William Penn Life, 2010 (45. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2010-07-01 / 7. szám
About WPA and the Home Office by Doug Miller MOST OF YOU know William Penn Association is a fraternal benefit society, which means we are a member-focused, non-profit organization with a mission: “To provide financial security to our members through quality life insurance and annuity products; and, to support fraternal, ethnic, cultural, charitable, educational, patriotic and religious works.” You should know that the mission has changed very little since we were founded as the Verhovay Aid Association 124 years ago in the coal mining town of Hazleton, Pa. And even though in 1978 we changed our name to William Penn Association, we remain singularly focused on providing you the highest levels of service and quality products that meet the needs of you and your family. WPA relocated to Pittsburgh in 1909 with offices in downtown Pittsburgh until 1983. We then moved to our current location following our merger with the Catholic Knights of St. George, originally a German fraternal society founded in 1881, which had used the home as its headquarters since 1942. The home is located on the North Shore of the city at 709 Brighton Road, less than a block from the Community College of Allegheny County. In addition, we are within what was originally known as Allegheny City, a nationally recognized historic preservation site of beautiful homes and offices built during the Industrial Revolution in America. The building itself has a very interesting history. It was originally designed and built in 1908 as a wedding gift from Harry Darlington to his son, Harry Darlington Jr. For those who have seen the home, it is hard to believe this beautiful structure was originally built for the princely sum of $60,000 (the equivalent of roughly $1.3 million in today’s dollars). Harry Sr. was a self-made man, as were most of the industrial magnates of the Gilded Age. Born in Philadelphia in 1838, he moved to Pittsburgh at the age of 22, where he made his fortune in brewing, steel, railroads, gas, and coal ventures. He decided to have a mansion constructed in the then fashionable Allegheny City, favored by many of the new millionaires. His choice fell to the area around the meeting of Ridge Avenue and Brighton Road, where he had a handsome home constructed in the early French Renaissance style. The two-story-plus-attic, red-brick house contained 31 rooms, intricate and elaborate woodwork throughout, a slate roof and a passenger elevator~a rarity in homes then and now. William Penn Association had the house restored to its original splendor and beauty in 1983. Our Home Office now stands like a jewel among its neighbors, and we welcome you to visit and enjoy its rich history at your convenience...although you may want to call ahead so that we can plan to welcome you! RIGHT: On the third floor, in the former servants' quarters, you'll find the employees who take care of your annuity certificates: Debbie Evans (R, annuity specialist) and Susan Robison (annuity clerk). (Photos by John ..... ... E. Lovász) William Penn Life 0 July 2010 ° 17
