Guide to the Welsh Nationality Room Committee Collection, 1931-2011 UA.40.24
Arrangement
Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Welsh Nationality Room Committee Collection
Creator
University of Pittsburgh. Nationality Rooms Program. Welsh Nationality Room Committee
Collection Number
UA.40.24
Extent
2.9 Linear Feet(8 boxes)
Date
1931-2011
Date
2001-2008
Abstract
The Welsh Nationality Room Committee Collection is a compilation of correspondence, meeting minutes, financial reports, various print and non-print media, draft texts, reference materials, and blueprints used by committee members from, and pertaining to, the Welsh Nationality Room at the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning. The bulk of the materials are from 2001 to 2008.
Language
English
.
Author
Julia N. Rossi and Cameron Villarreal.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System Archives & Special Collections Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections Business Number: 412-648-3232 (Thomas) | 412-648-8190 (Hillman) Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into seven series:
Series I. Welsh Nationality Room Committee Correspondence
Series II. Nationality Room Program Correspondence
Series III. Meeting Minutes, Finance Reports and Contributors
Series IV. Dedication Day Documents
Series V. Drafts, Texts, and Photographic Reference Materials
Series VI. Print and Non-Print Media
Series VII. Architectural Renderings
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Julia N. Rossi in March-April 2012, then revised and updated by Cameron Villarreal in April-May 2013.
Related Material
The Welsh Nationality Room is one of 28 Nationality Rooms located in the Cathedral of Learning. Records for some of the other rooms are housed at the Archive & Special Collections ASC facility.
History
In 2001 the St. David's Society of Pittsburgh approached the University of Pittsburgh's Nationality Rooms Program about the prospect of creating a Welsh Nationality Classroom. The Welsh Room Committee was established shortly thereafter, with the St. David's Society taking on the role of the committee. Dale Richards and John (Jack) Owens were appointed committee chairs. Information and plans about the proposed Welsh Nationality Room were conveyed via St. David's Society newsletters and meeting minutes.
After considering designs for a Welsh manor house, castle, and a farmhouse, the committee decided upon an 18th-century Non-Conformist chapel. Rural chapels, such as the Pen-rhiw Chapel in Cardiff, Wales (after which the Welsh Nationality Room is modeled), were considered to be centers of village social life, education, and worship. The Welsh Nationality Room Committee chose The Design Alliance architecture firm to draw up plans for the Welsh room.
Many fundraising events were sponsored by the St. David's Society -- most notably, the annual Gymanfa Ganu, or Welsh singing festivals. With the help of several corporate sponsors, including an appointment of Bob Evans as honorary chairman, the Welsh Nationality Room Committee was able to raise the entirety of their funds by 2007. Construction began in November 2007 and was completed in April 2008.
Features of the Welsh Nationality Room include a pulpit, deacon's benches, a long-case clock, a communion table, box pew seating, and milk paint on the walls. The Welsh room was dedicated on June 1, 2008 - the least amount of time taken from conception to completion for any Nationality Classroom. The Welsh Nationality Room Committee remains active with the Nationality Rooms Program, funding study-abroad scholarships and participating in open house cultural events at the Cathedral of Learning.
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.
Previous Citation
Welsh Nationality Room Committee Collection, 1931-2011, UA.40.24, University Archives, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
Preferred Citation
Welsh Nationality Room Committee Collection, 1931-2011, UA.40.24, University Archives, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Scope and Content Notes
The Welsh Nationality Room Collection comprises materials acquired by the Nationality Rooms Program from c. 1931 through 2011, though the bulk of the items are dated 2001-2008. Most of the materials in this collection pertain to the fundraising for and construction of the Welsh Nationality Room at the Cathedral of Learning. This collection includes correspondence, newsletters, meeting minutes, financial reports, fundraising media, text drafts, photographs, print and non-print media, reference materials, and blueprints.
Acquisition Information
The materials in the Welsh Nationality Room Committee Collection were acquired by the Nationality Rooms Program at the University of Pittsburgh from 2001 through 2011. The collection was transferred to the University Archives in 2012.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions, except Box 2, Folder 13: Nationality Rooms Program General Correspondence 2005-2006.
Subjects
Corporate Names
University of Pittsburgh. Nationality Rooms Program
Nationality Rooms (Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh, Pa.)
University of Pittsburgh. Nationality Rooms Program. Welsh Nationality Room Committee
Welsh Classroom (Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Genres
Photographs
Minutes (Administrative records)
Financial records
Correspondence
Clippings (Information artifacts)
Architectural drawings (Visual works)
Other Subjects
Universities and colleges -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
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