The images alone are enough to make viewers feel like they’ve just opened a time capsule.
There’s a photo of a group of doctors and nurses operating on a patient at Shadyside Hospital somewhere between 1890-1910; A photo of Gus Miller shows him operating his legendary Oakland newsstand in 1917. In another photo, artist Aaronel deRoy Gruber stands in bell-bottoms and a waist length fur coat on a wintry day, circa 1970, next to one of her famous sculptures; Former Allegheny County Coroner Dr. Cyril Wecht appears in a courtroom sketch made during a criminal trial in 1985.
It’s all part of The Detre Library & Archives at the Heinz History Center’s annual “Treasures in the Archives” event being held virtually on Thursday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The museum bills it as an opportunity to hear stories behind the archivists’ favorite collections through rare photographs and documents.
The event will explore the history of Shadyside Hospital including the hospital’s response to World War I and the 1918 flu pandemic.
It will also take the audience through the extensive records of Wecht.
Perhaps not as well known, but equally as fascinating, is the story of how Gruber transformed from a Pittsburgh housewife to an internationally recognized artist with a career that spanned six decades.
Heinz History Center archivist Sierra Green said among her favorite images are those of Gruber whose innovative sculptures incorporated Plexiglas, steel and motors.
“The images of Aaronel are so reflective of her identity as an artist. To be able to see images of her alongside her art work, it’s just a really rich, rich collection of which we’ll only be sharing a snippet,” said Green. “I also love the photos of Gus Miller’s newsstand over time. It’s just clear how much of an institution he was in Oakland.”
Green said the event is designed to inspire research.
“One of the biggest reasons that we make these materials available is so folks who have an interest can dive in and help us build on our understanding of the region’s rich history in any number of different avenues and topics and themes,” she said.
A link to the event’s registration page is available here: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/events/treasures-in-the-archives-2022
