Weddell's house from Warehouse, Clark & Sumner, Standard Petroleum Refinery, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania c. 1865

This stereo photograph captures Weddell's house from the Warehouse, Clark & Sumner, Standard Petroleum Refinery in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. The house sits atop a hill, a symbol of aspiration and attainment. The elevated position of dwellings is a recurring motif throughout history, from the raised temples of ancient Mesopotamia to the villas of the Roman elite. These structures occupy a higher plane, both physically and metaphorically, symbolizing power, security, and a vantage point over the world below. Consider, too, the medieval castles perched on hilltops, designed for strategic defense but also projecting dominance. In this photograph, the placement of Weddell's house evokes a similar sense of ambition and status. It speaks to the universal human desire to rise above, to establish oneself in a position of prominence. This yearning, deeply embedded in our collective psyche, transcends time and manifests in various forms, whether through architectural choices or social hierarchies.