Our programs have moved
Please join us in person/LIVE at the Jewish Community Center of Pittsburgh (JCC), 5738 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217 or via Zoom on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. We ask that you do not attend our live programs if you are not vaccinated. Masks are optional.
If you cannot attend our live programs, we offer a hybrid Zoom version. SHHS members will be sent a link to the Zoom program no later than the weekend before the program. If you are not a SHHS and would like the link to the program, please contact the SHHS at sqhillhist@shhsoc.org.
NOTE for Zoom participants: Our programs are recorded and archived on our website using YouTube, so please turn off your video if you do not want to appear on the recording. YouTube guidelines do not permit sending pictures of people to others without their permission.
If you have any suggestions or ideas for future speakers or topics to put on our agenda, please email us at sqhillhist@shhsoc.org.
2026 SHHS Programs and Events
Wednesday, April 22, and Saturday, April 25, 3–5 p.m.: Free
Neill Log House Pre-Season Tours
The Pittsburgh Park Rangers and Friends of Neill Log House (FONLH) will present free Neill Log House tours the
week of the NFL Draft. Docents will be on hand to lead the tours. Anyone can attend. Regular visitation hours begin in May. Go to pittsburghpa.gov/Recreation-Events/Park-Facilities/The-Neill-Log-House for more information.
Friday, April 24th, 6-8 p.m.
Opening Reception, Bost Building: “Paintable Pittsburgh: The Art of Henry Koerner”
Exploring the art of Henry Koerner, one of Pittsburgh’s most original and prolific portraitists, this exhibition curated by
Koerner researcher Caroline Boyce honors the artist’s passion for his adoptive home. Featuring works in a range of media, from oil paintings, watercolors, and pen drawings to posters and book jackets, the exhibition highlights this Vienna-born American painter’s restless engagement with our city from his arrival in 1953 until his death in 1991. The exhibition runs from April 24 to July 31.
Tuesday, May 12th
“The Swisshelm Park Solar Array”
Lilly Freedman, Senior Manager of Development Projects at Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh will describe the purpose and progress of the Swisshelm Park solar array planned for the brownfield above Nine Mile Run.
Tuesday, June 9th
“Squirrel Hill’s Fourth of July Celebrations Through the Years”
Helen Wilson, SHHS Vice President, will talk about Squirrel Hill’s extravagant Fourth of July celebrations, mainly held in Schenley Park in its early years.
Tuesday, July 14th
“The Histories of Congregation Rodef Shalom & Temple Sinai”
Eric S. Lidji, Director of the Rauh Jewish History Program & Archives at the Senator John Heinz History Center, will discuss the histories of Congregation Rodef Shalom and Temple Sinai.
August: No program. Enjoy your summer vacation!
Tuesday, September 8th
“Beyond Rust—Pittsburgh Brownfields and Renewal”
Professional geologist Rick Wice works as a consultant for the characterization and cleanup of hazardous waste, former industrial sites, and military bases. He is an instructor at Carnegie Mellon University, where he teaches a graduate level course, Remediation Engineering. Rick is on the Board of Directors of the Pittsburgh Geological Society, where he is the outreach chair. He lives in Sq. Hill, rides his bike along our Three River Trails, kayaks in the local rivers, and is excited to have joined SHHS. In this presentation the concept of brownfields (reused industrial sites) will be introduced and why their clean up and reuse is important to our economic, social, and environmental well being. Examples of local sites in and around Sq. Hill that went from rust to reuse will be presented, along with some of the ways we clean up sites.
Tuesday, October 13th
“Superstitions and Occult Practices of 18th-Century Irish Presbyterians in the Ohio Valley”
Peter Gilmore, Historian, Author & Lecturer at Carlow University, Carnegie Mellon University, and University of Pittsburgh, will discuss the superstitions and occult beliefs held by Irish Presbyterians in the Ohio Valley.
Tuesday, November 10th
“The History & Mission of the Arnold Palmer Learning Center”
Eric Amato, President & CEO, First Tee of Pittsburgh, will talk about the history and purpose of First Tee of Pittsburgh and the state-of-the-art clubhouse at the Bob O’Connor Golf Course at Schenley Park.
Tuesday, December 8th
“Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum: What’s There, What It Represents, and Why It Matters”
Curator Michael Kraus will give a presentation about this unique military memorial dedicated to honoring the men and
women of all branches of service that has over 9,100 artifacts covering more than 153 years of American history.