United States of America -- Pennsylvania -- Allegheny -- Pittsburgh
Mellon Garden (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
Scope and Contents:
31 digital images (2007-2019), 14 35 mm slides (circa 1980) and 2 file folders including copies of historic photographs (dates unknown, 1956, 1970, 1974) and a copy of the 1934 Country Life pictorial feature on the Mellon garden.
Varying Form:
Also known as Mellon Estate.
General:
Persons associated with the garden include: Richard Beatty Mellon and Jennie King Mellon (former owners, 1910-1938); Richard King Mellon (former owner, 1938-1943); City of Pittsburgh (owner, 1943- ); Ferruccio Vitale (1875-1933) & Alfred Geiffert, Jr. (1890-1957) and Gilmore D. Clarke (landscape architects, 1927-1929); Frederick R. Bonci and Natalie Byrd Plecity, LaQuatra Bonci Associates (landscape architects, 2005- ); Edmond Romulus Amateis (1897-1981) (sculptor of fountain, 1929); Samuel Yellin (1885-1940) (iron work, 1929); Janet C. Zweig (1950- ) (artist, 2008-2010); Hal Hilbish (lighting designer, circa 2008).
The half-acre walled garden was the renaissance garden situated behind the grand estate of the Mellon family; the mansion was demolished in 1940. Land was donated to Pittsburgh and maintained as a public park, but gardens inevitably declined. The nonprofit Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, members of the Garden Club of Allegheny County and master gardeners provided maintenance, but the restoration of this garden was impelled by the desire of the Seamans family to create a memorial for their daughter, Ann Katherine Seamans. Original features remained: the tapestry brick wall on three sides, limestone steps for the classical processional through the garden, two Samuel Yellin wrought iron gates, and the pink granite fountain by sculptor Edmond R. Amateis backed by a terrace and stone wall. A raised octagonal flower bed below the steps was reconstructed, and holly hedges partially form a fourth wall where the house stood. Restored flagstone walkways around the rectangular lawn are bordered by plantings on either side including allées of Japanese stewartia, sun and shade perennials, spring bulbs, black gum trees for shade, understory magnolia and serviceberry, and woody shrubs including oakleaf hydrangea and Delaware Valley azaleas. The walled garden was reopened as a public park in 2010.
The memorial is an art installation within the lawn: 150 fiber optic light sticks depicting constellations, planets and stars as they were over Pittsburgh on the day and time of Ann Seamans' birth. Each light is labeled on a small disk and there is an interpretive sign on a raised overlook with a limestone bench in one corner. Artist Janet Zweig conceived the project that was installed by wiring each light stick into conduits under the lawn. The garden has park benches around the perimeter and lightweight movable furniture on the terrace.
Persons associated with the garden include: Richard Beatty Mellon and Jennie King Mellon (former owners, 1910-1938); Richard King Mellon (former owner, 1938-1943); City of Pittsburgh (owner, 1943- ); Ferruccio Vitale (1875-1933) & Alfred Geiffert, Jr. (1890-1957) and Gilmore D. Clarke (landscape architects, 1927-1929); Frederick R. Bonci and Natalie Byrd Plecity, LaQuatra Bonci Associates (landscape architects, 2005- ); Edmond Romulus Amateis (1897-1981) (sculptor of fountain, 1929); Samuel Yellin (1885-1940) (iron work, 1929); Janet C. Zweig (1950- ) (artist, 2008-2010); Hal Hilbish (lighting designer, circa 2008).
Related Materials:
Related materials at the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation and the James Van Trump Archives (Pittsburgh History and Landmark's Foundation?). See also the Archives of American Gardens' J. Horace McFarland Company Collection.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original images by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens.
Comprehensive index of Charles Lang Freer's library, mostly relating to art and Asian culture. Headings include authors, countries, and topical subjects. Sections include locations in Freer's original Detroit home; an index of all books transferred to the Smithsonian; a list of collections and collectors catalogues of American and Near and Far Eastern art; sales catalogues, and books in Chinese language.
Arrangement:
Organized in the original manner by the creator.
Local Numbers:
FSA A.01 05.22
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository.
Topic:
Art, Asian -- Collectors and collecting Search this
Art, American -- Collectors and collecting Search this
Charles Lang Freer Papers. Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. Gift of the estate of Charles Lang Freer.
"Full Moon. / From negatives taken by Prof. H. Draper with his silvered glass telescope". Published by C[harles] Bierstadt, "sold only by Underwood & Underwood".
Series Restrictions:
Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalogs restricted due to fragile condition. Researchers should consult microfilm in NMAH library for 1880-1983 editions, drawer 692.
Series Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Series Citation:
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Sponsor:
Funding for partial processing of the collection was supported by a grant from the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund (CCPF).
"Full Moon. / From negatives taken by Prof. H. Draper with his silvered glass telescope". Published by C[harles] Bierstadt, "sold only by Underwood & Underwood"
Series Restrictions:
Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalogs restricted due to fragile condition. Researchers should consult microfilm in NMAH library for 1880-1983 editions, drawer 692.
Series Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Series Citation:
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Sponsor:
Funding for partial processing of the collection was supported by a grant from the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund (CCPF).
Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalogs restricted due to fragile condition. Researchers should consult microfilm in NMAH library for 1880-1983 editions, drawer 692.
Series Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Series Citation:
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Sponsor:
Funding for partial processing of the collection was supported by a grant from the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund (CCPF).
National Biomedical Research Foundation. Georgetown University Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1974?
Separated Materials:
Oversize folders 1-2 are separated for preservation concerns
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning intellectual property rights. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Robert Ledley Papers, 1972-1984, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
National Biomedical Research Foundation. Georgetown University Search this
Extent:
252 Feet
Container:
Reel 1135.1
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1974?
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning intellectual property rights. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Robert Ledley Papers, 1972-1984, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Collection is open for research and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Division of Costume Audiovisual Collection, 1928-1989, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
1 Reel (16mm color composite optical track print, 175 feet)
Container:
Reel OF801.2
Type:
Archival materials
Moving Images
Reels
Date:
circa 1971
Scope and Contents:
Descriptive Summary: Features models in the desert showing off new fashions.
Creator:
Producer: Produced by DuPont.
Notes: Featuring: Boutique Donald Brooks, Branell, George Bullock, Bymini, Ginovi, Kleibacker, Lisa meril, Robert David Morton, Leo Narducci, Posh, Richard Tam, Travilla, Levino Verna. Spring fashions in Qiana nylon.
Leader: M71-1086 Assoc. Film Consult Mercury Newsfilm: Dupont Qiana Amer. Designer Fashions for Spring 1971.
Box: American Designer Fashions for Spring >71.
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Division of Costume Audiovisual Collection, 1928-1989, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
1 Reel (16mm color composite optical track print, 600 feet)
Container:
Reel OF801.3
Type:
Archival materials
Moving Images
Reels
Date:
circa 1971
Scope and Contents:
Descriptive Summary: Features models on assignment in Rome, India, Hong Kong, Australia, and Fiji.
Producer: DuPont
Notes: Qiana nylon for DuPont. Filmed in cooperation with BOAC. All other credits differ for each segment.
Rome: Fashions by Maxine de La Falaise for Blousecraft. John Haggins for Stella Fagin and Dominic Rompollo.
India: Fashions by Gayle Kirkpatrick (1935 - 1997) for Bymini (Tupelo, Miss. born fashion designer who was known for his youthful, modern approach to American sportswear). John Haggins for Stella Fagin.
Hong Kong: Fashions by Maxine de La Falaise for Blousecraft. John Haggins for Stella Fagin. Bill Tice for Royal Robes.
Australia: Fashions by Maxine de La Falaise for Blousecraft. Jack Bodi for Concept VII and Robert David Morton.
Fiji: Fashions by Gayle Kirkpatrick for Bymini.Kasper for Joan Leslie and Robert David Morton.
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Division of Costume Audiovisual Collection, 1928-1989, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
1 Reel (16mm color composite optical track print, 260 feet)
Container:
Reel OF801.4
Type:
Archival materials
Moving Images
Reels
Date:
circa 1971
Scope and Contents:
Notes: Men's knits: Brentwood, Drummond, Robert Bruce, Lord Jeff, Jockey.
Women's knits: Bananas, Great Times, Jane Irwill, Blairmoor. Orlon acrylic and Wintuk yarns of AOrlon.
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Division of Costume Audiovisual Collection, 1928-1989, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
1 Reel (16mm color composite optical track print, 190 feet)
Container:
Reel OF801.5
Type:
Archival materials
Moving Images
Reels
Date:
circa 1971
Scope and Contents:
Notes: Women's clothing by Bobbie Brooks.
Men's clothing by Donegal.Wintuk yarns of Orlon acrylic and ADacron polyester. Filmed in cooperation with Le Chateau Frontenac [a luxury hotel in Quebec].
Note on box: M71-1139
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Division of Costume Audiovisual Collection, 1928-1989, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
1 Reel (16mm color composite optical track print, 210 feet)
Container:
Reel OF801.6
Type:
Archival materials
Moving Images
Reels
Date:
circa 1972
Scope and Contents:
Producer: Produced for Dupont by Spectrum Associates.
Performers/Persons Appearing: Model - Samantha Jones
Notes: Holiday fashions by: Kasper for Joan Leslie, Oscar de La Renta Boutique, Shannon Rodgers for Jerry Silverman, Abe Schrader, Ole Borden for Rembrandt, Teal Traina, Chester Now by Chester Weinberg. Featuring Fabrics of Qiana nylon.
Note on Box: F-73-2073 Fashion Capitol
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Division of Costume Audiovisual Collection, 1928-1989, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
1 Reel (16mm color composite optical track print, 175 feet)
Container:
Reel OF801.7
Type:
Archival materials
Moving Images
Reels
Date:
circa 1978
Scope and Contents:
Notes: Qiana nylon by DuPont. Filmed in cooperation with Halian Line.
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research and access on site by appointment.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Division of Costume Audiovisual Collection, 1928-1989, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
