Guide to the Allegheny County Institution District Minute Books, 1940-1977
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Allegheny County Institution District Minute Books
- Creator
- Allegheny County Institution District
- Collection Number
- MSS 1063
- Extent
- 47.5 linear feet linear feet 38 volumes
- Date
- 1940-1977
- Abstract
- The Allegheny County Institution District was established by Pennsylvania Act 396 of June 24, 1937 to oversee the care of disadvantaged citizens and minors, as well as the administration of properties associated with such care. The Allegheny County Institution District Minute Books consist of 38 bound volumes detailing grocery and medical supply purchases, building contracts, patient transfers, and staff appointments.
- 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
The Allegheny County Institution District was established by Pennsylvania Act 396 of June 24, 1937. The Act established in each county an institution district to oversee the care of indigent citizens and minors. Institution districts were tasked with the establishment and administration of properties associated with such care, and replaced the offices of county poor directors. The Act placed institution districts under the authority of county commissioner boards. Under the Act, county commissioners were required to maintain institution district records and submit regular reports to the State Department of Welfare.
Scope and Content Notes
The Allegheny County Institution District minute books include 38 bound volumes maintained by the Chief Clerk. The Institution District minute books record meetings from 1940 to 1977 and include a record of institutional governance, such as grocery and medical supply purchases, real estate and building contracts, patient transfers, and staff appointments. Each minute book includes an index organized by meeting date; notations are included indicating whether the meetings are special or regularly scheduled. A secondary index itemizes any requests, contracts or referrals passed in each meeting. The books contain records relating to several notable Western Pennsylvania institutions, including Dixmont State Hospital, Woodville State Hospital and Mayview State Hospital.
Conditions Governing Access
None
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Transfer from Allegheny County on July 6, 2015.
Preferred Citation
Allegheny County Institution District Minute Books, 1940-1977, MSS 1063, Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Carly Lough in July 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.
Separated Materials
The Allegheny County Board of Commissioners Minute Books have been processed as MSS 1062.
Subjects
- Allegheny County (Pa.) Institution District.
- Woodville State Hospital.
- Allegheny County (Pa.)
- Hospitals--Pennsylvania--Allegheny County--administration.
- County officials and employees--Pennsylvania--Allegheny County.
- Poor--Medical care--Pennsylvania--Allegheny County.