Tag Archives: History

The History of Local Trails

Pittsburgh bike trailImage by katherine of chicago via Flickr

I saw this event on the Venture Outdoors blog today and I think this will be a really interesting talk about the history of the trails system in Pittsburgh. The parks and trails here are pretty amazing and it is strange to think that these assets are relatively recent to the city.Trails, Riverfronts, Local HistoryWednesday, 11 February 20097:30-9pm, Botany Hall, adjacent to Phipps Conservatory, OaklandSpeakers include: Bob Gangawere, former editor of Carnegie MagazineDirector of Friends of the River Front with Brendan Wiant, Bally DesignThere is a nice article on this talk in today’s PopCityMedia here Continue reading

Fort Ligonier Days – 250th Anniversary of the Battle

Fort Ligonier 2006.Image by ryanophilly via FlickrEach year thousands of people head to Ligonier – just a quick 60 minute drive from Pittsburgh for a huge celebration that commemorates the battle of Ligonier which was one of the battles of the French and Indian War.   The fort is still there and you can even watch a reenactment of the battle. I try to make it to Fort Ligonier Days each year for the parade on Saturday Morning and the food – it is the most amazing festival food I have ever found.

I definitly don’t want to miss the 250th Anniversary celebration at this years Fort Ligonier days.  The fun starts on Friday morning, the parade is on Saturday and the events run through Sunday.

All of the details with a complete schedule is available here.

You can watch the battle reenactments at 2 & 4 on Saturday and Sunday at the Fort.

The other reason to make the drive to Ligonier is the fall foliage – this is the perfect time of year to see the spectacular colors of leaves.  I will be looking for candy corns and pumpkins and some apple cider too.

While you are in Ligonier you MUST stop in to see Joe’s Bar – this place is spectacular, a different kind of spectacular than the leaves, but spectacular. Joe’s has one of the largest collections of taxidermy in the US – see pictures here.  More pictures here and here. Continue reading

Links Worth a Look for August 25, 2008

Here are three things that are worth a look:

  • Good night, states and summer – A rave review of the Good Night States show at Gooski’s”After the party, I caught a local 3 bands/$5 show at a dive bar. What can one expect from a local band? A good time, some earnest musicanship, perhaps flickers of great potential. What I didn’t prepare for, was to be stunned by the opening band, Good Night, States. My buddy and I kept looking at each other in disbelief. I suppose every band toils in the minor leagues before their big break, but geez, I can’t see too many more dive bar shows in their future. “
  • In Sisterhood – In Sisterhood is a project that is part of Pittsburgh 250 and is working to document women’s history of the region.From the Community Connections website “Pittsburgh was one of the four epicenters of the national women’s rights movement – a fact few people realize. Oral historian Pat Ulbrich thinks that the time to capture and relate that history is right NOW.””Less than 40 years ago, when Pittsburghers such as Gerald Gardner and JoAnn Evansgardner (both of whom are subjects of In Sisterhood interviews) opened a copy of the Pittsburgh Press to check the want-ads, they would find two sections: “Jobs – Male Interest,” and “Jobs – Female Interest.” The difference was stark. An example from one Press listing, from January 4, 1970 (exhibited in court documents), shows women’s jobs maxing out at salaries that amount to a mid-range men’s position, in one case offering over 50% more salary for men than women for the same position.”

Click here to see more links we like.

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History Mystery Run

Pittsburgh’s Hash House Harriers (aka PGH H-3) refer to them selves as “the drinking club with a running problem.”

What is Hashing?
You have just stumbled upon an International phenomenon, where a group of people, “Hashers”, follow a cryptic trail that has been marked with flour by the “Hare”. This trail leads to beer, water, snacks, and a lot of camaraderie.   Some people run, some people walk, but they all follow these cryptic marks along streets, trails, and off the beaten path until they find a beer stop. Now there is water there too, and snacks, but really we are known as a Beer Drinking Club with a Running Problem.

Pittsburgh’s Hash House Harrier’s are getting into the Pittsburgh 250 spirit with a History Mystery Run This Monday.  This mystery run will hit a couple of Pittsburgh’s historical sites and will be about 3-4 miles.

The Hash House Harriers have many other runs planned – check out their website for details.

History Mystery Run
Monday, January 21, 6:30pm
Meet at Fuel & Fuddle in Oakland, 212 Oakland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Bring a flashlight and a few dollars

Pittsburgh’s Hash House Harriers Website

(Via ThisIsHappening.org)