Guide to the Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Records 1930-1990
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Records
- Creator
- Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania
- Collection Number
- MSS 0689
- Extent
- 4.25 linear feet (5 boxes)
- Date
- 1930-1990
- Abstract
- Manufacturers Light and Heat Company began in 1885 in Pittsburgh, Pa., and supplied natural gas to residential homes for lighting, cooking, and water and space heating. Through a merger in 1927, Manufacturers was acquired by Columbia Gas Systems, Inc., and became the principal company in their Pittsburgh operating group. Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania began administering Manufacturers distribution responsibilities throughout the state in 1962. The Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Records contains promotional and informative company materials, slides and VHS cassette tapes, as well as numerous photographs and newspaper clippings.
- 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
Manufacturers Natural Gas Company, later known as Manufacturers Light and Heat Company, began in 1885 in Pittsburgh, Pa. The company supplied natural gas to residential homes for gas lighting, cooking, and water and space heating. During World War I natural gas began being used in an industrial capacity, for uses such as fueling steel furnaces throughout Pittsburgh. Through a merger in 1927, Manufacturers was acquired by the Columbia Gas and Electric Corporation (Columbia Gas Systems Inc.) and became the principal company in their Pittsburgh operating group, one of five operating groups established throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia.
Following World War II natural gas was in high demand and began being piped in from the Gulf Coast to Pittsburgh and the Northeast. With an increase to near half a million customers, Manufacturers began odorizing gas supplies with mercaptan for safety reasons in 1953. After further realignment and corporate restructuring in 1962, the newly titled Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania began administering Manufacturers distribution responsibilities throughout the state. The Manufacturers Light and Heat Company name was eliminated in 1971, and the Pittsburgh group headquarters, in operation since 1927, was closed in 1973. Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania relocated its headquarters from Pittsburgh to Canonsburg, Pa., in 2004 and announced a $2 billion investment plan to replace aging natural gas infrastructure and stimulate economic development which began in 2007.
Scope and Content Notes
The Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Records contain promotional and informative company materials distributed to customers, "cooking with gas" presentation items including slides and VHS cassette tapes, numerous photographs of pipeline installation and natural gas facilities, and various newspaper clippings.
There are winter heating guide pamphlets, data sheet booklets, a historical timeline sheet of Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania and the benefits of natural gas brochures. The collection contains a 1995 issue of Columbia's employee newsletter Horizons detailing a donation the company made to the Heinz History Center .
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania sponsored several 18-21 minute films about different types of cooking over a gas range. This collection includes 14 video cassettes about cultural styles of cooking including Pennsylvania Dutch cooking, Chesapeake Bay cooking, Latin American cooking, and New England cooking among several others. The company also sponsored presentations on cooking with herbs and spices, from which nearly 200 35mm slides and lecture note cards are included.
The photographs, which date between 1930 and 1970, contain images of excavations and pipeline installations through fields, over hilltops, and under bodies of water. There are photographs of the Majorsville, Pa., compressor station, equipment being transported, gas meter manufacturing and spray-painting, and gas well derricks throughout the countryside. The collection also contains newspaper clippings interspersed with photographs focused on the company's Quarter Century Club, recognition of Haymaker Well drilling in 1878 which initiated natural gas piping, and a variety of public relations materials.
There is one large scrapbook containing newspaper clippings centered on gas drilling, company hiring and promotions, and rate increases during the early 1950s. Additionally there are oversized items including 2 business awards, and several photographs and advertisements.
Arrangement
Arrangement:
I. Photographs, boxes 1-2
II. Slides, box 3
III. Videos, box 4
IV. Promotional/Informative Materials, box 5
Conditions Governing Access
None.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gifts from Columbia Gas in 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998
Archives accession #s 1995.0326, 1996.0042, 1996.0158, 1997.0134, 1997.0402, and 1998.0102
Preferred Citation
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Records, 1930-1990, MSS 0689 , Library and Archives Division, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Alex J. Toner on 12/30/11.
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
There are 5 oversized photographs, awards, and advertisements associated with this collection.
Subjects
- Columbia Gas Systems Inc.
- Manufacturers Light and Heat Company.
- Pittsburgh (Pa.)
- Majorsville (Pa.)
- Gas Industry and Trade.
- Natural Gas.