Free Wednesday Walking Tours: Oakland Civic Center (Forbes Avenue Area)

Reservations appreciated: marylu@phlf.org; 412-471-5808, ext. 527

This walking tour focuses on six major buildings constructed between the 1890s and 1970s, bordering Schenley Plaza and near Forbes Avenue: the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Frick Fine Arts Building, Posvar Hall, Cathedral of Learning, and Heinz Chapel. The Oakland Civic Center is a place of big gifts and big dreams, inspired by the City Beautiful movement that flourished in the 1890s and 1900s. The dreamers included John G. Bowman, chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh, Edward M. Bigelow, city director of public works, and Franklin Nicola, developer. And the donors included Mary Schenley, Andrew Carnegie, Henry Phipps, Andrew Mellon, and the Heinz family. Hear the story of this celebrated neighborhood’s development and explore this architecturally significant center of education and culture on a free guided walking tour with PHLF.

Meeting location: Corner of Forbes Avenue and Schenley Drive Extension, near the outdoor statue of the Dinosaur 

Ending location: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Special note: If you are interested in joining the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s historical tour of its building, beginning at 11:00 a.m., please let our tour guide know at the beginning of our tour or sign up for a historical tour in advance at www.carnegielibrary.org/tours