Pittsburgh Bicentennial Highlights PPS Student Art

On March 18, 1816, the legislators of the Pennsylvania General Assembly approved a charter of incorporation that transformed a small western Pennsylvania borough on the Forks of the Ohio into the City of Pittsburgh.

Two hundred years later, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Mike Turzai, Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and a multitude of other governments officials, civic leaders, and Pittsburghers gathered in the lobby of the City-County Building to celebrate the occasion.

It was a festive atmosphere marked with civic pride as Pittsburghers gathered to revel in the history of how Pittsburgh government evolved from a township to a borough and then a city. The celebration included a display of important historical artifacts, including the City’s Articles of Incorporation, minutes of the first City Council meetings, and tributes to the living descendants of some of Pittsburgh’s former mayors, including our first mayor, Ebenezer Denny.

PHLF docents and staff helped facilitate a student art project in which Pittsburgh Public Schools students created birthday cards featuring the architecture and unique character of their school. Students also signed their names or initials, the idea being that the names of future mayors were written on the birthday cards.

The Bicentennial Education Committee, chaired by Esther Bush, thanked PHLF and Pittsburgh Public School administrators and art teachers for working together to make the Birthday Card Project such a success. The photo gallery below shows photos of the 46 birthday cards designed and presented by the students.

As a member of the City’s Bicentennial Commission, PHLF has been involved on the Preservation, Education, and Events Committees in the planning of the year-long celebration and festivities. PHLF is also supporting Pittsburgh’s Bicentennial observation by receiving, acknowledging, holding and disbursing donations to fund commemorative activities chosen by the Pittsburgh Bicentennial Commission, chaired by Andy Masich, president and CEO of the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Click here to learn more about the Pittsburgh Bicentennial and to see a schedule of upcoming events and to get involved.