Put a pin into the map and tell us about a Pittsburgh place that maybe only you remember.

Volunteer story collectors will be on hand conducting brief interviews and taking down your story for the Unlandmarks project. Whether it’s a café or church that have shuttered their doors, a mural that’s been painted over, or a playground that became an office building we want to hear it all.

Your story will help build a map of significant Pittsburgh places that have been lost to the elements and/or the city’s development.

Friday, November 3 // 6 pm – 9 pm

The event is FREE and open to all. Drop in anytime Friday evening; other local businesses will be open late for Unblurred:First Fridays on Penn Avenue.

What is the Unlandmarks Project?
Through the end of 2017, local civic technology organization Code for Pittsburgh will be building a map of landmarks that are gone. Buildings, businesses, public art, noteworthy trees–they want to hear about it all. They’re making a free and open record of those historical landmarks and the stories that connect people to them.

The Unlandmarks Map will reveal and detail historical injustices. It will show the rent-raising which closed down minority-owned businesses, the murals which were painted over, the unique houses which were knocked down for bland concrete apartments, the jazz nightclubs which were lost to the Civic Arena.

It will also reveal high points, including industrial achievements at a scale that might not be seen again, bustling neighborhood shops, and art from an earlier age.

The goal is to collect as many stories as possible and empower citizens to get involved in influencing the future landscape of our city.

How does this relate to Creative Nonfiction?
We believe in the power of narrative. A well-crafted story holds weight and can influence change. Research suggests that people learn and retain more information when facts and ideas are presented to them in narrative form. Code for Pittsburgh began the project, but many hands make light work. We’re here to support the collection of stories and to spread the word about this special local project.