Entertaining a President at Clayton
In early May 1902, The Pittsburgh Press published news that plans were underway in the hope that President Theodore Roosevelt would accept an invitation to visit Pittsburgh to celebrate the Fourth of July.
A Finance Committee was formed in anticipation of a county-wide celebration and railway discounts were proposed to assist those traveling for the event. Luckily less than two weeks later, the president accepted the invitation and planning continued for what would prove to be an exciting affair.
Bringing a U.S. president to Pittsburgh was no simple feat, especially with less than two months to prepare. In addition to the Finance Committee, who were responsible for finding a way to pay for the elaborate visit, an Executive Committee, Committee on Invitations and Reception, Firework Committee, Committee on Carriages, Amusement Committee, Committee on Railroads, and a Hospital Committee were formed.
The majority of the funding for the Fourth of July celebration was provided by donations. According to The Pittsburgh Press, the members of the committee were not “novices at the work of raising money for public purposes, and are capable in every sense of the word.” To accomplish the task, they sent out a circular to what they considered “public-spirited citizens.” Donations were also solicited through newspaper coupons that were printed a number of times. Money flowed in in varying amounts, from $0.25 to much more and every donation, no matter the amount, was acknowledged in The Pittsburgh Press.
The Day Arrives
The day finally arrived and President Roosevelt’s train pulled into Union Station. The parade accompanying the president headed for Schenley Park, where around 750,000 people gathered between morning and midnight. The president gave a speech around 11:00 a.m. leaving the men, women and children who heard the speech “believing that the words ‘patriotism’ and ‘country’ carried with them more meaning than they had realized before.” The president then made his way to Clayton, the Point Breeze home of industrialist Henry Clay Frick for a luncheon in his honor.
The Lunch
Hosting a president in one’s home certainly came with many challenges. Mr. Frick brought in additional domestic service staff to help with the affair. The chef from the Hotel Schenley prepared the lunches, and waiters from the Waldorf-Astoria in New York were brought to Pittsburgh to serve.
Courtesy of The Frick Collection/Frick Art Reference Library Archives
Following the lunch, President Roosevelt took a much needed rest in the blue room of the mansion before heading to the Schenley Hotel where he was the guest of honor at a reception given by Attorney General Philander C. Knox.
The city of Pittsburgh was not finished celebrating the visit. At Schenley Park, after darkness had fallen, another record-breaking crowd gathered, eager to see the magnificent Fourth of July fireworks display.
The evening’s events finally began to calm after midnight. President Roosevelt departed the next morning to his home in Oyster Bay, and the city of Pittsburgh stood proud after presenting the very best the city had to offer.
Bringing a U.S. president to Pittsburgh was no simple feat, especially with less than two months to prepare. In addition to the Finance Committee, who were responsible for finding a way to pay for the elaborate visit, an Executive Committee, Committee on Invitations and Reception, Firework Committee, Committee on Carriages, Amusement Committee, Committee on Railroads, and a Hospital Committee were formed.
Col. Logan of the executive committee was charged with getting a contract with a company to provide ice for ice water in Schenley Park.
“A.P. Moore, of the amusement committee, said he intended to provide acrobats, wire walkers, and other entertainers for the children . . .”
“J.P. Murphy, who has in charge the musical end of the arrangements, was told to provide six brass bands of not less than 30 pieces each. These will be different musical organizations for the morning, afternoon and evening.”
Robert Pitcarin, Committee on Railroads, reported that a rate of one fare for round trip to all points within a 150 mile radius of Pittsburg was suggested to the railroads. Advised them to sell tickets on July 3 and 4, and make them good for return until July 7 (so people can go to parks, see ball games, etc.).
—“Arrangements for a Big Celebration on Fourth of July” (The Pittsburg Press, date unknown)
“A.P. Moore, of the amusement committee, said he intended to provide acrobats, wire walkers, and other entertainers for the children . . .”
“J.P. Murphy, who has in charge the musical end of the arrangements, was told to provide six brass bands of not less than 30 pieces each. These will be different musical organizations for the morning, afternoon and evening.”
Robert Pitcarin, Committee on Railroads, reported that a rate of one fare for round trip to all points within a 150 mile radius of Pittsburg was suggested to the railroads. Advised them to sell tickets on July 3 and 4, and make them good for return until July 7 (so people can go to parks, see ball games, etc.).
—“Arrangements for a Big Celebration on Fourth of July” (The Pittsburg Press, date unknown)
The majority of the funding for the Fourth of July celebration was provided by donations. According to The Pittsburgh Press, the members of the committee were not “novices at the work of raising money for public purposes, and are capable in every sense of the word.” To accomplish the task, they sent out a circular to what they considered “public-spirited citizens.” Donations were also solicited through newspaper coupons that were printed a number of times. Money flowed in in varying amounts, from $0.25 to much more and every donation, no matter the amount, was acknowledged in The Pittsburgh Press.
The Day Arrives
The day finally arrived and President Roosevelt’s train pulled into Union Station. The parade accompanying the president headed for Schenley Park, where around 750,000 people gathered between morning and midnight. The president gave a speech around 11:00 a.m. leaving the men, women and children who heard the speech “believing that the words ‘patriotism’ and ‘country’ carried with them more meaning than they had realized before.” The president then made his way to Clayton, the Point Breeze home of industrialist Henry Clay Frick for a luncheon in his honor.
The Lunch
Hosting a president in one’s home certainly came with many challenges. Mr. Frick brought in additional domestic service staff to help with the affair. The chef from the Hotel Schenley prepared the lunches, and waiters from the Waldorf-Astoria in New York were brought to Pittsburgh to serve.
Courtesy of The Frick Collection/Frick Art Reference Library Archives
Following the lunch, President Roosevelt took a much needed rest in the blue room of the mansion before heading to the Schenley Hotel where he was the guest of honor at a reception given by Attorney General Philander C. Knox.
The city of Pittsburgh was not finished celebrating the visit. At Schenley Park, after darkness had fallen, another record-breaking crowd gathered, eager to see the magnificent Fourth of July fireworks display.
“It is probably that fully $10,000 will be expended for fireworks on the evening of the Fourth, as a fitting close to one of the greatest days in Pittsburgh’s history. Heretofore about $6,000 has been the limit, but it was pointed out that this demonstration should be a little better than anything that has preceded it. The limit was fixed at $10,000, but it was left to the committee, of which John B. Barbour, Jr. is chairman, to decide on just how much will be expended.”
—“Arrangements for a Big Celebration on Fourth of July” (The Pittsburg Press, date unknown)
The evening’s events finally began to calm after midnight. President Roosevelt departed the next morning to his home in Oyster Bay, and the city of Pittsburgh stood proud after presenting the very best the city had to offer.