Volume 20 | No. 1| Summer 2011 makingHISTORY Last Chance to See the First American ime is running out to see the Senator John Heinz chess set, china, furniture, and coins; THistory Center’s newest exhibition, Benjamin • A print shop setting including some of Franklin’s Franklin: In Search of a Better World, presented by 18th century printing equipment and the original History Center By The Numbers the Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation, MSA, and sign from the Blue Ball candle-making shop owned UPMC Health Plan. by Franklin’s father; This 8,000 square-foot exhibition, which closes on • A touchable electric generator in which visitors Sun., July 31, highlights Franklin’s astonishing achieve- can create static electricity to make their hair stand ments, which stemmed from his lifelong desire to un- up and sparks fly; and 7Legendary Pittsburghers honored at the derstand and improve the world around him. • A display highlighting pop culture references re- 19th Annual History Makers Award Dinner. “Visitors have been amazed at the breadth of Ben lated to Franklin, featuring everything from Frank- Story, page 3. Franklin’s accomplishments, ranging from his work es- lin advertising campaigns and pins to masks, and tablishing the nation’s first public hospital, first public even bobbleheads. lending library, and first fire insurance company, to his A special section of the exhibit is dedicated to Ben charting of the Gulf Stream and his invention of the Franklin’s ties to Western Pennsylvania. In 1755, bifocals,” said Andy Masich, History Center president Franklin obtained nearly 150 wagons from farmers Height in feet of the new garrison80 flag flying and CEO. “Throughout the exhibit, visitors will gain throughout Pennsylvania that were used during Gen- at the Fort Pitt Museum. new insights on many previously unknown aspects of eral Edward Braddock’s failed attempt to capture Fort Story, page 5. his amazing life.” Duquesne from the French. The incident was later More than 150 artifacts are on loan from nearly 50 referred to by Franklin in his autobiography as “the lenders, including the Smithsonian Institution, Frank- wagon affair.” lin Institute, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Library Included in this section of the exhibit are artifacts Company of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania, taken directly from Dunbar’s Camp as well as rem- and rarely seen objects from private family collections. nants from the wagons used in Braddock’s Expedi- Exhibit highlights from Benjamin Franklin: In tion, a Robert Griffing painting titled “The Wounding 3,723Visitors to the PA Civil War 150 Road Show weekend. Search of a Better World include: of General Braddock,” and a recreated 18th century • One of the first books Franklin printed, “Religion farmer’s wagon designed and built by students at Bur- Story, page 6. of Nature Delineated;” gettstown High School. The section also includes a • Franklin’s ledger book, which helped to establish pewter writing desk that belonged to Josiah Daven- the U.S. Post Office, on loan from the Smithsonian’s port, who was Franklin’s nephew and a local fur trader National Postal Museum; who worked at the Fort Pitt Provincial Store. • An original copy of the 1787 U.S. Constitution, “Franklin’s charming blend of curiosity, wit, and Pulitzer Prizes earned by David McCullough,2 which Franklin helped to craft, plus a signed copy wisdom helped him to become one of the first interna- who launched his newest book at the History Center. of Franklin’s Bible; tional celebrities,” said Masich. “More than 300 years Story, page 8. • Artifacts related to Franklin’s inventions, includ- after his birth, he remains one of the most remarkable ing bifocals, the Franklin stove, the armonica (glass and influential Americans of any generation.” musical instrument), and microscope, and items For more information, photo galleries, videos, and related to his activities in publishing, firefighting, a new virtual tour featuring Benjamin Franklin: In postal service, education, and diplomacy; Search of a Better World, please visit us online at • Rarely displayed personal objects such as books, a www.heinzhistorycenter.org/franklin. SPORTS page sports artifact SP tlight The Steel Curtain By: Anne Madarasz, Co-Director of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum eared by their opponents and revered in their hometown, the bidding pushed the purchase Fplayers who made up the Steel Curtain became legends during price to more than $50,000. the 1970s. Purchased by a member of Inspired by the play of the Steelers’ impenetrable defensive line the Steelers Nation, the ban- of Joe Greene, Ernie Holmes, Dwight White, and L.C. Green- ner will eventually hang in a wood, artist Greg Nixon created a banner which became an icon special spot in the collector’s in its own right. newly built home in New First appearing at Three Rivers Stadium, the banner - painted Jersey. on white sheets - was simple but strong, enduring the cold, rain, Until then, the Steel Cur- and snow for more than a decade at Three Rivers. It became a tain banner is back home in symbol of the Steelers Super Bowl teams of the 1970s and was featured in Pittsburgh, featured in the Charity Randall Theatre of the Western Pennsyl- gameday broadcasts, NFL Films, Sports Illustrated, and many other na- vania Sports Museum at the History Center. For a short time, visitors to the tional media outlets. Sports Museum can relive the glory days of the City of Champions and the Earlier this year, Nixon decided to sell the banner as part of the Super Steel Curtain defense that helped earn that identity. Bowl Auction in Dallas. Projected to bring more than $10,000, spirited Exercise Your Body and Mind with New SmartSteps Exhibit WPIAL Inducts Newest Hall of Fame Class The History Center and UPMC Health Plan have part- nered to encourage museum visitors to climb the stairs and blend health and history with the launch of SmartSteps, a new fun and fit exhibit which opened this summer. Visitors who forego the elevator and take the steps to explore the History Center’s six floors will be treated to a unique exhibit in the stairwells, featuring innovative facts and ar- As part of an ongoing partnership with the Western tifacts related to Pittsburgh history along with UPMC Health Plan health and wellness tips Pennsylvania Sports Museum, the Western Pennsylva- that will encourage them to lead a healthier lifestyle. nia Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) recently The History Center is proud to be the first museum in the nation with an exhibit in announced their 2011 Hall of Fame class during a press its stairwell, which coincides with other health and wellness options at the museum, such conference at the Sports Museum. A number of hon- as the Health & The Body section of the Sports Museum and healthier eating options at orees attended the event, including from left: Melanie MixStirs Café. Buddemeyer, Bob Miller, Joe Colella, Clinton Davis, Visitors who participate in the SmartSteps exhibit and take the stairs to all six levels of Tom Dolde, Pam Cherubin, and Mrs. Willie Thrower. the History Center will be rewarded with a complimentary collectible Heinz pickle pin. So Each WPIAL Hall of Fame inductee will be part of a keep stepping! permanent display inside the Kaiser Room of the Sports Museum. Save the Date! Senator John Heinz History Center Eighth Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament Celebrity Golf Tournament co-chairs Arnold Palmer, Steve Blass, Jerry MacCleary, Carol Semple Thompson, and Mike Wagner Sept. 12, 2011 Sponsored by: Vince Sands and Don Heberle, event co-chairs For more information, please contact Natalie Taylor at At The Historic Allegheny Country Club 412-454-6325 or [email protected]. 2 | The Newsletter of the Senator John Heinz History Center History Makers Award Dinner Honors Legendary Pittsburghers he History Center recently celebrated the 19th Annual History Makers Award TDinner at the Westin Convention Center Hotel. Co-chaired by Robert P. Kelly, Chairman and CEO of BNY Mellon, and Ralph J. Papa, Chairman of Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, the dinner raised a record $350,000 for the History Center’s educational programs, exhibitions, and services. The History Center recognized Herbert W. Boyer, Ph.D., co-founder Genentech, Inc. (Science & Research); Swin Cash, WNBA All-Star and Olympic Gold Medal- ist (Sports); J. Brett Harvey, President & CEO of CONSOL Energy, Inc. (Business & Industry); brothers Judge Justin M. Johnson and Judge Livingstone M. Johnson Judges Justin Johnson and (Government); Michael Keaton, Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actor (Enter- Franco Harris and Swin Cash Livingstone Johnson tainment); and Gerald E. McGinnis, founder Respironics (Innovation). Michael Keaton and dinner co-chair Robert P. Kelly Governor Tom Corbett, Livingstone Johnson, Brett Harvey, Sandy Mellon, William Johnson, Chairman, President & CEO of Jerry McGinnis, Swin Cash, Justin Johnson, Michael Keaton, Herb Boyer, H.J. Heinz Company and Susie Johnson and Ralph Papa Dinner co-chairs Ralph Papa and Robert P. Kelly Jane and Bob Krizner with Governor Tom Corbett Smithsonian Undersecretary for History, Art, and Culture, Richard Kurin presents History Center President & CEO Andy Masich with an award recognizing the History Center as the best Smithsonian Affiliate 1879 Society Dinner Attendees Preview Ben Franklin Exhibition ore than 120 guests joined the History Center for the annual M1879 Society Dinner, which celebrates the generosity of Chairman’s Circle and Founder’s Circle members. History Center President & CEO Andy Masich shared stories of Benjamin Franklin’s connection to Western Pa. as he led guests through an exclusive tour of the Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World exhibition. The event, graciously hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Barensfeld, Clockwise from top left: “Ben Franklin” plays Mr. and Mrs. David Barensfeld, and the Compton Family, also paid the glass armonica for 1879 Society Dinner tribute to the late Grace Compton for her dedicated service and sup- attendees; History Center President & CEO port of the 1879 Society and the History Center.