Guide to the Dorsey-Turfley Family Papers, 1868-2003
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Dorsey-Turfley Family Papers,
- Creator
- Dorsey-Turfley Family
- Collection Number
- MSS#455
- Extent
- .5 linear feet linear feet (1 box)
- Date
- 1868-2003
- Abstract
- The Dorsey and Turfley families were prominent members of Pittsburgh's Hill District neighborhood. James A. Dorsey was Pittsburgh's first African American physical education instructor, serving as director at Washington Park, the Centre Avenue YMCA, the Crawford Bath House, and the Ammon Recreation Center. Dorsey's father-in-law, Dr. George G. Turfley, was the first registered African American doctor in Allegheny County. The collection includes correspondence, newspaper and magazine clippings, certificates, architectural drawings, deeds, invitations, programs, and memorabilia.
- 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
James Arthur Dorsey was Pittsburgh's first African American physical education instructor, serving as director at Washington Park, the Centre Avenue YMCA, the Crawford Bath House, and the Ammon Recreation Center. Born March 9, 1890 in Allegheny City (now Pittsburgh's North Side) to James A. Dorsey and Mary C. Sparksman, Dorsey was attracted to athletics at an early age. In 1906, while employed as a janitor for the Phipps estate, he started an African American basketball team that played in the estate's gym. The team included Cumberland Posey, future manager and owner of the Homestead Grays. Between 1910 and 1917, Dorsey played basketball for the Pittsburgh-based teams the Monticello Athletic Club, Delany-Monticello's, and the Loendi Club. During this time, Dorsey also played football for the Collins Tigers and the Delaney Rifles.
In 1915, Dorsey attended the University of Pittsburgh, taking classes in physical education. During World War I, Dorsey worked at the Air Nitrates Corporation at Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and the YMCA headquarters at Camp Jackson, South Carolina. In 1918, he married Zerbie Turfley and together they had nine children: James, George, William, John, Zerbie Ella Swain, Howard, Richard, Charles and Lois F. Green.
Following World War I, he returned to Pittsburgh and became acting director of Washington Park. In 1923, Dorsey became the first director of the newly established Centre Avenue YMCA. In 1926, while directing recreation activities at the Crawford Bath House (Recreation Center), Dorsey coached a baseball team that would become the Pittsburgh Crawfords. In 1941, he started as director of the Ammon Recreation Center on Bedford Avenue. He was also a member of the Masons, the Hill District Community Council, the Urban League and the Health and Recreation Club. James A. Dorsey died on February 7, 1978.
Zerbie Ella Turfley Dorsey was born to Dr. George G. Turfley and Mary Bryan Turfley on August 23, 1895. An enthusiastic athlete, she played basketball with the Delaney Rifles' women's team and the Della Robbia Girls. Mrs. Dorsey graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1917 with a certificate in Household Economy. She served as chairwoman of the board of directors for the Lemington Home for the Aged in Lincoln and was a member of the Aurora Reading Club and the South Oakland Community Human Service Senior Citizens club. Zerbie Dorsey passed away on October 11, 1989.
Dr. George G. Turfley, Zerbie Dorsey's father, was the first registered African American doctor in Allegheny County. He was born in Pittsburgh on October 9, 1855, to John Turfley and Mathilda Brooks. His two sisters died in infancy, and his mother died in 1860. His stepmother, Luzerba Wheeler, was influential in directing his career. Turfley first attended the Separate Schools of Pittsburgh until 1872, at which point he entered Central High School. He was one of the first black students to graduate from Pittsburgh schools in 1876. He first studied medicine under Dr. C. D. King of Allegheny before entering the Western Reserve Medical College in Cleveland, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1879. Turfley began his practice in Pittsburgh, and for ten years he was the only African American doctor in Pittsburgh. In 1872, he joined Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church and remained a member for the rest of his life. On November 7, 1894, he married Mary Bryan, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Bryan, and together they had seven children: Zerbie, John, Mary, George, Melissa, Alice and Richard. Dr. Turfley was a member of many organizations. He served as president of the Board of Trustees of Avery College Trade School from 1903 until 1917 and was a member of the Allegheny Medical Society, the Eureka Lodge of Odd Fellows and the Medico-Pharmaco-Odonto Association of Allegheny County. Dr. Turfley died on November 17, 1934 after a year-long illness.
Scope and Content Notes
The Dorsey-Turfley Papers are housed in one archival box and are arranged in five series. Series have been designated for collector's notes, the Dorsey family, the Turfley family, related families and individuals, and other individuals. These papers include correspondence, newspaper and magazine clippings, certificates, architectural drawings, deeds, invitations, programs, and memorabilia. These materials span from 1868 until 2003, the bulk of which date from 1910 until 1978. Roughly one-third of this collection of papers relates to James A. Dorsey, and topics covered include the Negro Leagues, Pittsburgh sports and recreation, racism, education and the Pittsburgh Department of Public Works.
Conditions Governing Access
No Restrictions.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Mrs. Zerbie E. Swain in 2005.
Acc#2005.0123
Preferred Citation
Dorsey-Turfley Family Papers, 1880-1950, MSS#455, Library and Archives Division, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Siri Berdahl in May, 2007. Finding aid revised by Matt Strauss in March, 2010.
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 Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Separated Materials
The Dorsey-Turfley Family Photographs, MSP #455.
One piece of original sheet music was separated from the collection: "Afraid of Love." Lyrics by Lewis Fenderson. Music by James Miller and Maurice Spitalny. Published in NY, NY by Handy Brothers Music Co., Inc. 1938.
Subjects
- Allegheny (Pittsburgh, Pa.)--Dept. of Public Works
- Dorsey, James Arthur, 1890-1978
- Dorsey, Zerbie Ella Turfley, 1895-1989
- Turfley, George G., 1855-1934
- Hill District (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- African American athletes--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh.
- Physical education and training--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh.