Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title Birmingham Union Collection Creator
Birmingham Union (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Collection Number AIS.1978.10 Extent
2.35 Linear Feet
(3 boxes, 9 oversize files, 2 reels microfilm)
Date 1893-1977 Abstract The Birmingham Union began when a group of concerned citizens decided to promote the revitalization and historic preservation of the South Side in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This collection contains information gathered by this group concerning the historic development and attempted revitalization of the South Side. The collection includes publications, news clips, histories, and photographs that contain information on churches, organizations, societies, institutions, and individuals in the South Side. The historic material covers the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries, and the focus then moves to South Side events during the 1950's - 1970's. Language
English
. Author Jamie Peretich. Revisions occurred to the finding aid as a part of the encoding process in November 2005. Publisher ULS Archives & Special Collections Address University of Pittsburgh Library Systemhttp://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections History
The Birmingham Union was a community organization began in 1976 in order to promote the historical and cultural significance of Pittsburgh's South Side (formerly called Birmingham). The organization worked with the South Side Local Development Company, the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation, the South Side Community Council, and the South Side Chamber of Commerce to save the Victorian character of the South Side's shopping and entertainment district. They produced several promotional publications and organized community events. Through their efforts, the National Trust for Historic Preservation designated East Carson Street as a "Great American Main Street." Mary Jane Schmalstieg and Dr. Bosanka Evosevic served as directors for the organization during the 1970s.
Arrangement
Series I. Organizational/Research Files
Series II. Microfilm
Series III. Photographs, Negatives and Slides
Scope and Content Notes This collection includes information about Pittsburgh's South Side during the late-nineteenth and early to mid-twentieth centuries. The collection includes documents in several formats, including paper, photographs, negatives, slides, and microfilm. The information in the documents consists of family mementos, church bulletins, South Side publications, special events commemorative materials, newspaper clippings, labor information, and correspondence. The first series includes the research and organizational information of the Birmingham Union. This information was used by the Union to promote South Side development and community awareness. The second series contains the two reels of microfilmed materials included in this collection. The third series includes the photographs, negatives, and slides of places and people of the South Side during the nineteenth-century. Please note that the microfilmed information supplements the materials retained in the paper documents in the collection. Many of the same topics are documented on both paper and microfilm, but there is no overlap of specific documents in both microfilm and on paper.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Acquisition Information
Gift of the Birmingham Union, 1978.
Previous Citation
Birmingham Union Collection, 1893-1977, AIS.1978.10, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
Preferred Citation
Birmingham Union Collection, 1893-1977, AIS.1978.10, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Jamie Peretich in November 2004.
Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Charles Stanford in November 2005. Information about the collection title and the controlled access terms was extracted from the MARC record in the University of Pittsburgh catalog Voyager ID numbers 1458996 and 1459000.
Copyright
Permission for publication is given on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Subjects Corporate Names Birmingham Union (Pittsburgh, Pa.) Geographic Names South Side (Pittsburgh, Pa.) Other Subjects Church buildings -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh Associations, institutions, etc. -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh Societies -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh Societies Container List Series I. Organizational/Research Files Scope and Content Notes This series contains information on paper media that was gathered by the Birmingham Union about the South Side's churches, infrastructure, institutions, individuals, schools, and correspondence. Also included are flyers, publications, newspaper clippings, South Side history information, and programs generated and publicized by the Birmingham Union. The materials in this collection exist in paper form; however, additional microfilmed materials supplement each subseries.
Subseries 1. Churches Scope and Content Notes This subseries contains information from several ethnic churches located in the South Side, limited to Catholic and Protestant faiths. Bulletins, newspaper clippings, event flyers, publications, memorial booklets, rosters, histories, and directories are included. See also Series II, microfilm reels one and two, under the target entitled "Churches."
St. Peter's Church Special Events , 1911-1974 Containers box 1 , folder 1 St. Peter's Church Bulletins , 1978-1992 Containers box 1 , folder 2-7 Holy Cross Church , 1950-1976 Containers box 1 , folder 8 St. John the Evangelist , 1978, 1992 Containers box 1 , folder 9 St. Matthew Directory, no date Containers box 2 , folder 1 St. Matthew Bulletins , 1978-1982 Containers box 2 , folder 2-4 St. Henry's Church , 1970-1978 Containers box 2 , folder 5 St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran , 1929, 1949 Containers box 2 , folder 6 St. Paul's Monastery Containers box 2 , folder 7 Cobden Street Baptist Church , 1973 Containers box 2 , folder 8 St. Mark's Episcopal Church, History by William A. Powers, no date Containers box 2 , folder 9 Roman Catholic Church History Containers box 2 , folder 10 Subseries 2. Institutions and Infrastructure Scope and Content Notes This subseries contains information about South Side institutions, such as hospitals, community organizations, businesses, government bodies, and newspapers. The subseries also contains information about the South Side's infrastructure and its development. These documents deal with the Incline and the Birmingham Bridge and Tunnel. See Series II, microfilm reel two, under the targets "Miscellaneous," and "Brashear Association" for additional information.
Inclines, PAT brochure, no date Containers box 2 , folder 11 Birmingham Tunnel and Bridge , 1909-1933 Containers box 2 , folder 12 South side Hospital , 1909 Containers box 2 , folder 13 New South Side Markethouse Reopening , 1978 Containers box 2 , folder 14 Brashear Association , April 1940 Containers box 2 , folder 15 birmingham Union Newsletter, "Closer Look" , 1976-1977 Containers box 2 , folder 16 South Side Chamber of Commerce , 1974-1992 Containers box 2 , folder 17 Subseries 3. Education/Schools Scope and Content Notes This subseries consists of information relating to South Side schools. Improving the schools and sports activities is the main focus of this subseries. See Series II, microfilm reel two under the target "Schools" for additional information.
Wickersham School Kindergarten , 1935 Containers box 2 , folder 18 Subseries 4. Correspondence Scope and Content Notes This series contains handwritten letters. The first two are in Croatian, and the final letter is in English and is about sharing memories of the historic South Side. See Series II, microfilm reel two, under the "Miscellaneous" target for correspondence between D.H. Brown and M.J. Schmalstieg.
Cemas to Cindich , 1948 Containers box 2 , folder 19 Subseries 5. Birmingham Union Introspective files Scope and Content Notes This subseries consists of information gathered by the Birmingham Union related to or supporting their role as a community organization attempting to revitalize the South Side. Some information about historic events affecting the South Side is also included. The types of materials include newspaper clippings, brochures, event flyers, history reports, and maps. Additional information can be found in series II, microfilm reel two, under the target "Miscellaneous."
South Side Revitalization Documentation , 1978-1991 Containers box 2 , folder 20 South Side Events , 1959-1986 Containers box 2 , folder 21 South Side newspaper clipping photocopies, no date Containers box 2 , folder 22 South Side History reports and slide presentation scripts , 1902-1956 Containers box 2 , folder 23 World War II in the South Side , c 1940s Containers box 2 , folder 24 Steel Strike , 1937 Containers box 2 , folder 25 Maps , c 1920 Containers box 2 , folder 26 Subseries 6. Individuals Scope and Content Notes This subseries covers information concerning several specific individuals and their families. These individuals were influential in the South Side. Information includes photographs (on microfilm), personal information, newspaper clippings, and articles. See also microfilm reel two under the targets "Miscellaneous" and "Photo Album."
John Filkovich , 1913-1978 Containers box 2 , folder 27 Anna Zgurich, no date Containers box 2 , folder 28 Series II. Microfilm Scope and Content Notes This series contains two reels of microfilm composed of materials removed from the Birmingham Union collection of paper documents because of their brittleness. The materials span the range of the collection, covering information on churches, schools, community organizations, correspondence, pictures, newspapers, and individuals. Directories, books, newspaper clippings, and photographs are represented on these microfilm reels. Targets are included on the microfilm reels to ease research for the user. Targets and the materials contained within the target groupings are listed here.
Subseries 1. South Side Community Council, 1963-1978 Newsletter, "South Side Lights" , 1971-March 1978 Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 City Planning Commission Public Hearing Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 Position Statements Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 Events - News clippings Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 Project Proposals Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 Reports Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 Correspondence Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 Brochures/Publications Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 Photographs Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 Subseries 2. South Side Community Education Committee Meeting Notes and Minutes Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 South side High Questionnaire Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 Reports and Recommendations Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 Subseries 3. Churches Presidents and Secretaries of PTG organization in 16th and 17th Ward Catholic schools , 1963 Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 Church Contacts Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 South Side Community Council Church Tour , 1975 Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 Our Lady of Fatima, High Latin Mass Broadcast Announcement Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 Clergy Luncheon Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 Bingham Street Methodist Church Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 Holy Trinity Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 St. Adalbert's Church (Sw. Wociecha R.K. Church), History Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 St. Casimir's Church Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 St. Henry's Church Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 St. Joseph's Church Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 St. Josephat (Ukrainian Catholic), "Album pa miatkowy zlotego jubileuszu parafje Sw. Joszafit" Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 St. John the Baptist Church Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 St. John the Evangelist Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 St. Mary's Church (Russian Orthodox) Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 St. Matthew's Church, St. Matthew Golden Jubilee , 1955 Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 St. Michael's Church Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 1 St. Michael's Church Continued Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 "Spomen Kniiga" Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 St. Peter's Church Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 Walton Methodist Church Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 Bingham Street Methodist Church Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 Second Primitive Methodist Church Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 St. James Lutheran Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 South Side Catholic Elementary Schools Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 Subseries 4. Schools Committee for a Comprehensive South High Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 School Board Meeting Notes and Minutes Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 Improvement Proposals Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 Orioles Football and Stadium Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 Newspaper Clippings Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 Library Floor Plan Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 Subseries 5. Miscellaneous South Side Chamber of Commerce Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 South Side Hospital Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 Police-Citizens' Council News Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 Inclines Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 South Side News clips Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 Brashear Association, Background Material, Study of Brashear Association in Southwest Pittsburgh , 1967 Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 John A. Brashear Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 South Side Revitalization Documentation Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 Pittsburgh Historic and Landmarks Association Funding Campaign Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 Thaddeus Moseley , 1977 Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 Bicentennial Reporter , June 29, 1976 Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 New South Side Markethouse Dedication and Opening Souvenir Booklet , 1893 Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 Pittsburgh Historic and Landmarks Association, The Stones of Pittsburgh #7, "Birmingham, Pittsburgh's South Side" Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 "Birmingham (South Side)" Text by Robert K. Hayden and sketches by South Side Catholic Middle School students Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 Letter: Mr. D. H. Brown to Mary Jane Schmalstieg , December 1977 Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 South Side Community Church Tour , 1979 Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 Subseries 6. Brashear Association Health and Welfare Association of Allegheny County Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 Report on the Brashear Association , 1969 Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 Subseries 7. Photo Albums Anna Zgurich, family photo albums Containers microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 microfilm-cabinet 2 , drawer 3 , reel 2 Series III. Photographs/Negatives/Slides Scope and Content Notes This series contains photographs, negatives, and slides that document the places and people living in the South Side, mostly during the early-twentieth century. The first group of photographs deals with scenery and activities on the South Side. Individual and family photographs are contained in the second group, and photographs of larger groups and organizations are contained in the final grouping. Most folders contain several photographs in several formats, including prints, photocopies, and originals. Many of the people pictures in and the dates for these photographs are unknown. Additionally, the photographs are located in several distinct areas, including the oversize files. For the photo albums of Ms. Anna Zgurich, see microfilm reel one. Finally, many of the photographs in this collection exist as duplicates and as the same picture in different formats, such as photocopies, prints, originals, and negatives.
Homes restored by Pittsburgh Historic and Landmark Association, 2800 Jane St. , 1964 Containers box 3 , folder 1 Beer Delivery Wagon , 1920 Containers box 3 , folder 2 John Brashear, home, office, and portrait, no dates Containers box 3 , folder 3 Brashear Association, Building, no date Containers box 3 , folder 4 South Side stores , c 1900-1920 Containers box 3 , folder 5 South Side Presbyterian Church and Church Interiors Containers box 3 , folder 6 St. Mary's Church, no date Containers box 3 , folder 7 St. Peter's Church Fire Damage and New Construction , 1954 Containers box 3 , folder 8 St. Michael's Church, no date Containers box 3 , folder 9 Manger Scenes , 1920 Containers box 3 , folder 10 Carson and Sterling Street Scenes , c 1900-1920 Containers box 3 , folder 11 Street Scenes, Restored Homes , 1962-1964 Containers box 3 , folder 12 Views of Pittsburgh from the South side , c 1910 Containers box 3 , folder 13 12th Street Incline, South side , c 1900-1920 Containers box 3 , folder 14 South Side Streetcars Containers box 3 , folder 15 Theater, Maybe Warner Containers box 3 , folder 16 Industrial Scenes, "Flying High in Pittsburgh," and Airport Grove Farm , 1936 Containers box 3 , folder 17 Unknown Scenes Containers box 3 , folder 18 Philips Mine and Mill Supply Co. , 1880s Containers box 3 , folder 19 Labor/Workers, Blooming Mill , 1912, c 1930 Containers box 3 , folder 20 Mill Workers, no date Containers box 3 , folder 21 Striking Miners, Local Union 5301, Beech Bottom, West Virginia , July 29, 192 Containers box 3 , folder 22 Musical Groups , 1910-1920 Containers box 3 , folder 23 Tamuraski Zbor "Hrvatska Mladost" Ustrojen , March 27, 1938 Containers box 3 , folder 24 Baseball, no dates Containers box 3 , folder 25 School Groups , c 1900-1920 Containers box 3 , folder 26 St. Peter's Church School , 1888, 1922 Containers box 3 , folder 27 South High Basketball Team , c 1930-1940 Containers box 3 , folder 28 Group Portraits Containers box 3 , folder 29 Pittsburgh Company with donkey, no date Containers box 3 , folder 30 Children, no dates Containers box 3 , folder 31 Anton Cindrich Family , c 1920, 1922 Containers box 3 , folder 32 Sister Marie Charles, Teacher at Holy Cross , 1931-1938 Containers box 3 , folder 33 Father Kevin Keelan: rolling change; in group picture , 1950 Containers box 3 , folder 34 Jan Vucic Cindrich, no date Containers box 3 , folder 35 Paul John Menzel , 1900 Containers box 3 , folder 36 Mary Jane Schmalstieg, First Communion , 1924 Containers box 3 , folder 37 Ks. O. Stanislaw, no date Containers box 3 , folder 38 Wake, no date Containers box 3 , folder 39 Wake, A. Zurich Family (in Croatia?), no date Containers box 3 , folder 40 Marriage Portraits , 1920-1921, 1938 Containers box 3 , folder 41 Wedding Scenes Containers box 3 , folder 42-44 First Communion Pictures Containers box 3 , folder 45 Casual Individuals Containers box 3 , folder 46 Unidentified family portrait, no date Containers box 3 , folder 47 South side gatherings , c 1950 Containers box 3 , folder 48 Individuals - Croatia? Containers box 3 , folder 49 Individuals, Yugoslavia Containers box 3 , folder 50 Yugoslavia , June 1976, 1970 Containers box 3 , folder 51 World War II individuals Containers box 3 , folder 52 World War I soldiers, unidentified Containers box 3 , folder 53 George Cindrich and the Croatian Club , c 1940s Containers box 3 , folder 54 Individuals, Canada , c 1900-1950 Containers box 3 , folder 55 Individuals , c 1900-1950 Containers box 3 , folder 56-59 Negatives and Slides Containers box 3 , folder 60 Oversize Item 1. St. Peter's Church, South Side, Pittsburgh, no date Containers map-case 7 , drawer 3 Item 2. Mine equipment produced by Phillips mine and mill supply (9 prints)
Item 3. German Beneficial Union - unidentified gathering, Unidentified Musician/Dance group, outdoors, no date , February 1924
Item 4. Jno. Phillips, with signature
Item 5. Picture of fraternal group , 1947
Item 6. Picture, "Testimonial Dinner for Dr. Ivan Subacicium of Croatia," , 1941
Item 7. Picture of a wedding party
Item 8. Picture of Musicians/Dance Team
