Cosponsored by the Mifflin Township Historical Society, this monthly event at the Barnes & Noble at The Waterfront in Homestead spotlights local authors as they discuss their books on history-related topics. Check back regularly for the scheduled evenings and speakers.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Former Pirate Pitcher and Current Announcer Steve Blass declared, “And don’t be fooled. Don’t ever be fooled by anyone that might tell you that Pittsburgh is not a great baseball city. It is one of the best baseball cities in the United States of America.”
— Forbes Field Dedication Ceremony
This book celebrates the five MLB All-Star Games in Pittsburgh as well as all the Pittsburgh Pirates All-Stars. Naturally, this edition includes big sections on the recent 2006 All-Star Game and surrounding events: the Forbes Field Dedication, FanFest, The History Center, Futures/Celebrity Softball Game, Workout/Homerun Derby and the 77th All-Star Game. It includes statistics and trivia as well. On top of that, the author included a section about All-Star wisdom from several All-Stars.
This book stands as Greg Spalding’s ninth book in his City of Champions collection. He has highlighted many of the special moments in Pirate and Steeler history. Greg Spalding's vision to create City of Champions Publishing Company grew out of his love for the Pirate and Steeler teams of the ’70s and the positive aspects that those squads and players produced over the course of their careers that continue to this day. Consequently, the mission statement of City of Champions Publishing stands as celebrating the exploits of the teams and players of the Pirates and Steelers while also inspiring readers to be champions on and off the field. In other words, just as many Pirates and Steelers of those teams became champions on and off the field, we hope that our readers will follow their example. He serves as a freelance sports writer, a Spanish teacher and as a bilingual representative at a pharmaceutical company.
Join Greg Wednesday, April 16, at the Barnes & Noble at The Waterfront.
[Click on the image of the cover above to order this title from Barnes & Noble online.]
Past “What’s Your History?” Presenters
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
The Lincoln Highway predates Route 66 by a dozen years, runs a third longer than that famed highway, and crosses the country from Atlantic to Pacific. Now the story of the first coast-to-coast route is told in this grand, eclectic history of the road.
Traversing 14 states from Times Square in New York to Lincoln Park in California, Butko follows the highway in both space and time, mingling excerpts from the memoirs of cross-country travelers in the early days of the road with perspectives from today’s voyagers and his own astute observations.
Along the way the story of the highway unfolds, from the spark of an idea in the mind of Prest-O-Lite headlight manufacturing giant Carl Fisher to the formation of an association in 1913 for getting the arduous task of road building afoot, including the resulting disputes over which cities and states the route would pass through. Stories of early adventurers – men and women who traveled the Lincoln in the 1910s and ’20s – reveal what early motoring was really like: the good, the bad, and the muddy.
In each state you'll visit historic buildings, bridges, taverns, diners, neon movie palaces, Art Deco gas stations, ice cream stands, tourist cabins, and colorful roadside attractions. You’ll also meet people from all walks of life, from every era, who have been on the road as travelers, workers, planners, commuters, vacationers, and just plain Sunday drivers enjoying the scenery. Not merely a geographical link, the Lincoln Highway connects us to the past and that part of ourselves that is always seeking the quest.
This is the trip you've been waiting for.
[Click on the image of the cover above to order this title from Barnes & Noble online.]
Wednseday, February 20, 2008
Pittsburgh has a rich and diverse theatrical tradition, from early frontier performances by officers stationed at Fort Pitt through experimental theater at the end of the twentieth century. Pittsburgh in Stages offers the first comprehensive history of theater in Pittsburgh, placing it within the context of cultural development in the city and the history of theater nationally.
By the time the first permanent theater was built in 1812, Pittsburgh had already established itself as a serious patron of the theatrical arts. The city soon hosted New York and London-based traveling companies, and gained a national reputation as a proving ground for touring productions. By the early twentieth century, numerous theaters hosted 'popular-priced' productions of vaudeville and burlesque, and theater was brought to the masses. Soon after, Pittsburgh witnessed the emergence of myriad community-based theater groups and the formation of the Federation of Non-Commercial Theatres and the New Theater League, guilds designed to share resources among community producers. The rise of local theater was also instrumental to the growth of African American theatrical groups. Though victims of segregation, their art flourished, and was only later recognized and blended into Pittsburgh's theatrical melting pot.
Pittsburgh in Stages relates the significant influence and interpretation of urban socioeconomic trends in the theatrical arts and the role of the theater as an agent of social change. Dividing Pittsburgh's theatrical history into distinct eras, Lynne Conner details the defining movements of each and analyzes how public tastes evolved over time. She offers a fascinating study of regional theatrical development and underscores the substantial contribution of regional theater in the history of American theatrical arts.
Lynne Conner is associate professor of theater arts at the University of Pittsburgh. She is the author of Spreading the Gospel of Modern Dance: Newspaper Dance Criticism in the United States, 1850-1935 and coauthor of In the Garden of Live Flowers. Her arts commentary and performance reviews have appeared in a wide variety of journals, newspapers, documentaries, and radio broadcasts.
[Click on the image of the cover above to order this title from Barnes & Noble online.]
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Dave Crawley joined KDKA in April of 1988 where he reports on the interesting stories of “KD Country.”
Throughout his career, Dave has visited many towns and has enjoyed learning about community activities and interests. He has taped more than 3,000 stories. Dave also wrote and produced a highly acclaimed documentary, “Celebrating 50 Years in Our Hometowns.”
Numerous awards have been given to Dave throughout his career. He has won nine Emmy awards, including “Outstanding Feature Reporter” in the Mid-Atlantic states. Dave also won the Matrix “Printer's Devil” award as the Western Pennsylvania journalist who best exemplified humor in 1992.
Known for his rhyming stories on KDKA-TV, Dave has branched out into children’s literature. His most recent collection, Dog Poems, pays tribute to our devoted companions. Dave's first book, the critically-acclaimed Cat Poems honors our feline friends.
Dave also has numerous poems in seven anthologies: Rolling in the Aisles, If Kids Ruled the School, Miles of Smiles, I Invited a Dragon to Dinner, Peter Peter Pizza Eater, My Teacher’s In Detention and Lady Bug, Lady Bug.
In addition, he has published dozens of poems in 13 national children’s magazines, including “Ranger Rick,” “Cricket,” and “Jack and Jill.”
Join Dave Wednesday, Nov. 21, at the Barnes & Noble at The Waterfront.
[Click on the image of the cover above to order this title from Barnes & Noble online.]
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
“Sports Memories of Western Pennsylvania”
Since the late 1800s, sports have played a key role in shaping the very character of western Pennsylvania. The area’s largest city, Pittsburgh, boasts well-known professional sports teams in baseball, football, and hockey. In fact, no other city of comparable size has had such success in sports at the professional level, earning bragging rights and the nickname “City of Champions.” Sports Memories of Western Pennsylvania is a salute to the athletes, coaches, announcers, and fans, both professional and amateur, who together created a rich sports history for western Pennsylvania.
Pittsburgh native Lisa A. Alzo, a MTHS sponsor and member, is a freelance writer, instructor, and lecturer, is a published author of several books, including Pittsburgh’s Immigrants and Slovak Pittsburgh, and numerous magazine articles. Alby Oxenreiter, also a Pittsburgh native, is the anchor for WPXI channel 11 sports in Pittsburgh. In his career, Oxenreiter has earned three Golden Quill Awards from the Pittsburgh Press Club, numerous awards from the Associated Press, and a Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement/Sports Reporting.
[Click on the image of the cover above to order this title from Barnes & Noble online.]
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Hit the open road for fun and wackiness as the Butkos visit off-beat attractions from coast to coast — dinosaur parks, miniature golf courses, populuxe motels, vintage amusement arcades, classic diners illuminated in neon, and even the world’s largest ball of twine. More than fifty fellow authors and artists offer stories about their favorite attractions or recall memorable trips. Visitor information is included to help plan quick visits or an entire road trip.
Brian and Sarah Butko are the authors of Roadside Giants and live in Pittsburgh, where Brian is editor of Western Pennsylvania History and Sarah is a U.S. Postal Service employee. Brian is also the author of Greetings from the Lincoln Highway, Diners of Pennsylvania, and Klondikes, Chipped Ham, and Skyscraper Cones: The Story of Isaly’s.
[Click on the image of the cover above to order this title from Barnes & Noble online.]
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Few American cities reflect the challenges and promise of a twenty-first-century economy better than Pittsburgh and its surrounding region. Once a titan of the industrial age, Pittsburgh flourished from the benefits of its waterways, central location, and natural resources-bituminous coal to fire steel furnaces; salt and sand for glass making; gas, oil, and just enough ore to spark an early iron industry. Today, like many cities located in the manufacturing triangle that stretches from Boston to Duluth to St. Louis, Pittsburgh has made the transition to a service-based economy.
Pittsburgh and the Appalachians presents a collection of eighteen essays that explore the advantages and disadvantages that Pittsburgh and its surrounding region face in the new global economy, from the perspectives of technology, natural resources, workforce, and geography. It offers an extensive examination of the processes and factors that have transformed much of industrial America during the past half-century, and shows how other cities can learn from the steps Pittsburgh has taken through redevelopment, green space acquisition, air and water quality improvement, cultural revival, and public-private partnerships to create a more livable, economically viable region for future populations.
[Click on the image of the cover above to order this title from Barnes & Noble online.]
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Formally established in 1843, the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh traces its history back to April 1754, when the first Eucharistic Liturgy was celebrated within what is now Pittsburgh. Franciscan friar Denys Baron established the first Catholic house of worship in this part of the world and dedicated it in honor of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He constructed his small parish at the forks of the Ohio River, and from his meticulous records of baptisms, births, and deaths, there is evidence that he ministered not only to the soldiers of Fort Duquesne, but to people of Native American, Irish, and English descent as well. Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh illustrates how the seeds planted by this first humble faith community grew a rich Catholic tradition nurtured by émigrés from myriad European countries, who brought with them traditions and an unwavering faith that has enriched the southwestern area of Pennsylvania for more than 250 years.
Mary Ann Knochel, board member of the Mifflin Township Historical Society, assembled this book as a result of researching her own family’s Catholic heritage. Partnering with the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh Archives and Records Center, Knochel presents a collection of images that reflect the ethnic diversity, traditions, and faith of the local Catholic community.
If you’d like to order a copy of the book, visit the MTHS Marketplace.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Ms. Louise Sturgess, Executive Director of the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation, is a native Pittsburger, who has worked at the Foundation since 1981. She has edited and assisted with publishing over 20 books.
Ms. Sturgess, having worked closely with Mr. Kidney, will bring great insight into his publications. Additionally, Ms. Sturgess oversees the Educational Programs of the Foundation. These number over 200 special programs geared with educating both students and teachers about the history of our region. The Foundation, itself, serves over 12,000 people through this program and a variety of others.
Several of Kidney’s books, including “Pittsburgh Then and Now,” will be available at the event. As part of the popular Then and Now Series, Pittsburgh is celebrated with archival photographs shown alongside specially commissioned contemporary images of the same scene. We find that the evolution of Pittsburgh over the last century has produced a compact urban landscape of older buildings blended with more recent architectural development. Downtown, the office blocks are still punctuated by traces of Pittsburgh's industrial heritage-the so-called “sliver” warehouses-mingling with the conveniences of modern city life. Over 100 photographs are featured in this amazing view of a fascinating city.
[Click on the image of the cover above to order this title from Barnes & Noble online.]
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Do you know which internationally acclaimed jazz pianist, born in Duquesne in 1905, created a revolutionary right-handed technique for improvising melodies on the piano? The answer a little later ...
Dane Topich born, raised and still living on Pittsburgh's South Side, worked at KDKA-TV and Radio for over 17 years as editorial director and public affairs manager; before that, he worked on numerous political campaigns, was the speaker at the April “What’s Your History?” event. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in political science, he can still be seen hanging out on Carson Street.
His book, “Ultimate Pittsburgh Trivia,” will appeal to Pittsburghers far and near, trivia junkies, researchers/fact-checkers, and any Pittsburgher looking for bragging ammunition, ’anat. And this book is certainly for you if you are looking for answers to such questions as:
Who. . . ?
- Pitched a no-hitter while on LSD?
- Was Pittsburgh’s first mayor?
- Was Pittsburgh’s astronaut-politician?
- Said: I can’t wait until tomorrow... ’cause I get better looking everyday?
And the answer to the opening question? It was Earl ‘Fatha’ Hines.
[Click on the image of the cover above to order this title from Barnes & Noble online.]
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
 |
A vintage photo of “The Racer”
from
David Hahner’s book
“Images of America: Kennywood.” |
For more than a century, Kennywood has been the Pittsburgh area’s playground. Founded in 1898 at the terminus of the Monongahela Street Railway trolley line, the park quickly grew into a favorite summertime destination. Kennywood is unique in that it is one of the country’s few successful trolley parks.
In 1987, Kennywood was designated a National Historic Landmark and is known today as America’s Finest Traditional Amusement Park. Many unique rides and attractions have distinguished Kennywood over the years. Some old favorites, such as the Rockets, Laff in the Dark, Ghost Ship, and Skooters, are long gone. Others, such as the Old Mill, Noah’s Ark, Auto Race, Turtle, Whip, and Grand Carousel, still entertain guests today. Kennywood is perhaps best known for its impressive collection of roller coasters, from earlier coasters such as the Figure Eight, Speed-O-Plane, and Pippin to the Racer, Jack Rabbit, Thunderbolt, and Phantom’s Revenge coasters that still thrill riders today.
David Hahner was the speaker at the March 21, 2007 “What’s Your History?” event at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore at The Waterfront in Homestead. He gave a comprehensive presentation that started with the park’s first roller coaster called the Figure Eight Toboggan (later renamed to Gee Whiz Dip the Dips) which opened in 1902 and continued to the present with the park’s latest addition, The Phantom's Revenge, which opened in 2001. It featured many lost coasters over the course of the park’s history such as the Steeplechase, Speed-O-Plane, original Racer, Pippin, Teddy Bear, Little Dipper, Laser Loop, and Steel Phantom. It also included historical photos of the park’s current older coasters — Jack Rabbit, Racer, and Thunderbolt.
David, an avid amusement park and roller coaster enthusiast, has been a lifelong fan of Kennywood. He grew up within two miles of the park and worked summers there while studying at the University of Pittsburgh. He has been an active member of the American Coaster Enthusiasts since 1980 and is a member of the National Amusement Park Historical Association and the Darkride and Funhouse Enthusiasts. There will be copies of his newest book, “Images of America: Kennywood,” available at the meeting.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
On Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2006, the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center opened the most comprehensive exhibition to ever explore the issues of the Vietnam War from an African American perspective.
“Soul Soldiers: African Americans and the Vietnam Era,” which will be featured at the History Center through Oct. 2007, tells the story of the impact of the Vietnam War on African American life and culture by examining both Vietnam and the Civil Rights Movement.
Soul Soldiers explores a number of key topics, including the impact of the war on civil rights and Black Power, both in the U.S. and abroad; the effects of the draft on African American life; the important role women played in the Vietnam War and the impact of veteran’s organizations after the war.
“African Americans have fought in every war in America’s history, from the British, French and Indian War to the current conflict in the Middle East,” said Samuel W. Black, curator of the History Center’s African American Collection. “Research helps to reveal the soldiers and others who served during those campaigns, but very little discussion has centered on the cultural impact of the Vietnam War on African American life.”
In addition to the exhibition, the History Center has published an accompanying book titled “Soul Soldiers,”edited by Mr. Black. This 240-page volume includes historic narratives, essays, poetry, art and photographs that further discuss issues of race, gender, activism, and the perspective of the war by veterans. Mr. Black was the featured speaker at the Barnes & Noble at The Waterfront Wednesday, February 21 for the Mifflin Township Historical Society’s “What’s Your History?” event.
[Click on the image of the cover above to order this title from Barnes & Noble online.]
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Society members, board
members and the general public all gathered Wednesday,
January 17th
at 7 p.m. at
the Waterfront
Barnes & Noble to preview MTHS sponsor and member Lisa Alzo’s latest book from Arcadia Publishing at the “What’s
Your History?” event that
evening.
No other city in the United States is home to more Slovaks than Pittsburgh. It is estimated that close to 100,000 Slovak immigrants came to the area in the 1890s looking for work and the chance for a better life. The hills and valleys of this new land reminded newcomers of the farms, forests, and mountains they left behind. They lived in neighborhoods close to their work, forming numerous cluster communities in such places as Braddock, Duquesne, Homestead, Munhall, the North Side, Rankin, and Swissvale.Once settled, Slovak immigrants founded their own churches, schools, fraternal benefit societies, and social clubs. Many of these organizations still enjoy an active presence in Pittsburgh today, serving to pass on the customs and traditions of the Slovak people.
Through nearly 200 photographs, “Slovak Pittsburgh” celebrates the lives of those Slovaks who settled in Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania, and the rich heritage that is their legacy.
To order copies of this and other society-authored books, visit the MTHS Marketplace bookstore.
Wednesday, November 16, 2006
 |
David Newell was the speaker at the November 2006 “What's Your History?” event. |
With a background in English and theater, David Newell began working with Fred Rogers in 1967 to create the role of Mr. McFeely, the “speedy delivery” man on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. For four decades, Mr. Newell has delivered educational programs and adventures to children who tuned in to the program.
As Mr. McFeely, Mr. Newell makes personal appearances across the country and around the world. From the beginning, he has also been the company’s Director of Public Relations, with primary responsibility for project promotion, media relations, and communicating with PBS stations. The father of three grown children, he’s a member of the Boards of Directors of several nonprofit organizations.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
 |
Pittsburgh media pioneer Eleanor
Schano appeared at the October “What’s Your
History?” night at the Waterfront Barnes & Noble
to discuss her new book. |
Eleanor Schano was the speaker for the Wednesday, October 18th “What’s Your History?” event at the Waterfront Barnes & Noble.
Long before the Katie Courics and Diane Sawyers of the world ... when television was new and stereotypes about gender roles were old ... one woman dared to take on the media's male hierarchy and carve out the career of her dreams ... that woman was Eleanor Schano.
Broadcast pioneer, lecturer, and activist Eleanor Schano has penned a fascinating book full of history — personal history as well as television history. In Riding the [Air]Waves: Five Decades in the Public Eye ... And Counting, Ms. Schano recounts her path appearing on television 52 weeks a year for the past 52 years. It offers glimpses of history, celebrity encounters, hilarious anecdotes, personal philosophies, and captivating photographs, representing over half-a-century lived in the public eye.
Ms. Schano claims many “firsts” in television — including being the first female commercial announcer, first TV weathergirl, first general assignment female news reporter in Pennsylvania, and one of the first women in America to ever to become the solo anchor of a major market prime-time TV news show. Her pioneering role is now a model for women working in more than 2,000 local television stations in the 500+ markets across the United States.
It also is a story that will resonate with every woman who ever struggled to balance work with the demands of everyday life, because Ms. Schano’s on-camera roles frequently intersected with other roles in her life — as wife, widow, single mother, a woman who grieved for a lost child and caretaker for aging parents.
Confronting gender bias long before the Women’s Movement was a popular topic, and negative stereotypes about aging that continue to prevail in our youth-obsessed society, Riding the [Air]Waves: Five Decades in the Public Eye ... And Counting is a testament to perseverance and determination, earning Ms. Schano the reputation as a true ”icon” in the broadcast industry, and an inspiration to anyone who has ever wondered if it’s possible to “have it all.”
Eleanor Schano continues to appear regularly as the host of LifeQuest, a TV magazine/talk program offering health, financial and lifestyle news for senior adults. LifeQuest (formerly titled AgeWise) is now in its 16th season airing on WQED/WQEX TV. She is a strong advocate for health and fitness issues; a role model for senior adults managing the demands of aging; and a public speaker in high demand. She currently lives in the Pittsburgh area with husband Jack, and their blended family of six children and sixteen grandchildren.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
MTHS President Dan Burns and Sponsor and longtime member Lisa Alzo appeared at the Barnes & Noble at The Waterfront for the Wednesday, September 20, “What’s Your History?” event. Dan and Lisa spoke about their latest books, highlighted below.
“Pittsburgh’s
Immigrants,” a new
book by MTHS Member and Sponsor Lisa
Alzo, documents how, since the
the mid-1700s, Pittsburgh has welcomed
generations of immigrants.
This region in southwestern Pennsylvania was once a magnet for European immigrants who carved out livings in steel, iron, glass, and other factories along its famous three rivers. Those immigrants built the city’s ethnic neighborhoods: the Irish North Side, the Polish South Side, the Italian Bloomfield, as well as other immigrant enclaves in smaller cities and towns in the surrounding areas. The diversity of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods symbolizes a city truly rich in history and culture. Many notable Pittsburghers in business, the arts and entertainment, and sports were either immigrants themselves or children of immigrants. Pittsburgh’s Immigrants pays tribute to the hardworking men and women who made significant contributions to the growth and development of western Pennsylvania and left a legacy of rich and vibrant ethnic culture that endures to the present day.
In “Pittsburgh’s
Rivers,” the latest book by MTHS
President Dan Burns, we get a glimpse
of how, for centuries, the land at the forks of the
Ohio River was known to the Native Americans of western
Pennsylvania, but it was not until 1753 that a British
officer named George Washington surveyed the area for
Gov. Robert Dinwiddie of Virginia. He described the
land as well timbered and convenient for building, and
with that, the first community at the site of modern-day
Pittsburgh was established.
Over the next two and a half centuries, Pittsburgh changed from a small settlement in the Pennsylvania wilderness to a city that has flourished because of, and continues to be identified by, its surrounding rivers. The Allegheny, the Ohio, and the Monongahela Rivers have played an inimitable role in the industrial growth of America as they have provided for the movement of coal, lumber, and steel to the Pittsburgh region and beyond. Pittsburgh’s Rivers highlights the immeasurable contributions these three rivers have made to the area both economically and socially.
For both books, Dan and Lisa partnered with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
To order copies of these and other society-authored books, visit the MTHS Marketplace bookstore.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
 |
Renowned Pittsburgh filmmaker Rick
Sebak appeared at the Barnes
& Noble Waterfront for the Society’s
“What’s Your History?” event August
16 at 7 p.m. |
His slightly wacky documentaries celebrate various aspects of modern American life and the unexpected charms of Pittsburgh. Audiences have learned to recognize his friendly narrative style and the unusual topics that he obviously loves.
Rick has also done an hour about hot dogs and hot dog shops across the United States. Another hour on flea markets. Ninety minutes about Pittsburgh’s great commercial neighborhood called the Strip. You can catch can his “Sandwiches That You Will Like” on public television or on DVD. He's put together programs about pre-Disney amusement parks, really good ice cream places, “Stuff That's Gone” in western Pennsylvania, and, in a special called “Shore Things,” he documented some of the non-environmental reasons why people like to go to the beach.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Nature lovers will appreciate the lush, green photographs in “Pennsylvania Wilds: Images from the Allegheny National Forest,” released by Forest Press in March. The book and Forest Companion CD explore a new concept called geotourism: tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place–its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents. Join photographer Ed Bernik, writer Lisa Gensheimer and book designer Bev Verbeke who will talk about their 18-month journey through the forest’s past and present.
Book Description:
Hidden under a massive canopy of trees is a wealth of nature, history and culture waiting to be explored. The Allegheny National Forest, part of the largest block of land between New York and Chicago, is an adventure seeker's paradise, yet few people even know it exists. Now you can enter the mysterious world of the Allegheny National Forest through the lens of award-winning photographer Ed Bernik.
Page after photo-filled page draws you inside one of the last wild places in the East. Writer Lisa Gensheimer introduces little-known legends, new archaeological discoveries and unforgettable people as you journey deep into a forest teeming with life. Tucked inside this Collector's Edition hardcover is a Forest Companion CD that includes a map, travel guide, screensaver and more than 50 reasons to come visit.
[Click on the image of the cover above to order this title from Barnes & Noble online.]
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Daniel J. Burns is a Sergeant with the Duquesne Police Department and serves as the President of the Mifflin Township Historical Society. He will discuss his upcoming book “Bedford And Its Neighbors” at the April “What’s Your History?” event at the Barnes & Noble at The Waterfront in Homestead. Copies of this and other books available through the Society can be purchased by visiting the Marketplace.
Book Description:
Bedford can trace its roots as far back as 5800 BC, as evidence of early Native American civilizations has been found. Once described as a “prehistoric turnpike,” Bedford was known for Native American migrations. Many tribes passed through and even settled in the area, including the Monongahela tribe who lived here in AD 1300. Bedford continued to play an important role in not only Pennsylvania but also American history during the 18th century.
The area saw the movement of troops and the construction of Fort Bedford, which played an integral role in the French and Indian War. Also in town is the building that served as a temporary command post for George Washington during the Whiskey Rebellion. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the Bedford Springs Hotel was known as the summer White House and played host to countless world dignitaries and many U.S. presidents. With more than 200 photographs, “Bedford and Its Neighbors” extols the historical relevance of this proud Pennsylvania community.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
David Dixon is a professor of history at Slippery Rock University in and author of “Hero of Beecher Island: The Life and Military Career of George A. Forsyth” which won a Spur Award from the Western Writers of America for Best Biography.
Mr. Dixon was the speaker at the March “What’s Your History?” event where he discussed his book “Bushy Run Battlefield: