Guide to the Berg Family Papers, c1905-1990
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Berg Family Papers
- Creator
- Berg family
- Collection Number
- MSS 1131
- Extent
- 2.0 linear feet linear feet (1 box, 7 shelf volumes)
- Date
- c1905-1990
- Abstract
- The Berg Family Papers primarily document the lives of Catherine Baine Berg and her daughter Patricia Berg, natives of Universal, Pa. in Penn Hills Township. Both Catherine and Patricia Berg were pupils and teachers in the Penn Hills School District between the 1920s and 1980s. The collection includes seven scrapbooks, slides, film, clippings, publications, diaries and original compositions which reflect the history of the Berg family, Universal residents and organizations, and the Penn Hills School district.
- 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
Catherine Baine Berg was born in 1904 in the town of Clarksville, Pa. (now known as Universal) in Penn Hills Township. She attended Washington School in Universal until ninth grade, when she began traveling by train to Union High School (now known as Turtle Creek High School). Her parents, John Baine and Sarah McNamara Baine, were descendants of some of the township's earliest settlers. John Baine was a charter volunteer fireman at Universal Fire Station #6 and worked for the town's leading employer, Universal Atlas Cement Company, for which it was later renamed. Berg nurtured a talent for music at church and in school; she was organist for St. John's Roman Catholic Church and regularly played at school assemblies. Upon graduating from Oliver High School in 1922, she began working as a silent film pianist at local theatres, including the local Moose lodge. After completing a degree in biology at the University of Pittsburgh, Berg was employed at Penn Hills High School, teaching science and sponsoring the Variety Club, the school's musical theater group. She received a master's degree in education from the University of Pittsburgh in 1945 and took a position as the school's guidance counselor. She retired in 1969. Berg's daughter, Patricia, graduated from Penn Hills High School in 1946 and obtained a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Pittsburgh. She taught history for 36 years in the Penn Hills School district.
Scope and Content Notes
The Berg Family Papers primarily document the lives of Catherine Baine Berg and her daughter Patricia Berg, both natives of Universal, Pa. and teachers in the Penn Hills School District. The collection includes six scrapbooks documenting the education and careers of both women between 1920 and 1980. Included in the scrapbooks are photographs, programs, flyers, pamphlets, cards and invitations, original essays and songs, correspondence and ephemera relating to Union High School (later Turtle Creek High School), Washington School in Penn Township, Penn Hills High School, Indiana State Teacher's College, and the University of Pittsburgh. Three of the scrapbooks relate strictly to the Penn Hills High School Variety Club, which Catherine Berg sponsored for fifteen years. A seventh scrapbook and numerous slides document the Berg's travels to historic and cultural sites and events in Western Pennsylvania. The collection also contains various publications, diaries, family photographs, film and compositions which document the history of the Berg family, Universal and Penn Township. Of note are three audio cassette recordings created by Catherine Berg in which she describes various sites in Universal, Pa. and her former work as a silent film pianist for local movie theatres in the 1920s and 1930s, and two 8mm films shot by Patricia Berg of the Pittsburgh Bicentennial Parade on June 13, 1959, and the Pittsburgh Airport, Gateway Center building, Easter Parade and other events in 1956.
Conditions Governing Access
None.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Karyn Pappert, Executrix of Berg Estate on January 30, 2017.
Preferred Citation
Berg Family Papers, c1905-1990, MSS 1131, Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Carly Lough in May 1, 2017.
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 school yearbook collections of Catherine and Patricia Berg have been transferred to the library.
The fireman's dress hat of John Baine (the father of Catherine Berg) was transferred to the museum division.
Subjects
- Union High School (Turtle Creek, Pa.)
- Turtle Creek High School (Turtle Creek, Pa.)
- Washington School (Universal, Pa.)
- Indiana State Teacher's College (Indiana, Pa.)
- Penn Hills High School (Penn Hills, Pa.)
- Penn Hills High School (Penn Hills, Pa.) Variety Club.
- Universal Atlas and Cement Company (Universal, Pa.)
- Plum Creek Valley Woman's Club.
- Straka's General Store (Universal, Pa.)
- Pittsburgh International Airport (Pa.)
- Berg, Catherine Baine (1904-1999)
- Berg, Patricia.
- Baine, John W.
- Penn Hills--History.
- Universal, Pa.--History.
- Clarksville, Pa.--History.
- Pittsburgh, Pa.--Centennial celebrations.
- Indiana, Pa.
- Women--societies and clubs.
- Education--Pennsylvania--Penn Hills.
- Educators--Pennsylvania--Penn Hills.
- Silent films--Musical accompaniment.
- Parades--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh.
- Tourism $z Pennsylvania.