The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation (PHLF) received a $200,000 Campus Heritage grant from The Getty Foundation in July. Four schools – including Seton Hill University (SHU) – will share the benefits of this grant by receiving conservation plans created by expert surveyors from PHLF.
The conservation plans will include ways to preserve and maintain historical buildings built before 1957, according to Carol Billman, grants writer. Such buildings include the Administration Building, Canevin Hall, Lowe Hall, and Maura Hall.
By Valerie Masciarelli
Editor in Chief
The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation (PHLF) received a $200,000 Campus Heritage grant from The Getty Foundation in July. Four schools – including Seton Hill University (SHU) – will share the benefits of this grant by receiving conservation plans created by expert surveyors from PHLF.
The conservation plans will include ways to preserve and maintain historical buildings built before 1957, according to Carol Billman, grants writer. Such buildings include the Administration Building, Canevin Hall, Lowe Hall, and Maura Hall.
Certain landscapes are also eligible for conservation plans. The Grotto, the courtyard, and even the sycamores lining the SHU driveway are counted as historical sites that can be preserved, if the university so chooses to do so.
“(This will) preserve what we’ve got for future generations in a thoughtful way that will best serve our purpose,” said Billman.
Not all of PHLF’s suggestions will go into effect, but just knowing about how to preserve the buildings and landscapes will help in the future decisions made by the university.
“It will be a wonderful tool for Seton Hill to use in conjunction with our master and strategic plans to preserve our really great historic assets,” said Billman. The “master and strategic plans” were created by SHU administrators to help keep up with growth and development while maintaining historical integrity.
For example, if SHU intended to build any type of new building, PHLF would suggest locations that would not detract from the historical value of the campus. Also, if SHU decided to remodel or make additions to an existing building, they would use PHLF’s suggestions about which building materials to use.
The surveyors will even help to determine where to plant trees in the future. According to Bill Black, a SHU archivist, students used to plant trees anywhere, but recently many were removed because they grew too close to buildings and other structures.
“It is essentially a strategy for the next ten years,” said Black.
In addition to creating the conservation plans, student volunteers are encouraged to come along with the surveyors to gain firsthand experience in the fields of architecture, conservation and landscaping.
“Student involvement is volunteer, and good for resume building. It’s an opportunity to learn lots of background information,” said Black.
“This will give them the idea of what the job is like. It’s firsthand experience with people who do these kinds of things for a living,” said Billman.
Students with an interest in history could find out about the old SHU buildings, their architects and the building materials that were used. They may even get to see the original blueprints of the buildings. Those interested in science could learn about the preservation of historic trees and how to maintain landscapes.
Samantha Boden, a senior and an intern for the SHU archives, has already started some of the research. She said the experience could help her when she goes to graduate school.
“Right now I’m researching the architect for Admin and Sullivan. His name is T. Carlton Strong and I’m researching other works he’s done in western Pennsylvania. And now I’ll be analyzing the blueprints of Seton Hill and seeing if there is anything common from them,” said Boden.
Students such as Boden, who do extensive help and research for the grant, may have their name mentioned in the final plan produced by PHLF, according to Billman.
“You’re doing actual research for a grant project. Not many undergraduates get a chance to do this,” Boden said.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), Washington & Jefferson University, and California University of Pennsylvania will also be utilizing the grant.
Black said that since IUP is the farthest distance away, PHLF is working there first. If PHLF continues to work in the order of distance, SHU is the next school on the list. Students who would like to help out with the grant should seek Billman or Black for more information.
The Getty Foundation will no longer be giving Campus Heritage awards after this year. Each of the four schools have until March of 2009 to get the implementations underway, said Billman.