Making History Blog
Meadowcroft’s Pine Bank Covered Bridge
The Pine Bank Covered Bridge as it appeared in 1961. What’s more iconic to rural America than a covered bridge? In 1871, when Meadowcroft’s Pine Bank Bridge was constructed, there…
Oakmont Country Club
Golf legends Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus battled at the 1962 U.S. Open at the Oakmont Country Club. As the host of 21 national golf championships, including the 2016 U.S.…
Uncovering Crime: Documenting Pittsburgh’s Criminal Past
Unidentified woman with guns hidden under box frame mattress, c. 1930. Pittsburgh Public Schools Collection, Senator John Heinz History Center. A woman sits on the edge of a box frame…
Mrs. Bard’s Spoon
On the morning of April 13, 1758, the home of Richard and Catharine Bard, in present-day Adams County, Pa., was attacked by a party of 19 Delaware Indians. In the…
Pennsylvania Political Ephemera Through the Years
See more political ephemera that documents more than 200 years of state and national politics here: Krasik Collection of Pennsylvania & Presidential Political Memorabilia. In national election years, we see…
The Slinky – “A spring, a spring, a marvelous thing!”
During the height of World War II, a U.S. Naval engineer accidentally invented one of the world’s most popular and celebrated toys. In 1943, Richard T. James, a 1939 graduate…
5 Toys From Your Childhood That You Might Not Remember
“Lady Lionel” train set In the early 1950s, the Lionel Company had its best years of sales, but by the decade’s end, the company struggled to stay relevant. They produced…
Behind the Scenes: Night at the History Museum
Have you ever wondered what the History Center is like after the visitors leave? Recently, nearly 150 Girl Scouts and their chaperones discovered first hand at the Night at the History…
Bringing History to Life This Summer at the Fort Pitt Museum
The Fort Pitt Museum, located in historic Point State Park, is preparing for an active summer season you won’t want to miss. The 18th Century Frontier Speaker Series The new…
Researching & Writing with the Italian American Program
Bruno Calabro and his mother, Agostina, in May 1943, only days before Agostina’s death. Bruno was on his way from Washington, Pa. to an Army base when he received the…