Guide to the Burton Hirsch Papers and Photographs, c1890-2002, MSS 1053
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Burton Hirsch Papers and Photographs
- Creator
- Hirsch, Burton L. (1918-2011)
- Collection Number
- MSS 1053
- Extent
- 2.25 linear feet (1 box, 1 shelf volume)
- Date
- c1890-2002
- Abstract
- Burton Hirsch and Ruth Leff Hirsch founded and directed Burton L. Hirsch Funeral Home, Inc., in Squirrel Hill. The business, which was founded in 1947 and later sold to a mortuary chain, was advertised as "the only Jewish funeral home in Squirrel Hill." The Burton Hirsch Papers and Photographs contain family photographs, Army service records, diplomas and certificates, programs, ephemera, clippings and correspondence relating to the family, education, World War II service, and career of Burton L. Hirsch. The collection also includes two albums depicting numerous conventions of the Jewish Funeral Home Directors of America, of which Hirsch was elected President in 1964. The bulk of the materials are housed in scrapbooks and photograph albums maintained by Burton and Ruth Hirsch.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History
Burton L. Hirsch (BH), the founder of Burton L. Hirsch Funeral Home, Inc., was born to Max and Jane Goldberg Hirsch of Pittsburgh in 1918. BH attended Taylor Allderdice High School, Shady Side Academy, and Washington and Jefferson College. He later graduated from the Eccles College of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia, where he interned as a mortuary ambulance driver. During World War II, BH served in the Army Medical Administrative Corps. He was eventually promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant.
BH founded Burton L. Hirsch Funeral Home in 1947. His wife, Ruth Leff Hirsch, became his partner in the business after their marriage in 1948. The business advertised itself as "the only Jewish funeral home in Squirrel Hill" for several decades. The couple were members of Rodef Shalom congregation, where Ruth Hirsch was active in the Sisterhood. Both were active members of the Jewish Funeral Directors of America, which elected BH to its presidency in 1964. BH also chaired the Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors. Burton L. Hirsch Funeral Home was later sold to a mortuary chain when the couple retired.
Burton and Ruth Hirsch had two children, Maxine and Loren. Ruth Leff Hirsch died on September 15, 2010, at the age of 90. BH died the following year on June 13.
Through his father, Max Hirsch, BH was the great-grandson of Max and Helene Einstein Hirsch, both German immigrants who arrived in Minnesota before 1885. Following the death of her husband, Helene Einstein Hirsch lived in Pittsburgh with her sons, Louis and Isaac. Helene Hirsch, a well-known figure in the Uptown Jewish community, was known as "Grandma Hirsch" by her neighbors. Louis and Isaac operated the Neeb-Hirsch Publishing Company, publishers of German-American newspaper Der Volksblatt und Freiheits-Freund. Louis and his wife, Rose Rice Hirsch, lived in Friendship with their children Hermine and Max.
The younger Max Hirsch attended Shady Side Academy and Lafayette College before his marriage to Jane Goldberg in 1914. The couple lived in Pittsburgh, where Max founded the Pittsburgh Radio and Appliance Company. The couple bought a house on Northumberland Street in Squirrel Hill after the birth of BH in 1918.
Scope and Content Notes
The Burton Hirsch Papers and Photographs consists of photographs of the Hirsch and Goldberg families and the papers of Burton Hirsch. The bulk of the collection is housed in seven scrapbooks and photograph albums, including two that have been dismantled and rehoused in folders. Two of the photograph albums contain images of the Hirsch and Goldberg families: one depicts the children and extended family of Ruth and BH, and the other contains cartes de visite and other portraits of Hirsch and Goldberg family members. The latter has been dismantled and arranged as Folder 1. A third album comprises materials assembled during BH's education at Shadyside Academy and Washington and Jefferson College, and includes various snapshots and programs. Two of the scrapbooks document the World War II service of BH, and include service records, correspondence, photographs and ephemera. The two remaining albums depict BH and his wife and business partner Ruth Hirsch at conventions of the Jewish Funeral Directors Association, of which BH was once president. Loose materials enclosed in the front of three of the albums have been rehoused and arranged in folders. Additional papers included in the collection consist of diplomas and certificates documenting BH's education, professional achievements and donations to the Jewish Funeral Directors of America Forest in Israel. Photographs that arrived loose or in frames have been rehoused and arranged as Folder 4. All oversize materials are housed in a single flat folder.
Conditions Governing Access
None
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of the Estate of Burton Hirsch on October 20, 2011.
Preferred Citation
Burton Hirsch Papers and Photographs, c1890-2002, MSS 1053, Rauh Jewish Archives, Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Carly Lough in March 2015.
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
Materials related to Louis and Isaac Hirsch and the Neeb-Hirsch Publishing Company may be found in the Meeting Minutes of the Neeb-Hirsch Publishing Company, MFF 2840, and the Volksblatt Scrapbook, MFF 2880.
Pittsburgh Area Jewish Cemeteries, a booklet prepared by Burton Hirsch listing the Jewish cemeteries of greater Pittsburgh and their associated congregations, may be found in the library.
Separated Materials
One masonic apron, plaque, and masonic medals belonging to Isaac, Louis, Max and Burton Hirsch were transferred the Museum Division in 2015.
Subjects
- Burton L. Hirsch Funeral Home
- Neeb-Hirsch Publishing Company
- Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Lafayette College (Easton, Pa.)
- Washington and Jefferson College
- United States Army Medical Corps
- Jewish Funeral Directors of America
- Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors
- Hirsch Family
- Goldberg Family
- Hirsch, Burton L. (1918-2011)
- Hirsch, Ruth Leff (1920-2010)
- Hirsch, Helene (1825-1909)
- Hirsch, Max (1834-1962)
- Hirsch, Louis (1862-1935)
- Hirsch, Isaac (1859-1942)
- Hirsch, Max (1887-1952)
- Hirsch, Jane Goldberg
- Squirrel Hill (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Undertakers and undertaking
- Funeral homes