Local History Day is an exciting event that celebrates the rich history and culture of the Pittsburgh region and beyond. The event brings together libraries, archives, historical societies, and community groups from the area to share their resources and knowledge with attendees. This year’s theme focuses on the connections between the past and present, and how our community’s shared experiences and stories shape our understanding of history.

Throughout the day, attendees can view historical and community resources, take part in historical tours, listen to engaging speakers, and participate in community archival activities. These activities offer a unique opportunity to learn more about the region’s history and connect with others who share an interest in local history. The event will highlight the dynamic communities in the Pittsburgh region and the resources available to explore their stories and histories. Whether you are a history buff or simply interested in learning more about the area, Local History Day offers something for everyone.

Schedule

• 12:00-1:00pm – Opening Speaker, Ed Simon, author of An Alternative History of Pittsburgh (ASL Interpreter will be present)
  • Ed Simon will talk about the various resources he used in writing An Alternative History of Pittsburgh in his talk “Steel City History by the Girder,” an appreciation of the writers and scholars who have been invaluable in recording and interpreting the complicated history of Pittsburgh. Ed Simon is the editor of Belt Magazine and a widely published author whose work has appeared in publications including The Atlantic, The Paris Review Daily, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, among dozens of others. Author of An Alternative History of Pittsburgh, his most recent books are Elysium: An Illustrate History of Angelology and Heaven, Hell and Paradise Lost.
• 1:00-4:00pm – Main Event held on Second Floor and Third Floor – Walk around and view historical and community resources
• 1:00pm – Historical Tour (Sign-up at the Welcome Table on the Second Floor, tours start on the First Floor in front of the Director’s Office, near the restrooms.)
• 1:15-1:45pm – University of Pittsburgh will demo HistoricPittsburgh.org in the Third Floor Conference Room.
  • Join us for a demonstration of HistoricPittsburgh.org in the Third Floor Conference Room. Historic Pittsburgh is an online resource comprised of primary and secondary sources documenting the greater Pittsburgh region. With contributions from universities, museums, historical societies, libraries, and non-profits in Western Pennsylvania, the site hosts digitized content such as publications, maps, manuscripts, photographs, audio-visual materials, and more to support personal and scholarly research.
• 2:00-3:00pm – Panel on building a community archive in South Wing Reading Room. (ASL Interpreter will be present)
• 3:00pm – Historical Tour

Exhibitors

• SisTers PGH
• In Sisterhood: The Women’s Movement in Pittsburgh
• Lawrenceville Historical Society
• W. PA Disability History and Action Consortium
• African American Historical & Genealogical Society of Pittsburgh
• Heinz History Center Detre Library & Archives
• Steel City Chapter of the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society
• University of Pittsburgh and Historic Pittsburgh
• Beechview Historical Society
• Pittsburgh City Archives
• Murals of Maxo Vanka
• Squirrel Hill Historical Society
• National Opera House
• McCandless and Northern Allegheny Heritage and Cultural Center
• Rivers of Steel
• Mars Area History and Landmarks Society
• Western PA Genealogical Society
• CLP Departments
  • Local History, Archives, Rare Books and Special Collections
  • Recollection Studio
  • Music Special Collections
  • Conservation, Preservation, and Accessibility
  • CivicCLP
  • Development

Activities

• Historical Tours of CLP-Main are scheduled for 1:00 and 3:00pm. You can sign up for tours at the Welcome Table in the Second Floor Hallway. Tours will begin on the First Floor by the Director’s Office near the restrooms.
• Community Photograph Board, Second Floor Hallway
  • To celebrate and share our neighborhood and community stories we invite you to bring a photograph that defines your sense of place. Share a photo that shows us what “home” means to you.
  • If you would like to have your photograph added to the CLP Archives as part of a community archive effort, please bring a copy and not an original photograph. We will have a donor agreement for you to sign. We’d love to know what neighborhood/community your photo comes from, names of people in the photo, and a date, be sure to share that information with us.

Be sure to check out the amazing book displays on the First Floor in New & Featured, Children’s and Teens!