Gumbo was visiting the fascinating Cathedral of Learning at the University of Pittsburg. Congratulations to PortMoresby and Jonathan L who solved this week’s travel puzzle!
The University of Pittsburgh was founded in 1787. To commemorate the 1987 bicentennial, an 1800’s log cabin was moved to the Cathedral grounds to symbolize the university’s origins. Also, next to the Cathedral is the Stephen Foster Memorial which is a performing arts center and museum dedicated to the life and works of American songwriter Stephen Foster. He was known as “the father of American music” who wrote over 200 songs such as “Oh! Susanna“, “Camptown Races“, “Old Folks at Home” (“Suwanee River”), and “My Old Kentucky Home.”
The Cathedral of Learning was officially dedicated in June 1937 and standing 42 stories high, today remains the tallest educational building in the Western hemisphere. The Gothic style Commons Room which vaults four stories high greets you upon entering the main doorway.
The first and third floors encircling the Commons Room house a series of classrooms what are called the Nationality Rooms. Most all of these classrooms were designed by foreign architects using materials from their home country. I was only able to gain entry to the third floor Nationality Rooms since I did not have the time to wait for a required guided tour of the first floor. I hope to return soon and take that tour.
The iron gate below ground entrance is flanked by ironwork lamps designed and crafted by the master American blacksmith Samuel Yellin. He was born to a Jewish family in Mohyliv-Podilskyi, Ukraine in the Russian Empire in 1884 and also added a number of other works to the Cathedral of Learning.
Across the street from the main entrance of the Cathedral is a small park with a sculpture of the University of Pittsburgh’s mascot the Pitt Panther and the student union clock.
A few more photos of the Cathedral follow:
