Guide to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Records and Photographs, 1885-2006 AIS.1999.13

Arrangement

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Records
Creator
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
Collection Number
AIS.1999.13
Extent
81.93 Linear Feet (61 boxes)
Date
1845-2006
Date
1936-2004
Abstract
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) is a non-profit organization created to set aside and preserve tracts of land from large-scale commercial development. The land is usually deemed significant for its ecological, historical, or scenic importance. This collection contains the records and photogrpahs of the WPC. The records of their preservation efforts include deeds, grants, and land transfers along with correspondence and legal documents. The photographs include prints of various sizes, negatives, 35mm slides, glass plate negatives, and lantern slides, depicting land which the WPC has worked to transform into some of today's most utilized parks, nature reserves, protected state game lands, and historical sites. Furthermore, the photographs document the WPC's efforts to beautify communities throughout Western Pennsylvania with the creation of gardens and greenways.
Language
English .
Author
Ian Hartman and Sarah Hallett. Revisions occurred to the finding aid with the acquisition of photographs in 2013.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Business Number: 412-648-3232 (Thomas) | 412-648-8190 (Hillman)
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

History

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) began as the Greater Pittsburgh Parks Association (GPPA) in 1932. The organization's first projects included transforming a barren stretch of land lying parallel to Bigelow Boulevard into a park (resulting in Frank Curto Park) and expanding Frick Park in Pittsburgh's East End. However, through the Depression and World War II, funding and interest for the Parks Association remained low, and accomplishments were sporadic.

By 1951 the GPPA reestablished itself as the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and began purchasing large tracts of land from willing individuals and communities. The next two decades were spent merging these properties and forming some of today's most utilized Western Pennsylvania parks. McConnell's Mill represents one of the first of these efforts. From 1945 and culminating in 1974, the WPC set aside the land for McConnell's Mill in Lawrence County, ultimately designating it a Natural Historic Park. In the early 1950s, the WPC began to attain the land that would later comprise the Ferncliff Peninsula. This project would widen in scope throughout the next fifteen years, resulting in the establishment of the Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County. Between 1959 and 1964, the WPC also created Muddy Creek, the central focus of Moraine State Park. The year 1963 marked a watershed year for the WPC. Much of the land for Raccoon Creek State Park was acquired and Edgar Kaufmann, Jr. entrusted the WPC with the world famous Frank Lloyd Wright home, Fallingwater.

Beyond these accomplishments, the WPC was also instrumental in consolidating the land that would encompass Laurel Ridge and Oil Creek. The WPC worked simultaneously augmenting Cherry Run, McCoy Farm, and Conneaut Marsh, all protected state game lands.

Outside of land acquisitions, transfers, and the maintenance of Fallingwater, the WPC also played a large role in preserving historical sites. The Old Stone House Village, a nineteenth century stopover point for mail carriers, was restored and remains a Butler County attraction. Also, in keeping with the theme of the Greater Pittsburgh Parks Association, the WPC has worked with community organizations in and around Pittsburgh to plant and maintain gardens found along roadways, neighborhoods, and businesses.

Since 1932, the WPC has acquired over 85,000 acres of land, with the stated goal of pushing this total to 110,000 acres by 2010. This land has then been transferred to the state, maintained by the conservancy, or sold to private individuals under the condition that it remains free of commercial development. Today, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy boasts a small full-time staff and over 9,000 members, all of whom want to conserve the natural and cultural heritage of Western Pennsylvania.

Scope and Content Notes

This collection contains the records and photographs of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC).

The record series reflects the efforts of the WPC to buy and transfer land, some of which has led to the creation of the state's most visited parks. The series contains records from the acquisition of land necessary for McConnell's Mill, Ohiopyle, Ferncliff, Moraine, and Raccoon Creek State Parks. The records also document restoration projects, including the Old Stone House Village and the Johnston Tavern. The vast majority of records in this series date between the early 1950s and the late 1970s.

The photograph series contains both black and white and color prints of various sizes, 35mm slides, negatives, glass plate negatives, and lantern slides. While the earliest images date back to 1885 and include glass plate negatives of the Ohiopyle region, the majority of images date between the early 1950s and the early 2000s. Prominent among the photographs in this series are McConnell's Mill, Ohiopyle, and Raccoon Creek State Parks. Historic preservation projects are also very well documented, particularly the Burke Building. Finally, the photograph series depicts the WPC's ongoing efforts to protect and maintain greenways throughout Western Pennsylvania with the help of local communities.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Acquisition Information

Gift of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy on June 21, 1999. Photographs were acquired in May 2013.

Previous Citation

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Records, 1885-2006, AIS.1999.13, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh

Preferred Citation

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Records, 1885-2006, AIS.1999.13, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Processing Information

The records were processed by Ian Hartman in the winter of 2004-2005. The photographs were processed by Sarah Hallett in the fall of 2013.

Copyright

The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • Greater Pittsburgh Parks Association
    • Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

    Geographic Names

    • Stone House (Butler, Pa.)
    • Raccoon Creek State Park (Pa.)
    • Moraine State Park Watershed (Pa.)
    • Moraine State Park (Pa.)
    • Ohiopyle State Park (Pa.)
    • McConnell's Mill State Park (Pa.)
    • Frick Park (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • Frank Curto Park (Pittsburgh, Pa.)

    Genres

    • Color negatives
    • Color prints (Photographs)
    • Negatives (Photographic)
    • Lantern slides
    • Color slides
    • Black-and-white negatives
    • Black-and-white prints (Photographs)

    Other Subjects

    • Parks -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Parks -- Pennsylvania
    • Associations
    • Environment

Container List