History Making
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Volume 22 • No. 1 • spriNg 2013 MAKING HISTORY The Newsletter of the senator John Heinz History Center in Association with the smithsonian institution Totally Groovy! Visitors Flock to 1968 Exhibition The year 1968 represented a watershed in American history, a turning point for the nation and its people. From assassinations and conflicts, pop culture and free love, civil rights and women’s rights, the convergence of events in 1968 sent shockwaves across the country, including right here in Western Pa. Sports Artifact Spotlight: Time is running out for visitors to examine • Janis Joplin’s bellbottoms and The Pittsburgh Pipers this pivotal year as part of the Senator John feather boa, and other items Page 2 Heinz History Center’s new exhibition, from counterculture icons. 1968: The Year That Rocked America, • Interactive stations where presented by UPMC Health Plan. The visitors can cast their vote in the 8,000 square foot traveling exhibition from 1968 presidential election, test their 21st Annual History Makers the Minnesota History Center closes on knowledge of ’60s music, or design Award Dinner Preview May 12. their own psychedelic album cover. Page 3 • A special timeline which shows 1968: The Year That Rocked America how the transformative events takes visitors on a journey through the throughout the nation affected 1968: THE YEAR THAT Upcoming Exhibition: peak of the Vietnam War, assertions life here in Western Pa. ROCKED AMERICA The Civil War in Pennsylvania of Black Power at the Olympic Games, the national launch of “Mister Rogers’ Admission to the exhibition, which Page 4 PRESENTING SPONSOR Neighborhood,” stardom for musicians includes access to all six floors of the Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, and the History Center, is $15 for adults, assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. $13 for seniors (age 62+), $6 for students Fort Pitt Museum to and Robert F. Kennedy. with a valid ID and youth (age 6-17), SPONSORS Fire Colonial Cannon and free for children (age 5 and under). Page 5 Exhibition highlights include: History Center members get in free. • The original set and several puppets from “Mister Rogers’ For additional exhibit information, Mark Your Calendars: Neighborhood,” on display for the including artifact photos, videos, and BOZZONE FAMILY FOUNDATION Upcoming Programs and Events first time outside of the WQED studios. updated event information, please visit Page 6 • A 20-foot Bell UH-1H “Huey” www.heinzhistorycenter.org. For STEVEN & BEVERLYNN ELLIOTT helicopter used in the Vietnam details on upcoming exhibit-related War, the largest item ever displayed public programs, see page 6. Earn Tax Credits inside a History Center exhibition. Through EITC • Video footage from Dr. Martin The History Center partnered with The national traveling exhibition is funded by Luther King Jr.’s last public several institutions to bring the 1968 Page 7 the National endowment for the Humanities. speech and items from King’s exhibition to Pittsburgh, including funeral at Ebenezer Baptist Church. the Minnesota History Center, the • Apollo 8 mission artifacts on loan Smithsonian Institution, the Atlanta from the Smithsonian’s National Air & History Center, the Chicago History Space Museum, along with a life-size Museum, and the Oakland Museum of 15-foot replica of the lunar module. California. Additional items are on loan • The torch from the 1968 Olympics from the National Baseball Hall of Fame, in Mexico City and a game-used the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the Watch a 1968 exhibit video tour: football from Super Bowl II. Experience Music Project Museum. YouTube → Heinz History Center SPORTS MUSEUM SPOTLIGHT Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett Among Five Honorees 2013 History Makers The Pittsburgh Pipers at 21st Annual History Makers Award Dinner Honorees include: BY NED SCHANO, co-director, The History Makers Award Dinner Community Leadership Western PennsyLvania Sports Museum honors distinguished individuals for Esther L. Bush Forty five years ago, a Pittsburgh their exceptional contributions to President and CEO team brought the city its first and only Western Pennsylvania, the nation, and Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh professional basketball championship. the world. Over the past two decades, more than 100 recipients have earned The Pittsburgh Pipers joined the fledgling American Basketball Sports Association (ABA) for the 1967-68 season as one of 11 this prestigious award, including Tony Dorsett inaugural franchises, along with such teams as the Kentucky prominent Pittsburghers such as Colonels, Anaheim Amigos, and Houston Mavericks. Hall of Fame Running Back pittsburgh pipers, ABA Basketball Team, 1967-68 Dan Rooney, August Wilson, Fred Rogers, University of Pittsburgh and The ABA’s flashy style of offensive play and colorful red, History Center President and CEO Andy Masich with 2012 Michael Keaton, and David McCullough. Dallas Cowboys Sat., Aug. 17 • 1 p.m. – Dusk white, and blue ball provided competition for the more History Maker honorees Chip Ganassi, The Honorable established National Basketball Association. D. Michael Fisher, Jackie Evancho, Stephen Tritch, This year’s event, presented by BNY Mellon and heritage Come throw out the pallino and throw down for a Ronald Davenport, and dinner co-chair Donald Heberle. Citizens Bank, is slated for Thurs., April 18 at the worthy cause at the History Center’s Fourth Annual During the ABA’s first season, Pipers forward Connie Fairmont Pittsburgh. The event is co-chaired by Sigo Falk Bocce Tournament and Festival on Sat., Aug. 17. Hawkins led the league in scoring by averaging 26.8 Donald J. Heberle, president, BNY Mellon of Chairman points per game. The imposing 6-foot-8 Hawkins, a New Pennsylvania, and Daniel K. Fitzpatrick, president of Falk Foundation This all-day event, organized by Jack Mascaro of York City playground legend who began his professional Citizens Bank, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, Mascaro Construction Co., features a competitive career with the Pittsburgh Renaissance of the American and mid-Atlantic regional executive for RBS Citizens. bocce tournament with delicious Italian food, Basketball League and then played with the Harlem phiLanthropy beverages, live entertainment, and more. Visitors Globetrotters, earned the league’s regular season and Tickets can also try their hand playing bocce on two playoff Most Valuable Player honors in 1967-68. Patron tickets are $500 each and include an invitation George C. Greer specially designed public courts. to a private reception and preferred seating. Friend Chairman and President With Hawkins as the team’s star, the Pipers posted the tickets are available for $250. Eden Hall Foundation Admission is free for all spectators. All proceeds league’s best record during the regular season, going from the event benefit the Italian American Endowed 54-24 for a .692 winning percentage. Cocktails begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. Fund, which is dedicated to preserving the history pittsburgh pipers forward Connie Hawkins and culture of Italian Americans in Western Pa. After sweeping the Indiana Pacers three-games-to-none To purchase your tickets today, contact Mark Burnett business & industry in the Eastern Division semifinals and defeating the at 412-454-6405 or [email protected]. David S. Shapira For more information or to sponsor a team, Minnesota Muskies in the Eastern Division finals, the please contact Mark Burnett at 412-454-6405 Pipers earned a trip to the first ABA Championship All contributions benefit the educational programs and Executive Chairman Dinner co-chairmen Donald Heberle and Daniel Fitzpatrick. or [email protected]. against the New Orleans Buccaneers. services of the History Center. Board of Directors Giant Eagle, Inc. The Pipers defeated the Buccaneers 122-113 in the final game — the largest margin of victory in the best-of-seven series — to earn the team’s first and only ABA Championship. In Memoriam Be a Part of the Story The Pipers played their home games at the Civic Arena and averaged 3,200 fans per game throughout the The History Center recently lost a member of its family Preserve your memories with commemorative items season. They shared their home arena with the with the passing of Audrey Brourman. A classically from the History Center. The History Center offers expansion Pittsburgh Penguins, who posted a trained pianist, Audrey attended the Aspen Music unique ways to help you preserve your memories and 27-34-13 record in their first NHL season in 1967-68. Institute and later helped to found the Sun Valley celebrate loved ones. Purchasing a commemorative item International Music Festival in Idaho. Realizing her ensures your place in history while supporting Despite winning a championship with respectable crowds, passion for fundraising, she started A.L. Brourman & History Center exhibitions and programming designed the Pipers moved to Minnesota later that year before Associates in 1990 as a world-class fundraising firm to teach, engage, and inspire future generations. returning to Pittsburgh for the 1969-70 season. The team and began an immediate relationship with the History couldn’t replicate the on-court or box office success from Center that would last for more than 20 years. “Audrey Standard Commemorative Items: its first season and eventually changed its name to the was a history maker – her tireless efforts coupled with • Engraved Tiles (starting at $500) Pittsburgh Condors. After two lackluster seasons as the uncommon grace and humility helped to build the • Rocking Chairs ($500) Adult or Youth Sizes Condors, the team folded in the summer of 1972. History Center into a national model for history • Time Capsules (starting at $2,000) education,” said Andy Masich, president and CEO. The ABA merged with the NBA in 1976 and Pittsburgh See the first ABA Championship trophy won by She is survived by her sons Ronn, Jeff, and Paul and Sports Commemorative Items: FORE! 10th Annual was left without a professional basketball team until the the Pittsburgh Pipers, along with a variety of game their families, including four grandchildren.