Guide to the Frank E. Harper Papers c1939-c1980
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Frank E. Harper Papers
- Creator
- Harper, Frank E. (1918-2009)
- Collection Number
- MSS 873
- Extent
- 3.5 linear feet (4 boxes)
- Date
- c1939-c1980
- Abstract
- The Frank E. Harper Papers contain records of Dravo Corporation, including cost estimates, engineering documents, drawings, safety manuals, and historical papers. The records originate from Harper's employment with Dravo Corporation between the years of 1939 and 1980.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Sponsor
- This collection has been made accessible as part of an NHPRC-funded Basic Processing grant.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History
Dravo Corporation was founded in the early 1890s by Francis Rouaud Dravo and his younger brother Ralph Marshall Dravo, both graduates of Lehigh University. The Pittsburgh-based company was originally focused on the sale and installation of heavy machinery, but it quickly became known as a leading construction and engineering firm specializing in bridges, dams, and waterway improvement. During World War II, the company converted its two main facilities - the first at Neville Island on the Ohio River, and the second in Wilmington, Delaware - into production sites for tank landing ships (LST) and other machinery to be used by the U.S. Navy. After the war, Dravo fabricated a variety of steel products, including oil pipelines, air conditioning and heating units, and nuclear reactor cores, until the company was bought out in 1998. Frank E. Harper (1918-2009) was born in Coraopolis, PA, and graduated from Lehigh University in 1940. He worked as a civil engineer for Dravo Corporation from 1939 until his retirement in 1980. After his retirement, Harper was active in Dravo Seniors, an organization for retired employees of Dravo Corporation.
Scope and Content Notes
The Frank E. Harper Papers contain records of Dravo Corporation during the years of Harper's employment at Dravo as a civil engineer. The records include documents pertaining to cost estimation, engineering and construction projects, plant development, labor assessment, technological applications, and the history of Dravo Corporation. Charts, graphs, and sketches related to engineering and construction projects, as well as cost management, are also included. The collection also contains books related to the company's construction and engineering operations, safety manuals, and other printed materials, as well as several pieces of correspondence between Dravo employees and other organizations. The materials are organized by the creator into a wide range of subject-specific categories.
Arrangement
The Frank E. Harper Papers are housed in four boxes and arranged according to the creator's filing system. E
Conditions Governing Access
None.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift from Frank E. Harper in 2007.
Archives accession # 2007.0015
Preferred Citation
Frank E. Harper Papers, c1939-c1980, MSS 873 , Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
Preliminary processing by Patrick R. Dunn on 10/26/2012.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Related Materials
Dravo Corporation Records, 1900-1986, MSS 288, Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Subjects
- Dravo Corporation.
- Harper, Frank E. (1918-2009)
- Pittsburgh (Pa.)
- Engineering.