Guide to Russian Nationality Room Committee Collection, 1927-1959 UA.40.19
Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Russian Nationality Room Committee Collection
Creator
University of Pittsburgh. Nationality Rooms Program. Russian Nationality Room Committee
Collection Number
UA.40.19
Extent
2.5 Linear Feet(3 boxes)
Date
1927-1959
Abstract
The Russian Nationality Room Committee Collection details the design, funding, and construction of the Russian Nationality Room in the Cathedral of Learning. One of the first rooms to be completed, the Russian Nationality Room was presented alongside the Scottish, German and Swedish Nationality Rooms on July 8th, 1938. Additionally, this collection contains documents from events pertinent to the Russian-American community in Pittsburgh, including Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev's 1959 visit to the University of Pittsburgh.
Language
Materials are mostly written in English, though some materials are in Russian, both in Cyrillic and Latin alphabets.
Author
Emily Ahlin.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System Archives & Special Collections Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
History
The Russian Nationality Room was designed by Dr. Andrey Avinoff, the then-director of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and an advisory professor at the University of Pittsburgh. The Russian Nationality Room Committee, chaired by Dr. Avinoff, worked with Nationality Rooms advisor Ruth Crawford Mitchell to bring his vision for the room to life. This was achieved through private donations, as well as several benefit events from 1927 to 1939, including concerts, dances and teas. The room was completed with a funding deficit that was resolved through more fundraising and benefits after its presentation to the University on July 8, 1938, along with the Scottish, German and Swedish rooms.
The Russian Nationality Room contains a tapestry designed by Dr. Avinoff, referred to as the "Vishivka" of St. George, a common icon found throughout pre-Soviet Union Russia symbolizing youth. The "Vishivka," which means embroidery in Russian, was originally set to be completed by Dr. Avinoff's mother, but after she passed away in 1932, the work was completed by Madame Shoumatoff (Dr. Avinoff's sister), Princess Obolensky, and Helen Viner. Materials for the vishivka were donated by Miss Helen C. Frick.
The style of the room, in addition to the vishivka, was designed to reflect sixteenth and seventeenth century peasant art and was completed locally when possible. The furniture was a joint effort between John Luhowiak, a Ukrainian from the South Hills of Pittsburgh, and the R.W. Irwin Company. Luhowiak provided carving unique to each piece of furniture, while the R.W. Irwin Company built the furniture and provided the finish. In addition, Luhowiak carved the triptych, which houses the blackboard, with finish provided by the R.W. Irwin Company. Dr. Avinoff designed the light fixtures, which were completed by Hyman Blum. The work on the stained glass windows was completed by Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studios.
Other notable members of the Russian Room Committee include Michael V. Smirnoff, secretary, and Michael Kormos and Paul Barna, who helped with the fundraising.
Scope and Content Notes
The Russian Nationality Room Committee Collection is comprised of materials related to the design, funding and construction of the Russian Nationality Room in the Cathedral of Learning. The majority of these records date from the beginning of design in 1927 to the completion and dedication of the room in 1938; however, there are few records that date up to 1959. The documents consist of correspondence, primarily between committee members, Ruth Crawford Mitchell, Dr. Andrey Avinoff, and chair maker Russell Mitchell; meeting minutes; agendas; memoranda; a "running memo" of actions taken in the design and completion of the room; financial statements; written descriptions of the room and its components; publicity material; newspaper clippings; photographs; sketches; blueprints; and event information, such as programs, invitations, and guest lists. Other documents pertain to the Russian Orthodox Church in Pittsburgh, Countess Tolstoy's visit to Pittsburgh, and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev's visit to the University in 1959.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Copyright
The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Emily Ahlin in September 2016.
Acquisition Information
Deposited by Nationality Rooms Program Office in 1999.
Previous Citation
Russian Nationality Room Committee Collection, 1927-1959, UA.40.19, University of Pittsburgh Archives
Preferred Citation
Russian Nationality Room Committee Collection, 1927-1959, UA.40.19, University Archives, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Subjects
Corporate Names
University of Pittsburgh. Nationality Rooms Program. Russian Nationality Room Committee
University of Pittsburgh. Nationality Rooms Program
Nationality Rooms (Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Personal Names
Avinoff, Andrey
Mitchell, Ruth Crawford
Other Subjects
University of Pittsburgh
Universities and colleges -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
Please contact us with any questions, comments or donation inquiries: 
Twitter
Facebook