2009

Click on any underlined title to see more detailed information on each program, including videos approved for recording by speaker.  If you have trouble playing any video, please let us know at email: sqhillhist@shhsoc.org

December
“STEEL CITY JEWS” – A history of Pittsburgh and its Jewish Community 1840 – 1915
Speaker: Barbara S. Burstin, PhD., University of Pittsburgh, Department of History,Author and Sq.Hill Historical Society Member
Burstin has been teaching for over 20 years at the University of Pittsburgh and for many years also at Carnegie Mellon University. The courses she currently teaches are on the American Jewish Experience and the United States and the Holocaust.

November
A History of UPMC
Speaker: Author, Mary Brignano
What began in 1893 as Presbyterian Hospital is now a 29-county health system with 20 hospitals and hundreds of other care sites… UPMC is an integrated global health enterprise headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and one of the leading nonprofit health systems in the United States.

October
Squirrel Hill Memories — A Walking Tour in 1937 Down Forbes, Murray to Forward by Sandy Baskind
Speaker: SHHS Member, Sandy Baskind
Sandy Baskind lived in Squirrel Hill during his formative years, living on Hobart Street a few doors from Murray Avenue. Murray Avenue was his front yard. Down Murray on his way to school and up Murray he went to the Manor Theater.

September
Taking Flight: The Story of Giant Eagle
Speaker: Ben Banyas, Staff Member, “Giant Eagle History”
Founded in 1931, Giant Eagle, Inc. has grown to be the number one supermarket retailer in the region with 158 corporate and 65 independently owned and operated supermarkets in addition to more than 130 fuel and convenience stores throughout western Pennsylvania, Ohio, north central West Virginia and Maryland.

July
History of Tea and Tea Pots
Speaker: Margaret Harris, Owner of Margaret’s Fine Imports on Forbes Avenue in Squirrel Hill
“It is time for good coffee & tea!” Our mission is to offer a wide variety of high quality coffees and teas to you, our customers. The quality of your daily beverage will change the quality of your life! We’ve been in business for many years and we’d like to share our experience with you! We also specialize in imported chocolates and other gourmet products from around the world!

June
I Went to School in Squirrel Hill !!!
We will create an oral history for the Squirrel Hill Historical Society. There will be a brief history of old schools. Then a structured conversation about the schools the audience remembers.
Bring your memories, old photos, your high school sports “Letter”, your high school sweetheart, etc.

Walking Tour
Chatham University
Tour Guides: Dr.Elisabeth Roark, Associate Professor of Art and Art History and Paul Kovach, Vice President for College Communications.

May
History of Pittsburgh in Prints and Photography: 1800 to 1900
Speaker: Dr. Elisabeth Roark, Associate Professor of Art and Art History, Chatham University
This is the fourth presentation by Dr. Roark to our group. In March 2008 she spoke on “History of Chatham University” (with extensive architectural commentary.) Her interest in cemeteries led to a talk June 2005 on “The Evolution of Pittsburgh Cemeteries: Trinity, Allegheny & Homewood”. September 2004, she presented a fascinating talk on “”A Hidden Treasure: Tiffany’s Alumnae Memorial Window at Chatham College”. So we look forward to another wonderful evening experience.

April
Squirrel Hill Retailing: 1966 to Present
Speaker: Jim Reich, Former President of the Squirrel Hill Merchants Association
Born in Pittsburgh, Jim Graduated Allderdice, 1956. BA Franklin & Marshall College, 1960. MBA Harvard, 1962. Jim worked for Eagle Clothes, a men’s clothing manufacturer and retailer in New York, 1962-1966. Purchased Frank Men’s Wear in April, 1966. Original location was 5820 Forbes (Now Contemporary Concepts) from 1966 to 1976. Developed Constantin Pontiac building into Forbes/Shady Plaza, 1976. Operated men’s clothing store, called Reich/Frank Clothes, 1966 to 1994. Sold to Men’s Wearhouse in 1994. Active in Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition. President of Squirrel Hill Merchants Council for 15 years.

March
George Westinghouse– a Gentle Genius
Speaker: Quentin Skrabec, Associate Professor of Business at the University of Findlay
An experienced writer and biographer, Skrabec is a Pittsburgher with a strong background in the local stories and legends of the area. He has recently had published a trio of books about 19th Century Pittsburgh Industries. They are: “The Boys of Braddock”, “George Westinghouse, a Gentle Genius”, and “The Metallurgical Age. Steel, Electricity and Metallurgy are the subjects. And the heroes are Carnegie, Schwab, Frick, Hall, Hunt and Tesla.

February
Story of Historical Preservation in Pittsburgh
Speaker from the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation: Louise Sturgess, Executive Director
Louise Sturgess has worked successfully with school teachers and other non-profit organizations to create educational programs that use architecture as an interdisciplinary theme to awaken learning and make classroom curricula more relevant to the everyday life of students.

January
History of the Pittsburgh Fire Department
Speaker: Francis “Kip” Deleonibus, Asst. Chief of Operations, Pittsburgh Fire Bureau
Pittsburgh Fire Bureau dates it’s history back to 1794 and became a fully professional department in 1869.