Making History Blog
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Pysanky on Ice
Traditionally, Ukrainians find time in the week before Easter to create highly decorated eggs or pysanky that celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Pysanky eggs made by Helen Timo on…
Pittsburgh’s Santa, George Heid
Kids tuned in to Paul Shannon’s “Adventure Time” each December to see their letters sent by rocket to Santa, played here by Heid. Photo courtesy of Jim Heid. Did…
The Mystery of the McKeesport Menorah
A seven-branched electric menorah donated by the Iszauk family of White Oak, Pa. Rauh Jewish History Program & Archives at the Heinz History Center. The Rauh Jewish History Program…
Christmas at Buhl Planetarium and its Miniature Railroad
Cars fill up at the first Gulf station. Behind is this season’s new addition, Primanti Bros. restaurant, serving its sandwiches in the Strip District since 1933. Photo by Brian…
Picture, Picture on the Wall: A Brief History of Early Photography
One weekend in our #Pixburgh: A Photographic Experience exhibit, a docent watched as two teenage sisters posed for each other. One took out her new Polaroid instant camera (they’re all…
A Very Aluminum Christmas
An aluminum tree in the lobby of the Alcoa Building, 1966. Alcoa Company Photographs, MSP 282, Detre Library & Archives at the History Center. Emerging in the mid-1950s, aluminum Christmas…
Nativity Scenes From Around the World
Presepio, 1930s-1950s, Italian American Collection at the Heinz History Center. The History Center Italian American Collection’s 33 piece presepio was originally amassed by the Albini family of Vandergrift, Pa. A…
Awaiting the Arrival of Old St. Nick
When does the Christmas season begin? For retailers these days, the answer seems to be “as soon as possible.” While the weekend after Thanksgiving has long served as the unofficial…
Whoooo Will You Be on Halloween?: The Changing Face of America’s Spookiest Holiday
Crisp air, fall leaves, and pumpkins everywhere? Halloween must be right around the corner. Kids rejoice at the upcoming candy bonanza. Retailers celebrate, too, and Halloween is expected to generate…
The Heinz Passover Ad Campain’t
Every spring, readers paging through the mid-century Pittsburgh Jewish press could expect to see an advertisement different from all other advertisements: The Jewish Criterion, April 16, 1954, p. 18. Pittsburgh…