt THB SocIETY FoR I THE PRESERVATION OF rggK.rt?t- constructlon tnc, I ' I luourstfE ¡tfc!ilft I I Dedicated to the preservation of 600 Greentree Road that whích cannot be replaced

Pittsburgh, P A 1 5220-521 1 Iüilson & McCracken, Inc. (412) 921-2722 5255 Butler Sbeet Pittsbrugh, PA 15201 (412) 921-2299 Profèssional Conservator f-or Private Hire For a membership (4L2)7U-r772 1t2-935-52r3 (412)921-0678 please phone 381-1665 FAX lI December I99l PHLF News Page 1ì

Archaeological Probabilities Homewood-Brushton in the The City of Pittsburgh has appropriated Journal What the S60,000 for consulting services to determine The September l7 Wall Street Journal had places in the Triangle, Oakland, and river- an article on community development cor- front areas most likely to repay intensive porations, focusing on the Homewood- Syria Mosque archaeological investigation. The areas are Brushton Revitalization and Development to be classed according to high, medium, Corporation and the enterprise of its direc- and low probability ofhaving archaeological tor Mulugetta Birru. The article mentions resources of value. This will be done on the his early success in getting rowhouses built Site Needs basis of research into land uses in the past, despite a developer's walkout, the buildup of and is expected yield also to information businesses to give the neighborhood a com- about probable soil contaminants. Archaeo- mercial center with new vitality, relations In the Octaber issue o;IPHLF News, logical research is mandatory on certain sites with more-than-skeptical bankers, and the we discussed the Syría Mosque site developed with federal or State funding, a opening of a farmers' market even the part of the review process for impact on - and. the Soldiers' ønd. Søilors' acquisition of a radio station. As our last 'Memoríal those that are National Register-eligible. Newsletter indicates, our Preservation Fund group of which it ß øn ele- Sewickley Heights Survey has recently lent $56,000 to further rnent: ønd the need,for a reøIly good, HBRDC's work through the purchase of Landmarks has been commissioned by the one commercial building and two houses. ha.rmanizing building ø replace the Borough of Sewickley Heights to supple- Mosque. We haae conxe up u¡íth the ment our work there for the Pennsylvania Regent Theatre Progress Historic Resource Survey some 10 years ago. þUnuting guid.elines: The Pittsburgh Foundation has awarded Forty new properties will be added. The East Liberty Development, Inc. a $100,000 total list will be of use to the Borough's matching lead grant for its Regent Returns General Intention: That the new build- Historic Architectural Review Board in Capital Campaign, whose goal is to raise ing will contribute to the beauty and The engine owaiæ iæ setting. determining which buildings are of architec- one million dollars for conversion of the character of the ensemble created by the tural interest. Field work began in early Regent Theatre, a 1914, Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial, Gift for Engine Setting October. movie house of into its a performing G. Whitney Snyder, W.P. Snyder III, and multi-use arts center. A third lawn, and the buildings fronting on the their family foundations have committed Nobody Sang Jingle Bells of the money, given by private parties or lawn; yet, that the new building will be committed by the City and State, has nearly S200p00 to give the Mesta blowing One of the numerous objects given to the usefully planned, will have an appear- been raised. engine, alongside the Smithfield Street Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Founda- ance consistent with its plan, and will Bridge, a proper setting. Built around 1900 tion over the years is the sleigh in which the not be unduly expensive. to supply compressed air to a blast furnace, Biddle brothers and Mrs. Soffel supposedly Rachel Carson Homestead, Character: The new building is to be it weighs about 600 tons and stands 48 feet fled from the Allegheny County Jail in 1902. Springdale visually subordinate to the Soldiers' high, its flywheels wholly above the pave- Catherine Soffel, the Allegheny County Jail The Rachel Carson Homestead Association Memorial; yet, it is to be an individually ment instead olbeing partly below as was warden's wife, had lreed the two brothers, has completed Phase One of its master plan, designed originally the case. The money will be used who were awaiting execution for murder. including the execution of a Historic Struc- building, handsome in its own to paint the engine, develop landscaping and The story remains one of the great Pitts- tures Report on the 1900-period house and right, one that the public will wish to walks, and create interpretive materials. The burgh legends. The Pittsburgh Police Histor- statement of goals on the interpretation of see. donors have a long family association with ical Association borrowed the sleigh from Rachel Carson's life and careeq expanded Massing and Scale: No part of the Shenango, Inc., from whose Sharpsville, Pa. Landmarks this summer to display at the environmental education, and environ- building fronting on Bigelow Boule- plant the engine came. We are grateful to 75th convention of the Fraternal Order of mental advocacy. Earl D. James, formerly of vard, either its east-west or north-south them for the means of displaying this Police, an organization founded in Landmarks, is to become the Association's part, should rise higher than 45 as impressive arÍifact so well. Pittsburgh. fìrst executive director. feet measured at the corner where the Boulevard changes direction. Any part rising higher should be set back at least 50 feet from the building line. No facade Starz erected on or close to the building line THE CORI\ERSTOI\E should have a uniform, unvaried treat- Pittsburgh History & Landmarhs Foundation ment or lie along the same line from end to end unless a treatment with this Membership Book & Gift Shop Interior uniformity or evenness can be shown as satisfactory. Restoration Materials: Brick, limestone, sandstone, and/or terra cotta, as used in the extant buildings of the Soldiers' Memorial Specializing in group, should suggest the materials, colors, values, textures, mortaring, and qunlity woodwork other surface qualities of the new build- r e storation, stripping ing unless alternative materials and/or andrert.nßhing treatments can be shown as satisfactory. Style: The style of the exterior of the new building should be "Classical" in Residential, commercial and some manner, treated in a literate and sensitive way as regards proportions, institutional references materials, moldings and other decora- available upon request. tive detail, and general effect, unless a non-Classical alternative can be shown (4r2) 66r-4964 as satisfactory. "Ironic" Classicism in the Post-Modern manner is not to be considered as the equivalent ofliterate Classical design. Relation to PIan and Sfructure: Aside from obviously decorative details, the outer appearance of the new building should not deny, though it may not SHORT-TERM, Fully Furnished Studio, I or 2 reveal, the plan and structure. bedroom apartment suites, includes parking, com- Nor off" rin,g: pletely equipped kitchen with se¡vice for 4, all lin- should the exterior impair in any sig- ens, cable teÌevision (with HBO) VCR and local nificant way the convenience of the plan An extensive selection of regional book titles, including all câlls. I block f¡om Walnut Street Shops - (from or the economy of the construction. Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation publications; $47lday, monthly basìs,) daily & weekly rates available. Call Stacy at The Shadyside lnn, Motor Entrances: No loading docks books on architecture, design, historic preservation, urban 682-2300. or affairs, gardening, and landscape architecture. gange entrances may be placed on either portion of Bigelow Boulevard. a Architectural artifacts, collectibles, and antiques. Planting: London plane trees must be a Pittsburgh gifts and souvenirs, select period reproductions, and planted along both portions of Bigelow architecturally-related gifts. Landmark Survivors Boulevard, and along Lytton Avenue o Members of the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation where practicable, as they have been on receive a 10%o discount. University Place. PHLF has created its fißt educâtional video featuring seven Pittsburgh landmarks that have survived for decades ìn a rapidly The wording reflects our belief that only changing city. Ifyour school or community a Classical design is likely to be ade- . On the . o Balcony The Shops at Station Square Pittsburgh, PA 15219 group would lìke to purchase or bo¡row quate in this Classical ensemble, though Ihe Landmark . 412-765-1042 Suryivors video, call educa- we are reluctant to rule out good design tion dircctor Dia¡e DeNardo (412/471-5808). of whatever kind. Page 12 PHLF News December Ì991

This (Strange) Year in Preservation (continuectfrompage t)

two derelict buildings. The attorneys was ready; Landmarks was one of the then argued that: the lender for the 12 signatories, the National Trust Lazar project was a union pension fund another. The National Center for that would not tolerate the old build- Preservation Law, in the August I mail- ings; saving the buildings lelt fewer ing. spoke of the need lor statewide parking spaces than needed; no pro- organizations and communication net- posals for re-use of 901-11, including the works to provide organized mutual sup- Tripoli one, had any substance; the cre- port against such emergencies. ation of a new project would benefit the On August 5 the attorneys for United neighborhood; the neighborhood is of Artists Theater Circuit responded to the no special character, and the waste of amicus application, declaring that "peti- the developer's money in this arbitrary tions and amici curiae have advanced way violates his rights and warns off no compelling reasons justifying reargu- others. Such was the situation in early ment of the issues which have already July. been determined by this court," and Meanwhile, a Common Pleas judge "the amici curiae are without authority ruled that the Syria Mosque demolition or standing to file applications for rear- permit was valid, despite the Commit- gument." Nevertheless, the application tee's suit of the previous month. The was granted by the Pennsylvania two-hour difference of March 26, in Supreme Court on August 23, with fact, was all the difference needed. The arguments to be heard October 23. This Press, on June27, was quietly jubilant: date would not see the end of the sus- "The Mosque isn't historic: it's history." pense; the leisurely processes ofjustice would probably not terminate in a deci- The Philadelphia Trauma sion until early 1992 (and this might not Demolition of the Syia Mosque. On July l0 came a trauma for preserva- indicate its relevance in situations dis- tionists all over Pennsylvania, an earth- similar to Philadelphia's). matters were more critical for the ed, and continues to count, and as the quake shock to historic preservation as Meanwhile, indecision reigned on the Mosque. The demolition permit site was the locale of a failed nomina- practiced for a decade or more. In the local level. The Pittsburgh City Solici- remained valid until September 26, and tion less than hve years old, the exten- case of Unìted Artists Theater Circuit, tor, Mary Conturo, advised against City though the Mosque was still in the sion of an abutting City Historic Dis- Inc. v. City of Philadelphza, the Pennsyl- Council designation of the Syria hands of the Têmple Holding Corpora- trict, rather like a windowshade, was the vania Supreme Court ruled that the Mosque and 901-11 as a possible uncon- tion, National Development had only way to obtain it. A medical office Philadelphia Historical Commission's stitutional taking unless compensation obtained leave to begin demolition. A building on the site, or whatever it turns designation of the Boyd Theater as a were paid. This was on August 1, at street fair that might include notables out to be, will be much bigger than the landmark, so as to compel its preserva- which time she believed that historic was scheduled for September 3 to rally Mosque was, and in bulk and style tion inside and out, was a taking with- district designation would not be affect- support for preservation, even though could result in something quite fine, or out just compensation. Justice Rolf ed; four days later she was not so sure the legal status of the effort seemed be a stupid, vulgar intrusion into the Larsen, speaking for the majority, said about the districts after all. It did not hopeless. ensemble centered around the Soldiers' in essence, cheer things up when the owner of one On August 27, actual demolition and Sailors' Memorial. Several parties ofthe l!000 properties designated by began with the removal of two of the began thinking along the same lines at . that aesthetic mâtters were not within the Philadelphia Historical Commission Mosque's four bronze sphinxes and the the same time: there was going to be a the police power of the State; demanded $2.5 million compensation. elimination of a relatively-modern new building; it had to be good; it o that, though the owners testified in the John DeSantis, chairman of tbe entrance canopy. Jim Ferlo and others, would probably have to be Classical in PäC hearing on ciesignation, the PHC Historic Review Commission, had been warned that this was to happen in the order to ht in. This in mind, Landmarks was in the position of both judge and sanguine at first. pointing out two small hours, gained a modest reputation published information on the present advocate; differences between our preservation as "sphinx riders" who had to be Civic Center, advocated a Classical new ¡ that the theater was under virtual public mechanism and Philadelphia's: we do hauled off, up, then away, so that demo- building by the ultimate client, Pres- control after designation regardless of not designate interiors, and neither the lition could continue. The first demoli- byterian University Health Systems, the owner's wishes; HRC nor the City Planning Commis- tion was obviously a gesture indicating and solicited examples of executed ¡ that, though the public was to be the sion makes designations; City Council irrevocability: entrance terra cotta was designs by practicing American Classi- beneficiary, the owner was to bear the does this, and thus the advocates and partly destroyed, corner masonry cists to illustrate what was necessary. sole cost; and thejudge, so to speak, separate. bashed away, including more terra On September 10, the old Committee . that designation of one building êre Still, and despite Chairman Desantis' cotta, and part ofa floor collapsed to Save the Syria Mosque of earlier in amounts to "spot zoning" that allows attempt to keep it to its proper task, the realpolitik. Asbestos had to be removed- l99l re-formed and enlarged itself as the owner no sharing in a common HRC flinched at recommending either before practical demolition could begin, Preservation Pittsburgh, a "pro-active" good as ordinary zoning does. the Mosque or 901-11 for designation, but this was well under way late in Sep- group ofpeople interested in preserva- In brief, Larsen found in the opera- and merely passed their staff reports tember, just after failure of an attempt tion in Pittsburgh. Landmarks was curi- tions of the PHC a bad means to an end favorable on to Council. This was -on to have a State Court order issued to ous, since the new organization seemed he admitted to be good. August 2; -on the same day City Coun- oppose it. The Post-Gazette published to intend things Landmarks thought it HRC staff had recornmended that cilman Jim Ferlo norninated most of the an editorial on the 28th to cheer the had been doing, but during early designation of the Syria Mosque and undesignated balance of the Schenley Mosque on its way. autumn attended Preservation Pitts- 901-ll be recommended to City Coun- Farms National Historic District, the Meanwhile, on September 10, a bill burgh's meetings and contributed ideas. cil, but this new uncertainty inhibited Civic Center, as a City Historic District, was introduced before City Council to If the summer ended with the Syria any action on these matters. The day HRC and City Planning Commission extend the existing Schenley Farms City Mosque on the way down, 901-11 Bing- before the Supreme Court decision the hearings were scheduled for November. Historic District into the Syria Mosque ham Street came into early fall neither City Planning Commission, despite site and the vacant lot to its irrimediate repaired nor doomed. The City Council recommendations of its staff and elo- The Mosque Comes Down; north. The apparent futility of protect- designated the buildings on September quent ârguments by the public, had 901-il Remains ing what was bound to be a big vacant 24, despite developer threats oflitiga- decided not to recommend designation 901-ll remained in its quiet and rather lot was only superficial. Design control tion and City Solicitor misgivings, and of the Mosque to City Council. On July deteriorated state as summer ended, but over the new building was what count- overrode a mayoral veto some two 23, its resolve weakened by the Suprerne weeks later. Court decision, the City Planning Com- 901-1! Bingham Street. The consultants on'the new City mission voted not to recómmend desig- landmarks ordinance were due to pres- nation of the Bingham Street property. ent their draft on October 21, but in Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania view of the prevailing doubt canceled Supreme Court decision had created a their presentation until after the national furor in preservation circles. Supreme Court decision, in early 1992. Preservation law undergoes a constant The Syria Mosque property passed series of adjustments, yet preserva* into the hands of Presbyterian Univer- tionists had felt basically secure on the sity Health Systems at the beginning of taking issue since Penn Central Trans- October. Two weeks later, National and porrailon Company v. City of Neu, York, the new owner filed a pre-emptive law- argued before a federal court in 1978. suit against the City to prevent the pro- The July 10 decision, based on the posed Ferlo annexation olthe property Pennsylvania Constitution, may in fact to the Schenley Farms City Historic have implications all around the state or District. On November l, the HRC even beyond it. The National Center for voted not to recommend extension of Preservation Law monitored the situa- the Schenley Farms District into the tion and cited other cases ofrelevance. Syria Mosque site, doubting its legality. The National Trust reported and dis- This was the situation as of mid-fall, cussed national implications in the Sep- with the new year, among its many reve- tember l99l Histork' Preservation Nev,s. lations, to tell us whether the state of On July 24, an amicus brief, "applica- historic-preservation law might remain tion to intervene and for reargument," fundamentally unaltered.