Making History Blog
Wait For It: Hamilton in Pittsburgh
Alexander Hamilton. Courtesy of the Library of Congress. The last time Hamilton came to Pittsburgh, he wasn’t quite as popular. In fact, he was arguably one of the most…
The History and Legacy of the Freedom House
Freedom House Ambulance Service first day, Presbyterian University Hospital, Pittsburgh, c. June 16, 1968. Gift of Virginia “Ginny” Caligiuri. A white paper report in 1966, “Accidental Death and Disability:…
Book Review: “The Mount Washington Transit Tunnel Disaster”
The Mount Washington Transit Tunnel Disaster By Mary Jane Kuffner Hirt The History Press, 2021 192 pages, 60 photos and maps Paperback, $21.99 Reviewed by Mark Holan, Pittsburgh native…
Book Review: “An Alternative History of Pittsburgh”
An Alternative History of Pittsburgh By Ed Simon Belt Publishing, 2021 176 pages Paperback, $16.95 Reviewed by Leslie Przybylek, Senior Curator, Heinz History Center In literary tradition, an “alternative…
Book Review: “Andy, Can You Hear Us? Communing with Andy Warhol at His Gravesite – Vol. 1 (Winter)”
Andy, Can You Hear Us? Communing with Andy Warhol at His Gravesite – Vol. 1 (Winter) By Madelyn Roehrig Andy’s Figments, 2020 80 pages, color photos Softcover, $39.99 Reviewed…
Book Review: “A Gift of Belief: Philanthropy and the Forging of Pittsburgh”
A Gift of Belief: Philanthropy and the Forging of Pittsburgh Edited by Kathleen W. Buechel University of Pittsburgh Press, 2021 384 pages Hardcover, $40 Reviewed by Betty Arenth, former…
Book Review: “Banished from Johnstown: Racist Backlash in Pennsylvania”
Banished From Johnstown: Racist Backlash in Pennsylvania By Cody McDevitt History Press, 2020 224 pages Paperback, $23.99 Reviewed by Samuel W. Black, Director, African American Program, Heinz History Center…
Book Review: “Smalltime: A Story of My Family and the Mob”
Smalltime: A Story of My Family and the Mob By Russell Shorto W.W. Norton, 2021 272 pages Hardcover, $26.95 Reviewed by Bill Keyes, former museum division director at the…
Fred Lenn: The Battling Boxer
Fred Lenn fought in two arenas—as a Marine serving during World War II and Korea, and in the ring as a champion amateur and professional boxer. The second of…
Have Fun but Remember the War: Halloween during World War II
With the History Center’s traveling exhibit “We Can Do It: WWII” returning to Barensfeld Gallery, it seemed a good time to celebrate the upcoming Halloween holiday by looking back on how this haunting…