In 1998, the Swiss Nationality Room Committee was formed and officially declared its intent to fundraise for and construct a Swiss Nationality Room in the Cathedral of Learning. By 2002, the theme of Education was selected, and the style of room was chosen. The Swiss Room is modeled on the Zürich Room (Fraumünster Abbey) exhibited at the Landesmuseum in Zürich, Switzerland. The general term for the architecture is Late Medieval Style, circa 1500. It is typical of Swiss communal rooms used for meetings and classes. Between 2005 and 2012, architects and key craftspeople moved the room design from concept to reality. The Swiss Room’s broad-based fundraising efforts were successful, and construction began in 2011.
The Swiss Room was dedicated on April 22, 2012.
For more information on the history of the room and committee, please visit Pitt Nationality Rooms | Documenting Pitt and search Swiss Room Committee.
Participation in the Nationality Council, annual decoration of the Swiss Room for Christmas, and collaboration with the Swiss-American Society of Pittsburgh and other organizations related to Switzerland.