Guide to the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce Records 1874-1996
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce Records
- Creator
- Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce
- Collection Number
- MSS 284
- Extent
- 39.5 linear feet (30 boxes)
- Date
- 1874-1996
- Abstract
- At its inception on December 5, 1874, the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce wanted to "foster and develop" the commercial and manufacturing industries of Pittsburgh. Its main concern was to ensure the growth of trade and industry in Pittsburgh and closely surrounding areas. The Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce Records include meeting minutes, committee by-laws, annual reports, study reports, internal as well as promotional publications, photographic prints and negatives, color slides, and audiovisual material. The bulk of the print materials in this collection are minutes from the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors meetings.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Sponsor
- This collection has been made accessible as part of an NHPRC-funded Basic Processing grant.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History
The Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce has played an important role in the City's development. Originally called the Chamber of Commerce of Pittsburgh, the name was changed to the Chamber of Commerce of Greater of Pittsburgh in 1961, and to its current name in 1974. At its inception on December 5, 1874 the Chamber of Commerce wanted to "foster and develop" the commercial and manufacturing industries of Pittsburgh. Its main concern was to ensure the growth of trade and industry in Pittsburgh and closely surrounding areas. Throughout the years it has maintained that concern, but has branched out to other areas within the Pittsburgh region. The original committees of finance, manufacturing, membership, transportation, rivers and harbors, and railroads, have now expanded to reach many other aspects of life in Pittsburgh. This includes education, housing, pollution, urban development, and the economy.
Prominent founding members included Thomas M. Howe and John F. Dravo. Notable members, synonymous with the building of Pittsburgh, include Charles Meyran, Lawrence Phipps, H.J. Heinz, R.B. Mellon, Oliver Scaife, and honorary member Andrew Carnegie. Over the years, a large number of businesses have joined the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce. They have created a community of men and women where the concerns of local, state, and national affairs can be discussed, studied, and, possibly, ratified.
The Chamber concerned itself with almost all major events of the time. In the 1870s and the 1880s it was concerned with river and railroad transportation. By the turn of the century, the Chamber was involved in everything from Smoke Abatement (1899) to the Panama Canal (1900). Other interests included a Council of National Defense for Allegheny County during World War I, a peace commission, as part of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, during World War II, and the Welfare Fund created during the Great Depression. However, by mid-century the Chamber of Commerce began to concern itself more with legislation of state and national affairs. Many bills that went through the state and federal governments were discussed and studied in the Chamber. These included bills on aviation, transportation, and education. Additionally, in the 1960s the Chamber began to recognize the trend in technology. Thus, many of its committees looked at the need for technological advancement of industry.
Scope and Content Notes
The Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce Records are housed in 30 archival boxes and 38 bound volumes. The materials that comprise this collection include meeting minutes, committee by-laws, annual reports, study reports, internal as well as promotional publications, photographic prints and negatives, color slides, and audiovisual material. In regards to the print materials in this collection, some portions are arranged chronologically and others alphabetically. The photographic and audiovisual materials in this collection are generally arranged in chronological order according to format.
Series 1, Board of Directors Minutes, 1874-1987 (Boxes 1-4)
This series is comprised of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting minutes. Board Minutes from 1874 to 1975 are in bound volumes designated as shelf. Except for a brief, eighteen year span between 1958 and 1975 when the Board of Directors and Executive Committee meeting minutes were kept together in the same book, the Board of Directors meeting minutes are stored in individual bound volumes. Meeting minutes from 1976 through 1987 are housed in archival boxes. Included in all minutes from meetings are the names of the directors, attending and absent, guests, and committee reports. It was not until after the turn of the century, however, that materials pertaining to subjects discussed at meetings were included with the minutes.
Series 2, Executive Committee Minutes, 1926-1987 (Boxes 5-8)
This series consists of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee meeting minutes. Except for a brief, eighteen year span between 1958 and 1975 when the Board of Directors and Executive Committee meeting minutes were kept together in the same book, Meeting minutes from 1926 (the first year Executive Committee minutes were maintained) through 1987 are housed separately in archival boxes.
Series 3, General Administration Records, 1888-1994 (Boxes 9-17)
This series contains a variety of materials generated by Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce committees and offices. To note in this series are the organizational and public relations publications of the Chamber of Commerce, which are arranged chronologically. Beginning in 1882 and extending into the 1980s, the Chamber published materials that articulate Chamber policies. Generally speaking, the bulk of Chamber publications in this series are from 1882 to 1924. Also included are a number of books, including by-laws, yearbooks, directories, financial reports and annual reports. The yearbooks and directories provide information on members and committees. This series also includes special reports on (then) current issues concerning the city, such as transportation, the environment, zoning, and the Allegheny Conference on Community Development.
This series also contains documentation related to the interests of the Chamber of Commerce regarding various city development initiatives, including zoning ordinances, redevelopment, civil agencies, world trade councils, municipal affairs, and the post-war development of Pittsburgh.
In addition, general office files in this series proffer useful information on the day to day running of the Chamber. Arranged alphabetically, these include by-laws, charters, membership certificates, annual reports, and committee reports.
Also of note are minutes, scrapbooks, and other materials generated by the Pittsburgh Civic-Business Council. The Pittsburgh Civic-Business Council was formed in 1940 and included the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, and the Pittsburgh Convention Bureau. The specific purpose of the Council was to raise money for these organizations. In addition, this series also contains Municipal Affairs Committee meeting minutes ordered chronologically from 1929 to 1935 regarding the modernization of the Blue Laws of 1794.
Series 4, Media, 1975-1996 (Boxes 18-30)
The remainder of this collection is comprised of media materials pertaining to and published by the Chamber of Commerce, such as U-matic tapes, VHS tapes, film reels, audio cassettes, color slides, photographic negatives and prints. Boxes 1-8 contain audiovisual material related to various promotional initiatives fostered by the Chamber of Commerce. Generally speaking, these materials are arranged in chronological order. Boxes 9-13 are comprised of photographic prints, negatives, and slides that document a number of Chamber initiatives, projects, and events from the 1970s to the early 1990s. Similar to the audiovisual material, the photographs in these boxes are generally arranged in chronological order.
Box 18 primarily consists of U-matic tapes and magnetic tape reels dating from 1975 to 1976. The content of these tapes include the public service announcements on shoplifting and safety compliance as well as a recording of the 1976 Bicentennial celebration in Pa.
Box 19 contains U-matic tapes and magnetic tape reels from 1976 to 1983. These materials include footage of the Today Show in 1977 and a 1978 recording of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting.
Box 20 is primarily comprised of U-matic tapes dating from 1982 to 1985 that document a number of Chamber initiatives, including public service announcements and promotional footage of "Celebrate Pittsburgh," "Leadership Pittsburgh," and "Buy PA First."
Box 21 largely consists of U-matic tapes, magnetic tape reels, and audio cassettes dating from 1984 to 1990. Footage from the Chamber-sponsored 1987 Governor Thornburgh Luncheon and the 1988 George H. W. Bush Luncheon are contained in this box, in addition to audio recordings with Pittsburgh professional athletes Suzie McConnell and Willie Stargell.
Box 22 contains VHS tapes dating from 1986 to 1992. Many of the audiovisual materials in this box contain footage concerning Pittsburgh that aired on national news shows in the early 1990s, including the NBC Nightly News, 20/20, the Today Show, Good Morning America, and From the Heart of America: Larry King Town Meeting. In addition, this box also includes a number of promotional videos of Pittsburgh created for the international community, particularly Japan and Dutch-speaking countries.
Box 23 is primarily comprised of undated U-matic tapes. Included in this box are audiovisual recordings related to the Pittsburgh "Renaissance" initiative and Biznet Pittsburgh, a professional business service center.
Box 24 also largely consists of undated VHS tapes related to the functions of the Chamber. The footage contained in this box includes coverage of the Ann Devlin Show, the "Five Pittsburghs" initiative, and a panel led by Justin Horan, chamber president and chief executive officer from 1975 to 1994.
Box 25 contains undated ½ inch magnetic tape reels that primarily consist of footage related to the "Five Pittsburghs" initiative and other promotional recordings.
Box 26 is primarily comprised of photographic negatives dating from 1978 to 1986. Included in this box are a number of images documenting Chamber initiatives and events such as "Leadership Pittsburgh," a Chamber- sponsored Astronaut's Luncheon, and "Business After Hours."
Box 27 contains photographic prints dating from 1979 to 1996. In addition to prints utilized for various chamber press releases, this box also contains photographs that document the 1984 arrival of British Airways to the Pittsburgh International Airport and President Jimmy Carter's visit to Pittsburgh.
Box 28 largely consists of contact sheets and color slides dating from 1987 to 1991. Many of the color slides stored in this box are labeled according to the event title and date. Similar to Box 9, Box 11 contains images of various Chamber initiatives and events, such as "Leadership Pittsburgh," "Celebrate Pittsburgh," and "Business After Hours." Also included in this box are color slides related to various Chamber-sponsored professional events, such as an ethics seminar, a small business expo, and an economic forecast luncheon. In addition, this box also holds images that document the Chamber's involvement with Pittsburgh sports teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates and the University of Pittsburgh Panthers Football.
Box 29 is comprised of contact sheets and color slides dating from 1987 to 1992 that capture images of various chamber presentations and events, including "Celebrating Women in Sports." This box also includes images of the 1991 Pittsburgh Marathon as well as events held with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Box 30 contains photographic prints taken throughout the early 1990s. In addition to capturing images of numerous Chamber-sponsored events, the photographs in this box also record the Chamber's continued cooperation with Pittsburgh sports franchises. These franchises include the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Pittsburgh Spirit (an indoor soccer team). Also contained in this box are images of the "Leadership Pittsburgh" initiative as well as headshots of the Chamber Board of Directors members in the early 1990s.
Arrangement
The Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce Records are housed in 30 boxes and are arranged into four series:
Series 1, Board of Directors Minutes, 1874-1987 (Boxes 1-4)
Series 2, Executive Committee Minutes, 1926-1987 (Boxes 5-8)
Series 3, General Administration Records, 1888-1994 (Boxes 9-17)
Series 4, Media, 1975-1996 (Boxes 18-30)
Conditions Governing Access
None.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
These materials came in two accessions:
Gift from Lisa Berger (assistant to the Executive Director, Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce in 1998.
Archives accession # 1998.0028
Gift (media component) from Brad Young in 1998.
Archives accession # 1998.0041
Preferred Citation
Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce Records, 1874-1996, MSS 284 , Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
Preliminary processing by Sierra Green and Pam Richteron 04/04/2012.
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.
Subjects
- Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Allegheny Conference on Community Development (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Transportation--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
- Industry--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
- Community development--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh