Guide to the Papers of James K. Hess, 1943-1982 (bulk 1973-1982)
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Papers of James K. Hess
- Creator
- Hess, James K.
- Collection Number
- MSS#92
- Extent
- 1.00 cubic feet (2 boxes)
- Date
- 1943-1982
- Date
- 1973-1982
- Abstract
- James K. Hess was an architect in Western Pennsylvania for 38 years. Hess is best known for educational and commercial buildings that include the Beaver (Pa.) Memorial Library (1960), Carr Hall of Science at Allegheny College (Meadville, Pa., 1964), the Research Center and Commons of Washington and Jefferson College (1968), and the Pittsburgh-Des Moines Steel Company Office Building in Pittsburgh (1968). These papers include biographical information, correspondence, memoranda, financial material, architectural plans and other sundry items.
- 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 James K. Hess (1914-)
James K. Hess was an architect in Western Pennsylvania for 38 years. Hess was born on July 13, 1914 in Wilkinsburg (Allegheny County), Pennsylvania. Hess attended the Carnegie Institute of Technology where he received a bachelor's degree in architecture in 1937. While at school, Hess belonged to the Phi Kappa Phi and Tan Sigma Delta societies and received the American Institute of Architects' Medal. After graduating from Carnegie Tech, Hess joined the architectural firm of brothers Charles M. and Edward Stotz. When Edward Stotz retired in 1963, Charles M. Stotz, along with Hess and Donald L. MacLaughlan formed Stotz, Hess and MacLaughlan. This partnership lasted until Charles Stotz's retirement in 1971. Hess retired in 1979. Hess is best known for educational and commercial buildings that include the Beaver (Pa.) Memorial Library (1960), Carr Hall of Science at Allegheny College (Meadville, Pa., 1964), the Research Center and Commons of Washington and Jefferson College (1968), and the Pittsburgh-Des Moines Steel Company Office Building in Pittsburgh (1968). Hess was a member of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Pennsylvania Society of Architects. Hess married Dorothy Gillespie in 1943 and had one daughter, Mary Wallace.
Like his partners Charles and Edward Stotz, Hess balanced his work between designing new buildings and preserving historically significant buildings. In the 1940s, Hess undertook work for the restoration of the Le Moyne House in Washington, Pennsylvania for the Washington County Historical Society, and in the 1970s, was involved in excavating and commemorating the site of Fort McIntosh in Beaver, Pennsylvania. Hess promoted "Mad" Anthony Wayne's training camp at Legionville (Beaver County), Pennsylvania as a historic site in the late 1970s. Hess served as a trustee for the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania (HSWP) from 1973 until 1985, when he was elected trustee emeritus, and was vice-president of the Fort Pitt Museum Associates in Pittsburgh.
Scope and Content Notes
These papers include biographical information, correspondence, memoranda, financial material, architectural plans and other sundry items. The bulk of these papers document Hess' work as a trustee of the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania (HSWP), 1973-1982, and his efforts to preserve the site of Fort McIntosh in Beaver, Pennsylvania. HSWP material documents the management of the institution and includes information on finances, activities, membership and development and institutional planning as well as material relating to repairs and maintenance of the Society's Oakland Building in Pittsburgh, the Society's home from 1912 until 1996. Correspondence between Hess' architectural firm and the Society regarding these matters was sent by Hess and his partners, Louis Fosner, Charles Stotz, and Edward Stotz. Material documenting Hess's involvement with the preservation of the site of Fort McIntosh includes historical material, extensive correspondence on financing the project, funding proposals, and label copy for the signs at the Fort. These papers also document Hess's work on designing the Beaver Memorial Library, restoring the Le Moyne House, and promoting Legionville as a historic site.
Arrangement
The James K. Hess Papers are housed in two archival boxes and are arranged alphabetically by folder title with biographical information arranged to the front.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
These materials came in one accession in 1985.
Acc# 1985.45 Gift of James K. Hess, (Papers).
Preferred Citation
Papers of James K. Hess, 1943-1982 (bulk 1973-1982), MSS#92, Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania
Processing Information
This collection was originally inventoried by Historical Society Staff in c1985. The papers were rearranged and inventoried by Craig Moore on February 18, 1994.
Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Raquel Rodriguez on May 18, 2000.
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
- LeMoyne House (Washington, Pa.)
- Beaver Memorial Library (Beaver, Pa.)
- Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania
- Fosner, Louis
- Stotz, Charles
- Stotz, Edward
- Beaver (Pa.) -- Buildings
- Washington (Pa.) -- Buildings
- Fort McIntosh (Beaver, Pa.)
- Legionville (Pa.)
- Architects -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Fortification -- Pennsylvania -- Beaver
- Historic buildings -- Pennsylvania -- Washington
- Historical museums -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Historic site -- Pennsylvania -- Beaver
- History -- Societies, etc. -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Libraries -- Pennsylvania -- Beaver
- Rivers -- Pennsylvania -- Beaver