This page is simply a list of links to the Thursday Doors posts highlighting each of the 31 nationality rooms. The list is growing with each post, but it’s good to be able to have a place where people can catch up on the journey through these impressive and important rooms.
Growing up in Pittsburgh in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, I enjoyed the many ethnic influences in the city. The University of Pittsburgh thought this cultural history was worth celebrating, and I agree.
I had the privilege of attending all of my graduate school classes in the Cathedral of Learning. I had classes in some of these rooms, and I worked with others in several of these rooms during group assignments. I cannot adequately describe the feeling of being in toe Commons of the Cathedral or in these rooms. It might be something that only someone from the city can truly appreciate.
Much of the material below has been copied from various web pages maintained by the University of Pittsburgh.
The Nationality Rooms are a group of 31 classrooms in the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning depicting and donated by the national and ethnic groups that helped build the city of Pittsburgh.
pitt.edu
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The Nationality Rooms represent and celebrate the culture of the diverse communities of Pittsburgh. The Rooms are a community space where you’re invited to experience your heritage in a space that’s timeless and austere, yet dynamic and alive.
The rooms are also in use as University classrooms, giving students the opportunity to learn in a unique setting that gives them a hands-on experience with these rich heritages.
pitt.edu
The rooms were designed and constructed by committees selected from the immigrant community in residence around Pittsburgh. The committees worked locally and often with historians and artisans in their native country. Material was shipped to the university from all over the world to be used in these rooms. After construction was complete, the rooms were dedicated and then given to the university. The committees remain active and actively involved in the maintenance, preservation and showcasing of these rooms.
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