University of Pittsburgh - Owl Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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70 Cathedral of Learning

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MEETS PLAYBOY Ann Marie Haggerty, of Villanova University, autographed copies of the Playboy Big East issue at Gus Miller’s Newsstand. Playboy 69

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The Cathedral of Learning Did you know that . . . The Cathedral of Learning is the tallest educational structure in the free world. It inspired PPG Place and marked the beginning of the Pittsburgh Renaissance. The Cathedral has a doorbell. It’s located in the loading dock area. Original plans for the 42-story building had classrooms on only the first three floors, the rationale being that students would skip class too often if they had to climb too many steps. The Commons Room floor, made from Vermont slate, covers half an acre. There is a secret passageway in the Early American Nationality Room which leads to a bedroom. The Darlington Library on the sixth floor was one of the first areas in the Cathedral to be air-conditioned. Home economics courses were taught to female students on the 12th floor, in 1217. The kitchen is still used to prepare food for special events. A dining room on the 17th floor serves lunch Monday through Friday. There are showers in the basement for anyone wishing to use them. All of the furniture in the Commons Room, constructed of white oak, was designed especially for the room. Artifacts and materials used in the Nationality Rooms were shipped directly from the respective countries. As of December 1988, all wrought iron in the Commons Room was crafted by one man, Samuel Yellin. It is believed to be the most expensive additions to the Cathedral’s decor. A hallway connects the Cathedral and Stephen Foster Memorial. Go through the loading dock to the “Stage Door” to find it. Cathedral of Learning 71