Guide to the Papers of William H. Stevenson, 1903-1930
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Papers of William H. Stevenson
- Creator
- Stevenson, William H. (1857-1930)
- Collection Number
- MSS#71
- Extent
- 2.5 cubic feet (4 boxes and 1 shelf volume)
- Date
- 1903-1930
- Abstract
- William Holmes Stevenson was politician, civic leader, government reform advocate, amateur historian, merchant and lifelong resident of Pittsburgh. These materials consist primarily of correspondence, progress reports and office files from Stevenson's many civic and political associations including the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, and the Lake Erie and Ohio River Canal Board.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Sponsor
- This finding aid has been encoded as a part of the Historic Pittsburgh project a joint effort of the University of Pittsburgh and the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Funding for this portion of the project has been donated by the Hillman Foundation.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
Biographical Sketch of William Stevenson (1857-1930)
William Holmes Stevenson was politician, civic leader, government reform advocate, amateur historian, merchant and lifelong resident of Pittsburgh. His father's mercantile exchange, the George K. Stevenson Company developed into a successful business providing William with a lucrative trade to inherit and therefore give him the opportunity to engage in national, state and local political and social issues.
His civic participation was unparalleled. He was active in the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce for most of his life, serving as its president from 1913 to 1915. He eventually served on the United States Chamber of Commerce helping to establish a Tariff Commission, which would oversee U.S. policy in international trade. Stevenson served on the City Council from 1902 to 1909. He endured an unsuccessful bid for mayor as the independent Civic Party candidate in 1909. His opposition, William Magee, the Republican candidate overcame a harsh political attack from the Stevenson faithful who saw Magee as a political boss relying on graft and bribery to enact legislation. Perhaps the loss was a blessing. George Stevenson died the following year, forcing William to take over as president of the firm.
In 1910 Stevenson became president of the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania (HSWP). He served at this post during a pivotal time in the Society's history. In 1912 Stevenson obtained the funds to build the Oakland facility. Previously, the HSWP relied on private residences and other institutions for storage of artifacts and meeting places. Stevenson was instrumental in three major historical celebrations sponsored by the Society, including the Centennial of Steamboat Navigation of the Western Rivers, 1911; the 125th anniversary of the creation Allegheny County, 1913; and the Centennial of the Pittsburgh City Charter, 1916. Stevenson served concurrently as president of the Pennsylvania Historical Commission. During his tenure there he launched the successful campaign to establish the Harmony Society at Economy, Pennsylvania.
Stevenson's concern for adequate interstate transportation resulted in his appointment as president of the Lake Erie and Ohio River Canal Board in 1915. While a member of this board he lobbied for a series of canals and river improvements in the tri-state area. Despite appeals from former president Theodore Roosevelt and industrialist Henry Ford, the project failed to evolve into a viable alternative to railroad traffic.
William Stevenson married Fannie Laune Large on April 7, 1881. They had three children: Henry, William Jr., and Anna. Stevenson died September 22, 1930 after a long and fulfilling life in service to his community.
Scope and Content Notes
These materials consist primarily of correspondence, progress reports and office files from Stevenson's many civic and political associations including the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, and the Lake Erie and Ohio River Canal Board. Throughout his public career Stevenson presented many speeches and dedication addresses. His written notes for these orations are arranged here according to the organization or association that Stevenson represented. The miscellaneous material consists of a sampling of the many awards bestowed upon Mr. Stevenson, newspaper clippings regarding his political activities as council Member and as spokesperson for the Civic Party of Pittsburgh and three small notebooks Stevenson kept, which are more unconnected extemporaneous thoughts than rough drafts of public addresses. The newspaper clippings in the scrapbook concern campaign articles and editorials written during the months preceding Stevenson's unsuccessful mayoral bid in 1909.
Arrangement
The Thomas Stevenson Papers are housed in four archival boxes and 1 shelf volume and arranged alphabetically by folder title with miscellaneous material in the rear.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
These materials were received in two accessions and combined into one collection in 1933.
Gift of Mrs. William H. Stevenson in 1932 and 1933.
Preferred Citation
Papers of William H. Stevenson, 1903-1930, MSS #71, Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Michael D. Sherborn in April 1988. Papers rearranged and inventory rewritten by Stephen Doell and Corey Seeman on October 11, 1993.
Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Doug MacGregor on August 8, 2001.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or publish, please contact the curator of the Archives.
Subjects
- Allegheny County Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Chamber of Commerce of Pittsburgh (Pa.)
- Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America (Washington, D.C.)
- Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Lake Erie and Ohio River Canal Board
- Old Economy Village (Ambridge, Pa.)
- Orphans Party (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- New Orleans (Steamboat)
- Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (Harrisburg, Pa.)
- Pittsburgh Sesquicentennial, 1908
- Presbyterian Union (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Western Steamboat Centennial Celebration, 1911
- Stevenson, William H. (1857-1930)
- Stevenson, Fannie
- Taft, William
- Crafton (Pa.) -- Commerce
- Uniontown (Pa.) -- Commerce
- Ohio River
- Boards of Trade -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Canals -- Pennsylvania
- Civic Leaders -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Education -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Historic Sites -- Pennsylvania -- Ambridge
- Historical museums -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Presbyterian Church -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Railroads -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Rivers -- Pennsylvania
- Steamboats -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Street-railroads -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Tariff -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Transportation -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh