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Dear friends,
A recent Wire News article out of Detroit reported how a two-story wood frame house became the 10,000th building to be demolished as part of that city’s plan to eliminate blight. Described as “another win in a years-long battle to improve Detroit neighborhoods,” the demolition was part of a 2014 task force recommendation to tear down some 40,000 structures, with another 38,000 yet to be designated for demolition.
Detroit is not alone. In January, the City of Baltimore rolled out a plan to demolish some 4,000 structures over the next four years with the aim of cleaning up blight and preparing its neighborhoods for redevelopment and investment.
We have seen this before, city leaders turning to demolition in the hopes that it would lay the groundwork for broad community reinvestment in the form of new housing. However, the record is clear that demolition hasn’t worked when considering meaningful urban renewal in our neighborhoods, our cities, and our towns. There is now almost 70 years of evidence that it doesn’t work.
Massive demolition hollows out neighborhoods and leads to a loss of neighborhood identity and building density. Once buildings that could have been restored are gone, they are lost forever. It happened here in Pittsburgh, when at the height of the same urban renewal and planning policies, the city demolished entire swaths of the North Side, Hill District, and East Liberty.
Read more
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PHLF led students and youth counselors in Camp Downtown 2016, hosted by First Lutheran Church, on two walking tours in June. Campers spied "The Two Andys," a mural by Tom Mosser and Sarah Zeffiro on Wiener World, as they walked down Strawberry Way, featuring "City Composition," the new street mural by Deanna Mance.
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McSwigan Family Foundation Awards PHLF Major Education Grant
PHLF does tremendous work educating the community and young people. This work fills a historical void in the city. ––Hampton Middle School Teacher
A grant in the amount of $32,500, awarded by the McSwigan Family Foundation in June, will help underwrite PHLF's educational programs with young people and its Landmarks Scholarship program. "This is terrific support," said PHLF Executive Director Louise Sturgess, "and is so essential to the success of our programs. This funding support makes it possible for us to keep our school tour fees affordable, initiate new programs, and continue our popular architectural design challenges, poetry and art workshops, career awareness presentations, Portable Pittsburgh artifact kits, and Architectural Apprenticeship."
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| The restored facade and lighting of the historic Penn Theater in Downtown Butler on a recent Saturday night. |
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Butler's Historic Penn Theater Facade Restored
The restored facade and lighting of the historic Penn Theater in Downtown Butler, Pennsylvania, sparkles. Our organization has been working over the years to restore the facade of this landmark building on Butler's Main Street, and we recently completed the facade restoration.
Thanks to funding from an anonymous local donor, Armstrong, and Huntington Bank, the original lighting has been restored to include repairing the historic vertical neon “Penn” sign, repairing and lighting the letters along the marquee, and restoring the original lights beneath it.
This eye-catching work not only restored the facade to its original design, but also provides additional light to the surrounding area, creating a safe pedestrian experience. We thank our funders for their generosity and look forward to bringing you more updates on this theater’s restoration.
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Duquesne University ESL students created models of major buildings in downtown Pittsburgh following their walking tour of Grant Street with PHLF on June 1. (Photo courtesy of Chris Ismaeil.)
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Grant Street Models Show Teamwork and Creativity
English as a Second Language (ESL) students from Duquesne University toured Grant Street with PHLF on June 1 as part of a community-based co-curricular field trip. Following the walking tour, they worked in groups to research a Grant Street building or Pittsburgh bridge, create a model of the structure, and present their work to the class.
"From a series of photos that Chris Ismaeil, Duquesne University ESL instructor, sent to us," said PHLF Education Coordinator Karen Cahall, "it was evident that the students enjoyed the challenge of creating the models. I was impressed that they included so many distinctive architectural details."
One of the educational goals for this Advanced Level Speaking and Listening class is to enhance students' aural and oral communication skills to enable success in the classroom and the community beyond. Another important goal is for students to learn about the regional culture of Pittsburgh and its role within the broader American culture. Through local field studies, university students gain knowledge about specific places and develop a sense of belonging and connection to their new hometown. PHLF always looks forward to meeting and introducing ESL students to Pittsburgh.
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The City of Pittsburgh's Bicentennial Parade was a fantastic progression––for two hours or more––of ornate floats, vehicles, and enthusiastic people of all ages, including descendants of many Pittsburgh Mayors.
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City of Pittsburgh's Bicentennial Parade in Photos
Click here to see photos of the City of Pittsburgh's Bicentennial Parade on July 9, proceeding along Liberty Avenue from 11th Street to Point State Park. Representatives from nearly every Mayor's family since 1816 marched in the parade and students from several Pittsburgh Public Schools carried "birthday cards" that students created through an initiative organized by the Bicentennial Commission's Education Committee and PHLF. Following the parade, there were live performances in Market Square and an evening concert and fireworks in Point State Park.
Prior to the parade, PHLF's staff and docents offered complimentary downtown walking tours on July 7 and 8 for descendants of the various Mayors, and several staff members attended the Bicentennial Bash at the Heinz History Center. The buildings, bridges, and parks of downtown Pittsburgh––and the three rivers and fountain––were created out of cake and icing to celebrate 200 years. See the last photo!
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| The Seventh Street Bridge, one of the three iconic Allegheny River "sister bridges," was constructed in 1926. It is also known as the Andy Warhol Bridge and it will close to vehicular and pedestrian traffic on August 15, 2016, for construction repairs until November 17, 2017, when it's expected to re-open. Join us in August as we explore the city's bridges and river shores. |
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PHLF Tours in August: Downtown and Uptown
Free Bridges & River Shores Walking Tours
Every Friday: August 5, 12, 19, & 26
Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Meet at 107 Sixth Street, downtown Pittsburgh (in front of the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel)
Reservations are appreciated: Mary Lu Denny (412-471-5808, ext. 527)
For further details click here.
"Downtown's Best" Walking Tour
Every Thursday: August 4, 11, 18, & 25
10:00 a.m. to Noon
Advance paid reservations are required: Mary Lu Denny (412-471-5808, ext. 527)
For further details click here.
 Uptown Urban Hike: Trendy Lofts and Offices
Saturday, August 20
1:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Advance paid reservations are required: Mary Lu Denny (412-471-5808, ext. 527)
For further details click here.
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Pokémon Go Free Family Walking Tour with PHLF
 Date: Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Time: 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Meeting location: Pokémon gym at Station Square fountain/Bessemer Converter
Tour guides: Elyse Tuennerman, Kalamazoo College (Urban Studies), and Louise Sturgess of PHLF
“Catch ‘em all” with PHLF on our family-friendly Pokémon Go tour of downtown Pittsburgh on Wednesday morning, August 10. Learn about the city’s spectacular architecture and landmarks while hunting for the many Pokémon that are hiding downtown.
The two-hour walking tour will include stops at Pokémon gyms and Pokéstops in Station Square, PNC Plaza, Market Square, and Point State Park.
For reservations, contact Mary Lu Denny (412-471-5808, ext. 527) |
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| The Landmarks Preservation Resource Center is located at 744 Rebecca Avenue, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221 |
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Landmarks Preservation Resource Center Events
Join us in August as we continue our programming with lectures on gardening and architectural history, and film screenings on two modernist American architects. Events are FREE to PHLF members. Non-members: $5. RSVPs appreciated: Mar...@phlf.org or 412-471-5808 ext. 527
All events: Landmarks Preservation Resource Center
744 Rebecca Avenue, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221
Garden Lecture: Garlic & Fall Planting
Martha Swiss
Garden Writer & Designer
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Film Screening: Philip Johnson
Diary of an Eccentric Architect
Tuesday, August 9
6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Film Screening: First Person Singular
I.M. Pei
Tuesday, August 16
6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Lecture: Pittsburgh Architecture in the 20th Century
Louise Sturgess
Executive Director, PHLF
Thursday, August 23
6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
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A life-size portrait bust of Sir William Pitt the Elder, the British statesman for whom Pittsburgh was named in 1758, has graced the corridor of the City-County Building since 1922. The sculptor was Glasgow-born Sir William Reid Dick, Sculptor Ordinaire to King George VI and later Elizabeth II.
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PHLF Offers Two Tours for Britsburgh Festival in September
Visit Britsburgh.com for complete details on the second annual Britsburgh Festival, September 6 through 11, 2016, celebrating the long-standing historic ties between the United Kingdom and Southwestern Pennsylvania. Britsburgh 2016 begins on September 6 with a huge party and celebration at the East End Brewing Brewery, where the first-ever keg of Britsburgh Ale will be tapped with much pomp and ceremony. More than 50 different partners, including the Pittsburgh Tea Association, will offer special events for everyone.
Join PHLF on September 7 for walking tours in downtown and Oakland highlighting British connections to Pittsburgh architecture, art, literature, and street names.
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Dollar Bank's Heritage Museum will be open to the public during Doors Open Pittsburgh on October 1 & 2, and visitors will be able to see the original 1871 Dollar Bank lions and many impressive historical exhibits located inside the beautifully restored Fourth Avenue building.
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First-Ever Doors Open Pittsburgh: October 1 & 2
Doors Open Pittsburgh is a FREE, two-day event on the weekend of October 1 & 2 that will provide behind-the-scenes access, or some unique experience, to a collection of iconic buildings in downtown Pittsburgh. Open buildings will include private clubs, theaters, residences, heritage sites, government offices, hotels, sacred places, and artist and office spaces.
You do not need a ticket or reservation to attend. Simply decide what buildings you want to visit after reviewing the list on www.doorsopenpgh.org and come downtown to start your adventure! Bring your friends and family and experience downtown in a whole new way.
Volunteers are needed to help make the event a success. Click here for details. Thank you!
Doors Open Pittsburgh is partnering with AIA Pittsburgh (a chapter of the American Institute of Architects), Design Center, Green Building Alliance, and PHLF, in cooperation with the Pittsburgh Downtown Community Development Corporation and Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership in this inaugural year.
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Terra cotta detail from Heinz Hall, home of the world-famous Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, 600 Penn Avenue, downtown Pittsburgh
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Symphony Splendor in Mt. Lebanon on November 20
The Pittsburgh Symphony Association's holiday home tour to support the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will be held, for the first time, in Mt. Lebanon on Sunday, November 20, 2016, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. After two successful holiday home tours in Shadyside in 2014 and 2015, the PSA is looking forward to showcasing Mt. Lebanon, one of the best-preserved early-automobile suburbs in the nation––and home to approximately 30 of the 100 PSO musicians and to many, many patrons.
Two square miles of Mt. Lebanon were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014, including Virginia Manor, which will be the focus of the PSA's "Symphony Splendor" benefit event on November 20. A selection of architecturally significant Virginia Manor homes will be beautifully decorated for the holidays and open for tours. PHLF staff and docents will be on hand to provide architectural information.
For a "Save-the-Date" notice, please click here.
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Docent Jim Dawson shares his keen interest in history and architecture with a Free Friday walking tour group in Market Square. A founding partner and former CEO of Grant Street Associates, Inc. (a commercial leasing and management firm), Jim is a native Pittsburgher and Mt. Lebanon resident.
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Become a PHLF Docent
Are you eager to learn about Pittsburgh? Do you enjoy walking and exploring outdoors? Do you enjoy being with people and sharing information? If you answered YES to all three questions, then consider becoming a PHLF docent.
Please contact Mary Lu Denny (412-471-5808, ext. 527) for further information or click here.
PHLF docents participate in training and continuing education and lead a variety of walking tours throughout the year. A great sense of camaraderie develops among the group. Please join our group of volunteer docents who make possible so much of what PHLF accomplishes in education!
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Solve the mystery and win a one-year complimentary PHLF membership
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Mystery Photo
Please contact Mary Lu Denny (412-471-5808, ext. 527) with the current name of the building where this decorative detail is found. Hint: this building takes its name from a street and has a new life; it is not downtown, but ______ town.
Congratulations to 9 people who correctly identified last month's mystery photo showing a detail from the building at Wood Street, Liberty Avenue, and Sixth Avenue, now housing the Wood Street T Station and Wood Street Galleries. It was built in 1927 for the Monongahela Bank and later became the home of Azen's Furs and Fashions.
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Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation
100 West Station Square Drive | Suite 450 | Pittsburgh, PA 15219
www.phlf.org
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